New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-01-17
THE OBELISK IN DANGER.
If, HIEROGLYPHICe DISAPPEARING.
MoNsY NEEDED TO GIVE IT 4 COATING Oh

M0N.Y NEEDED TO GIVE 1T A COATING OF
PARAFFINE.
The thousands Of New lora's citizens who have
looked with interest and pride upon the old Egyptian
obeisk in Central Park will easily recall the excite
ment caused eighteen months ago by the report lhio
fl was dsintegrating. Unfortunately the concern ana
inter It apparently only ephemeral ana inc
recommendations Of the specialists who examined the
condition OF the monument to insure its preservation
for ntur. generations have been disregarden
nm 10 the present time. But naturally
there has been change for the better III the 'ohu
lion Of the Obesk in the years mat nave passed oS
On the contrary, il Is the OPINION OF experts 'hat
prompt acio for the preservation oil the monument
is imperative. If its American existence Is 10 ne al m
comparable I'm point Of years to the hundreds OF de'aueS
which ii passed in the land OF the Nile.
The people Of New-York will never cease to regret
tbe Treatment or lack of treatment. 10 which the
obellsk was subjected after It's arrival I'm New York.
For four years in the belief that il was rs safe In
the hard climate Of America as in the softer one OF
Evpt nothing was done 10 protect it from the effects
of nature and its natural tendency to decay
rca blocks of the valuable stone WEIR lost or crlm
bled away And ihc "scruping' which ii received
when the first coat Of palaiine applied
IN it, years ago, only added to the substance lost.
In fact il i, said. that more than 700 pounds
~ stone have fallen, been taken from the Obesk.
since it, erection in New-Iork.
Among the men especially interested in the preserva
tIon OF the monument Is Dr. a. A. julien, OF Columbia
College. The Doctor Professor A. H. Galathi. Pro
fessor John 8 Newberry. of Columbia, Professor II.
ogden Doremus and Colonel Gillespie, Of the Army
were appointed comntec to examine the condition
oi the obelisk about two years ago. subsequently, ut
the request Of the Park Department. DR.. julien and
Professor Newberry acted special committee to
devise the best means OF preserving the Obelisk in It's
prc~e,t condition.
The Obellsk,7 said DR.. julien yesterday In speak
ing with Tribune reporter. ia certainly III danger
Although it's general condition gives cause for
alarm, there more than 100 heroglyphs which are
In prccarious state. and it is highly important that
the citizens OF NewYork should take OF these In
time. The attack OF the elements is insidOus and Sc
crct. but the results almost irrcparable. Large
portions Of to hieoglyp hs which were to be seen in
the surface Of the Obes at the time OF It's reception
In New York scaled OF or removed
soon after it, erection in Central Park.
These have been lost and never be replaced
That must always be matter OF profound regret
Every prccautiOn must be taken therefore 10 prevent
any further loss 10 the Obe.k
when our first committee Of five examined the
obellsk., added the Doctor we found 1t desirable 10
treat more than 100 spots with paraiine. The valne
OF the Obeisk depends OF course. entirely upon the
condition Of the surface there the hleroglyphs
Now, In fact, I'm examination, We found that num-
bers Of the hleruelyphs wcro In danger. That
to be attributed principally 10 the four years OF ex
posure which tho Ohelisk underwent before II was
protected During that time the decay took place.
All work was counteInct that decay and pre-
vent its continuance.
After the report of the general committee Pro-
fe--or Ncwberry and myself made special com
uitee to devise the best means Of treating the mOnu
mcut We looked about and found a huge boulder
near Tuchaho" several times large Is the Obelsk.
There We tried uew method Of applying
pa7aiNnc-by using the stove and nangcs-so As
o. drive it deep into the stone. We found that We
could drive 10 into the stone for an inch and half
without injuTng H.. Tie special committee. there
fore. recommended TINT tie Obcli,k he treated IN this
way -pcfsilh possible. Parlilnc. you know.
uc4t- az very lDw temperature. and could readily DO
forced into th" stone Sow. spent DAYS In cX-
afuiuirg the Ob,li-k. and found that many OF the
MrIogy pm, when tapped gave out "A hollow sound.
We found racks. In ftct,. visible IA tho naked eye.
MANY ~ tfrm were long. knifrbkuc could bo
rin into many Of them. We II knew that q
/ -p.rdy treatment necessary.
since that rpprt. gwen year ago last August
addcd the Doctor. We have Tceive-i comm uIlc a
| lion regarding 49, surprised and grlcy'd. and
any one acquainted with the fcts must dcpIore The
ueccs ar 10 apply the paraunc. Certainly that
money should Dc raised I'm way, 10 preserve the
| monument Tie application. nm satisfied VIII In
/ sure it AGAINST di-int"gmtion.'
Here s., % chance fof philanthropc citizen ~
| earn ~" gratitude Il the people ~ New York The
| ,ccn appropriated for use In this direction.