DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6552#0190
152
APPENDIX.
SIGNORE CAVIGLIA.
It was not my intention to have taken up the time of the
public with any differences of opinion that might have arisen
between M. Caviglia and myself, nor with any unnecessary detail
respecting that gentleman's conduct; but since the preceding
pages were written, a statement has appeared in an Edinburgh
journal,1 containing a direct attack upon Colonel Campbell
and myself, in what are called translations of two letters, sent
by M. Caviglia for publication, through a correspondent at
Manchester.
As for the correspondent himself, and his prefatory remarks
and assertions, it is only necessary to observe, that the assumed
impartiality with which he introduces the subject, by stating,
that "The facts alleged in these letters rest for proof entirely
upon the authority and veracity of the writer," is a mere pre-
tence ; for, without any previous inquiry into the truth of the
statements, he decides the question at once in M. Caviglia's
favour, whom he describes as " an amiable and enthusiastic
devotee at the shrine of antiquarian learning, who has sacrificed
country, home, friends, and fortune, for the indulgence of the
refined, though eccentric, taste of exploring the hidden mysteries
of the Pyramids and Tombs of Egypt." How far this modest
description applies to the object of it, those acquainted with M.
Caviglia's history can best judge. And how far the anonymous
writer, in his frequent conversations, in the month of January,
1837, was enabled to ascertain the extent of that gentleman's
knowledge of the interior of the Pyramids, and of the mysterious
secrets which he had confidentially imparted to me, by the
"prudent reserve" maintained towards himself (a person, of
whose perfect integrity there could have been no reason to doubt),
it is not for me to determine; a reserve, however, which, it is to
be remarked, that M. Caviglia could have had little difficulty in
maintaining, because he was most entirely ignorant of the interior
of the Pyramids, and likewise completely mistaken in all the con-
jectures he had formed about them, as will afterwards be shewn.
With respect to the tirade against the Duke of Wellington
and Colonel Campbell, his grace's fame and character require no
1 Tail's Magazine. Sec page 108, &c.
APPENDIX.
SIGNORE CAVIGLIA.
It was not my intention to have taken up the time of the
public with any differences of opinion that might have arisen
between M. Caviglia and myself, nor with any unnecessary detail
respecting that gentleman's conduct; but since the preceding
pages were written, a statement has appeared in an Edinburgh
journal,1 containing a direct attack upon Colonel Campbell
and myself, in what are called translations of two letters, sent
by M. Caviglia for publication, through a correspondent at
Manchester.
As for the correspondent himself, and his prefatory remarks
and assertions, it is only necessary to observe, that the assumed
impartiality with which he introduces the subject, by stating,
that "The facts alleged in these letters rest for proof entirely
upon the authority and veracity of the writer," is a mere pre-
tence ; for, without any previous inquiry into the truth of the
statements, he decides the question at once in M. Caviglia's
favour, whom he describes as " an amiable and enthusiastic
devotee at the shrine of antiquarian learning, who has sacrificed
country, home, friends, and fortune, for the indulgence of the
refined, though eccentric, taste of exploring the hidden mysteries
of the Pyramids and Tombs of Egypt." How far this modest
description applies to the object of it, those acquainted with M.
Caviglia's history can best judge. And how far the anonymous
writer, in his frequent conversations, in the month of January,
1837, was enabled to ascertain the extent of that gentleman's
knowledge of the interior of the Pyramids, and of the mysterious
secrets which he had confidentially imparted to me, by the
"prudent reserve" maintained towards himself (a person, of
whose perfect integrity there could have been no reason to doubt),
it is not for me to determine; a reserve, however, which, it is to
be remarked, that M. Caviglia could have had little difficulty in
maintaining, because he was most entirely ignorant of the interior
of the Pyramids, and likewise completely mistaken in all the con-
jectures he had formed about them, as will afterwards be shewn.
With respect to the tirade against the Duke of Wellington
and Colonel Campbell, his grace's fame and character require no
1 Tail's Magazine. Sec page 108, &c.