Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-05-08
aA i5fellaneQlls.
NEBUCuADNEXZAR'S HANGING
GARDEN.

Mr. Jacob Abbot contributes an interest
ing Memoir OF Babylon to the last number
Of HJrpas Ncbuehadnezzar, the ruler of
that famous city, had wife who came from
q mountainous district, and who was dissat
isiied with the level prospect everywhere
about her, as she looked forth from the pal
ace of her husband In order to CRAFTY
her, he reared the garden that is described
below:
The vast structure built by Nebuebadnez-
Zar, which has been celebrated in all ages
as one Of the wonders Of the world, under
the name OF the hanging Gardens Of Baby
lon, was really an artificial mountain-or
meant to be such 1t was built to crafty
the desire Of a wife of Nebuchadnazzar,
namsd Amytis, who having been a native
ola mountainous country North, soon grew
tired when she came to Babylon, Of the lev
81 monotony Of the country there, and, as
young brides on the Western praries of
America often do at the present day, when
they remember the green declivities and
SUBMITS, and the secluded and romantic
dels of their native New England. she
said to her husband that she longed for the
sight Of a hill. Her husband therefore un
dcrtook 10 build her one
The structure consisted of series of plat
forms or terraces, supported on arches Of
masonry, placed one above the other, and
raised so high that the upper one was above
the walls OF the city, 50 that the spectator,
standing upon H. could not ouly look down
upon all the streets and squares of the town,
but could also extend his view beyond the
walls, aud survey the whole surrounding
county. The several terraces were sup
ported on immense arches Of masonry. The
q l.. a
by a solid wall twenty two feet thick, which
bou undci and enclosed the structure on every
side The platforms covering the arches
and forming the terraces, were constructed
of ufimmcnse fiat blocks OF stone, cemented at
tie joints with bltumen. Above this pave
meut was layer Of reeds, and then another
ut btumcn, upon which, at the top vt all,
was a flooring Of brick, which formed the
upper surface Of the platform. On this
foundation was laid thick stratum of gar
den mold, deep enough TO afford support
and uour>hment for the largest trees. The
gardens made upon these terraces were laid
ont in the most costly and elegant
manacr, aud were provided with stat
ues and fountains, and with the choi
ccst fruits, anl the rareSt and most
beautiful shrubs and trees, and partcrTes Of
brilliant flowers, and seats, and bowers, and
ornamental arbors-with every thing, in
short which the holticuturist of the day
could devise TO complete the attractiycness
Of the scene. The ascent from each Of these
terraces tothc one above it was by broad
and beautiful flight E steps, and visitors
who ascendcd from one 10 the other on each
successive platform new and ever changing
beauties In the varied arrangement Of walks
and trees and beds Of flowers, and in the new
views of the surrounding country which be
came Of course, wider and more commanding
the higher they aScendcd.
There were spacious and AIRY apartments
hUiit among the arches below, which opened
out anon the successive terraces These
apartments commanded very beautiful views,
both Of the gardens before them and Of the
country beyond. The interior of them was
Snenddiy decorated, and they We're fitted
with al necessary cnUicniaHces for serving
Refreshments To guests and for furnishing
them with amusemcnts and entertainments
of every kind On the upper platform was
q reservoir ot water. supplied by vast en-
aneS concealed within the structure Pipes
and other hydraulic machinery conducted
this water to I'll the lower terraces, IN order
to supply the yarioas fountains and to irTi-
gate tie ground la fact, so vast was the
extent and SO magnificent the decorations
of this artificial hjll that as long as il en-
durcd II was considered, by common con
sent, as one Of the wonders of the world