DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11636#0409
AND LOWER EGYPT. 375
bllt a stone, was astonished at the small decree of
eagerness which we displayed to carry it off. He
called the janisary, in order to discover the mo-
tives of an unconcern which was only apparent.
This man, who had received his cue, replied to
the Aga, that after the pretensions which he had
made respecting the stone, we had thought no
more of it; bat that, notwithstanding, we would
still take it, if he would consent not to put too
high a price upon it. The janisary returned with
an order to have it conveyed to my lodging, with
an assurance that the Aga would abate consider-
ably in his pretended rights, and that he would
settle the matter with M. Forneti. I got clear, in
reality, for a very trifling present.
Circumstances prevented my taking the little
pyramid when I departed from Egypt. I left it in
a magazine of the French house at Rossetta, and
committed it to the care of the consul. If any per-
son thought that he was at liberty to carry it off, as
a thing abandoned, I entreat him to recall to mind
that his acquisition cost me a great many troubles,
much management, and much uneasiness. I say
nothing of the money. I must believe that I have
the right of reclaiming it, and surely the motive of
my reclamation will influence the possessor to re-
store this superb fragment of antiquity, as I have no
other desire than to present it to the national mu-
seum,
bllt a stone, was astonished at the small decree of
eagerness which we displayed to carry it off. He
called the janisary, in order to discover the mo-
tives of an unconcern which was only apparent.
This man, who had received his cue, replied to
the Aga, that after the pretensions which he had
made respecting the stone, we had thought no
more of it; bat that, notwithstanding, we would
still take it, if he would consent not to put too
high a price upon it. The janisary returned with
an order to have it conveyed to my lodging, with
an assurance that the Aga would abate consider-
ably in his pretended rights, and that he would
settle the matter with M. Forneti. I got clear, in
reality, for a very trifling present.
Circumstances prevented my taking the little
pyramid when I departed from Egypt. I left it in
a magazine of the French house at Rossetta, and
committed it to the care of the consul. If any per-
son thought that he was at liberty to carry it off, as
a thing abandoned, I entreat him to recall to mind
that his acquisition cost me a great many troubles,
much management, and much uneasiness. I say
nothing of the money. I must believe that I have
the right of reclaiming it, and surely the motive of
my reclamation will influence the possessor to re-
store this superb fragment of antiquity, as I have no
other desire than to present it to the national mu-
seum,