FRANCE: Outrage on the Obelisk

The officials at Paris' Prefecture de Police finally granted permission. Of course, they demurred, one must proceed carefully in these matters. In 1876, it was said, an unprincipled character had climbed to the top of Paris' famed obelisk, in the Place de la Concprde, for the base purpose of advertising a new make of candle. But two Egyptologists who wished to make the ascent for the purpose of studying the obelisk's hieroglyphics—that was different. There was only one thing the officials asked: that the ascent be made as early in the morning as possible, "so as not to attract...

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