AND LOWER EGYPT. 121 



been already remarked, that the hieroglyphics of 

 Cleopatra's needle were corroded on the face ex- 

 posed to that point of the compass. It is most pro- 

 bably the effect of the wind blowing from the sea. 

 Some have pretended, that on the opposite face, 

 that to the west, a Greek inscription was discernible, 

 when the sun bore upon it : but with all the at* 

 tention I could employ, it was not in my power to 

 perceive any thing of it. 



The ground on which the pillar is raised having 

 given way, part of the pivot which supports it has 

 been laid open. It is a block of six feet only in 

 the square : it bears the weight, as a centre, of a 

 pedestal much larger than itself; which proves the 

 exact perpendicula; ity of the whole. It too is gra- 

 nite, but of a species different from that of the co- 

 lumn. The people of the country had built round 

 the pivot, in the view of strengthening the pedestal. 

 This piece of masonry, totally useless, was formed 

 of stones of various qualities, among which frag- 

 ments of marble, detached from the ruins of some 

 antique edifice, and sculptured with beautiful hie- 

 roglyphics, attracted notice. While some were 

 exerting themselves to Drevent the falling of the 

 monument, others, the Bedouins, as I was told, en- 

 deavoured to bring it down, in the hope of finding 

 treasure under its base when burst to pieces. For 

 this purpose they had employed the action of gun- 

 powder ; 



