TAA i.2.1.133

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January 13th. Merzbach and self met Bedawy Pasha and Mr. Lacau at the 
Public Works Ministry (12.30pm.) when the two letters mentioned <above> were 
signed – one by H.E. the Minister and the other by me – now only the 
concession and the renouncement remain to be signed by Almina, 
Countess Carnarvon, the executors and myself. 

          Lacau was furious when he learnt the Minister’s decision as to the 
unpacking of the cases at the Museum and he demanded that I should 
remain in Cairo for three or four days for this purpose. I said 
I was quite ready to d/<c>ons/<f>orm with his wish but that he must first 
see the Minister on that point, as H.E. was most emphatic in his 
desire that I should go to Luxor at once and defer the unpacking 
until the end of the season. 

          Saw Furness and reported our successful settlement to him. At 
4 pm. I called at the Prime Minister’s office, not finding him in 
I was only able to see his private secretary Aly Bey Ismail?/<.> I 
explained to him the unfortunate incident regarding the unpacking 
of the cases at the Museum, and asked him to place the matter before 
the Prime Minister for advice, stating that, to prevent friction, it 
was perhaps better to give in to Lacau. Aly Bey said that he would place 
the matter before the P.M. and let me know. I also pointed out 
to Aly Bey the uncalled for attitude on the part of the local press, 
he agreed and said he would asy/<k> the Press Bureau to request the 
Press to moderate their language.

          6.30 pm. I received a phone message from Aly Bey Ismail intimating 
that the Prime Minister thinks it better for me to remain for a few days 
in Cairo to unpack the cases as it was unwise to commence with any frictio
tion.

          January 14th. Saw H.M. King Fouad at 3.30pm. His Majesty was 
most cordial. Our conversation was only very superficial.

          January 15th. Received early in the morning your cable:-

“
X/<J>anuary 14th. London.

“PROPOSALS APPROVED BY LADY CARNARVON AND EXECUTORS RENUNCIATIONS 
SIGNED AND POSTED TO YOU TODAY CABLING FIVE HUNDRED POUNDS.

                                                                                                       MOLONY”

which I handed over to Merzbach who immediately advid/<s>ed the Ministry.
 

          As I was unavoidably prevented on Wednesday (January 14th.) from 
going to the Museum I called there on Thursday morning (January 15th.) 
when I saw Edgar on the matter of unpacking the cases of antiquities 
from the Tomb. I found that they had already unpacked a number of 
the objects and were about to place them in the exhibition cases! 
I explained to him certain technical difficulties in exhibiting some 
of the objects immediately more especially without Mace’s (who hand-
led and packed them) notes. For instance with regard to the C/<c>hariots 
it was not yet certain which pair of wheels belonged to which C/<c>hariot 
body, therefor<e> only their separate parts could be placed on view for 
the moment. I offered to help him in dealing with the King’s statue 
(half unpacked) which entails very careful handling owing to its 
weight and fragile ornamentation. I asked him to advise me directly 
he was ready and I would come – Saturday or Sunday at his convenience. 

          I obtained from him a list of the boxes his Department removed<,>
during my absence, from the laboratory No 15 in the Valley. As I 
expected I found that part of an object is now in the Museum, while 
the remainder is still at Luxor! This makes me inclined to quote 
Göthe: "The past is fragile, touch it with awe as if it were red hot 
iron."