Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-10-31
The Obel1sk and the wAshfnytOn
Mon nm6mt

EoIT jSt0T:-The public have been iu-
formed by the notices In the papers that q
weilknown architect of this city recently
addressed an association of architects In
Philadelphia on the subject of our national
memorial, condemniDg the proposed plan
and asserting that the Egyptian obelisk was
his display Of learned ignorance was a re-
solve, by the assembled savants, to protest
against INJECTING upon Washington and the
republic such an absurd and Inconsistent
Now, had the association vebemsnt,y pro-
tested against the really absurd original de.
sign, or the one more recently contem-
plated-of most defective character-it
would have been most righteous proce-
dune, but to condemn the ooeliscal form as
monumental, and TO approve OF the state.
mtnt. ID strange a0surdity and incousist-
ent with the plain fact. Archie ologists and
other learned men know that the Egyptian
ment, and the earliest esta blished form OF a
true monument. The antiquity OF the old
ct is up known, but supposed TO have been
primitive man, 10 perpetuate the memory OF
remarkable events. The simple, graceful
and beautiful forms OF those effective mono
ton Of all who beheld them. The R1msn
empeIors were SO struck With their impos-
ing beauty that, at extraordinary expense,
and with great labor, they transported q
great many of Them to adcrn imperial Rome
and other important places. Toe French,
who are nation OF high art taste, had Que
conveyed TO Paris, where 1t proudly aspires
Heayenward, to excite the admiration OF all
who may contemplate its simple beauty
and mysterious legends. Though 1lany
were erected by the Egyptians in various
POSITIONS as memorial stones, yet pairs
OF them were especially erected in front
VI the portals Of temples and palaces
They were inscribed with incised records, of
remain-psrpetnatins the scbievement set OF
noble persOnages, their lineage, &C., and
ded1catory passages, and were cOnsecrated
with imposing religions ceremonies. Whilst
the massive piles of temples and pal aces
nave yielded slowly to the corrosive effects
OF the ages OF elementary action, those slen-
der monuments by them yet proudly stand
unscathed, true to the intent OF those VINO
reared them, and of their records. They are
OF three distinct eras, to wit: or the earlier
dynasties, ere the art had been perfected; of
epOcha OF Thothmes l., supposed Pharaoh of
the Exodus; and OF subsequent ages, exhib-
lt1Dg the decline OF art. Those OF the best
period had attained q style OF exactitude In
proportions and finish that could not be
improved, and as precise q the ORDINANCES
OF the Grecian or Roman columns.
VI course constructed form OF masonry
cannot be termed q true obelisk, but yet ff
susn structure Is built up upon the correct
scale OF proportions and form OF the original
type. with proper embellishments and adj
Juncts OF an Immense size, 1t cannot fail to
command admiration as q magnificent
and imposing monupent. Unfortunately,
the designer and PROJECTORS OF the Bunker
Hill monument exhibited ignorance OF the
principles which should characterize such q
me mortal, and OF the proportions due the
Obeltscal form. 1t In, from defective proper
tiOns and other peculiarties, and having the
depressed pyramidion Of the Grecian stella
nothing more nor less than q great tapered
tower. Such Inconsistencies we're proposed
by the original plan, and contemplated also
by recent one favorably considered by the
monument society. But We may cOngratu-
late the country that there is hope Of q more
correct intelligence and true art taste to
govern the resumption and completion OF
our great national memorial.
ANTIQUARrUS,