312 ACCOUNT OF THE ERECTION OF A GRANITE 



Second method. — A groove or line of holes being effected as 

 above, a narrow line of fire, of bratties (cakes of dried cow- 

 dung) is made j and when the line of rock has been thus tho- 

 roughly heated, a line of men and women, with pots full of 

 cold water, suddenly sweep off the ashes, pour the water on 

 the heated line, and the rock immediately splits, but not so 

 correctly as by the former process, which makes a cut as clean 

 as that of a plate-glass manufacturer ; but the last method, as 

 the cheapest, is employed where great exactness is not requi- 

 site. It is perhaps Hannibal's method, and physical reasons 

 are not wanting for the conjecture, that vinegar might possibly 

 be found more effective than water, not for softening, but for 

 rending heated rocks. 



The obelisk was first blocked out in the rough, to lighten it, 

 before being placed on its carriage, by means which will easi- 

 ly be conceived, after describing those used for its erection. 

 The carriage, after repeatedly sinking into the hard road, as 

 into a swamp, was ultimately moved, over a succession of balks 

 of timber, placed for its support. Granite is so excessively- 

 brittle, that it was thought hazardous to employ draught cattle, 

 or any power less manageable than that of men j and the num- 

 ber employed at one time, on the drag-ropes, as well as I can 

 venture to say, from the picture left on my memory, was about 

 600 men. The operation of removing it was extremely tedi- 

 ous ; but I cannot, from recollection, answer your inquiries 

 with regard to the exact time, or the expence, of the different 

 parts of the process. 



To shorten my description, I must anticipate a little, by re- 

 questing you to conceive the shaft finished, and placed ready 

 for erection, in a horizontal position, raised to the proper 

 height, and with its base accurately placed for insertion in the 

 top of the pedestal, when it should attain a vertical position. 



Then 



