THE TOMB OF THE PROPHET.

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SHUSHAN THE PALACE.

As we repass through the Kouyunjik gallery, by the light of the inscriptions, the slabs of MerodachBaladan, and the Susian slabs are clothed with a fresh attraction.

The excavations of Mr. Loftus at Susa have given a wonderful freshness to the descriptions of the Book of Esther. Here Ahasuerus (Xerxes) held his court. Here is Daniel "on the king's business," and here the prophet sees his famous vision of the ram and he goat. (Dan. viii.) Here Mr. Loftus has found the bases of the marble columns of that splendid palace, once rich with white and green and blue hangings, and fine linen and purple fastened with silver rings, sweeping down in lustrous folds on their pavements of coloured marbles. In those mild climes the monarchs could dispense with massive walls, and the warm fragrant breeze was wafted in from the verdant plains strewed with their carpet of flowers. The fair city reared its mighty head above groves of date and lemon trees, surrounded by rich pastures and seas of golden corn, and backed by snow clad mountains. By the side of its now desolate mound, by general consent of Jews, Sabæans, and Mohammedans, repose the remains of the prophet Daniel, as those of Jonah are said to lie at Nebbi Yunus. The accompanying sketch represents the mounds by the side of the River Ulai, on the slabs from Susa (see p. 393). We may call to mind the last words of Daniel in the last chapter of his prophecy.

It is a voice from his tomb

"But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

G G

"And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.

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Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried ; but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand: but the wise shall understand."

Alas! though we have long possessed our Bibles, most of us are only at the threshold of the study of the narratives and prophecies which concern the history of the Jews. Is it too much to hope that this small book may be read side by side with the Bible, and its statements tested by actual reference? We have often sought to spare the reader this trouble, but by no means always.

We are possibly, after all, only at the commencement of greater discoveries than these.

Is it not marvellous that the Excavators of Nineveh without choice of their own, have been guided to the discovery of all the Gods and all the Kings of that region who are mentioned in the Bible? That such particular inscriptions, also, have been recovered and read, as seem to give the succession and relation of these kings to one another, whether biblical or nonbiblical, is as remarkable likewise. May the fact point many a fresh reader to THE BOOK in which he shall find far more than the history of Assur and his people-the history of the living Redeemer of a lost and ruined world!

APPENDIX.

No. I.

INSCRIPTIONS OF TIGLATH-PILESER I. (1120 B.C.)

TRANSLATED BY SIR H. RAWLINSON.

TIGLATH-PILESER, the powerful king; king of the four regions; king of all kings; lord of lords; the supreme (?); monarch of monarchs; the illustrious chief, who, under the auspices of the Sun-God, being armed with the sceptre, and girt with the girdle of power over mankind, rules over all the people of Bel; the conqueror of many plains and mountains of the upper and the lower country; the conquering hero, the terror of whose name has overwhelmed all regions; the bright constellation, who, according to his power (or as he wished"), has warred against foreign countries, (and) under the auspices of Bel—there being no equal to him-has subdued the enemies of Ashur (or has made them obedient to Ashur).

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IV. (i. 46.)

Ashur (and) the great gods, the guardians of my kingdom, who gave government and laws to my dominions, and ordered an enlarged frontier to their territory, having committed to (my) hand their valiant and warlike servants, I have subdued the lands, and the peoples, and the strong places, and the kings who were hostile to Ashur; and I have reduced all that was contained in them. With a host (literally a "sixty") of kings I have fought and have imposed on them the bond of servitude (?). There is not to me a second in war, nor an equal in battle. I have added territory to Assyria, and peoples to her

people. I have enlarged the frontier of my territories, and subdued all the lands contained in them.

VIII. (ii. 63.)

From amongst my valiant servants, to whom Ashur, the lord, gave strength and power, in thirty of my chariots, select companies of my troops, and bands of my warriors who were expert in battle, (?) I gathered together. I proceeded to the extensive country of Miltis, which did not obey me: it consisted of strong mountains and a difficult land. Where it was easy I traversed it in my chariots, where it was difficult I went on foot. Like ... on the peaks of the rugged mountains, I marched victoriously. The country of Miltis, like heaps of stubble, I swept. Their fighting men, in the course of the battle, like chaff I scattered. Their moveables, their wealth, and their valuables, I plundered. Many of their cities I burned with fire. I imposed on their religious service, and offerings, and tribute.

Tiglath-Pileser, the illustrious warrior; the opener of the roads of the countries; the subjugator of the rebellious; he who has overrun the whole Magian world. (?)

XII. (iii. 36.)

*

Tiglath-Pileser, the powerful king; the vanquisher of the disobedient; he who has swept the face of the earth. (?)

*

The City of Khunutsa, the stronghold of the country of Comani, I overthrew like a heap of stubble. I cut off their heads as if they were carrion (P); their carcases filled the valleys, and (covered) the heights of the mountains. I captured this city; their gods, their wealth, and their valuables I carried off, and burned with fire. Three of their great castles, which were built of brick, and the entire city I destroyed and over