The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-02-12
Prom the Boston Evening Traveller
REMAR x ABLE AND STARTLING
DISCOVERIES IN THE EAST.
BErRur, Monday, Dec. 8, ,56.

DISCOVERIES or rnr RUINS OF rBs rowrR or sAsrr.
BErRur, Monday, Dec. 8, '56.
EpIros or THE TnAvELLEa: 1t Is nearly
two years since that informed your readers
Of the grand and instructive discoveries in
ancient Ninevah, made by Mr.. PLACE, the
French ConMr in Mesul. Following up the
ancient researches Of Mr.. Boris, and Mr.
LAyARD, he brought to light monuments Of
that long -entombed city, which equally amaz-
ed and delighted the world. A man Of genius
and enthusiasm, he was enc outraged by his
successes 70 extend his researches, which in
his opinions shall be verified, will add imper-
ishsbie lustre to his name. The Tower Of
Babel was supposed to exist only as Bibli-
cal Souvenirs thing Of memory and not Of
substance. And, indeed, to many who con-
| templsted II only in its audacity and folly, it
seemed myth or fancy only Of Oriental
| imsginativeness or superstition. Besides, no
locality was assigned to the structure, except
the great plain of Shinar, and no debris or ru-
ins remained as the proof Of its veritable re-
| ality.
How surprising, then, its discovery, Iii dis.
covery it shall prove--that Titanic structure,
| whose base was laid In the earth vet soaked
with the waters of the food, aud whose sum-
NIT was designed to pierce the very heavens!
And why not discovered? Nineveh has yield
ed up its secrets after a burial of long CEN
turies. Babylon, once the glory Of the Chal-
deans excellency, has opened her gates again,
il not to her Persian besegers, at least to the
living generation. of all races, and in her cyl
inder-books offers her history TO the worlds
inspection. What remained Tor discovery in
the wreck and ruin Of the old world, but Ba-
bel, that mighty tower which was designed to
pierce the skies and defy second deluge! II
it seems too much for belief, what should be
thought incredible, when Nineveh and Babylon
are brought back to the land of the living by
sort of resurrection, and their monuments of
art are travelling through the nations to amaze
and delight mankind?
Besides, there is providence to be traced
in these discoveries. They serve not only to
arouse but to instruct; they not only crafty
the curiosity, but ut-establish beyond all doubt
and controversy the veracity and inspiration of
the Sacred Records. The lightcf pure Chris
tianity begins to beam upon the early seats Of
the human race: it is meet that it should be
met by the light Of the remotest antiquity.
The substance of the information which has
just been circulated relating to the discovery Of
the Tower Of Babel, | will give in few
words, expecting soon to receive fuller details,
at the same time remarking that the French
Consul General Of Beirut, Mr.. Lisseps, has
received various curious articles which were
found in the lower, which hope soon to see
and describe. I think my hand. if no. my
heart, will fairly tremble, if once 1t takes hold
of the shovels, the trowels, and the hods used
by those old masons and builders.
The village Of Arbela, SO famous il histo-
ry for the decisive battle fought near it by
Darius and Alexander, is only few days. jour
ney from Mosul, to which Mr.. Place, wearied
with the monotonous wonders of Ninevah, set
of with his accustomed enthusiasm in search
Of new discoveries, in region celebrated in
classical history On his way an incident oc-
Cured which proves to what degree the
statements Of history respecting the locality
are the simple truth. The escort Of Mr..
Place dismounted when they reached the field
of Ar5ela, following the example Of the Con-
sui, who wished to study the battlefield: and
this ne was obliged to do srADiNG, as Turkish
| etiquette permits no one to renain seated in
his saddle. Soon, however, he mounted again,
in order 10 scour the plain, and the escort did
the same, except single Turk Of enormous
proportions, who followed on foot, putting ard
bathed in sweat. Mr.. Place, plying him Tor
his sad plight, asked him If he did this because
he preferred walking to riding.
"By no means,' replied the Turk: ssbut I
am unable to remount my horse, because 1
need the help Of a stone in order to regain NV
stirrup, and who can find single stone in all
the plain of GingarRelia2n
Now it is well known that Darius EN- ployed
100000 men for many days in ieveling this
PLAIN and in breaking whatever would inter-
pose an obstacle to his cavalry and chariots Of
war. In the centre Of the old battlefield OF
Arbella rises q hill Of colossal dimensions,
"AooS "oJoSe ue Posy vetnty coiJeetufeu,
thinking it might be tomb, or a triumphal
monument, or more likely both. Unfortunate
ly they had rot time to examine it, nor the ap-
pliances necessary for exploring it.
Passing on, MIR. Place and his party At
length discovered what they believed to be
nothing less than the ver.tsble remains Of the
ToUer Of Babsl-the wonder Of wonders, and
the greatest spectacle which the eyes Of men
can contemplate in this age of the world
This proud tower, which was built in defiance
Of Heaven, and aimed to pierce he very skies,
has lost, in the course of ages its cloud-reach-
ing elevation. Six Of its eight stories have
fallen and crumbled into dust: but the two
which remain are % high that they may be
seen for fifty or sixty miles around. The base
Of the tower il quadranguiar, and each side
about six hundred feet long. The tower is
made Of bricks Of the purest clay, and Of a
white color, which 10 little shadsd with yel-
low tint. Under clear sun, and IS whole,
this ancient msnunent Of human skill and
daring presents 6ne blending Of eolors which
sets the psinter's pallet at defiance. Before
being baked, the bricks had been covered with
characters, traced with the accuracy Of the
hand Of writing master, Near the top Of