PREFACE.

The accompanying pages are intended as an introduction to the magnificent Egyptian Obelisk which is about to take its place among the monuments of London. This Obelisk was hewn in the renowned quarries of Syené, at the extreme southern boundary of Egypt, and was thence floated down the stream of the Nile to Heliopolis, the City of the Sun. It was erected, as one of a pair, in front of the seat of learning wherein Moses received his education, and stood in that position for about 1,600 years. Shortly before the Christian era it was conveyed to Alexandria, where it has remained until the present time, and is now on its voyage to the banks of the Thames. Its age, therefore, may be computed at upwards of 3,000 years.

At that early period, when other nations had not yet awakened into the dawn of civilisation, Egypt had made substantial progress in architecture and sculpture; and the British Obelisk may be taken as an admirable example of their excellence. The hieroglyphs which adorn its surface, inform us that it was erected by a powerful Pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty, Thothmes III.; and that, 200 years later, it was carved with the name of another illustrious Egyptian potentate, Rameses the Great. The sculptures of Thothmes occupy the central line of each face of the shaft from top to bottom, and those of Rameses the side lines; so that, at a glance, we are enabled to compare the art of sculpture at periods of two centuries apart.

Heliopolis was the On of the Bible, and one of the cities of the Land of Goshen, where Abraham sought refuge when driven by famine out of Canaan. It was at Heliopolis that Joseph endured his slavery and imprisonment, and was rewarded by the Pharaoh of his day with the hand of Asenath, the daughter of Potipherah, a priest and ruler of On. Here he received in his arms his aged father Jacob, and Jacob fell on his neck and wept with joy at the recovery of his long-lost and well-beloved son: whilst in the neighbourhood of Heliopolis is still shown the venerable sycamore tree, under which, according to traditional report, the Holy Family took shelter in their flight into Egypt.

These are some of the interesting associations which will crowd into the mind when we look upward at this colossal monolith, and of which it was once the silent spectator. Ancient Egypt, Egyptian enlightenment and refinement, scenes and acts of Bible history—are, as it were, realised by the presence of this stately object of art in the midst of our ancient, although, compared with itself, very modern, city. This, however, is not all; for our Obelisk was a witness to the fall of the Greek and the rise of Roman dominion in Egypt, and revives in our memory the brilliant exploits of Nelson at Aboukir, and the grievous loss sustained by Britain in the death of Abercromby, at Alexandria.

After the battle of Alexandria, in 1801, it had been the eager wish of the British army and navy to convey this Obelisk to England as a memorial of their victory. Weightier considerations frustrated their efforts.

In 1820, the matter was revived, and the Obelisk was formally presented by Mehemet Ali to the British nation, through His Majesty George IV.[1]

In 1822, a distinguished naval officer, Admiral W. H. Smyth, F.R.S., drew up a statement of plans by which the transport of the Obelisk might be accomplished; and Mehemet Ali offered to assist the undertaking by building a pier expressly for the purpose.[2]

In 1832, the propriety of making an endeavour to procure the Obelisk was discussed in Parliament, and supported by Joseph Hume, a sum of money being proposed for the purpose.

In 1867, Lieutenant-General Sir James Alexander directed his attention to the same subject, and read a Paper on the existing state of the Obelisk, before the Royal Society of Edinburgh.[3] In 1875, he visited Alexandria for the purpose of ascertaining the actual condition of the Obelisk, and the possibility of getting it into British possession. A letter from Mr. Arthur Arnold to Lord Henry Lennox, First Commissioner of Works, dated April, 1876, and published in his book, entitled, “Through Persia by Caravan,” exhibits one of the results of Sir James Alexander’s exertions, and may be regarded as the most recent official report on the Obelisk question.[4]

While in Egypt, Sir James Alexander became acquainted with Mr. John Dixon, C.E., who had given considerable attention to the subject of the Obelisk and to the mode of its transport to England. Mr. Dixon had already made some successful explorations of the Great Pyramid, and had then brought his skill and experience, as a civil engineer, to bear on the practical question of the means and contrivance by which the transport of our Obelisk might be effected.

Such was the state of affairs in November, 1876, when Sir James Alexander first broached the subject to the author of these pages. Shortly afterwards the writer had an interview with Mr. John Dixon; succeeded by a conference, in which he was assisted by the judgment and advice of two valued friends—Mr. Charles Alfred Swinburne, of Bedford Row, and Mr. Henry Palfrey Stephenson, civil engineer. The conclusion arrived at in this conference was, that the undertaking was practicable; and an agreement was shortly afterwards (January 30th, 1877) signed, by which Mr. John Dixon engaged to set up the Obelisk on the banks of the Thames safe and sound.

The incidents of voyage, the shipwreck, the abandonment and recovery of the cylinder-ship “Cleopatra,” together with her subsequent adventures, form an episode of surpassing interest, which has already been partly analysed in the journals of the day; but must now be left, for the completion of its history, until the Obelisk shall have been safely erected in London, on a site worthy of its antiquity and symbolical significance, and of the dignity of the metropolis of Great Britain. A happy chance already points to the precincts of Westminster Abbey, with its harmonious architectural and classical surroundings:—Westminster Hall, the Houses of Parliament, the Government Offices, the Horse-Guards, the Admiralty, Trafalgar Square, the Thames, and the most beautiful of its bridges, as a possible site; and in very truth, no better place can be found for it in our great city, even should Queen Anne graciously condescend to step from her pedestal at St. Paul’s, to make way for her more ancient monumental companion.

In the compilation of these pages, the writer has availed himself of all the sources of information which his leisure has permitted him to consult; and he now takes the opportunity of expressing his especial obligations to the works of—Birch, Bonomi, Mariette, Sir Gardner Wilkinson, Sir Henry Rawlinson, George Rawlinson, Burton, Chabas, Pierret, Sharpe, Lane, Admiral Smyth, Rev. George Tomlinson, Parker, W. R. Cooper, Bayle St. John, Lady Duff Gordon, and Miss Edwards; although these authors represent only a portion of the writers in whose pages he has sought for instruction.

London. December, 1877.

CONTENTS.

PAGE

Alexander the Great and Alexandria 1

The Cradle of Christian Theology 2

Succession of Persians, Greeks, and Romans in Egypt 3

The Ptolemies and the Cæsars 4

Queen Cleopatra 5

Cleopatra and Anthony 6

Shakspeare’s Cleopatra 7

Queen Berenice: Coma Berenicis 9

Cleopatra’s Needles 10

Inscription on the Bronze Supports of Cleopatra’s Needles 11

Date of Erection of Cleopatra’s Needles at Alexandria 12

Cæsarium; or Palace of the Cæsars 12

The British, or London Obelisk 13

The Pharaohs, Thothmes III. and Rameses II. 14

Signification of “Cartouche” 16

Age of the British Obelisk 17

Battle of Alexandria in 1801 17

Cleopatra’s Needle in 1801 17

Burial of the British Obelisk with Obsequies 18

Obelisks and Needles 19

Monoliths of Syenite 20

Dimensions and Proportions of the Obelisk 21

The Paris Obelisk 22

Beauty and Durability of Syenite 23

Injury done by Sand-storms 24

Probable effect of British Climate 25

Time required to complete an Obelisk 25

Colossal Obelisks 26

Obelisks Carved when Erect 27

Pliny, the Younger, on Obelisks 28

Transport of Obelisks 29

Journey of the British Obelisk 29

Adoption of Obelisks by the Greeks 30

Export of Obelisks to Rome 31

Galleys of the Greeks and Romans 32

Maritime Prejudices of the Egyptians 33

Circumnavigation of Africa 34

The Emperor Constantine’s Love of Obelisks 34

The Obelisk of Constantinople 35

Ruins of Alexandria 36

Pompey’s Pillar at Alexandria 37

Diocletian’s Title to Pompey’s Pillar 38

Cairo and the Delta 40

Ismailia, a Health Resort 41

The Marvellous Nile 42

The Seven Cataracts of the Nile 42

Lady Duff Gordon and her “Letters from Egypt” 43

Christianity and Theology 44

West Bank of the Nile 45

Memphis and England’s Colossus 46

The Great Pyramids of Geezeh 51

The Patriarch of Pyramids 52

The Colossal Sphynx 53

East Bank of the Nile 56

The Land of Goshen and Field of Zoan 56

Heliopolis and its Obelisk 58

Cartouches of the Pharaoh Usertesen 60

Temple of the Sun, dedicated to Ra and Tum 61

The Obelisk, Symbol of the Rising Sun and Life 63

Pharaoh’s Needles 63

Napoleon’s Address to the Army of the Pyramids 64

What have the Obelisks looked down upon 64

Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph in the Land of Goshen 65

Village of Matareeah; the Virgin’s Tree 65

Hot Sulphur Springs of Helwân 66

Chronology of Ancient Egypt 68

Manetho, the Egyptian Chronologist and Priest 70

Analogies between Obelisk and Pyramid 72

Ornamentation of Obelisks 74

Scientific Knowledge evinced in their Construction 74

Carving of the Obelisk 75

Legend of the British Obelisk, by M. Chabas 76

The Flaminian Obelisk, of the Porta del Popolo 79

Legend of the Flaminian Obelisk 81

Standard of the King 82

The Grand Assemblies called Panegyries 86

Legend of the Paris Obelisk 87

Legend of the Alexandrian Obelisk 88

Moses and the British Obelisk 89

The Pharaoh of the Exodus 90

Era of Joseph in Egypt 90

Nile Voyage from Cairo to Thebes 90

Habits of the Crocodile 91

Geology of Egypt 92

The Mighty Ruins of Thebes 93

Memnonian Colossi; the Vocal Memnon 94

Earthquake before the Christian Era 96

Granite Colossus of Rameses the Great 98

Queen Hatasou’s Western Obelisks 99

Village of Luxor 100

Tomb Architecture 100

Reign of the Mummies 101

The Pylon and Propylon 103

The Architect of Karnak 106

Colossal Statues and Sphynxes 107

Obelisk of Thothmes I. at Karnak 108

Obelisk of Hatasou, appropriated by Thothmes III. 108

Usertesen’s Sanctuary 109

Lost Obelisks of Amenophis III. 110

The Luxor Obelisks 111

Obelisks of Rameses II. 113

Confusion of Thothmes and Hatasou, Seti and

Rameses, and Rameses and Thothmes 114

Sacred Scarabæi and Manufacture of Antiques 117

Humanity of the Egyptians 119

Symbolism of the Scarabæus 120

Voyage from Luxor to As-souan 121

Unfinished Obelisk at As-souan 122

Mode of cleaving Obelisks from the Rock 123

“Beautiful Philæ” and “Pharaoh’s Bed” 125

Obelisks of Philæ 126

The Bankes Obelisk 128

Resistance of Religious Faith to Theodosian Violence 131

Hieroglyphic Writing; how deciphered 133

The Rosetta Stone 134

Cartouches of Ptolemy and Cleopatra 135

Apotheosis of Egyptologists 137

Usertesen and his Obelisks, Heliopolis and Biggig 138

Monolithic Monuments of the Hebrews 144

Abyssinian Obelisks 145

Inscription on the Biggig Obelisk 147

Obelisks of Thothmes I. 148

Obelisks of Queen Hatasou 148

Obelisks of Thothmes III. 149

Obelisk of Amenophis II. 152

Inscription on the Syon House Obelisk 153

Obelisks of Amenophis III. 154

Obelisks of Seti I., or Osirei 154

Obelisks of Rameses II. 156

Obelisks of Menephtah I. 158

Obelisks of Psammeticus I. and II. 159

Obelisks of Nectanebo I., or Amyrtæus 160

Obelisks of Nectanebo II. 162

Prioli Obelisk at Constantinople 164

Obelisk of Nahasb 166

Assyrian Obelisks 166

Ptolemaic Obelisks of Philæ 167

The Bankes Obelisk at Kingston-Lacy Hall 167

Albani Obelisk 168

Roman Obelisks 168

Obelisks at Alnwick 170

Obelisks in the Florence Museum 170

The Arles Obelisk 170

Egyptian Founders of Obelisks 172

Aggregate number of Obelisks 174

Bonomi’s List of Altitudes of Obelisks 176

Classification and Distribution of Obelisks 178

Site of the British Obelisk 182

APPENDIX.

PAGE

Extract from “Bombay Courier,” 1802 185

Consul Briggs to the Right Hon. Sir Benjamin Blomfield, 1820

presentation of the Obelisk to George the Fourth,

by Mehemet Ali 186

General Sir James Alexander;

Paper read at the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 1868 190

Plan of Transport of the Obelisk, by Captain Boswell, R.N. 193

Report by Mr. Arthur Arnold, to Lord Henry Lennox,

respecting state of Obelisk and Plans of Transport, 1876 195

Captain Methven’s Plan of Transport, and Estimate 197

Admiral Smyth’s Plans of Transport 199

Transport of the Luxor Obelisk to Paris, 1831-36 200

Carrick-a-Daggon Monument,

in memory of General Browne Clayton,

one of the Heroes of Alexandria 205

The British Ensign; half-mast, March 28th,

in memory of our gallant and victorious Abercromby 207

Translation of the Legend of the British Obelisk,

by Demetrius Mosconas 207

Ancient Heroic Poem in honour of Thothmes III.,

translated from the Tablet of Phtamosis 210

M. Mosconas’ recent Work 213

ILLUSTRATIONS.

British Obelisk (Frontispiece).

Alexandrian Obelisk (Vignette on Title-page).

PAGE

Paris Obelisk 22

Obelisk at Constantinople 35

Pompey’s Pillar at Alexandria 37

The Colossal Sphynx 54

Obelisk of Usertesen at Heliopolis 59

Cartouches of Usertesen 60

Standard of the King 82

Memnonian Colossi, the Vocal Memnon 94

Pylon of a House or Temple 103

Propylon of the Temple at Edfoo 105

Plan of Ornamentation of the Entrance of

an Egyptian Temple 111

Sacred Scarabæi 116

Engraved Under-surface of Scarabæi 118

Cartouches of Ptolemy and Cleopatra 135

Obelisk at Axum in Abyssinia 145

Cartouches of Thothmes III. 150

Cartouches of Rameses II. 156

British Museum Obelisks 161

Obelisk at Arles 171