AND LOWER EGYPT. 375 



but a stone, was astonished at the small degree of 

 eagerness which we displayed to carry it off. He 

 called the janisary, in order to discover the mo- 

 tives of an unconcern which was only apparent. 

 This man, who had received his cue, replied to 

 the Aga, that after the pretensions which he had 

 made respecting the stone, we had thought no 

 more of it; but that, notwithstanding, we would 

 still take it, if he would consent not to put too 

 high a price upon it. The janisary returned with 

 an order to have it conveyed to my lodging, with 

 an assurance that the Aga would abate consider- 

 ably in his pretended rights, and that he would 

 settle the matter with M. Forneti. I got clear, in 

 reality, for a very trifling present. 



Circumstances prevented my taking the little 

 pyramid when I departed from Egypt. I left it in 

 a magazine of the French house at Rossetta, and 

 committed it to the care of the consul. If any per- 

 son thought that he was at liberty to carry it off, as 

 a thing abandoned, I entreat him to recall to mind 

 that his acquisition cost me a great many troubles, 

 much management, and much uneasiness. I say 

 nothing of the money. I must believe that I have 

 the right of reclaiming it, and surely the motive of 

 my reclamation will influence the possessor to re- 

 store this superb fragment of antiquity, as 1 have no 

 other desire than to present it to the national mu- 

 seum, 



