Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-08-11

| ~'Ss", III" AatiHs wdFHlng all Stran' |
gers and Jews who were unclean, from entering
into the Holy Court beyond. An ascent of IA
fstePs to terrace II l-2 feet wide, beyond which
arose the wall of the Inner Court. This wall
appeared on the outside 20 feet, on the inside
~ a; for besides the ascent of IA steps to the
terrace, there were FIVE more up to the gates
The Inner Court had no gate or opening to the
west, but four to the north, and four to the SOUTH
Two to the east, one of which was for the women.
Tor whom part of the Inner Court was set apart
--and beyond which they might not advance
TO this they had access likewise by one Of the
northern, and one of the southern gates, which
were set apart for their use. Around this court
ran another splendid range OF portcoes or cois-
ters, the columns were quite equal in beauty and
thoag4'' in size. to those Of the
outer portico., Nine Of these gates, OF rather
gateway towers, were richly adorned with gold
and silver, on the dsor- posts, and the ntes. The
doors of each Of the nine gates were 50 2 fee.
high, and half that breadth. Within, the gate
ways were SO l-2 feet wide and deep,wi,b rooms
on each side, SO that the whole looked like lofty
towers; the height from The base to the summit
was 70 feet. Each gateway had two lofty pillars
81 feet in circumference. But that which excl
ted the greatest admiration was the tenth, usual
ly called the Beautiful Gate of the Temple. It|
was Of Corinthlan brass of the finest workman
ship. The height of the Beautiful Gate was 81,
its doors 20 feet The father Of Tiberius Alex
ander had sheeted these gates with gold and sill
yer; his apostate son was to witness their ruin
by the plundering hands and fiery torches Of his
Roman friends. Within the quadrangle there
was further separation, low wall which divid.
cd the priests from the lsra elites near this stood
the great brazen altar. Beyond, the Temple
itself reared its gllierng front. The great porch
or Propyleon, according to the design of the last
or 1erod's Temple, extended to a much greater
width than the Temple itself in addition to the
former width of los feet, it had two wings of 35
cach making in the whole IFS. The great gate
of this last quadrangle, to which there was n
ascent of about twelve steps, was called that of
Nicanor. The gateway tower was 1872 9 high,
43 2 wide, it had no doors, but the ffontspieee
was covered with gold, and through its spacious
arch was seen the golden gate of the Temple,
glttering with the same precious metal, with
large plates of which it was sheeled all over.
Over this gate hung the celebrated golden vine.
This extraordinary piece of workmanship had
lunches, according TO Josephus, as large as
man. The Rubbns add, that, " like the true
natural vine, it grew greater and greater; men
would be Offering some gold TO make leaf:
some grape, some bunch and these were
hung up u9on it, and so Il, was increasing con-
tnually."
The Temple itself, excepting in the extensions
of the wings Of the Propy|eon, was probably the
same in it's dimensions and distribution with that
of Solomon. II contained the same holy treas
ures if not of equal magnfcence, yet by the
zeal Of successive ages, the frequent plunder, 10
which it had been exposed, was constantly re-
placed and within, the golden candlestlck
spread out it's flowing branches, the golden table
supported the show-bread, and the altar of in.
censs famed with Its costly perfume. The roof
of the Temple had been set all over on the out
side with sharp golden spikes 10 prevent the
birds from settling, and defiling the roof; and
the gates were still sheeted with plates of the
same splendid metal. At n distance, the whole
Temple looked literally like mount of snow,
fretled with golden pnnacles."
Looking down upon its marble court and On
the Temple ITSELF when the sun arose above the
Mount Of Olives, which it faced, was impossible
even for stole, like Titus not to betray HE emo
ton. Yet this was the city, which in few
months was to lie heap of undistinguished ru-
ns and the solid Temple itself, which seemed
built for eternity, not TO have one stone left up
on another"
THE TEMPLE SET ON FIRE.
1t was on the 10lb of August, A. C. TO- the
day already darkened in the Jewish calendar by
the destruction Of the former Temple by the King
lot Babyon it was almost passed. Titus with
drew into the Antona, intending the next morn
ing to make general assault. The quiet sum-
mer evening came on; the setting sun shone for
thelast time on the white walls, and glistening
pnnacles Of the Temple roof. Titus had retired
to rest, when suddenly wild and terrible cry
was heard, and nan came rushing in, announc-
ing that the Temple was on fire. Some Of the
beseiged, Notwithstanding their rcpulse in the
morning, rad sailed out to attack the men who
we're busily engaged in extinguishng the fires
about the clositers. The Romans not merely
drove them back, but, entering the space with
them, forced their way TO the door Of the Ten
pie. A soldier without orders, mounting on the
back of one OF his comrades, threw blazing
brand into guided small door on the north eide
The flames sprung up at once. Tho Jews utter
ed one simultaneous shrek, and grasped their
swords, with furious determination Of reveng-
ing and perishing in the ruins OF the Temple
Titus rushed down with the utmost speed be
shouted, he made signs to his soldiers to quench
the FIRE his voice was drowned, and his signs
unnoiiced in the blind confusion. The leglona-
ries either &C lid not or would not hear; they
rushed on, trampliug leach other down in their
furious haste, or, stumbling over the crumbling
,uins, perished with the enemy. Each exhorted
the other, and each hurled his blazing brand in
to the inner part Of the edi6ce, and then hurried
to his work of carnage. The unarmed and de
ienceless people we're slain in thousands they
lay heaped, like sacrifices around the altar the
steps Of the Temple ran with streams of blood
which washed down the bodies that lay about.
Titus found it impossible to check the rage Of