CHAP. VII. hieroglyphics, cut to the depth of two inches into the stone, which consists of red granite; but, owing to a partial decomposition of the feldspar, its red colour has faded towards the surface. A similar decomposition has frequently hastened the decay of other antient monuments; and it offers proof of a fact worthy the notice of persons employed in national architecture; namely, that granite is less calculated for works of duration, than pure homogeneous marble, or common limestone. The action of the atmosphere conduces to the hardness and durability of the two latter; but it never fails to corrode and to decompose substances where feldspar is a constituent. Examples may be adduced of marble, after continual exposure to air and moisture during two thousand years, still retaining the original polish upon its surface unaltered; but granite, under similar circumstances, has not only undergone alteration, but, in certain cases, has crumbled, and fallen into the form of gravel, owing to the decomposition of the feldspar. Instances of such disintegration may be noticed among the ruins of Alexandria Troas, and over all the district of Troas in general. Some of the granite columns used by the Turks in the fabrication of their cannon-balls have been found in such a state of decompo sition, that, although sufficiently compact to admit of their receiving a spheroïdal form, yet, when fired at our ships, the substance shivered, and flew about in small pieces, like canister shot, proving a very destructive species of ammunition'. CHAP. Pillar. We were now desirous of visiting the stu- Pompey's pendous Column so long distinguished by the appellation of "POMPEY'S PILLAR." It is visible from almost every spot in the neighbourhood of Alexandria. The Inscription upon its pedestal (containing, as many have believed, the name of the Emperor Diocletian) was not then known to exist, although it had been mentioned by the Consul Maillet, and after him by Pococke3. The circumstances of our visit may therefore be deemed curious; as Mr. Hamilton was one of our party, who afterwards assisted in the development of this important record, and who himself discovered the name, believed to be (1) The author has specimens of this decomposed granite, which the Turks employed against our fleet, during its passage of the Dardanelles, under Admiral Duckworth. The feldspar has entirely lost its colour; and the mass is become friable, like loosely cohering breccia. The Strand Bridge is built of a decomposed granite. (2) Déscr. de l'Egypte, tome I. p. 180. à la Haye, 1740. (3) Descr. of the East, vol. I. p. 8. Lond. 1748. VII. CHAP. that of Diocletian, soon after the Inscription was again recognised'. When we had gratified our curiosity by a general survey of this surprising monument, and had gazed for some time in utter astonishment at the sight of a column of granite, whose shaft alone, of one entire mass, with a diameter of eight feet, measures sixtythree in height, Mr. Hamilton expressed a wish to find something remaining of the Inscription mentioned by Pococke. In search of this, we examined the four sides of the pedestal: the western side seemed to be corroded, as many authors have described it to be; but not a trace of any existing inscription could be discerned. The author wishes to lay some stress upon this singular fact, that due merit may be attributed to those who have since so remarkably recovered the characters of that Inscription; after it had also baffled every research of the French, during their long residence in the country, as their own writers do acknowledge'. Mr. (1) Mr. Hamilton communicated this circumstance in a Letter to the author. (2) The height of the whole column, including the capital, shaft, and pedestal, is eighty-eight feet six inches, as measured by the French engineers. (3) See particularly the Rapport par Charles Norry," in the Appendix to Peltier's edition of Denon's Travels, (Lond. 1802.) as it was read Hamilton, who participated the labour, has since and it was he, as was CHAP. VII. read before the Institute. It is greatly to be regretted," says Norry, that an inscription formerly placed on one of the sides of the pedestal should be no longer legible." (4) Egyptiaca, p. 403. Lond. 1809. CHAP. VII. are now believed to complete the name of the Emperor Diocletian. There is, indeed, good reason to conjecture that Diocletian's name is mentioned in that Inscription; but it by no means necessarily follows that the pillar was erected by him; and some reasons will be given in the sequel to shew that the legend admits of a different, although a doubtful, reading. At present, in justice to the memory of a distinguished, but now lamented officer, it is necessary to prove that all the information afforded Discovery by the Inscription itself would have been conscription. signed to everlasting oblivion, but for the im of the In portant discovery made by the late Lieutenantcolonel Squire of some remaining characters upon the pedestal, while Mr. Hamilton, and his companion, Major Leake, were in Upper Egypt1. (1) This circumstance is mentioned in a Letter to his Brother, in the following words: "I believe the Paper presented to the Antiquarian Society contains the best history of the discovery of the Alexandrian Inscription" (alluding to the misrepresentations published upon the subject by Colonel Walsh and Sir R. Wilson). "I wish not to be brought forward in any literary dispute; but the fact is, that most of the letters were discovered by me while Messrs. Hamilton and Leake were in Upper Egypt. I had seen the same Inscription in Pococke's Travels before, and knew of its existence from that book. The next Extract is taken from a former Letter written by Colonel Squire to his Brother, from Alexandria: it relates to his discovery of the Inscription and is dated Alexandria, Christmas Day, 1801. "Here let me remark," says Colonel Squire," that it is not impossible but that part of |