The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1857-01-27

The Tower or BApEt-A correspondent
OF the Boston Traveller, writing from Beirut
describes the discovery Of what is supposed to
be the Tower Of Babel. The discovery was
made by Mr.. Place. the French Consul at
Mosul, who has already been distinguished
for his oriental researches. The following ex-
tracts are from the letter:
"rhe village Of Arbela, so famous in history
for the decisive battle fought near it by Darius
and Alexander, is only a few days journey
from Mosul, 10 which Mr.. Place wearied with
the mOnotonous wonders Of Ninevah set off
with his accustomed enthusiasm in search OF
new discoveries in region celebrated in
classical history.
Passing on, Mr. Place and his PARTY at
length discovered what they believed TO be
nothing less than the veritable remains of the
1otoer of Bdbei-the wonder of wonders. and
the grandest 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 the very skies
has lost in the course Of ages its cloud-rea
ing elevation. Six Of its eight stories have
fallen and crumbled into dust; but the tUv
which remain are so high that Gsey aoy he seen
for .fly or sirty miles agouaN The base OF
bhC lONCi - ulltA edCl SlGe GEJGL
six hundred feet long. Tie tower is made OF
bricks or the purest clay and CT white color.
which is a little shaded with yellow tint
, Under clear sun, and as WHOLE this ancient
monument of human skill and daring presents
fine blending of coors which sets the pain
ters pallet at defiance. Before being baked,
Che bricks had been covered with characters
traced with the accuracy Of the hand Of a
writing master Near the top Of the letters
the straight strokes were adorned with -four
ishes resembling the heads Of nails. All was
neat, regular and severe; and, indeed those
who saw these specimens of ancient CALI
graphy affirm that the fathers of the hulaan
race wrote a better hand than their children.
Among the interesting discoveries OF Mr..
Place were certain inscriptions on fillets of
gold, silver and "copper", and also upon a metal
now unknown, and which has newhat the
appearance Of ivory. 1t has been submitted
to the experiments Of an intelligent metaliur-
gst, and its qualities will soon be ascertained.
/, Some very curious photographs, taken by
the expedition, completed their labor, one of
which was Of the ruins OF the palace OF the
famous Queen Senramis. This ancient mon
ument, situated on the height of a mountain
raised by the hand OF men, oYerooks the aW-
full solitudes which surround Lake Van-a
body of water six or seven times larger than
LakeGeneya.
1t is not strange that a gentleman wis lad
seen and handled some of the articles brought
from the tower Of Babel by Mr.. Place, should
be excited as he says he was: in relation to
archaeological news | take the liberty to in
form you that have just seen the oldest things
OF the old world. Indeed, do not know that
should be more surprised by seeing the frag-
ments Of the ask itself Fancy to yourself
that | have inst totYrb haIl IN ,,,r H., ~. !
and tarned and turned again in every way, a
j.. tittie nsoccau Of the Tot0er Of Babel, This
trinket OF moulded clay, illustrated and baked
by the sons of Noah, has passed from Tho
plains of Shinar to the chapel Of St Mesmin
and is the fruit of the strokes of the hamne
in the hand of Mr., Place, our learned and en-
terprising Consul, to whom l am Indebted fo
a sight of this precious little relic, about whicl
cluster so many grand souvenirs"