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each other, they were secured on each side by anchors of great strength; they left however openings in three places, sufficient to afford a passage for light vessels, which might have occasion to sail into the Euxine or from it. Having performed this, they extended cables from the shore, stretching them upon large capstans of wood, for which purpose they did not employ a number of separate cables, but united two of white flax with four of biblos. These were alike in thickness, and apparently so in goodness, but those of flax were in proportion much the more solid, weighing not less than a talent to a cubit, in expression showing that the ancients knew how to appreciate the qualities of cordage. When the pass was thus secured, they sawed out rafters of wood, making their length equal to the space required for the bridge; these they laid in order across upon the extended cables, and then bound them fast together. They next brought unwrought wood, (fascines qy?) which they placed very regularly upon the rafters over all they threw earth, which they raised to a proper height, and finished all by a fence on each side, that the horses and other beasts of burden might not be terrified by looking down upon the sea. Two ways were thus made, one on each set of boats; on one of these ways, namely, the northern, the infantry and cavalry passed, and over the southern the camp-followers and the baggage. The bridge was afterwards destroyed by a storm.

At a subsequent period of the campaign, Xerxes contemplating flight, for the purpose of amusing the Athenians, he made an effort to connect the island of Salamis with the continent, joining for this purpose the Phoenician transports together to serve both as a bridge and a wall.

BRIDGE.EUPHRATES-BRICKS.

Babylon, () being divided by the river Euphrates into two distinct parts, whoever wanted to go from one side to the

(*) Herodotus, Clio.

other was obliged to pass the water in a boat. To remedy this general inconvenience, and it is mentioned by the historian as an expedient not usual, Nitocris, Queen of Babylon, determined upon building a bridge, from which period we may date the formation of permanent bridges as a part of engineering. Having procured a number of large stones, she changed the course of the river, directing it into a canal prepared for its reception, and so into a large marsh or reservoir. The natural bed of the river being thus made dry, the embankments on each side near the centre of the city were lined with bricks, hardened with fire. Upon this we may remark that the Babylonians used two kinds of bricks, the common brick, baked in the sun, and another brick burned in a furnace; this latter kind was most probably used on this occasion, as the more durable. Nitocris then, with the stones before prepared, erected a number of piers, strongly compacted with iron and lead; on these piers a platform was laid, which was removed at night to prevent communication between the different quarters of the city. The bridge being completed, the river was allowed to return to its natural bed. This work, according to Diodorus Siculus, was five furlongs in length.

EMBANKMENTS.-EUPHRATES-ACES-SLUICES.

Nitocris, just mentioned, is said to have been the author of several other remarkable works, some of which are however, doubtful. Being fearful of the ambition of the Medes, she is said, for the purpose of preventing communication with them by the Euphrates, to have diverted the course of the river above Babylon, by sinking a number of canals, and giving it a winding shape. To restrain the river on each side, she raised banks, which are described as wonderful on account of their enormous height and substance. A large lake or reservoir is also attributed to this queen, its circumference being stated at fifty miles, but it is more than probable that her works were confined to reclaiming part of a natural marsh, or to securing the banks; these she lined with stones brought thither for that purpose.

Herodotus relates in his third book an account of operations on the river Aces, on which doubt has been thrown, but which, whether true or false, will be equally interesting as illustrating the engineering opinions of the ancients. He says that there is in Asia a large plain surrounded on every part by a ridge of hills, through which there are five different apertures. It formerly belonged to the Chorasmians, who inhabit those hills. in common with the Hyrcanians, Parthians, Sarangensians, and Thomaneans; but after the subjection of these nations to Persia, it became the property of the great king. From these surrounding hills there issues a large river called Aces: this formerly, being conducted through the openings of the mountain, watered the several countries before mentioned. But when these regions came under the power of the Persians, the apertures were closed, and gates placed at each of them, to prevent the passage of the river, from which expression we infer that the Persians were acquainted with the use of sluices. Thus on the inner side, from the waters having no issue, the plain became a sea, and the neighbouring nations, deprived of their accustomed resource, were reduced to extreme distress from the want of water. In winter they, in common with other nations, had the benefit of the rains, but in summer, after sowing their millet and sesame, they required water, but in vain. Not being assisted in their distress, the inhabitants of both sexes hastened to Persia, and presenting themselves before the palace of the king, made loud complaints. In consequence of this, the monarch directed the gates to be opened towards those parts where water was most immediately wanted, ordering them again to be closed after the lands had been sufficiently refreshed; the same was done with respect to them all, beginning where moisture was wanted the most. This, however, was only granted in consideration of a large donation over and above the usual tribute.

That the Persians were well acquainted with the operation of damming, appears also by other instances. Xerxes having examined the Peneus, a river of Thessaly, inquired whether it could be conducted to the sea by any other channel, and received from his guides, who were well acquainted with the

VOL. I.

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country, this reply: «As Thessaly, O King, is on every side encircled by mountains, the Peneus can have no other communication with the sea. " The Thessalians, Xerxes is said to have answered, are a sagacious people. They have been careful to decline a contest for many reasons, and particularly as they must have discerned that their country would afford an easy conquest to an invader. All that would be necessary to deluge the whole of Thessaly, except the mountainous parts, would be to stop up the mouth of the river, and thus throw back its waters upon the country. »

(CIVIL ENGINEER.)

ADVENTURES OF DEERSLAYER.

DEATH OF THE RED MAN. (')

Day had fairly dawned before Deerslayer opened his eyes. This was no sooner done than he started up, and looked about him with the eagerness of one who suddenly felt the importance of accurately ascertaining his precise position. His rest had been deep and undisturbed; and when he awoke, it was with a clearness of intellect, and a readiness of resources that were much needed at that particular moment. The sun had not risen, it is true, but the vault of heaven was rich with the winning softness that brings and shuts the day, while the whole air was filled with the carols of birds, the hymns of the feathered tribe. These sounds first told him the risks he ran. The air, for wind it could scarcely be called, was still light, it is true, but it had increased a little in the course

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() From the forthcoming romance, entitled « The Deerslayer,» by Mr. Cooper.

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