Polynesian., 1852-03-06

.Hedes z" And moreover, it is not in accordance
with either of Mr.. AS two authorities" Hero
dotus says nothing about it, and Xenophon states
that it was the son of the King of Assyria, Evil
Merodach, the son of Nebuchadnezzar, as some
suppose, who formed the nuptial party and made
plundering incurson into the territories of the
Medes; and it was in repelling this plunderino
party that Cyrus distinguished himself. oo
On P. 2O6, in giving an account of the TAX
ing of Babylon, he says that "The detach.
ments of soldiers marched in over the bed of the
stream, carrying acith them uast numbers of lad
ders. With these they easily scaled the low walls
which lined the banks of the river, and Belschaz
Ear was thunderstruck with the announcement,
made to him in the midst of one of his feasts that
the Persians were in complete and full possession
of the city, .--,-.., -s..,.-.
Who is Mr.. AS authority for the ''vast numbers
of ladders y Neither Herodotus nor Xenophon
The prophet had predicted lisa. As, 1,) that the
gates leading to the river would be left open and il
was through these gates that the Persians entered
Mr.. A, following the guidance of Horodotus
states that Cyrus defeated and slain in a prea,
battle with the Scythians; and that Queen Tony.
ms treated his dead body with every possible ndie
nifty. Aenophon informs us that he died in peac sur
rounded by his children and friends The account
OF his death, as given by Xenophon is rendered
probable by the fact that his tomb was in existence
at which sacrifices and lamps had been established
and continued from the days of Cambyses, the son
OF Cyrus. This fact Is crcumstantially related by
Arrlan, by Strabo, and by Quintus Curtius. Ii
Cyrus was killed in Scythia it probable that his
remains were transported to Persia and placed in
tomb Yet we are assured that they were fount
there by Aristobulus, an officer of Alexander
On page 212 he makes the following statement
concerning the wife of Cyrus. "His wife is said
to have been daughter of Astyages. Among
the western nations of Europe such marriage
would be abhorred, Astyages having been Cyrus's
grandfather; but among the Orientals, in those
days, alliances of this nature were not uncommon
Here he contradicts both of his authorities, and
himself also. The name of the lady, mentioned in
the paragraph above, was Amytis. Herodo,us
states repeatedly that the name of his queen was
Cassandane, the daughter of Fharnaspes Keno
phon says that he married his cousin the daughter
of Cyaxares Mr.. a. in his life of Darius, speaks
of Cassandane as the wife of Cyrus having forgot
ten, probably, that he had once assigned to him
Amytis, his aunt, and had made an apology for
"such marriage" .--f..-- --..-.- .-s...-
He tells US, History ofDarus, page 90 that
''the two sons of Cassandane were then tall and
handsome young men,, although Herodotus in
forms US that Cambyses, the elder, was only about
ten years Of age. r..'s .- -..s
Besides Mr.. AS disregard of historic proba-
ries into his histories, probably "to make them
more entertaining" In his history of Cyrus, we
have the story of Arion, who leaped into the sea,
g was taken up by dolphin that had been charm
ed by his song, and borne to Taenarus." And in
his history of Darius is the story of "ants bigger
than foxes, Of wonderful fierceness and voracity
and which could run faster than the Aeetest horse"
Now, notwithstanding these marvellous stories
may render bookmore entertaining, yet they GER
tainly must be regarded as blemishes in historic
narratives prepared for the young. . 500
We have seen many notices of Mr.. AS histo-
ries and all of them commendatory. His style is
pleasing and the moral tone of his writings is ia
vorable to morality and religion But his books
are not all that we can wish. That he is deserv-
ing of censure in particulars must be evident
to every thoughtful reader, and hope that writ
in the United States will direct the attention of
parents and teachers to the inaccuracies of .4bbQs
Histories, and that Mr.. A. will write more and
better books. s s,...r -,- -,,-.