The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 3, October, 1851Various
History
The International Monthly, Volume 4, No. 3, October, 1851
Various
Art, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; Science -- History -- Periodicals
Englishmen who travel from their native country to the British Indian
empire, as they pass through Alexandria, take occasion to visit two tall
obelisks of red Thebaic granite on the south side of the Great Harbour.
These relics of the remotest periods of Egyptian history are covered with
inscriptions which possess great interest for the antiquarian,
independently of the value which attaches to the shafts or pillars
themselves. In our columns yesterday will be found a long and particular
account of the traditions which must ennoble these mute interpreters of the
past in the eyes of the latest posterity; we do not, therefore, deem it
necessary to repeat the tale in this place. One of the two obelisks remains
erect in its original site; the other lies prostrate on the sand, with
which it is partly covered. A portion of its pedestal has been built into
the wall which at that spot constitutes the fortification of the town. The
one which yet remains upright on the spot where once stood the temple of
the Cæsars is the property of the Egyptian Government; the other, which
lies neglected on the earth, belongs to the English nation. It is ours by
conquest--it is ours by gift. It is a trophy won by our arms when the
gallant Abercromby fell at the head of his victorious troops. As though
this title were not sufficient, in 1820 Mehemet Ali, then Pasha of Egypt
set at rest any doubt which might have existed as to our title to this
trophy by its long abandonment on the field of battle. He solemnly
presented it to George IV. Nor has a shadow of doubt ever been cast upon
our right to this memorial of past times and of our own military glory,
save by a modest inuendo of the French consul in 1830, when the French were
busy removing the obelisk of Luxor. That worthy and intelligent functionary
suggested that, "as the English had so long neglected the Pasha's present,
they might be considered to have relinquished it, and therefore it might as
well be taken away in the French vessel which had come for the other
obelisk." To this modest proposition the English government demurred, and
accordingly Cleopatra's Needle has been left upon the sand in the harbour
of Alexandria, until it may suit the English to take some efficient steps
for its removal. All authoritative reports from the spot inform us that the
inscription is partly defaced upon one side, but in no other respect. The
sand from the desert has in great measure preserved the monument which has
been so long abandoned to its fate. Truth, however, compels us to call
attention to the language of our report, which adds, that if the obelisk
"be not removed at once, it will doubtless, ere long, become utterly ruined
and worthless." This result will not be attributable to the ravages of
time, but to the injuries inflicted by idle or mischievous persons on this
valuable record and monument of by-gone days.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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