The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-04-17
LETTER FROM EGYPT.

The following letter from Egypt we find
in the Baltimore Sun, and we copy it as
we'll from the Interest investing that an.
tique region as for the high terms Of praise
bestowed upon our friend and fellow-citizen
Edwin DeLeon. esq, United States Consul
Genera! TO Egypt:
Mehemet Ali found Alexandria nest
of fishermen and pirates, and raised it to its
present prosperous condition. Under the
oppressive weigh, Of Turkish rule, from the
high estate of magniicence and splendor
Which she attained under the Ptolomies
and Cesars, she had gradually sunk to one
OF misery ant! wretchcdue~s. Being the
only harbor upon this coast, her unrivnlied
position must ever cause her 10 he the great
commercial emporium of Egypt and one Of
the principal depots of the trade of the East.
The modern city lies upon the narrow strip
of land between the old and new harbors
formed by the Isle of Pharos, and presents
but an unn,eres,ing appearance upon ap
proaching il from the sea.
The entire coast is exceedingly level and
the most prominent objects a,e row of
wind mills and the lofty light house built
upon the foundations OF the ancient PlIaros
situated on the extremity Of the island.
Upon entering the harbor TO the left are
the palace and harem Of the Viceroy, The
dock yards and arsenalS; whilst stretching
along the right are the white houses of the
city. Passing through the narrow and
dirty streets of the Arab portion, we arrive
NJ The Frank Square, occupying Tie site Of
the ancient docks. This is large oblnny
place surrounded 10y fine houses belonging
to the foreign con>uls and the principal
merchants, and is decidedly the handsum.
est quarter of The city. The streets are nm
paved, and during rainy weather become
exceedingly muddy. The city, surrounded
10y high wall and deep ditch, all OF mod.
ern construction. occupies but small .or.
tion OF The ground covered bv the anciem,
one. Scattered over the unbuilt surface
and for miles beyond the walls are heaps
OF ruins and mounds of broken pottery.
presenting most de>olate appearance At
every excavation broken columns and shat.
tered capitals aie constantly being dug up;
the very ground seems hollow rs YOU drive
over ii, clearly indicating the vast ruins
that lie buried beneath.
The two most prominent monuments Of
antiquity still preserved are Pompey's Pil.
lar and Cleopatra's Needle Tie former
stands on considerable enineuce Lcyonl
the city walls, and is composed of "a ,iurlc
shaft of porphy'y, surmounted ly a capital
ot the CorintlIian order, the whole resting
upon base OF masonry which has anylhin.
but solid appearance The pillar i, some
seventy five feet in height. Supposed TO
have been erected hy Cesar to commemo
rate his successes over his g,cat rjval, it has
e'rone"usly been called Pompry's Pillar:
but from an inscription discovered upou il
10y modern anli4uariaus, it li;l, been a>cer
ta;ncd 10 have l'ccn erected bv project of
Egyp, in honor OF The Emperor Diocle,an.
Standing near the sea and facing the
new harbor i, Cleopatra's Needle, an oJcli>k
OF red granite covered with hcroylyrhcs,
resting upon a base OF wi litc marble brought
to light 10y recent excavations. Near il
lies another half LW!cd in tlc sand. This
was presented TO the English government,
10y Mchemet ali, but the difficulty and ey
pense attending its removal have deferred
them from making the attempt. They ori.
g'naliy STOOD before the temple of the Sun
1T lirllcroli>, and we're brought 10 Alex.
andra to bcautiiy the entrance to the Tenn.
pie Of Caesar.
Near the Frank square some recent OK.
cavations hav- disclosed tie ruined founda.
t,"ns Of an immense building, which many
suppose from their size and solldity 10 he
those Of the ancient library. They are
OF nrlck, so scly ccmcntel that il is found
ea>ier Ia break than To sever them: whilst
The columns of granite and marble being
constantly dug up, from the beauty Of their
style and elegance Of their finish seem
worthy To have adorned q building So u,l.
Iy celebrated rs The Library of Alexandria.
'lIs impossible 10 wander over these hcap<
oI RUNS, these broken shafts and mulinled
capitals, without recalling the DAYS OF her
ancient prosperity aud >pleudor. when She
was the centre uf commerce and cl,iiila.
/ ton, her academies thc seats of science, her
! libraries the wonders of the world.
! Shortly after my second arrival at Alex
andrla had the pleasure of being present.
ed 10y our consul general, Mr. De Leon. to
he Niceroy OF Egypt Tie palace in which
he usually resides during his stay in Alex
an'Irla, aud where he receives the foreign
1 repre- enta'i'cs. is situated upon !Ae Island
OF Pharos Lenving the narrow streets of
'he Arab settlements, spacious avenue,
shaded by luxurlant trees, cad> TO the
/ principal gateway of the palace grounds,
/ consisting of a massive arch oTnamentcd bv
poriico sustained bv six immense Corn-
Than columns Of red granite. 40 doubt Ia.
kr" from some ancient building. lmme.
7 dlaleIy on entering the gateway. To the
night are the offices of the governor and
"ther pubic tdnctlonarios, presenting de.
cidedIy am"st shabby appearance; willis, to
Tie lett, and towards the sea, a'c TO be seen
Ihe long low white barracks Of the troops
Passing large fine square bordercd by
trees and used as parade ground, we
reached the principal entrance of the palace
/ In front regiment of soldiers we:e drawn
] mn 60 I "A. =