New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-09-15
NEW PUBLICAIION
CARTHAGE.

ratiye in which he attempts to set forth the
progress Of his researches. We ere not even
Informed in what year of the Christian era bis
excavations were made, although he vouchsafes
to state that it was on a certain 18th OF NO
vember that the diggings were commenced
This is the nearest approach to date that we
can discover and for anything that appears IN
the account, the work might have been per-
formed twenty years since, or during the pas'
year. Nor does the author present any cohseou-
tive statement by which we can follow INC
course of his discoveries, but mixes up history
geography, archaeology, and description 10 'i'e
drest confusion. His plethora of learning con-
corning Carthage, which seems to have been the
fayorite object of his studies for many years. is
'araded in page after page OF complicated oetai'
but in a manner to defy the efforts OF the most
resolute and persistent antiquarian amateur.
After innumerable enbarrassments and delays,
DR.. Davis at last succeeded in breaking ground
with force of some twenty-five men, and soon
came upon solid masonry, in which ne cleared
three vauted chambers, containing however,
nothing of the slightest interest, with the excep-
tion OF a marble hand, aad a few terra-cOtta
lamps. The arch was semicircular, constructed
of irregular stones, while the wall up to the
curye--a distance of about fourteen feet-was of
massive square stones. Since Sir Gardner Will
knson Whose name, by the BY, is uniformly
misspelt throughout the volume) discovered SO
many arches and vaults of early dates in
Thebes, the presence of tho arch could furnish
no clue TO the age of the building.
Although nothing to encourage the work was
discovered, DIR. Davis continued the digging at
the same spot for nearly two weeks, wishing to
test the character of the soil, and to ascertain
the depth Of earth, which had accumulated upon
the ruins during succession of centuries. His
conclusion from repeated experiments was, that
Phenician ruins prior to the last Punc war had
a depth of about twenty feet of soil upon them,
allowing under ordinary circumstances, an aver
age increase of one foot century. Sinking
shaft Of thirty feet within the ruin, several marble
and granite columns and one beautiful COrinthian (.
capital were found in the trenches at depth of
twelve feet.
After the lapse of three months, with force
Increased to the number of forty or fifty men,
nothing was found worth the labor of single
day At length however the zeal of the explorer
magoiicent pavement of mosaic was brought to
light, containing, beside its elegant and chaste
designs, q colossal female bust and two priest
esses, full length and robed. Pursuing the exca-
yationa. DR.. Davis was rewarded by finding
another colossal bust, representing the head of
Ceres, together with another priestess and the
corresponding designs. His success was the occa-
sion for an outbreak of official jealousy, which he
met with q ready shrewdness, that, we could
wish, had been more freely exercised in the
composition Of the volume.
The fame of ny discovery was quickly spread abroad
and reached even the ears Of his highness himself
through some offcious European, who, aferward
learned told the hey that one OF the colossal beads
represented Dido, aud Was worth at least one million
Of Tunis Iiasters equivalent to E25 600 happened
to absent on business when the bey his ministers
and suite drove up 10 the excavation Ali karema,
at' bis higbness request, readily removed the boards
which covered the mosaic. The ilustrlous visitors,
my faetoum afterward told me, appeared quite be-
wdered with establishment when they fixed their ewes
upon the tasreroot." Turning to ore Of his minis
ters my Informant stated, The hey remarked that il
suras sed in beauty the description be had received
whb be had regarded greatly exaggerated Karema
sPPeard highly pleased at all this for though
marksbly Kind, and the little fellow fully expected
erat,itv. But the Bey WAS otherwise minded In
peremptoy he ordered Ali to have the boards
replaced, 10 that nothing be touched and then,
turning 10 the mep, threatened them with the bssti
nado and imprisonment if they dared 70 continue the
work.
" lSmaa ,rataaP Hearing Is obeying. my
Lord!) was the unanimous exclamation.
TIE timid Arabs instantly dispersed, and the Boy
and bis party drove of.
On NY return, which was about an hour after the
Bey departure, the particulars were communicated
10
There were two courses Of procedure open for me-
one 10 90 TO Tuuis, inform the Consul of what had
euued and leave the afir in biz bands; the other to
manage the business in my own peculiar way. pre-
feued The latter course, on various grounds.
BY horse was Instantly brought and / rode Off TO
the palace. happened TO enter an audience room just
the Prime Minister entered II from another door
Hs immediately came 10 meet me, and in his peculiar
~ aiable manner, asked what lad brought me there
at that hour.
Your Exoeency is aware that bis Highness has
giyenme permission to excayase the ruins Of Car
thsge
'FOf course / am, he replied.
"Was that permission given in the hope that my
researches should prove successful, the very re-
Yersel 2"
/" 1t was certainly given" he re.Oined, in good
faith, anticipating success.
Then bow is i that his Higbness has appropriated
what have discovered, and oisbanded nv men ~
II wac LOt pTeseut, AID am therefore unable to An
swer this question. Besides he added, sit is too
late now IeannCt, thereore return TO lila Iighnesss
APARTMENT 10 aseertain the particulars"
YoVr Exeeleney," ] reoinod Sis aware of the
Bey fricudship FOR He, and yourself have also fire.
quel.ly Gwen ne similar assuTances 4 must there
fore conclude hat bis Highresss act Of the morning
was the result OF the mitigation Of some malicious
garts A pTiace ought 10 is en 10 advice; but when
tat ADVICE Is N direct opposition to good fifth to
which lie j. bound il il duty 70 reject H. even Il it
l. % bis COT. As the Bey's friend therefore ana that
il may not e said OF him that lie las broken faith viii
ue, Ibeg 70 tell your Exc-lleucy that 1 shall not
q Nsa Loo fHHnN NNrrg. .ffarn