Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1845-1851, 1849-12-27

he INTERIOR OF an AsSyrlan palace must
have as magnificent as imposing. have led
the reader through its ruins, and he may
Judge of the impression its halls were calcu-
lated to make upon the stranger who, in the
days of old, entered, for the first time, the
abode of the Assyrian kings. He was ush-
cred in through the portal guarded by the
colossal lions or bulls in white alabaster. I'm
the first hall he found himself surrounded by
the sculptured records of the empire. Bat
ties, seiges, triumphs. the exploits of the chase,
the ceremonies of religion were portrayed on
the walls, sculptured in alabaster, and paint
ed in gorgeous colors. Under each picture
were engraved in characters, filled up with
bright copper, inscriptions describing the
scenes represented Above the sculptures
were painted other events: the king, attended
by his eunuchs and warriors, receiving his
prisoners, entering into alliances with other
monarchs, or performing some sacred duty.
These representations were enclosed in color
ed borders OF elaborate and elegant design.
The emblematic tree, the winged bulls, and
monstrous animals were conspicuous among
the ornaments. AT the upper end of the hall
was the colossal figure of the king, in ador-
alton before the supreme Deity, or receiving
from the eunuch the holy cup. He was at
tended by priests presiding divines. His
robes, and those of his followers, were ador-
ned with groups of figures and animals and
flowers, all painted with brilliant colors.
The stranger trod upon alabaster slabs,
each bearing an inscription recording the Ii
ties, genealogy, and achievements of the great
king Several doorways, formed by gigan-
tic winged lions or bulls, or by figures of
guardian deities, led into apartments which
again opened into more distant halls. In
each were new sculptures. On the walls
OF others were professions of colossal figures,
armed men and eunuchs following the king,
warriors laden with spoil, leading prisoners
or bearing presents and offerings to the gods.
On the walls of others were portrayed the
winged priests, or presiding divinities, stand
ing before the sacred trees
The ceilings above him were divided into
square compartments, painted with flowers
or with the figures OF animals. Some were
inlaid with ivory, each compartment being
surrounded by elegant borders and mould
ings. The beams as well as the sides of the
chamber, may have been gilded or even plat
ed with gold and silver; and the rarest woods,
III which the cedar is conspicuous, were used
for the wood work. Square openings in the
ceilings admitted the light of day. A pleas
ing shadow was thrown over the sculptured
walls and gave majestic expression to the
human features of the colossal forms which
guarded the entrances. Through these aper-
atures was to be seen the bright blue of an
eastern sky, enclosed in frame on which
We're painted in living colors the winged cir
Gle, in the midst of elegant ornaments, and
the graceful forms of ideal animals
These edfices, as ii has been shown, were
great national monuments, upon the walls of
which were represented in sculpture or in
scribed In al phabetical characters the chron-
lcles OF the empire. They served, at the
same time, to bring continually to the re-
membrance of those who assembled within
them on festive occasions, or for the Celebra-
ton of religious ceremonies, the deeds of their
ancestors, and the power and majesty of their
gods.-Layurd's Ninecah.