The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-06-02
BeIshazzar's Feast.

paradise, lest become 80 enamored of il
that shall lose all desire to reach the
heavenly" No marvel was it, that with
a deep sigh be turned his back upon thil
gem of the East.
Babylon, one of the most magnificent
cities that ever existed, was the capita
of fertile Chaldea. The alleged first kina
of the world, Nimrod, is supposed to have
founded this city. It was built in az
exact square, each side being fifteen mile.
long, consequently embracing an area Of
two hundred and twenty: i've square miles
The modern world will never cease to
wonder at the vast proportions of that
gigantic wall which encircled the city
This structure was three hundred and
fifty feet in height aud eighty.seven il
thickness-broad enough for six chariot.
to drive abreast.
The illustrious Nebuchadnezzar made
this city the most magnificent in, The
world. 1ts.hanging gardens constructed
under bis matchless hand have never
ceased to be the wonder as we'll as share
the admiration of mankind. Even the
artistic Greek reckoned them one of the
''seveu wonders of the world" In these
gardens the largest trees grew at an ele.
vation of three hundred and fifty feet.
The temple of Belus was surprisingly
magnificent. The craven images and
vessels were of massive gold. The tenn.
Pile, probably built on the foundation
of the tower of Babe, was the most eleva-
ted structure ever reared, being consider
ably higher than the loftiest Egyp-
tian pyramid. Lavish as was the expen-
diture in erection and adornment of the
temple, itstreasures besides amounted
to morsthan $100,000,000.
Nebuchadnezzar's palaces were not
surpassed by his other stupendous works.
The old 'one was four miles in circumfer-
ence, the new, eight. A subterranean
passage beneath the channel of the river
afforded means Of secret communication
between these two mammoth buildings.
An endless variety of animals were repre-
sented in life size, on the walls of these
palaces, and at each entrance were mag
nifcent gates, made of brass taken from
pillaged Jerusalem.
But the time was approaching when
the "golden city" should be drought
low" The mandate had gone forth from
the Most High that when Nebuchnezzar's s
"son's son" should sit upon the throne
this proud, wicked city should fall. The
beginning of its decline dates from the
ascension to the throne of the wicked and
inefficient Belshazzar. Cyrus the Great
besieged the city and during two years
constantly challenged Belshazzar to meet
him in an open combat. But the Baby
lonians, who had been the terror of all
nations, now cowardly shut themselves
within their walls. The king having
collected twenty years supply Of provis-
ions and believing his wall impregnable
felt that sooner or latter Cyrus would be
forced to raise the siege. He therefore
in the pride and arrogance of his heart
gave himself up with his courtiers to
every species of revelry and voluptuous-
ness for which this city was famed.
But there came night the record of
which has come down through all the
centuries. A. singular train Of circum-
stances were conspiring to bring about
Que of the most tragical events known in
the annals of history. The whole city
was plunged into festivities, and JOY and
mirth ruled the hour, for the king would
do honor to thousand of his lords.
The city presented melo.dramatic
scene. AS The contending hosts of Cyrus
enpirdled the city, q oueenly moon ap.
peared to be presiding goddess why was
she, too, not in commotion? But she
threw soft, mellow glamour over the
peerless city, rendering it more enchan'
ting, even, than by day. Lovely ripples
on the Euphrates danced and quivered.
Figures fantastically arrayed now con-
cealed in shadows, again emerged into
light. Everywhere bright lights CLEANED
out over the city, while the kings palace
WAS all ablaze with myriads of many col
ored dlights. But for the boisterous sounds
of merrinlent, it would not have been
difficult to imagine this scene in fairy
land, and that the distant strains of music
floating ollt on the bosom of the night,
were the bewitching notes of syrens.
The interior of the palace was maze
of gorgeousness. No description could
convey an adequate idea of it, for such
displays of regal pnmp as we're made by
the kings of the East are unknown to
moderns. Belshazzar, his wives, lords
and attendants we're all aglitter with
richest oriental gems. There the sump.
tuous banquet WAS spread. No Wand waa
wanting which might tempt the palate OF
o king. Again and again the ruby cup
was replaced. And as ifhis own drinking
vessels were not massive enough, the
king ordered the sacred temple service,
which Nebuchadnezzar had taken from
Jerusalem, to be brought Immediately to
this banquet. Made all the more joyous
by quafing wine from vessels dedicated
to the God of Heaven they praised their
gods, the workmanship of their own
hands. All was merry in midnight rev.
ell. But, behold the kihgis aghast, his
eyes stare, his whole frame trembles, as
if some demon had seized upon him
His court regard him with amazement
10 the same hour dismembered hand
appears on the wall in the full glow OF
light, tracing strange characters. The
king cries aloud. "What means it?
"Where are my magi, my astrologers p
The wise men are assembled, but their
knowledgeis is bsfaed. The report of con
sternation is carried to the apartment o
the queen-mother. She hastens in, anc
tells The king to send for Daniel, the ser
want of God. He comes, and after re-
buking the impious king, interprets the
symbols. "Mene, Meme, Tekel, Uphar
SIM" God hath numbered thy kingdom
and finished it. Thou art found wanting
Thy kingdom is divided and given to The
Needs and Persians.
But why did the king tremble at sigh
of the mystic characters ? might, it not b.
a harbinger of good? Nay, his con
science told him it was the forerunner o
that doom which his evil doings merited
He knew that he was that instant offer
ing a stupendous insult, which Heaver
would not permit to pass unrebukcd. 81
soon as the kings curiosity had been sat
isfed, he returned again to his revelry
drowning his terror and troubled
thorrhta in the wine CID. On went thl