Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-12-14
1nter,or al nn Assvr,aln PALACE.


Interior of Assyriam Palace.
The interior of an Assyrian palace must have been
as magnificent as imposing. / have led the reader
through its ruins and he may judge OF the impress
sion its halls calculated to make upon the stran
ger who in the days of old entered IN the first time
the abode of the Assyrian kings. He was ushered in
through the portal guarded by the colossal lions or
bulls in white alabaster. In the first hall he found
himself surrounded by the scuptured records of the
empire Battles sieges triumphs the exploits of the
chase the ceremonies of religion portrayed on
the WALLIS sculptured in alabaster, and painted in
gorgeous colofs Under each picture were engraved
in characters, filled UP with bright "copper" inscrip-
tOns describing the scenes represented Above SOUP
lures painted other events; the king, attended
by his eunuchs and warriors receiving his prisoners
entering into alliances with other mOnarcns or per-
forming some sacred duty. These representations
were enclosed in colored borders OF elaborate and ell
egant The embematic tree, the winged bulls, and
monstrous animals were conspicuous among the orna
ments. At the upper end of the hall the colos-
sal figure of the king, in alteration before the SUI
preme Deity, receiving from the eunuch the holy
cup. He was attended by warriors bearing his arms,
and by priests or presiding divines. His robes, and
those of his followers, were adorned with groups of
figures and animals and flowers ell painted with bril-
iantcOlors.
The stranger trod upon alabaster slabs each bear
ing an inscription recording the titles genealogy,
and achievements of the great king. Several door
Ways, formed by gigantic winged lions or bulls,
any figures of guardian deties led into apartments
which again opened into distant halls. In
each sculptures On the walls of some
professions of colossal figures, armed men and
cunuchs following the king, warriors leading with
spoil leading prisoners or bearing presents and offer
ings to the gods. On the walls of others pOr-
trayed the winged priests, presiding divnites,
standing before the sacred trees.
The ceiling above him were divided into square
compartments, painted with flowers or with the fig
of animals. Some were inlaid with ivory, each
compartment being surrounded by elegant borders
and mouldings. The beams, as we'll as the sides of
the chambers, may have been gilded or even plated
with gold and silver and the rarest woods in which
the cedar is conspicuous, were used for the wood
work Square openings in the ceilings of the cham
bcrs admitted the light of day. A pleasing shadow
thrown over the soul ptured walls, and gave
ma este expression to the human features of the
lossal forms which guarded the entrances Through
these apertures was to be seen the BRIGHT blue of an
eastern sky, enclosed in frame which were pain
ted IN living colors the winged circle in the midst of
elegant ornaments, and the graceful forms Of ideal
animals
These edifccs, as it has been shown, were great
national monuments, upon the wall of which were
represented in sculpture inscribed in alphabetical
characters the chronicles ofthe empire. He who en-
tered them might thus read the history and learn
the glory and the triumphs of the nation. They
served at the time, to bring continually to the
remembrance of those who assembled within them on
festive occasions for the celebration of religious
ceremonies, the deeds of their ancestors, and the
power and majesty of their ods-Layardrs Nineuah.
THE PRINTERS OF PARIs.-A late letter from Paris
says: Thcre is one class of men whose social meet
ngs and eatinss distinguished for their good
and humor-I mean the printers. Everybody is anu
scd with their toasts and good speeches. and poetry
The typo in Paris is like his brother in America. He
think oftentimes write, and will fight when re-
quired, He is the most difficult to deceive. He
sets up much that he don't believe. That is the af
fair of the copy. But every year he sets up for him
self at public supper, and then you have his real
views. Five hundred journeymen printers have just
had their annual banquet here It is probable that
not one in ten approves the political rubbish he is
obliged to compose in his stick. l judge so by the
toass. The liberty of the press was particularly in
sisted on. PIERRE LERoUx, author, deputy, and as
sociationst, the principal invited guest and