THE TEMPLE OF BELUS. 
321 
between us, which may be attempted to be got over in two 
ways. First, that when Herodotus and Strabo made their cal¬ 
culations, they, in like manner with myself, included the eastern 
projection in their measurement; for the present compass of 
the tower, simply by itself, would come far within the Grecian 
estimate. But should the whole length of the oblong (which 
describes an extent of 643 feet on its northern and southern 
sides, and 420 on its eastern face ; and now only 376 on its 
western,) be taken into the outline of their measurement; then, 
though we have nearly the same number of feet with our own 
calculation, we know not how to reconcile such a variety of 
lines, with the square stadia affirmed by both the Grecian 
writers. But, in the second place, if we return to the square 
base of the tower alone, as the positive point of their observa¬ 
tions, we find, according to its present appearance, that it 
springs from a base beginning at the chasm before described*, 
in the eastern projection; and by excluding the projection 
from the real basement of the tower, we take off 240 feet in 
the length of its northern and southern faces, leaving to each not 
more than 403 feet; and that is 96 less to each than Herodotus 
gives them. This reduction of the present circumference of the 
tower itself, from what it doubtless contained at the time of its 
measurement by Herodotus, ought not to appear very extra¬ 
ordinary, when we recollect the encroachments of so many 
centuries on its time-worn sides : (encroachments, which have 
swept away all Babylon, excepting a few sad monuments, to 
show where it lies !) But the very circumstance of Alexander 
having to employ 10,000 men during two months, to remove 
* See Plate LXX. (E). 
VOL. II. 
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