310 ACCOUNT OF THE ERECTION OF A GRANITE 



The accompanying sketch, Plate XIX. will obviate much ex- 

 planation. The obelisk is erected, nearly on the site of the Eed- 

 gah Redoubt, which made so determined a defence on the 6th 

 February 1792 ; and the view is taken from the north, with the 

 Fort of Seringapatam in the back-ground j a bungalo for the ac- 

 commodation of visitors, and of a gardener, is seen on the left ; 

 and more in the fore-ground, the carriage on which the shaft 

 of the obelisk, was conveyed from the quarry, supported by 

 eight wheels or rollers, four without, and as many within, the 

 cheeks of the machine. 



The plinth, as exhibited in the sketch, was about 1| feet 

 thick, of three stones of equal dimensions, accurately cut, and 

 resting on three similar stones at right angles with those un- 

 der ground ; the latter, I think, supported by the solid rock, 

 levelled for their reception. 



The pedestal, of a single stone, was nine feet high, and I 

 think seven feet wide j. for I distinctly recollect the base of the 

 shaft, to have been six feet diameter. An excavation of that 

 exact diameter, was made in the summit of the pedestal, of 

 about three inches deep, for the reception of the base ; which 

 excavation, with a ledge or border, of about six inches wide, 

 between the shaft, and the exterior of the pedestal, would 

 make up the seven feet. 



According to my recollection, the length of the shaft is not 

 quite 60 feet ; but as every other person who has been refer- 

 red to, states it from memory, at 70 feet at the least,. the point 

 can only be determined by actual measurement. 



I well recollect, that the first stone quarried for the purpose 

 was 84 feet, and that it was moved a few yards. It was bro- 

 ken by an explosion of gun-powder, intended to split a de- 

 tached stone, which stood in the line of its intended removal, 

 and, as the workmen erroneously supposed, sufficiently distant, 



not 



