cradle of civilization, so far perfected her tillage, that 

 the fertile banks of the Nile were adorned by a suc- 

 cession of luxuriant plantations, from the cataract of 

 Syenna to the marine shores of the Delta ; — but it 

 was after Thebes, with its hundred brazen gates, had 

 been erected, and wliile the regal cities of Memphis, 

 Heljopolis and Tentjra, were rising in magnificence, 

 and the stupendous temples, pyramids and obelisks 

 of her mythology became the wonders of the n orld. 



The olive-crowned hills, extended vales, and teem- 

 ing plains of Palestine, have ever been celebrated for 

 the beautiful gardens which varied and enriched the 

 landscape, — indicating the effect of that long ances- 

 tral residence of the Israelites within, and their Juxta- 

 position to the realm of the Pharaohs ; but it was not 

 until the embattled walls and holy temple of Jeru- 

 salem announced the resources and advancement, 

 and the prophets had rebuked the extravagance and 

 luxurious pleasujces of that eternal race. The queen 

 of the East " had heard of the fame of Solomon," 

 and went to do him homage, — his commercial fleets 

 of Ezion-Geber and Tharshish, brought him the gold 

 of Ophir, the silver, ivory, spices, and precious stones 

 of Africa and Asia, — the kings of Tyre and Arabia 

 were his tributaries, and princes his merchants, ere 

 he " made orchards," " delighted to dwell in gar- 

 dens," or planted the " vineyard of Banlhamon." 



The Assyrians had peopled the borders of the 

 Tigris and Euphrates, from the Persian Gulf to the 

 mountainous regions of Ararat, and their victorious 

 princes had founded Nineveh and Babylon, before we 

 hear of the expensive gardens of Semiramis. 



