Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-08
THE GREAT TOWER OF BAREr.

The GREAT TOWER OF BABEL.
OF all these works the most celebrated was
the chief among the many superb temples Of
Babylon, the ruins Of which have been desig-
mated by modern psychologists as those of the
Tower OF Babel Although not more than I4O
feet high, It seemed to be the dwellers Of the
great Assyrlan plain, where there were no
lofty objects for comparison, to nearly touch the
heavens and it was said the tongues
Of men were confused in attempting
70 describe Its wonders. It's actual
height was considerably added to in effect by
the fact that II was built. like all other impor-
tant Babylonian edifices, upon a high artificial
terrace. Still further was 1t uplifted by Sec
ond platform of earth 800 feet square. From
this upper platform the tower rose, its first
story, 272 feet square and Is feet high,
faced wkf glazed brick painted black in
honor - Saturn To Jupiter the sec
ond story was dedicated, and the color
belonging TO that god being orange, il was Of
that unt-220 feet on q side and 26 feet high.
The color OF the third story was red, in COM
Pllment TO Mars; each Of its four sides was 1874
feet and Its height 26. The fourth story was
l4S feet square and covered with thick plates
Of gold. being dedicated to the sun. White was
the hue OF the fifth story, out Of respect for
Venus, and it was liz feet square. The sixth
story was blue. Mercury's color, and
each Of its sides measured 10 feet A
cube OF Is feet formed the seventh story
covered with plates Of silver. in honor of the
moon. These dimensions and colors are given
all wrong, according to Prof. Haupt. in 8 re-
Gently published Babylonian novel called the
master Of the Magicians'' He thinks that
there was on top of the seventh story some
sort OF cupola or observatory for astronomical
work, but this is not certain. The tower at
the fair will have to have windows Of the ordi-
nary sort though one thing which Assyriolo-
gists Of today have not been able TO ascer-
tain at all Is how the buildings of
Babylon were lighted. Such, at all events was
the Tower of Babel, considered the greatest
architectural marvel Of Its age, stored inside
with golden statues and other treasures of in
estimable value. From this type of structure
the Egyptian pyramid was originally developed
BY simply filing in the slant between the
stories, 80 as make each side a smooth descent
instead Of . series of steps.
THE CITY OF BABYLON.
Babylon ought to be an interesting town.
even TO people of the nineteenth century. IL
only because it was the most dissipated and
immoral metropolis tina. ever existed in the
world. The immortality Of those ancient Cbal-
deans was largely of religious nature,
inasmuch as many OF their sacred
mites were Of the most abominable de-
scrlption. Such q vast amount OF writing did
they leave behind them, in burned clay that is
perfectly readable at this day, that more is
actually known about Assyris now than is
known concerning any European country ONLY
loo years back From Herodotus, however
who visited Babylon himself while it was IN its
glory, Is derived the historical account Of the
extraordinary method Of marriage in use among
the Babylonians.
METHOD OF MARRrAaE.
According to the statements of the "father
Of history" it appears that in this wonderful
Asiatic metropolis all the young women, with
out exception. upon arriving at manageable
age, we're sold at auction to the highest bidders
Tor wives There MAS no reserve in this matter.
40 father had any right 10 dispose of his
daughters hand; she must be yended under
she hammer. With the rich men Of Babylon
was point Of vanity to buy the most beauti-