Cleopatra's Needle

On Nov 11 1852, Bayle St John wrote a letter to the editor of ‘The Times’ condemning the spoliation of ancient Egypt (re Cleopatra’s Needle) and the paper published it two days later, Bayle’s condemnation of the spoliation of ancient Egypt echoes to this day — even to the controversy over the Elgin Marbles - and he makes his point with clarity and humour.  

The Gates of Death

This tale by Bayle St John was in Bentley's Miscellany of 1844. It did receive some favourable notice. I have no other information about the story. It does not say if it has been translated from the French. It is supposedly a true story rather graphically told, of a survivor from the battle of Borodino who somehow survives Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. It is not for the faint-hearted!