TI4 FIELD AND FOREST. 



in horizontal lines or in vertical columns with their faces or front 

 parts directed to the point from which they were intended to be read. 

 As there was so much about this inscription to arouse suspicion, copies 

 of it were sent to several correspondents of the Smithonian Institution 

 deeply learned in Languages, Egyptology, Indian relics and of expe- 

 rience in this class of cases, and not one of them for a moment recog- 

 nized it as a genuine inscription. Prof. Haldeman pointed out the 

 unmeaning character of the figures when translated, as they run out 

 into prepositions or the unconnected words without any name of ruler, 

 or town, or object, or historical event. 



But if not an Egyptian inscription, what is it; This question is 

 believed to have received its true answer from Prof. Trumbull of Hart- 

 ford, Conn. He regards the plate as a modern article of manufacture 

 in thin metal, probably of brass or copper gilded, For this purpose a 

 thin sheet of rolled metal, is for ornament stamped by steel dies or 

 otherwise impressed so that the characters shall imitate an Egyptian 

 inscription probably for cabalistic effect. Such a plate of metal was 

 cut according to pattern for making various small articles as snuff boxes, 

 belt clasps, bracelets &c. 



This will explain why some of the figures on our plate have been cut 

 in two, proving that they were secondary in importance to the neces- 

 sity of giving the plate the required shape. It is believed therefore to 

 have been a clasp or part of a cincture which with its cabalistic marks 

 guarded the mysterious environment of a ladies waist. Such articles 

 were worn forty years ago, somewhat startling for their size and now 

 about to reappear in fashion, probably otherwise ornamented. This 

 deduction gives us a steep plunge from the sublime to the ridiculous, 

 from the top of an obelisk into Nile mud, but there is no help for it 

 .since we have confirmatory evidence right at hand; and now the atten- 

 tion of the reader is directed to remaining figures on our plate. 

 They were furnished by Gen'l Whittlesey of Cleveland Ohio who 

 states that "they are from two peices of brass united by hinges, and 

 when folded are about one fourth of an inch thick. Between the plates 

 are four circular cavities which are plain, the plate being ornamented 

 as on the outside. There is no appearance of antiquity although it pur- 

 ported to be like yours, found below the surface in England, while 

 digging a foundation." The donor could give no explanation of its 

 purpose or use. "After a while a German from the interior of Eur- 



