ANCIENT EGYPT. 1 27 



height, and estimated to weigh 580 tons. It was erected, with 

 another that has fallen, by Queen Hatasoo of the glorious 

 XVIIIth dynasty, and it bears an inscription, in intaglio, testify- 

 ing to the fact that it and its fellow were cut from their native 

 rock at Assouan, brought down the Nile to Karnak, were 

 placed in position with absolute accuracy and precision, in- 

 scribed and decorated, all within the space of seven months — 

 a feat that would be considered remarkable to-day. An 

 inscription states that the legend on the standing obelisk was 

 inlaid with gold. Another of these monuments is still stand- 

 ing at Karnak, inscribed with the legend of Thotmes I. ; its 

 fellow also lies low. One of the two Luxor obelisks was taken 

 to Paris, the other is still in situ, and one from Thebes went 

 to Rome. One, formerly at Karnak, is said to have been 

 162 feet high. There is a small obelisk, cut in sandstone, 

 still standing at Philae. 



The obelisk on the screen, still erect in the midst of the site 

 of the city of Heliopolis, near Cairo, the only object, beyond a 

 few mounds, left to mark the place, was erected by Osertasen L, 

 the second king of the Xllth dynasty, nearly fifty centuries ago. 

 Each face, which measures over six feet across in its broadest 

 part, is inscribed with the cartouche of the pharaoh, and its 

 dedication is to the Hor of the Sun. Its fellow was still erect 

 as late as the seventh century of our era. 



The heights of the standing obelisks are as follows : — 



Karnak 109 feet 



St. John's, Lateran, Rome 106 „ 



St. Peter's, Rome 83 „ 



Paris 75 „ 



London 68^ „ 



New York 67 „ 



HeHopolis 66^ „ 



but this list does not include all. 



The method by which obelisks were quarried is shown by 

 an unfinished specimen still in the quarries near Assouan, 

 which has been cut clear on three sides, while the fourth is 

 still attached to its native rock ; and how the final detachment 



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