aynong the Anlients. 195 



capitals of 9 feet in height, which were surmounted by 

 pomegranates ' feet high ; so that each column was 47 feet 

 high in all *. 



But the performance which surpasses all that Herodotus, 

 Diodoriis and Pausanias relate of the antient workmen, 

 was the brazen sea, executed by the above artist. Twelve 

 oxen, of the natural size, supported an enormous bason 18 

 feet in diameter by nine in depth ; it rested upon ten brass 

 sockets furnished with wheels, by means of which the whole 

 machine could be put in motion. Between the ox&n there 

 were cherubims which supported the edges of the bason. 

 The description, given in the third book of Kings, of all ibe 

 ornaments which adorned this work, proves that chis Phoeni- 

 cian artist had some taste, and that a similar work could 

 hardly be executed at present with more elegance f. 



In order to mould and cast this sea of brass, columns, and 

 several other works, the king assigned to Hiram a plain near 

 the Jordan where there was plenty of clay: this was the 

 only substance which was necessary for him ; in those days 

 wax was not used. 



From the time of Homer J the scarcity of iron v/as the 

 reason why warlike nations refined upon the improvement 

 of tlic other metals. The wheels of the chariots upon which 

 they fought were cast in bronze; the blades of their swords 

 and the points of their spears were of copper, to which they 

 knew how to cive, by tempering, such a degree of hardnesi 

 tliat it was equal in every respect to iron. But the artificial 

 casting of statues was only known in Asia Minor ; and 



" Theshafls of thc5e columns were 12 cubits in circumference, and conse- 

 quently -1 cubits, or 7 feet, in diameter ; they are therefore, at the utmost, not 

 more than 4 dinmeters and a half in height. This enormous size does not 

 answer to any Grecian order; but the columns which have been found in the 

 Thebuid p«ove disliisclly that Hiram conformed hinuelf to the proportions of 

 the F.gyptian architecture. 



t It is a'-tonishing that the author of this interesting memoir does not take 

 notice of the most autient works of the Hebrews; such as the making of the 

 breastplate of the high priest, the melting of the golden calf; which prove 

 that the Hebrews had acquired this art while among the Egyptians, where it 

 was known at a very remote period ; and yet M. Seitz docs not speak of the 

 E^plians at all. — !>iote l;i M. MiUuu 



^ 'JW) yeaii before the vulgar xra. 



N 2 Greece, 



