ancient Egyptians, were acquainted with the principle of the arch, although they both evidently refrained using it in their larger structures, or where the abutments were not secure, from a knowledge, as we are assured by this discreet use of it, of the inherent self-destroying principle of the arch. We could have wished that the discoverer had informed us whether the bricks were of the usual form, whether they were wedge-shaped, or whether, as in some Egyptian brick arches, pieces of tile were inserted to keep the bricks apart at the top.

Another curious discovery was, that tubular drain-tiles were used for removing the rain-water that fell through the openings in the roofs on to the pavements of the several apartments, and that there was under the pavement of the mound a main-drain, the invert formed of kiln-burnt bricks, and the upper part covered with slabs and tiles.

He noticed also, that a thin layer of bitumen passed under all the floors and slabs, to preserve them, doubtless, from the damp which would otherwise have arisen from the earth underneath.

As it was in vain to think of moving the gigantic lions, or other larger sculptures with the means then at command, Layard proceeded to take steps for the embarkation of such as could be moved. The difficulties that Botta had had to overcome were repeated in his case, but ultimately the sculptures were removed from the trenches with levers and native ropes, packed in rough cases, conveyed to the Tigris in buffalo carts, and transported by raft to Baghdad preparatory to their removal to Bombay.

After despatching these first fruits of his discoveries, Layard undertook a short excursion in pursuit of health, to the country of the devil-worshippers, and upon his return to Mósul, he found letters apprising him that the British Museum had received a grant of funds for the continuation of the Assyrian researches. Notwithstanding the inadequacy of the sum, which was to include all expenses, private and otherwise, Layard determined on directing the excavations, and economising to the utmost, in order to secure as complete a collection as such small means would allow. Many of the sculptures were far too dilapidated to admit of removal, and,

38

888

NINEVEH AND ITS DISCOVERERS.

As no

as others were likely to fall to pieces as soon as uncovered, there was no alternative but to make drawings of them, or the records they afforded would be for ever lost. artist had been sent to assist him, Layard was obliged to do his best to copy what he saw, and his drawings were very creditable to him. He had thus, he tells us, to superintend the excavations, to draw all the bas-reliefs, to copy, compare, and take casts of the inscriptions, to direct the moving and packing of the sculptures, to be continually present at the works, and frequently to remove the earth with his own hands from the face of the slabs,-labours sufficiently various and onerous. At the end of October, he was again among the ruins of Nimroud, and in November the excavations were proceeding on a large scale. New chambers were explored, battles, sieges, victories, triumphs, banquetings, and sacrifices were daily discovered, and besides these an obelisk of black marble, which was instantly packed for transport. The large band now at work rapidly uncovered the buried treasures, and by the end of the second month a sufficient number of bas-reliefs were collected for despatch to Baghdad. Layard proceeded to Mósul, bought the necessary materials for a raft, and for packing the sculptures, and returned to Nimroud, leaving the raftsmen to bring the purchases by water. On their way, having found it necessary to halt for the night, they were plundered by Arabs; and the mats, felts, and cordage were carried off. This was a proceeding which Layard was determined should not become a precedent. He applied, in the first place, to the authorities, and was put off, no doubt, with the Turkish phrase Bakkalum (we will see), the equivalent of the Arabic Boukkara (to-morrow). In three or four days he learned who were the robbers, and he determined to make them feel that they were not to carry their incursions into his quarters with impunity. Taking with him two trusty Arabs, expert at their weapons, he came upon the guilty sheikh in the midst of his followers, and politely asked for the missing articles, some of which were hanging up in his sight. When the sheikh and his party had stoutly denied the possession of the goods in question, one of Layard's two attendants handcuffed the old man in a moment, and, jumping on his horse, dragged him

Next

out of the encampment at a most uncomfortable pace. The suddenness of the performance paralysed the by-standers, who were well supplied with arms. The sheikh was carried to Nimroud, where he thought it wiser to make a full confession than to journey to Mósul and confront the Pasha. morning, the missing property, with the addition of a kid and a lamb, as a peace-offering, made their appearance: the sheikh was, therefore, liberated, and Layard had no subsequent reason to complain of him or his tribe.

In the first four months of the New Year, Layard explored almost the entire north-west palace, opened twenty new chambers, and discovered numerous sculptures of considerable interest and importance. As the means at his disposal did not warrant him in searching for objects which he could not hope to carry away, he spent the greater portion of his time in exposing the monuments previously discovered. An opportunity now offered of examining the mounds of Káláh Sherghat, ruins rivalling those of Nimroud in extent, but which the reputation of the vicinity as a rendezvous for plundering parties had deterred travellers from examining. The long drought at Mósul having, however, driven many of the Jebour tribe, friends of Layard, towards those ruins, he resolved to profit by the circumstance, to visit them under that protection. Layard remained at Káláh Sherghat only a few days, and returned to Nimroud, having left a superintendent to continue excavations at the former place; but the position of the workmen shortly became so insecure, that he was reluctantly compelled to recal them, though not without satisfying himself that the mounds contained many objects of interest, if not sculptured slabs. A sitting figure, discovered there, has since been added to the Nimroud sculptures in the British Museum.

Having decided to attempt the removal of the lion and bull, Layard, after much consideration, resolved to build a cart of the best materials attainable, and a carpenter was dispatched to the mountains to fell mulberry timber, and convey it to Mósul. A frame-work of strong beams was formed, and laid over two iron axles, found in the town (those made by Botta). Each wheel was made of three solid pieces of wood, nearly a foot thick, bound together by an iron hoop: