94 
AXUM. 
could never be in want of a weapon ; a conclusion, which it may 
be supposed I was at no pains to controvert. 
*' September 18. — I rose at an early hour and hastened to the in- 
scription. After I had completed and corrected with the greatest 
attention the copy of every letter that was in sight, we began to 
dig up the earth, in order to get at that part of it which was under 
ground. We fortunately cleared away nearly a foot and a half, 
without bringing the stone on our heads, and at last, to my great 
satisfaction, came, as I supposed, to the end of the inscription. This 
being done, I went to take a drawing of the obelisk still erect (vide 
L in ground plan ) . I found it to be extremely different from the 
representation given of it by Bruce ; the ornaments, which he is 
pleased to call triglyphs and metopes, and guttae, being most re- 
gularly, instead of irregularly disposed, as will be seen in my re- 
presentation of it. I am now perfectly satisfied that all Bruce's 
pretended knowledge of drawing is not to be depended upon, the 
present instance aiffording a striking example both of his want of 
veracity and uncommon assurance, in giving, with a view to correct 
others, " as a geometrical elevation," so very false a sketch of this 
monument. The broad sides of it front north and south, of which 
only the south is sculptured. It is inferior in size to one that has 
fallen down, which also differs from this in the form of its ornaments, 
and in its having been carved on both sides, or else on the opposite 
side to the corresponding one of that which is now standing. It is 
a noble monument, but of its antiquity, who can judge? For Bruce's 
theory on the subject is, I fear, so ill supported by facts, as to de- 
serve little credit. 
" After finishing my sketch, I went to the top of the hill to the 
