Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-04-03
nj Isl e LII A N Y.
INTERIOR OF AN AssYR1AN PALACE.

The interior ofan Assyrian palace must have been
as magnificent as imposing. ! have led the reader
through its Iuinsa he may Judge of the impression
its halls are calculated TO make upon the stranger
who, in the days of old, entered for the fist time,
the abode of the Assyran kings. He was ushered
in through the portals guarded by the colossal lions
or bulls Of white aabaster In The first hall he found
himself surrounded by the scuplured records of the
empire Battles, seiges, triumphs, the exploits Of
the chase the ceremonies of religion, were portray
ed on the walls, sculptured in alabaser and paint
ed in gorgeous colors. Under each picture were
engraved in characters filled up with bright copper
inscriptions describing the scenes represented. A
bove the sculptures were painted other events the
king. attended by his eunuchs and warriors, receiv
ing his prisoners, entering into alliance with other
mOnarchs, or performing some sacred duty. These
representations were closed in colored borders of E.
laborate and elegant design. The emblematc tree,
winged bulls, and hldeous animals, were conspicu
GUS among the ornaments. Al the upper end Ofthe
hall was the colossal figure of the king in alteration
before the Supreme Deity or receiving from his eu
much the holy cup. Hewas attended by warriors bear
ing his arms, and by priests or presiding dvnies.
His robes, and those of his followers, were adorned
with groups of flowers, all painted with brilliant
coors.
The slrnger trod upon a.abaster slabs; each
bearing an inscription recording the title, ,geneaogy
and achievements Of the great king. Several door
ways formed by gigantic winged lions and bulls, or
by figures of guardian deties, led into apartments,
which again opened into more distant halls In each
were new sculptures. On the walls of some, pro-
cesSions Of colossal figures, armed men and eunuchs
following the king warriors laden with spoil, lead
ing prisoners, or bearing presents 10 the gods. On
the walls ofohers were portrayed the winged priests
or presiding divinites, standing before the sacred
trees.
The ceilings above him were divided into square
compartments, painted with flowers or with The fig
ures of animals. Some were inlaid with ivory each
compartment being surrounded by elegant borders s.
mouldings. The beams as well as the sides ofthe
chambers, may have been gided or even plated with
gold and silver; and the rarest woods, in which the
cedar was most conspicuous, were used for the
woodwork. Square opening in the ceilings OF the
chambers admitted the light Of day. pleasing
shadow was thrown over the sculptured walls and
gave majestic expression to the human features
of the colossal forms which guarded the entrance.
Through these aperiureS was seen the bright blue
of an eastern sky enclosed n frame, on which were
painted in vivid colors the winged circle, in the
midst of elegant ornaments and the graceful! forms
Of ideal animals.
These edlfices, as 1t has been shown, were great
national monuments, upon the walls of which were
represented in sculptures, or inscribed in alphabet
ical characters, the chronicles of the empire. He
who entered them might thus read the history and
learn the glory and riumphs of the nation: They
served at the same time to bring continually to the
remembrance of those who assembled within them
on festive occasions, for the celebration of re-
gous ceremonies, the deeds of their ancestors, and
the power and majesty Of their gods.-LGyard's
Nraeeaa.
A Goob 'UN.--A woman on horse back came o.
yer the bridge the other day, and was cooy riding
by the gate, when she was hailed by the toll gath
erer for the pay.
"What do you want toll for ?" she asked and
the gate.keeper explained in full.
"How much do you tax ?" she inquired.
The gate keeper, pointing 10 the crates OF toll"