Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume 2, No. 12, May, 1851.Various
History
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, Volume 2, No. 12, May, 1851.
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
wished to know where the soldier was, but observed that it was too late
that evening to have him taken up. However, he was apprehended the next
day, and I never heard or knew any thing more about him. Such a lesson
on the subject was not lost upon me; and I took good care, in future,
not to give the least opportunity of the kind to men of that
description, who can murder an European with as much indifference as
they would kill an insect."
Ruined by the loss of all his savings, which he had spent in the
construction of his water machines, Belzoni once more applied to Mr.
Salt, and undertook the furtherance of his scheme, to convey to England
the bust of Memnon. So eager was he, that the same day, the Italian set
out for the ruins of Thebes, and hired a hundred natives, whom he made
clear away the sand which half covered the stone colossus. With a large
staff in his hand, Belzoni commanded his army of Mussulmans, directed
their labors, astonished them with displays of his physical strength,
learned to speak their language with marvelous facility, and speedily
came to be regarded by them as a superior being, endowed with magical
power.
One day, however, his money failed; and at the same time the rising of
the Nile destroyed in two hours, the work of three months. The _fellahs_
rebeled: one of them rushed toward Belzoni, intending to strike him with
his dagger. The Italian coolly waited his approach, disarmed him; and
then, seizing him by the feet, lifted him as though he had been a hazel
wand, and began to inflict vigorous blows on the other insurgents with
this novel and extemporary weapon of defense. The lesson was not thrown
away: very speedily the _fellahs_ returned to their duty; and after
eighteen days' incessant labor, Memnon trembled at his base, and was
moved toward the bank of the Nile.
The embarkation of this enormous statue presented difficulties almost as
great as those which attended its disinterment and land transport.
Nevertheless, the intelligence and perseverance of Belzoni surmounted
every obstacle; and he brought his wondrous conquest to London, where
its arrival produced a sensation similar to that caused more recently in
Paris by the sight of the Obelisk of Luxor. Loaded with praise, and also
with more substantial gifts, Belzoni, now become an important personage,
returned to Egypt and to his friend Mr. Salt. The latter proposed to him
to go up the Nile, and attempt the removal of the sand-hills which
covered the principal portion of the magnificent temple of Ebsamboul.
Belzoni readily consented, set out for Lower Nubia, ventured boldly
among the savage tribes who wander through the sandy desert; returning
to Thebes, he was rewarded, not only by the success of his special
mission, but also by discovering the temple of Luxor.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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