Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1850-08-27

glish in consequence Of the capitnlation Of
that cly.in 1901. Here also is tue IA
nous Rosetta Stule, Justly celebrated as
furnishing the key which led to the de-
cypher,ng of the ancient writing of Egypt.
1t contained three Inscriptions, of the same
import, one in hierogIyphics, in the pop
ular characters, and one in Greek and
hence itproved the key Of the hierogIyph-
zeal characters of Egypt.
The saloon also contains beautiful and
perfect sarcophagi, covered with inscrip-
tons, and has reliefs ofs }ddesses colossal
busts, statues, sphinXes, tablets, and Sc
pulchral ornaments, all of them invaluable
as illustrations o. the history, the manners
and customs Of Egypt Besides this,
there is another room devoted 10 Egyptian
above, a room called the bronze-room, is
devoted 10 the remains of ancient Egypt.
On these walls observed the celebrated
pictures which adorned the sepulchres of
ancient Thebes, the following colOring Of
which survives, in all lis freshness, the
lapse of 5000 years.
must confess, however, that the inter-
est awakened in my mind by Layard's
volumes, caused me eagerI y to seek out
the room devoted to the reception of the
monuments he has sent home from the
plains of Assvria, and that these remains
Iexclled livelier interest than anything
else saw in the Museum. They are not
vet well arranged, and are in the basement
room, where there is not sufficient light
to exhibit them perfectly. Notwithstand
ing this they fully met my expectations.
Perhaps the sombre, sepulchral light in
which saw them added TO their effect
| seemed at once to be let down amid the
subterrancan palaces of the kings of Assy-
ria. recognized the bas-relieis aid
sculptures from their resemblance to the
very accurate engraving accompanying the
volumes published. 1t is difficult TO be-
Iieve that these bas-relels are the work Of
human hands 5000 years ago; there is a
freshness about the appearance Of the
stones, and in the sculptures a sharpness
and perfection which might lead one to
suppose thar they were the work of yes
terdav. But there they are, djsinterred
from the oblivion Of ages, the last snrVl-
vors, the sole historic monuments of Mn
eveh, her kings, her people, and her gIo-
ry
Surely ,he providence Of God has some
great and good design in thus preserving
the remains of one Of the most ancient ma
tons of the world. and in causing them to
appear again among the men of our gen
Grafton. No one can fail to see that they
are casting fresh and slron5 light upon the
Bible: they seem TO be Witnesses raised
from the dead, to testify Of manners and
cnstoms. of kings and kingdoms, of bat
ties and cap,iyines ages ago, and to prove
that the ancient scriptures chrcnIclrd G.
vents, and described truly the people of
their time. These disinIered slabs, with
the sharply chisolled sculptures upon then,
seem like mirrors around the histories
and prophecies of the Old Testament, so
accurately do they give back in pictures
the representations Of The Holy Writ.
But must hasten TO say something OF
the great library of the BAtsh Museum :;
this is worthy OF lis name nay, II gives
dipnj,v to the repositories Of science and
lar, with which it is associated. Ii Is I'M
possible bv mere numbers and vague drs-
rripions to give any adequate idea OF the
.pyrent and value of the library. on en-
ter the Grcrnvlle Library. a long and Iot-
tv hall. and are told that it contains $4,000
volumes; from this YOU are admitted INTO
= noble room, 500 feetin length, and learn
,ha, or the walls around YOU $4,000 vol,
unps are arranged. This last number.
however. will give Won all incorrect idea
of the library for the volumes are all OF
,},cm large, aud some of them ioIIos
of the greatest size and highest cost.--
These books were collected by hlng
George ILL.,, aud presented TO the public
library of the Museum by George ~.
The number of volumes in the whole IL
brarv is 100000. Since lS44 not less
than S5O, ,OOG has been expended annually
in the purchase of books; ; and upon the
Museum the Government has for ten
years past, expended $4,000 per annum.
The American scholar cannot fail 10 be
pleased with this great library, for II Is
particularly r'ch in books, illustrating the
history and literature Of our country
The American historian must come here,
ifhe would draw his history from the o.
rignal sources. Oar intelligent country
man, IIy. Stevens, Esq, who is dong 50
much 10 enrich our land with valuable
books, ki~dly obtained fer Us the privilege
Of entertaining all parts ofthe Il5rary, and
added greatly to our enjoyment OF the
privilege by his extensive acquaintance.
no, only with the library, but the treasures
it contains.
We passed the desk usoally occupied
by Mr.. Macaulay; it was covered with
volumes Of Irish history and political