PHIL/] AND GIZEH.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—It will be curious to notice what effect the recent political change in Egypt will have upon the Philm question. The advocates of the submersion, or elevation, of the temple say they speak for thousands of the fellaheen, who will be benefited by a larger supply of water than they now have. It is a philanthropic argument. But so far as the plans, if carried out, will destroy one of the most graceful fabrics in the world, it is a Philistine argument. The destructionists, then, are philanthropic Philistines ! Now, Nubar Pasha is before everything else a philanthropist, with so much French culture that he has a horror of Philistia and all her works. The problem to be solved is, will he sacrifice his cherished character of a man of culture to his equally cher:shed -character of a philanthropist ? We are disposed to think he will take the perfectly justifiable ground of the enormous expense of the new works and—do nothing for -the present. His enthusiasm for culture has another outlet. Nubar can do an inestimable service to the civilised world by advocating the building of a new and fire- proof museum to contain the treasures now at Gizeh Palace. The more closely the present structure is examined, the more unpardonable it seems to keep the collection there an un- necessary day. Lately a pile of half-burnt cigarettes was found in a corner on the wooden floor of one of the rooms. This shows the worthlessness of the statement that every precaution is taken against fire. England would for once have all Europe with her if she urged Nubar, before every- thing else, to safeguard the real riches of Egypt, and the Prime Minister could not do anything that would so easily conciliate public opinion as to obtain the necessary money (2130,000) from the Caisse de la Dette, and begin to build at -once. The foundations should be dug before the Nile rises.—
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