Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-01-26
IN OLD BABYLON.
THE FEAST OF KING BsLSHAzz4R IN THE
PALACE.
The Handwriting on the Wall-wsighed in the
Balances and FOHbd WsnuDg-Tbe Overthrow
Of the lmpsrilus Sovsrsign-Some
Of the Lessons Learned.
Speeial r.isqram % he R.qister.

morning in the Academy OF Music IN
this city, and he repeated it tonight at
the Christian Herald service in the New
York Academy OF Music. His text was
Daniel, $50: In that night was Bel
shazzar, the king of the ChaldeanS,
slain"
After the sight of Babylon had been
selected, two million of men were en-
ployed for the construction of the wall
and principal works. The walls OF the
/ city were sixty miles i'm circumference.
/ They were surrounded by trench, out
of which had been dug the material for
the construction OF the city.
There were twenty-five gates Of
solid brass on each side OF
the square city. Between every
TWO gates a great watch-tower Sprang
up into the heavens. From each OF the
twenty-five gates, on either side, street
ran straight through TO the gate on the
other side, so that there were fifty
streets, each fifteen miles long, which
gave 10 the city an an appearance OF
wonderful regularity. The houses did
not ioin each other on the ground, aud
between them were gardens and shrub
berry. From hOuSe-top TO houSe-top
bridges swung, over which the inhab-
tantS were accustomed TO pass.
branch of the EuphrateS went through
the city. over which a bridge OF marvel
Gus structure was thrown, and under
which n tunnel ran. To Keep the
river from oyerilowing the city In
times of frcShet, 4 great lake
was arranged to catch the sur
plus. in which the water was kept
as i'm reservoir until times Of drought,
when il was sent streaming down over
the thirsty land. A palace stood at each
end of EuphrateS bridge; one palace
mile and three-quarters in compass, and
the other palace seven and half miles
in circumference. The wife oil NeOu-
chadnezzar. having been brought up
among the mountains OF Media, cOuld
not stand il in this fiat country OF Bah
ylon. and so. to please her, Nebuchad-
nelzar had mountain, four hundred
feet high, built in the midst OF the city.
This mountain was surrounded by
terraces, for the support OF which
great arches were lifted. On
the top OF these arches nat
stones were laid; then layer of reeds
aud bitumen; then two rows oil oricKS,
closely cemented; then thick sheets OF
lead, upon which the soil was placed.
The earth here deposited was so deep
that the largest tree had room to anchor
their roots. All the glory OF the iiowery
tropics was spread out at that tremen-
douS height. until il must have seemed
m one below As though the clouds were
all i'm blossom. and the very sky leaned
on the shoulder of the cedar. Az the
ton an engine was constructed, which
drew the water from the Euphrates, FAR
below, and made it spout up amid TINS
garden oi the skies. All TINS To please
his VII think She must have been
pleas
SPLENDORs OF BABNLoN.
In the midst OF this city stood also
the temple OF Belus. One of its towers
was one eighth of mile high. and on the
top of it an observatory, which gave the
astronomers great advantage, as, oeins
AT so great height, one could easily
talk with the stars. This temple was
fnll Of ems. and statues, and censerS, all
of gold. one image weighed thousand
RabvloniSh talents, which would be
eoual To ffty-two million dollars. All
this by day, but now night was ABOUT
tocome down on Babylon. The shadows
of her TWO hundred ind fifty towers be-
can IN lengthen. The EuphrateS rolled
ON. touched by the Splendors OF the set
ting sun, and gates OF brass ourh,
ished and glittering, opened ana
shut like doors of tlaMe. Inc hanging
gardens of the Babylon, wet Win tue
heavy dew, began to pour from SarllI
flowers and dripping leaf, a fragrance
for many miles around. The streets ana
souares were lighted for dance, and
frolic. and promenade. The theatres
and galleries of art invited the wealth,
and pomp, and grandeur OF the clty 10
r,re entertainmentS. Scenes OF riot ana
wassail were mingled in every street,
godless mirth, aud outrageous excess,
and splendid wickedneSS came to the
kings palace, to do their mightIest
deeds Of darkness. ,,.
A royal feast tonight at the kings
palace. Rushing up to the gates are
cbariots. upholstered with precious
cloths from Dedan, and drawn by hre-
eyed horses from Togarmah, that rear
and neigh in the grasp OF the chariot
GERS. while a thousand lords dlsmouht'
and women. dressed in all the SplendorS
of syrian emerald, and the coior-blend-
inc ~ agate and the chaSteneSS oil coral,
and the sombre glory of Tyrian purple,
and princely embroiderieS, brought from
afar bv camelS across the desert, ana
bv ships of TarShish across the sea.
Omen wide the gates. and let the guests
come in. The chamberlains and cup
bearers are all ready. Hark to the rus
tie of the robes, and to the carol oi the
music, See the blaze OF the leweiS.
lift the banners. Fill the cups Gap
the eymbals. Blow the trumpets. Let
the night 20 by with song, and dance
and ovation: and let that Ba0ylonlSh
tongue be palSied that will not say; ~
King Belshazzar. live forever
a ROYAL FEAST.
All, NV friends. it was not any com
mon banquet to which these great peo--
ple came. All parts OF the earth hau
sent their richest viaud> to that taole'
bracelets and chandeliers flashed their
ti,bt nnon tankardS of FURNISHED gold.
Fruits ripe and luscious, in baskets OF
/ silver entwined with leaves, pluckeu
from royal conseryatorieS. Vases III
IioiJ with emerald, and ridged with eN-
"nisite traceries. filled with nuts that
we're tbreshed from forests OF diStfhc
Lands. Wine brought from the roya'
vats. foaming in the decanterS ana ouo-
tli,g i'm the chaliceS. Tufts OF caSSla
and fraukincenSe waiting their sweet
ness from wall and table. gorgeous
banners unfolding in the breeze tha'
came through the opened window oe-
witched with the perfume OF hanging
Gardens. Fountains rising up from IN
Closures of ivory. in jets Of crystal 10
f,u i'm gathering rain of diamonds ana
nearls. Statues of mighty men looking
5ovn from inches in the wall, upon
cro,ynS and shields brought from
snbducd empires. Idols of wonderful
work standing on pedeStalS OF precious
ssones EmbroiderieS STOPPING ABOUT
The windows, aud wrapping pillars oi
cedar and drifting on floor inlaid with
ivory and agate. Music, mingling th'
thrum Of harpS and the elaSh ol gym
halls and the blast OF trumpets IN one
wave of transport that went rlppllnI
along the wall and breathing among th'
garlands. and pouring down the corri-
Jors and thrilling the souls OF thou'
sand banoueterS. The signal Is gwen
and the lords and ladies, the mighty
man and women OF the land, come
oronpd the table. Pour out the WINE
Let foam and bubble kiss the run
Hoist every one his cup ana urlnS
- the sentiment: 30 King BelShazzar,