, 1877-04-18

longs, and it was one OF the triumphal
columns raised by that Monarch to record
his victories over Asia and Ethiopia. The
central line of hieroglyphs on each side
the original dedication contains the name
and titles of the Monarch, and records
that it was erected to tbs god Ra, or the
Rising Sun, and to Tum, or the Setting
Sun, on the occasion of the Festival OF 80
years at On or HelipoIis. 1t is probably
one OF the obelisks for which Thothmes
appointed o daily offering Of bread ard
beer, as If it were a statue or living being,
to be ever worshipped. The inscription
states that it was capped with gold, but.
Of course, it has been stripped OF that
ornamental portion. How or when it fell
is unknown probably the effects of an
earthquake, or the undermining of the soil
by the sea to which it lies so near, may
have caused it to fall. The pedestal is
still IN stu, and ut the base was found a
dial showing that it had either stood in the
Hippodrome or else served as q gnomOn to
the Cesareum. In the days of Pliny both
were erect, and he attributes them to NIph-
res or Moeris, the classical name OF ThOthmes
III. 1t was, perhaps, not erected in his
reign, for two lateral lines Of hieroglyphs,
one on each side of the central one, have
been added by Rar IT,, the heroic
king, more familiar. VI as Sesostris,
who restored and he mon0lilh
perhaps after it hau p~s t.-pared for the
purpose. The Inscriptions, howsver,
throw no light on this fact, as the phrases
only record his conqEests of the foreign
ers as far as the Ocean and the poles Il
heaven, or that his glance annlhilated his
enemies, and that none dared to speak TO
his brow.
When the Emperors Of Rome began to
embellish the Eternal City with these
spoiIs of vanquished Egypt, it is difficult
to know why the two obeIisks of Alexan-
dria were left behind, except that, as they
stood in the CPsareum, and were conve-
nient landmarks, they might have been
left as a monument to Caesar and a guide
to mariners. The last obeIisk transported
to Europe and set up in the Place Dc 10
Concorde at Paris was selected for its
superior beauty and finer condition, the
standing obelisk Of Alexandria being re-
iected on account of it's worn state, espe.
cially on that side which faces the sea.
The idea of removing the fallen obclisk
to England as q memorial Of the depar.
ture Of the French from Egypt, was enter
tanned at the beginning of the present
century, and 10 1901 the task was begun
by the United Services. At that period
the Earl of Cavan, who was in command
of the forces left behind in Egypt. turned
his attention to the PROSTATE monolith.
The means of removal were laid down by
Major Bryce, of the Engineers. The
troops were invited to subscribe q Ger.
tain number OF days pay for the necessary
expenses, and the necessary funds were
cheerfullv subscribed. One of the largest
French ~frrigatcs. Ell Corso. was purchased
of the Prize Agents for the purpose. and a
stone pier or jetty commenced to bring
the obelisk through the stern port of the
vessel and lay it on blocks o. timber,
forming a platform upon the keel. Mid.
shipmen and working parties were told of.
and paw issued to them from the funds
which had been contributed. Captains
Lacon and Douelly superintendent the
work. but it was ;aoandonedin consequence
of orders from Lord Keith and General
Fox. who held command Of the naval and
military forces in the Mediterranean. Fox