destroyed by time, combined with the destructive mallet: thus does man destroy the works of his brother man. Revenge, envy, and the lust of power have no regard for art and industry; and their mighty and beautiful works perish under their evil influences. This last bas-relief is supposed to represent the feast at the vernal equinox, or feast of Nauroose, when the Persians presented their annual gratuities to the monarch, and the governors of their provinces, with their delegates, brought in the annually collected tax from each, with a due proportion of other offerings. Such a practice is still prevalent in Persia at the feast of Nauroose. The traveller now gains the platform itself. And here nothing can be more sublime than the view of its ruins; so vast, magnificent, mutilated, and silent. Every object is beautiful in desolation! This pile is in length, from east to west, about 308 feet, and from north to south 350 feet. The greater part of it is covered with broken capitals, shafts of pillars, and fragments of building. The distribution of the pillars stood in four divisions, and consisted of a centre phalanx of six deep every way, with an advanced body of twelve in two ranks, and the same number flanking the centre. One only is now standing, and the shattered bases of nine only now remain, but the places of the others which completed the colonnade may still be traced. To the westward of these appear another double range of columns, five of which are still erect. From hence to the eastern range of a similar number, is 268 feet. Four of these columns are still standing, and the pedestals of four more are yet entire; but the rest lie buried under masses of ruin. On the appearance of these three colonnades, Ker Porter writes: "I gazed at them with wonder and delight. Besides the admiration which the general elegance of their form, and the exquisite workmanship of their parts excited, I was never made so sensible of the impression of perfect symmetry, comprising that of perfect beauty also. The columns are each sixty feet high, the circumference of their shaft sixteen feet, and in length from the capital to the tor forty-four feet. The shaft is finely fluted in fifty-two divisions: at its lower extremity begin a cincture and a torus, the first two inches deep, the latter one foot; whence devolves the pedestal in the form of the cup, and leaves of a lotos, or lily. This rests on a plinth of eight inches, and in circumference twenty-four and a half feet; the whole, from the cincture to the plinth, being five feet ten inches in height. The capitals, which yet remain, though much injured, are yet sufficient to show that they were surmounted by the demi-bull. The heads of the bulls forming the capitals look to the various fronts of the terrace.' About sixty feet from the eastern and western colonnades stood the central phalanx of pillars, in number thirty-six. Five of these now only remain. They are similar to those described, except that they want five feet of the height. Their fluted shafts are thirty-five feet high; but their capitals are the same with those of the great portal, where the crowned and winged bull appears so conspicuous. This phalanx of pillars is supposed to have supported a roof connected with the colonnades. The nearest building to these pillars is approached from the west by a double flight of stairs in ruins, which have been decorated with sculptured guards and other figures. This building is 170 feet by ninety-five. The eastern side is covered with fallen remains and earth, so that it is impossible to discover a corresponding flight of stairs in that quarter. On the south, the entire face of the terrace supporting this building is occupied with another staircase, whose landing-place is forty-eight feet by ten wide. Its front is divided by a tablet with a cuneiform inscription, on each side of which stand spearmen of gigantic heights. North of this is an open space of sixty-five feet, on which appear the foundations of some narrow walls. On each side of this, forty feet to the south, are two lofty entrances composed of four solid upright blocks of marble, nearly black. Within these portals are bas-reliefs of two guards, each habited in the Median robe, and armed with a long spear. On the verge of the landing-place from the western staircase, there is a portal of these long shielded guards; and a little onwards there is another leading into a room of forty-eight feet square. This room had formerly seven doors leading into it, but of these five only now remain. These have all on their several sides duplicate bas-reliefs of a royal personage, attended by two men, one of whom holds an umbrella. Compartments of inscriptions are over the heads of these groups. To the south is another division of the same edifice, forty-eight by thirty feet, and terminating on each side, southward, on the landing-place, by a couple of square pillars of one entire piece of marble, twenty-two feet high, and covered in different ranges with inscriptions in different languages, Cufic, Arabic, and Persic. The traces of a double colonnade are visible along the open space, between the western face of the greater terrace and the western face of this edifice. Thus there are three terraces from the level of the plain. A fourth lies ninety-six feet south of the third, their summits being on a level with each other. Three of the sides of the fourth terrace are obscured by rubbish. Along the northern verge, however, rises the heads of a line of figures, equal in size to those on the stairs of the terrace of the double chamber. They are armed with the bow and quiver. A flight of ruined steps is found at the north-west angle, on which are the remains of fine bas-relief decoration. The plane of this terrace is a square of ninety-six feet, thirty-eight of which on the western side are occupied by the depth of the approach. In this latter space there are the bases of ten columns, three feet three inches in diameter, and standing ten feet equi-distant from each other. Fifty-eight feet of this terrace, at its south-west angle, is surmounted by an additional square elevation, the whole depth of which, from summit to base, is sixty-two feet. Along its lower surface are the lower parts of twelve pillars of the same diameter and distance from each other as in the neighbouring colonnade. Beyond the terrace of the double pillars rises another and more extensive elevation, apparently a part of the royal residence itself. On the north of this is an immense heap of ruins, between which and the terrace a spacious open area intervenes. Ker Porter imagines that this mound is the ruins of the banqueting house, from which Alexander issued forth with his drunken companions to desolate the palace. The fifth terrace is the most conspicuous on the whole platform, being at this date twenty feet above its level; it is also the most ruinous of the whole building. The several faces of the building, indeed, are now marked by their foundations alone, one window to the west and three to the east excepted. These faces open from two corresponding wings, each subdivided into three spacious apartments, the outer ones of which communicate with several pillared quadrangles. In the centre of these quadrangles stands the plinth of four small columns, each having a diameter of two feet and a half, and sixteen feet from a door which leads into a noble hall of ninety feet square. A door on the opposite side corresponds with this, and both lead into quadrangles, similarly open, of four pillars. Another portal leads to the south, and a fourth and fifth to the north, into a large vestibule, the whole width of the hall, which is supported by eight similar columns. Two doors lead from this vestibule, south and west, into six smaller rooms, the windows of which are formed of four large slabs of marble, six feet thick, equivalent to the depth of the walls. On the inner faces of the windows that admit light into the rooms there are duplicate bas-reliefs, occupying the whole surface, and consisting of two figures each. The windows of another room are ornamented with three bas-reliefs of figures, following each other, and each one facing inward, as if directing their steps to the same spot. On the remnants of windows in another apartment are found similar bas-reliefs of three figures, some with their heads covered, and some uncovered. All of these carry something in their hands, as dishes, or bowls, as though they represented servants: two of them are in the Median dress, with their faces uncovered. The door-frames have all one description of bas-relief, that of a royal personage, followed by two attendants bearing an umbrella and a fly-chaser. Over these bas-reliefs are three small compartments of cuneiform inscriptions. At the sides of the open court are the remains of its once magnificent approaches; and near that, eastward, rise from a hollow beneath to a level with the pavement, four enormous supports, resembling rough formed pedestals, and which was intended to uphold some body of immense weight. Opposite is a flight of steps, of a double ascent, beginning from beneath inwardly. These steps are greatly decayed, and bas-reliefs of guards, with duplicates of the combats between the bull and the lion, are similarly circumstanced. To the north of these steps, about sixty feet, are several colossal masses of stone, formerly the sides of gateways, leading into a square edifice of about ninety-six feet, which is small in proportion to the number and size of its entrances. Three of these doorways are yet entire. On the interior face of the door toward the east, are three figures twelve feet high. These are representations of the monarch and his attendants. The visage of the monarch is mutilated, but the air of his person is very majestic. A venerable beard is nicely disposed upon his breast, and there is a mass of hair curled conspicuously covering his neck. He is covered with the regal tiara, carries a long thin staff in his right hand, and in his left a lily. The broad belt and Median robe complete his attire. One of his attendants holds in both hands an umbrella over his head, while the other waves a fly-chaser in the same direction, grasping in his left hand what probably signifies the royal handkerchief. These attendants are clad in the long robe. The group is sculptured on a marble stone sixteen feet high and nine wide, which is surmounted by a block of smaller dimensions, also adorned with a sculptured figure resembling the personage below. This figure issues from a circle, whence diverge two strange floating forms, resembling serpents, with their heads concealed behind the figure. A pair of large wings spread themselves on each side of the circle. On the portals are duplicates of the same royal personage. This figure is seated on a chair of state, with his staff and lily. An attendant stands before him, waving the fly-chaser over his head. The aërial form, before described, hovers over him. In this quadrangle four portals face each other. In the centre of these portals, the plinths of four columns are still remaining, ten feet distant from each other, and four in diameter. This building is supposed to have been the private oratory of the king, where he offered up his daily adorations to Mezdan or Ormuzd. It is also conjectured that between these four pillars stood an altar containing the sacred fire, which was the symbol of divinity among the ancient Persians. It is a singular fact, that in this building there are no representations of guards round the various effigies of the monarch to protect him. Perhaps Ormuzd was considered a sufficient protector. On the south-east of this edifice of the four pillars, is another ruined pile. A quadrangular edifice of forty-eight feet, and another of thirty feet, separated from it by a wall, constitutes the chief glory of this pile. These two apartments, indeed, apparently complete the whole edifice; but there is a continuation of foundation walls, with the fragments of columns, architraves, and other architectural adjuncts, supporting a roof. At the extremities of the wall, southward, are two stones, each eighteen feet high, and from three and a half to five feet wide. Two doorways have bas-reliefs of the double guard on their sides, and another portal opens from the middle of the southern apartment into the enclosed quadrangle. In the passage is the walking figure of a monarch, with his usual attendant; and the entrances which open into it from the east and west are ornamented with the combats of a lion and a man, while those opening into it from the north are decorated with representations of spearmen. North of this edifice there is another, next in extent to the Chehilminar, being a square of 210 feet each face. Doors enter into this on every hand, but the grand portals are on the north. Nearly parallel with its eastern and western angles are two colossal bulls, standing on immense pedestals. These bulls face the north: two others, at some distance from them, look due south. These latter appear to have formed the sides of a magnificent gateway. The sides of the principal doors of this quadrangle are richly adorned with sculpture. The most conspicuous is that of the monarch seated on his chair of state, with both feet resting on a footstool. This chair (or, in other words, the state chair of Persia) resembles the high backed and carved chairs of our ancestors in form, only it was gorgeously inlaid with gold, covered with a carpet, and so high that a stool was always placed at its feet. Over the monarch's head are bas-relief ornaments of a canopy supported by pillars, profusely decorated with fretwork fringes, and borders of lions and bulls. On the legs of the chair are the sculptured feet of a lion, and those of a bull are found in the feet of the footstool. Behind the monarch stands the fan-bearer, with his face muffled; a second tunicked person bears the royal bow and battle axe; and a third, dressed in the Median habit, stands behind, holding a long wand in both hands. At the foot of the throne are two vessels, with connecting chains to their covers. These probably were filled with perfumes. A muffled attendant approaches from without the pillared frame, bringing a small metal-like pail, as though it contained aromatics for the supply of the vessels. Behind the censers, and facing the monarch, there is a tunicked personage with a plain bonnet, having in his left hand a short rod, and holding his right hand to his mouth to prevent his breath exhaling towards the monarch, to whom he bends as he addresses himself. Beyond the royal group, and divided from it by a horizontal border, decked with roses, there are five ranges of attendants, containing fifty sculptured figures, in a military dress. Beyond the northern front of the edifice above described, there are two portals pointing east and south. These portals are decorated with sculptured double guards, about twelve feet high. The faces of these figures are two feet seven inches long, of a beautiful colour, and exquisite workmanship. Their spears are supposed to be nearly eighteen feet in length. Around and between these portals there are numerous fragments of columns, architraves, and other ruins, which indicate that formerly there was a covered colonnade in these parts. Sculptures are met with here similar to those found on the doors on the north. On the compartments is another view of the monarch, attended only by his fly-chaser. The canopy over his head consists of fretted rings, roses, etc., of the most exquisite sculpture. Lions, the serpent-winged emblem, and the unicorn-bull, fill two rows, while the ferwar, or aërial figure, surmounts the whole, exhibiting a fac-simile of the symbol below. The four portals of the quadrangle are decorated with sculptured combats between a human figure, usually denominated the pontiff king, and an animal form. The first bas-relief is in one of the doorways in the western face of the building. The hero is clad in long robes, having his arms bare. In his left hand he grasps the strong single horn of the animal, which is on its forehead, while he thrusts his poniard into its body with his right hand. The animal has the head and neck of an eagle, and is covered with immense plumage half way down its back. Though wounded, it seems to oppose its adversary with rampant violence. The corresponding sculpture presents an animal with the head of a wolf, the fore legs and body of a lion, the hinder legs of an eagle, and the neck scaled or feathered with a prickly mane. It has long wings stretching nearly to its tail, which are formed of a chain of bones like the vertebræ of the back and cut with the most correct knowledge of animal anatomy. A crooked horn projects from the head of this animal, which is grasped by the hero, who is represented stabbing him. other opponents of the pontiff king are those of a horned lion, and a unicorn-bull: all of these must be looked upon as in the highest degree emblematical. The It is supposed that the monstrous legends of Persian romance originated in these strange combinations of human and bestial forms, and especially the legends of their great poet, Ferdoosi. There seems, indeed, to be a great analogy between these latter sculptures and his fictions; for he leads his hero, Isfendeear, through seven enchanted gates, the first of which was defended by two wolves; the second by two lions; the third by a dragon; the fourth by a demon devourer of the dead; the fifth by a griffin; the sixth by a cataract; and the seventh by a lake and boundless mountains; all of which his hero overcomes. To such strange purposes can man pervert his intellect, that gift of Heaven, which is given to him to assist him in his journey through life, and to glorify his Creator! Besides these magnificent remains of this truly wonderful platform, Sir Robert Ker Porter found several other splendid ruins at a place called the Harem of Jemschid. These consisted chiefly of prostrate grey marble columns, highly ornamented and fluted, remains of massy walls, and the marble work of several door-frames. This harem stands about five miles north-east of Persepolis, and no doubt it was once a portion of this far-famed city. Of tombs and sepulchral chambers hewn out of the perpendicular face of rocks, there are several specimens at Nakshi Roostam, or portrait of Roostam. These excavations are very shallow, and consist chiefly of an architectural frontispiece or portico, richly adorned with sculpture and other decorations. Four of these tombs are evidently coeval with the building of the palace, and are those of the monarchs residing at Persepolis; the others, which are lower down, are those of the Sassanian monarchs. These are sculptured with equestrian figures of the Sassanian monarchs, with Pehlivi inscriptions. Sir William Ouseley supposes a small square edifice, opposite to the sculptured rock of Nakshi Roostam, to have contained the body of Cyrus; and its appearance is conformable to the idea given of it by Strabo, who says, that "it was a tower not large, having a very narrow entrance." Arrian also says of it, that "it was situate in the royal garden, amid trees and running streams." This tomb, however, does not appear to be clearly identified, for there are no traces of a garden near the spot; the name of Cyrus, moreover, does not appear upon the inscription, and St. Martin supposes that it rather refers to Artaxerxes Ochus. Such is the state of the once mighty city of Persepolis: such its ruins! They add their testimony, with the many ancient cities now buried beneath their own ruins, to the perishing nature of all human things. Though hewn out of the "eternal rock," yet time and the destroyer man, have laid the sublime palace of Istakher low. No human head can find a shelter there, where the mighty monarchs of Persia once reposed. Yes, this rock, though once cleft with nicest art and industrious care, for the repose of poor mortality, now mocks the traveller who seeks a refuge there, like every earthly object, reminding him that there is a Rock that never fails to shelter those that seek a refuge. That Rock is Christ, 1 Cor. x. 4. PASAGARDE. In the summer, the temperature was so hot that the court then removed to Ecbatana, the elevated position and northern situation of which rendered its summers cool and agreeable, while the severity of the cold in winter compelled a return to Susa. The city was greatly improved by Darius Hystaspes; and it would seem that the Persian kings deposited their treasures and the records of their kingdoms at Susa, conjointly with Ecbatana. Nothing is known descriptively concerning its ancient condition, except that Strabo relates, it was built of brick like Babylon, was of an oblong figure, and 120 stadia (about fourteen miles) in circumference. The palace was accounted one of the most magnificent royal residences in This ancient town of Persia is said to have the world. The wealth of Susa was immense. In been built by Cyrus, after his victory over Asty- an account where Aristagoras comes before Cleoages the Mede, which he gained near this place. menes, to tempt him to foreign conquests, having Plutarch says that the kings of Persia were con- with him a brazen tablet, on which was engraved secrated at Pasagardæ by the magi; and Strabo the circuit of the earth, with its seas and rivers, and Arrian relate, that the tomb of Cyrus was he points, among other places, to Susa, saying: at this place. Their description of its situation "On the banks of the Choaspes stands Susa, has been seen in the preceding article. The where the great king fixes his residence, and lower part of the tomb, they say, was of a quad- where are his treasures. Master of that city, you rangular shape, and above it there was a cham- may boldly vie with Jupiter himself for riches." ber built of stone, with an entrance so narrow, Susa has been called Memnonia, or the palace of that it was difficult for a man to pass through it. Memnon, because that prince reigned there. The Aristobulus entered this chamber, and found in poet Milton makes allusion to this, in a passage it a golden couch, a golden coffin, a table with wherein he finely illustrates the road which Death cups upon it, and many beautiful garments, and Satan made over chaos, by that which Xerswords, and chains. This writer says that the xes made over the Hellespont. inscription on the tomb read thus: "O man, I am Cyrus, who acquired sovereignty for the Persians, and was king of Asia. Do not, then, grudge me this monument." Magi guarded the tomb, who received daily offerings of sheep, wine, and wheat, which were given in honour of Cyrus. The tomb was plundered in the days of Alexander by robbers, who carried away every thing but the golden couch and coffin, which they were probably not able to remove through the aperture of the chamber. 66 The site of Pasagardæ has been much disputed. Many imagine that it is to be identified with Persepolis; but there appears to be little doubt that they are distinct places. As such they are mentioned by Strabo, Arrian, and Pliny, the latter of whom says that Pasagardæ was to the east of a town called Laodicea, of which nothing is known. Lassen thinks, that we ought to look for Pasagardæ south-east of Persepolis, in the neighbourhood of Fasa. This is the most probable conjecture yet formed on the subject, but after all, it is but conjecture, for time has done its work effectually with reference to Pasagardæ, by having swept its every remains, great and noble as they may have been, from off the face of the earth. SUSA. Susa, which was so called from the lily, with which flower the place abounded, was one of the royal cities of Persia. In the prophecies of Daniel, it is called Shushan, Dan. viii. 2. It appears to have existed as a city from the remotest ages, and is said to have been first made a residence of the Persian court by Cyrus. The kings of Persia resided at Susa during the whole or part of the winter, the climate and local position rendering the temperature mild in that season. "So, if great things to small may be compared, And scourged with many a stroke the' indignant wave." There has been much dispute concerning the site of Susa. That it stood upon the Eulæus (Ulai,) as well as upon the Choaspes, is generally allowed. Herodotus calls it the river of Cho- "There Susa by Choaspes' amber stream, Usually, the city of Susa has been identified with Shuster; but Major Rennell, in which Kinneir, after recapitulating the arguments on both sides, agrees, preferred to find it at Shus, a city commencing about thirty-six miles more to the west, or nearer to Babylon. This is the most probable site of the ancient Susa, for Shuster is a modern city compared with Sus, or Susa, being founded by Schabour I., in commemoration of his victory over the Roman emperor Valerian; and oriental traditions state that Roman captives ⚫ Jortin remarks upon this passage: "I am afraid Milton is here mistaken. That the kings of Persia drank no water but that of the river Choaspes is well known: that none but kings drank of it, is what, I believe, cannot be proved." He concludes his criticism upon this passage by saying, that Milton, by his calling it "amber Agathocles. But this is not probable, for Milton rarely stream," seems to have had in view the golden water of commits errors in matters of history. were employed in its erection. Besides, there are no rivers near Shuster corresponding to the Choaspes and the Eulæus, while the Kerah and the Ab-i-zal, which flow, the former to the west, and the latter to the east of the ruins of Sus, may be fairly presumed to be those ancient streams. Kinneir, speaking of the ruins of Sus, says: "On its long mounded tract, we indeed find the remains of the once favourite capital of Cyrus; that we see the classic Choaspes of Herodotus in the Kerah, the waters of which were sacred to the lip of majesty alone; and in its neighbouring river, the Ab-i-zal, we find the still more hallowed Eulæus, or Ulai, which the Scriptures describe as the scene of Daniel's prophetic vision: And it came to pass, I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai,' Dan. viii. 2." Strabo, it may be added, speaks of the "rivers which pass by Susa," which Gosselin explains as having reference to the Choaspes and Eulæus, or Ulai, as different streams. The ruins of Shus are very extensive, stretching about twelve miles from one extremity to the other. They extend as far as the eastern bank of the Kerah, occupy a large space between that river and the Ab-i-zal, and, like the ruins of Babylon, Ctesiphon, and Kufah, consist of hillocks of earth and rubbish, covered with broken pieces of brick and coloured tile; thereby corresponding to the ancient Susa, which was entirely built of brick, an additional proof that the ruins of Shus represent the ancient Susa, for Shuster is celebrated for its stone-erected houses, and for its quarries of stone. The largest and most remarkable mounds in these ruins stand about two miles from Kerah. The first is computed to be a mile in circumference, and nearly 100 feet in height; and the other, although not quite so high, about double the circuit of the former. They are composed of huge masses of sun-dried brick and courses of burned brick and mortar. Large blocks of marble, covered with hieroglyphics, are frequently found here by the Arabs, who distinguish these two great mounds by the name of the Castle and the Palace; and they may be supposed to represent the celebrated fortress which Molon, after having won the city, was unable to take, and the palace of Susa. At the foot of the most elevated of these mounds stands the tomb of Daniel, a small and apparently modern building, erected on the spot where the relics of that prophet are believed to rest. A dervise resides there, who points to the grave of "the man greatly beloved," with as much homage as if it belonged to the archimpostor Mohammed himself, or to the Imaum Hosein. Though the tomb is comparatively a modern structure, the Jew, Arab, and Mussulman believe, from tradition, that it does indeed contain the remains of the prophet. The earliest notice of the tomb of Daniel was given by Benjamin of Tudela, who visited Asia towards the latter part of the thirteenth century. Latterly, Sir William Ouseley has written much upon the subject. He says, "The local tradition which fixes Daniel's tomb at Susa, seems worthy of investigation. Through the more modern 66 authors of some oriental works, mostly_geographical, I have pursued the tradition to Hamdalla Cazvini, of the fourteenth century, and from him through Benjamin of Tudela, to Ebu Hawkel, who travelled in the tenth century." The passage in Ebn Hawkel's work runs thus: "In the city of Sus there is a river, and I have heard that in the time of Abou Mousa al Ashari, a coffin was found there, and it is said the bones of Daniel the prophet (to whom be peace!) were in that coffin. These the people held in great veneration, and in time of distress of famine through drought, they brought them out and prayed for rain. Abou Mousa al Ashari ordered this coffin to be brought, and three coverings or lids to be made for it; the first or outside of which was of boards, exceedingly strong, and caused it to be buried, so that it could not be viewed. A bay or gulf of the river comes over this grave, which may be seen by any one who dives to the bottom of the water.' Sir William Ousely thus describes the tomb as it now exists: I was finally driven by the heat to the tomb of Daniel, or, as he is called in the east, Danyall, which is situated in a most beautiful spot, washed by a clear running stream, and shaded by planes and other trees, of ample foliage. The building is of Mohammedan date, and inhabited by a solitary dervise, who shows the spot where the prophet is buried, beneath a small and simple square brick mausoleum, said to be, without probability, coeval with his death. It has, however, neither date nor inscription to prove the truth or falsehood of the dervise's assertion. The small river running at the foot of this building, which is called the Bellaran, flows, it has been said, immediately over the prophet's tomb, and by the transparency of the water, his coffin was to be seen at the bottom. But the dervise and the natives whom I questioned remembered no tradition corroborating such a fact. It has at all times been customary with the people of the country to resort hither on certain days of the month, when they offer up prayers at the tomb in supplication to the prophet's shade! and by becoming his guests for the night, expect remission of all present grievances, and an insurance against those to come." This author has also given a translation of a Persian manuscript, in which the following superstitious legend occurs, relative to the tomb of Daniel: "Abou Mousa having pillaged the territory of Ahwaz, proceeded to Susa, where he slew the governor, a Persian prince, named Shapoor, the son of Azurmahan. Then he entered the castle and palace of that prince, and seized all the treasure there, deposited in different places, until he came to a certain chamber, the door of which was strongly fastened, a leaden seal being affixed to the lock. Abou Mousa inquired of the people of Sus what precious article was guarded with such care in this chamber. They assured him that he would not regard it as a desirable object of plunder; but his curiosity was roused, and he caused the lock to be broken, and the door to be opened. In the chamber he beheld a stone of considerable dimensions hollowed out into the form of a coffin, and in that the body of a dead man, wrapped in a shroud or winding sheet of gold |