Lighthouses.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXVI, Issue 23, 9 June 1906, Page 17

Lighthouses.

The first lighthouse ever erected for the benefit of mariners is believed to Im* that built by th? famous architect Sostratus, by command of Ptolemy Philadelphus, King of Egypt. It was built near Alexandria, on an island railed Pharos, and there was expended upon it about eight hundred talents, or over £200.000. Ptolemy has been much commended by some ancient writers for his liberality in allowing the architect to inscribe his name instead of his own. The inscription reads: “Sostratus, son cf Dexiplumes, to the protecting deitie.-. for the use of seafaring peapie.” This tower was deemed one of the seven wonders of the world ami was thought of -ullirient grandeur to immortalize the builder. It appears from Lucian. howe\er. that Ptolemy does not deserve any praise for disinterestedness on this .-core, or Sostratus any great praise for his honesty, as it is stated that th* litter, to engross in after times the glory of the structure, caused the inscription with his own name to be carved in the marble, which he afterward covered with lim? and thereon put the King’s name. In process of time the lime decayed. ami the inscription on the marble alone remained