Cleopatra's Needle was presented to the United Kingdom in 1819 by the ruler of Egypt and Sudan, Muhammad Ali, in commemoration of the victories of Lord Nelson at the Battle of the Nile and Sir Ralph Abercromby at the Battle of Alexandria in 1801.
1888 puts it in the William Ewart Gladstone era; but is it he? If not, who then? There are apocryphal stories of notable Conservatives confusing the NLC for a public convenience when on their way to the House. Perhaps this is one of 'them' leaving.