DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.61894#0016
b
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. I.
seem to form ornaments singularly appropriate*
as they connect its present beauty with its ancient
power and magnificence. When we recollect
that their antiquity precedes the origin of regular
history, and disappears in the obscurity of the
fabulous ages ; that they are of Egyptian work-
manship, the trophies, and perhaps the records
of her ancient monarchs ; we cannot but look
upon them as so many acknowledgments of
homage, so many testimonials of submission to
the mistress of the Universe. When we are
informed that whatever their elevation or mag-
nitude may be, they are of one solid block of
granite, and yet that they have been transported
over many hundred miles of land and of sea, we
are astonished at the combination of skill and
boldness that marks such an undertaking, and
surpasses the powers of modern art, though ap-
parently so much improved in mechanical opera-
tions. It is then particularly incumbent on the
sovereign to preserve and to recover as many as
possible of these illustrious monuments of Egyp-
tian skill and of Roman majesty.
How many obelisks adorned the city in the
ancient times, it would be difficult to determine.
Some confine the number to sixteen ; I should be
inclined to enlarge it. However if there were
only sixteen, more than one-half have been re-
CLASSICAL TOUR
Ch. I.
seem to form ornaments singularly appropriate*
as they connect its present beauty with its ancient
power and magnificence. When we recollect
that their antiquity precedes the origin of regular
history, and disappears in the obscurity of the
fabulous ages ; that they are of Egyptian work-
manship, the trophies, and perhaps the records
of her ancient monarchs ; we cannot but look
upon them as so many acknowledgments of
homage, so many testimonials of submission to
the mistress of the Universe. When we are
informed that whatever their elevation or mag-
nitude may be, they are of one solid block of
granite, and yet that they have been transported
over many hundred miles of land and of sea, we
are astonished at the combination of skill and
boldness that marks such an undertaking, and
surpasses the powers of modern art, though ap-
parently so much improved in mechanical opera-
tions. It is then particularly incumbent on the
sovereign to preserve and to recover as many as
possible of these illustrious monuments of Egyp-
tian skill and of Roman majesty.
How many obelisks adorned the city in the
ancient times, it would be difficult to determine.
Some confine the number to sixteen ; I should be
inclined to enlarge it. However if there were
only sixteen, more than one-half have been re-