354 ALEXANDRIA. 
cnAr. yoon shew whether this possible illustration of its 
VII. . . ^ 
*.— -V — ' origin be also probable : nay more ; whether 
we have not strong presumptive evidence, to 
prove, that a monument of this form was 
actually erected in this place, and for the purpose 
of a i7r/{- or sepulchral pillar. 
After a vain search for the Inscription, we 
observed that the pedestal itself did not rest 
upon the sand ; but that, by removing some of 
this, we might get beneath it, and examine the 
manner of its support. Here, to our surprise, 
we found that the whole of this immense pile, 
consisting of three parts, pedestal, shaft, and 
capital, was sustained upon a small prop of stone, 
about four feet square, exactly as it is described 
by Paul Lucas ', although positively contradicted 
by Norden^. Around this central base, but in 
very irregular positions, had been placed other 
masses, the fragments of antient Egyptian monu- 
ments, which did not appear to contribute to the 
support of the Column, but to have been brought 
thither for the purpose of maintaining the prop in 
its adjusted situation until the pedestal could be 
(1) Voyage fait par Ordre de Louis XIV. en 1714. torn. II. p. 33. 
yilmst. 1744. 
(2) Travels iu Egypt and Nubia, vol. I. p. IG. Lond. 1757. 
