4.S2 NOETH-EAST AFEICA. 



proceeded to demolisli the temple of Serapis without any other difficulty than those 

 which he found in the weight and solidity of the materials. But these objects 

 proved so insuperable, that he was obliged to leave the foundations, and to content 

 himself to reduce the edifice itself to a heap of rubbish, a part of which was soon 

 afterwards cleared away to make room for a church in honour of the Christian 

 martyrs. The valuable library of Alexandria was pillaged and destroyed, and near 

 twenty years afterwards the appearance of the empty shelves excited the regret 

 and indignation of every spectator whose mind was not totally darkened by 

 religious prejudice. The colossal statue of Serapis was involved in the ruin of 

 his temple and religion." 



On the eminence where the Serapeum has left nothing but a shapeless heap of 

 débris, a solitary pillar about 100 feet high still stands like a monument of death 

 amid the surrounding decay. This is the pillar popularly known as " Pompey's 

 Column," although if not actually built, it was certainly restored in honour of the 

 Roman Emperor Diocletian. Originally it may probably have formed part of the 

 Serapeum. The capital has been hollowed out, either to receive the pedestal of 

 some statue, or possibly in early Christian times to serve as an aerial chamber for 

 some Egyptian rival of Simon Stylites. 



Near the beach to the north-west of the city, the proximity of ancient ruins 

 was till lately indicated by an obelisk of pink granite usually known as "Cleopatra's 

 Needle," although it was originally brought from Heliopolis and re-erected in 

 Alexandria during the reign of Augustus, consequently some time subsequent to 

 the death of the Egyptian queen. A few years ago it was again transported, 

 this time to London, where it now adorns the new granite embankment on the left 

 side of the Thames. Another " needle," after lying for some generations half 

 buried in the sands, has been removed to the New World, ambitious to have 

 her share in the spoils of Egypt. Presented by the Egyptian Government 

 to the municipality of New York, it has been set up in the Central Park of 

 that city. 



The equestrian statue of Mohammed Ali, standing on the elongated " Consid's 

 Square " in the heart of the European quarter, is a sorry compensation for all the 

 works of art wantonly destroyed in past times. The city was even again threatened 

 with destruction during its bombardment by the English in the year 1882. On this 

 occasion Fort Cafarelli was demolished by the British guns, and after the attack 

 the work of destruction was continued during the night by incendiaries and 

 plunderers, instigated by Mahommedan fanaticism. Even two years after the catas- 

 trophe some of the best-built and wealthiest quarters still presented a lamentable 

 appearance. Enormous heaps of rough stonework, the remains of ruined houses, 

 lined both sides of the streets, where every gust of wind raised dense clouds of 

 lime-dust. In many places where the work of destruction had been complete, the 

 district presented the aspect rather of a quarry than of an inhabited town. The 

 work of restoration was long delayed by the state of uncertainty prevailing 

 amongst the mercantile classes, and by the ruin of so many owners of house 

 property, who had long to wait for the promised indemnities. The flags of the 



