Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-03-16
9BRDAY READING,
The Throne Of Solomon.

The following account Of a remarkable
piece of mechanism is taken from a Persian
manuscript, called The History Of Jerusa-
lem 1t purports to be a description of the
throne of King Solomon, and if the details
are correctly given, it undoubtedly surpasses
any specimen of mechanism produced in
modern times, Notwithstanding the wonder
ful inventions and Improvements which have
lately taken place in every branch of science:
The sides of it were of pure gold, the
feet ofemerald and rubies, intermixed with
pearls, each of which was as big as an ostrich
egg. The throne had seven steps; on each
side were delineated orchards full of trees, the
branches of which were composed of precious
stones, representing fruit, ripe or unripe on
the tops Of the trees were to be seen figures
Of beautiful plumaged birds, particularly the
peacock, the etaub, and the kurges. All
these birds were followed within arti6cially,
SO as occasionally to utter a thousand melo-
dious %notesAuch as the ear Of mortal has new
er heard. On the first were delineated vine
|! branches, having lunches of grapes, compos-
ed of various sorts of precious stones, fashion
ed in such a manner as to represent the diff
ferent colors Of purple, violet, green and red,
80 as to render the appearance of real fruit.
On the second step, on each side Of the
throne. were two lions, ofterrible aspect, as
: large as life, and formed Of cast gold. The
nature of this remarkable throne was such,
that when the prophet Solomon placed his
foot on the first step, the birds spread forth
their wings and made a futtering noise il
the air. On his touching the second step
" the two lions expanded their claws. On hi
err reaching the third step. the whole assembly
ID Of demons and fairies and men repeated tn,
IS, praises ofthe Deity. When he arrived at tn
III fourth step, voices were heard addressin!
o. him in the following manner: Son of David
of be thankful for the blessings the Almight
ue has bestowed upon you The same was re
peated on his reaching the fifth step. O
nd his touching the sixth, all the children
or Israel joined them; and on his arrival at Ii
I'M seventh. all the throne, birds and animal
all became IN motion, and ceased not until /
De had placed himself in the royal seat, whe
id the birds, lions and other animals, by secyC
lu- springs, discharged a Showers the most pr
cious perfumes on the prophet j; after whic
two Of the kurgeses descended and placed
Of golden crown upon his head. Before Il
re- throne was a column of FURNISHED gold, {
nd the top of which was a golden dove, whiC
Iall held in its beak a volume bound in silvt
In this book were written the Psalms of L
ner vid and the dove having presented the bo
: to the King, he read aloud portion oft
in the children of Israel. 1t is further relate
ote that on the approach Of wicked persons
UGH the throne, the lions were wont to set up
any terrible roaring, and to lash their tails W
the violence the birds also began to bristle
their feathers and the assembly also Of
UGH mons and genii to utter horrid cries, 70 Il
nty, for fear of them no per:on dared be guilty
ent, ~falsehood, but confessed their crime. 81
rer, was the throne Of Solomon, the son Of ]
Gem vid.'