The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1850-12-10

their position respectable, they will cease such
folly not till then. We hope for the sake OF
the standing of the press in this State, that they
will cease to do evil and learn to do we'll
True Southron.
NINEVEH AND PERSEPOLlS.
The Nimrod of Scripture was of the race OF
Ham, but MIR. Layard most strongly urges the
Semitic origin OF the Assyrians generally; we
therefore take this for granted. Suppose, then,
that we had never heard Of Assyria, or knew
nothing whatever of the people of Nlneveh'
but had carefully studied and strongly impress
ed on our minds the early history OF Scripture,
had vivid sence of patriarchal dignity aud
serenity Of countenance, as exhibited IN person,
al actions both warlike and domestic, aud bad
felt that Abraham must have expressed, in out
ward features, certain abiding consciousness
Of the Divine presence more than ordinary NOR
tails, whom Wa see around us now-suppose
this, and then suddenly unveil the sculptures OF
Nineveh. We there see figures that cannot
but represent our preconceived notions. We
see an unusual dignity OF aspect, calm upper
tubed manner of performing the various trans-
actions of life; in fact, we See the same tokens
of symbolical mode Of drawing that may be
taken for mythology, which Scripture, i'll the
eyes of some, is thought to possess Yet every
fact known, every human probability warrants
us in supposins, iadeed, the vivldness OF the
drawing proves that all this represents actual
life, with the same matter. of.fact relations be-
tween man and man, and the same motives
of common actious, that exist in the present
aye oi the world. For some reason or other,
which we need not mctaphysically discuss, men
in the early ages OF time had u more mytholo.
gical aspect, had more tlla look OF synlbolIllng
some principle iaith, seemed more fresh from
the unseen world, tnau is the case after few
thousand Years OF trouble and care. Surely,
then, there may be some analogy by which our
seeing all but alive the revered old Nlnevites.
should convince any wavering thoughts tempt.
of mythology. But many of the sculptures are
obvious mythology, it may be said !; have wings
aud eagles heads. With regard to the latter
figure, it is, however, supposed that it represents
the great founder Nimrod, who in process Of
time became an object of worship: but, as in
classical mythology, gods are tracelble to ac-
tual men with living genealogies, which there is
gainst the character Of a genealogy. The wing
ed figures OF Ninevah have a peculiar interest,
we cannot but imagine, as representing the
scattered fragments oireveation that descend
ed to idolatrous countries. For instance, a fig
ure of noble aspect, us if representing an ideal
man, a type of our nature, with wings to denote
heavenly origin, aud sacerdotally robed aud
crowned, holds up with his right hand, as if to
admiring gaze, or in ceremonial worship, what
is styled fr cone, while with the left he bears
precious burden. called basket May not
this tircone he the fruit of the tree of life, and
the precious burden some gift of incstimable
value from heaven to earth Again, the same
lordly figure, in what dolly represents stole,
surplice and cope, being turned to the east,
bears tender kid for sacrifice, aud raises up at
one time Il branch with five flowers, at another,
an ear of wheat, may be to signify again the
tree Of life, and our means of access to 1t. Is
there some tradition OF Melchisedech in these
figures, or some sweet relic Of paradise and the
hope of its recovery! In the present imperfect
state of our Information, OF course, We must ap-
proach all speculations with care and reverence,
as without rashness in presunng that any di.
rect evidence is to follow bearing on Scripture
history. The analogy, however, we have sug-
gested is, we think, fair, and the lesson appro-
pirate to modern philosophy.
Christian Remembrdncer.
'sThey who die young escape many deaths"
would not live till age had thrown
lis sorrows DER my brow,