The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-10-13
lLnndnn Times.

Il
Cleopatra's Needle.
London Times.l
For several weeks past workmen have
been engaged in completing the work LETT
unexecuted at the base of the needle.
All the artistic embellishments are to be
of bronze, and this material will be quite
in keeping not only with all the tradi-
tions of Egyptian art, but with the re-
mains Of all, or nearly all, the antiqui-
ties which exist in that country. 1t was
at one time proposed to have the
sphinxes which are to flank the base
carved in red granite, but the idea has
been wisely given up in favor OF the
metal, as the latter will be much less
costly, more durable and more appro-
pirate. The model - enlarged - from
which these two figures Will be cast, was
brought from Egypt some thirty years
ago by the late Duke of Northumber-
land. and is considered one of the finest
small specimens that has yet been dis
covered.
It is of the reign of King Thotmes III,
the same who erected the obelisk, and
bears his style and titles in the cartouch
on the breast. Each sphinx will be six
teen feet long and about seven feet high
to the head, and they will be placed
looking towards the column. Thus from
both the road and river sides their pro-
files will be seen in their full proper
tions, and the general effect of their posi-
tions will give sort of pyramidal out
line to the whole group. Two colored
models of the size of the bronze will soon
be placed temporarily on the pedestals
to allow the public to judge of their eff
feet. On the four sides of the base of
the column are to be placed large bronze
panels with raised Inscriptions. The four
panels will be inscribed in plain English
and with English numerals as follows:
Eastern Face-This Obelisk, quarried
at Syene, was erected at On (Heliopolis)
by the Pharaoh, Thotmes I'LL, about
1900 B. G: Lateral Inscriptions were ad-
:. ded nearly two centuries later by Rameses
) the Great. Removed during the Greek
;, dynasty to Alexandria, the Royal city of
Il Cleopatra. 1t was there erected in the
=, eighth year Of Augustus Caesar, B. G. %.
u Western Face-Prostrate for centu-
- ries on the sands Of Alexandria, this Obe-
y lisk was presented to the British nation
+ A. d. 1919, by Mahommed Ali, Viceroy
! of Egypt, a worthy memorial of eli
" distinguished countrymen, Nelson and
=, Abercromby.
y y Embankment Face Land Side)-This
"a "a Obelisk, through the patriotic zeal Of
~ ~ Erasmus Wilson, FRS, was brough
~ ~ from Alexandria, encased in an iron cyl
H., le inder. Was abandoned in storm in th'
y Bay of Biscay. Recovered and erected
Il on this spot by John Dixon, C.E., in thu
42d year of the reign of Queen Victoria
South Face (River Side)-Willian
Ashen, James Gardiner, Joseph BenboN
=. Michael Burns, William Donald, Williar
Patton perished in bold attempt to sue
cour the crew of the Obelisk ship Cleo
IT. patra during the storm, October 14tl
1877.
ed Each of these panels will be set in o
nd a decorated bronze border of foliage
en- while at the four angles of the main bas
an will be ornamented bronze bands in til
do Egyptian style. These will meet a yer
elaborate cornice of the same meta
rse which, being broad and bold, gives fir
I'M finish. 1t will be deeply chased in eac
MS center with the outspread wings of til
w. sacred vulture, the aerial guardians {
he the Kings. From the four corners (
50 this cornice will rise at each angle
lie noble pair of bronze wings of the san
nat bird, reaching about seven feet up Il
ain column. These, with the cornice, wi
m completely hide the junction of the oh
cy, lisk with the base, which at present no
ms. gives the whole such crude and unf
ere ished aspect, and creates that appearan
in of insecurity to which we have allude
,ro- As matter of fact, these upright win
e are purely ornamental, and do not tou'
'ue, the stone, to the stability of which not
the ing whatever can be added, and the hr
sral ricane which could blow it down wou
not leave few roofs Or spires in London, al
) is not single railway station Standing.
ers fact, the wind has never yet blown whi
and could overthrow the Cleopatra. AS wi
, in the sphinxes, so with these wings. Th
has will first be put up in tinted plaster
If Judge of their effect, and see if lit
the relief in gliding would not add to tn
use. fine lines.
Hair renewed, badness checked, the SCI
made clean and white by the use of Ha
pom Vegetable Sicilian Hair Renewer.