LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
SIR RALPH ABERCROMBY'S MONUMENT.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.")
312,—Perhaps you will allow me to supplement the editorial note appended to the letter of your correspondent (Mr. Arnold Ward) on the subject of the proposed erection of a memorial to Abercromby on the spot on which he received his death wound, by pointing out that the object is to replace a memorial stone which existed there for many years after his death. Captain Henry Light, R.A. ("Travels in Egypt," &e., pp. 4-6, 1818), who visited the site of the battle of March 21st, 1801, at the end of February, 1814, says :—
" Tbe season of the year at which I arrived was the most agreeable to Europeans. The country outside the gate of the walls leading to Rosetta was green as far as the lake Mareotis and part in the neighbourhood of Abookir cultivated. The wild flowers growing among the grass spread a delightful fragrance. It was with sensations of pride that I traversed the ruined redoubts erected by the French, and saw the scene of the memorable battle of the 21st March, where a stone still marks the spot on which Sir Ralph Abereromby fell."
Dr. William Holt Yates (" Modern History and Condition of Egypt," 1843, Vol. I., p. 140), who visited the site in 1830, says :—
"The spot is chiefly interesting to Englishmen on account d the famous battle fought there by Sir Ralph Abercromby on the
21st March, 1801 We came to the ruins of the old Roman Fort, or as it is sometimes called, Cxsar's Palace
Not far from hence is pointed out the spot on which our gallant countryman received his death wound just as 'the trumpet called a victory.' The white marble monument which was erected on the spot to his memory has, I am sorry to say, long dis- appeared. The time is at hand, I hope, when one of granite will supply its place."
A black marble tombstone with Latin inscription to Aber- cromby's memory exists at Malta, where he was buried, and an equestrian monument by Westmacott is in St. Paul's Cathedral, so that the suggestion of your correspondent to erect a memorial in British territory is superfluous.—I am,
Previous page
