[95] It is necessary to bear in mind, that the temples of the ancients were altogether different from our churches. A large space was inclosed by walls, in which were courts, a grove, pieces of water, apartments sometimes for the priests; and, lastly, the temple, properly so called, and where, most frequently, it was permitted the priests alone to enter. The whole inclosure was named τὸ ἱερόν: the temple, properly so called, or the residence of the deity, was called ναός (naos) or the cell.—Harvey.
[96] The streets crossed each other, and the city was cut into six hundred and seventy-six squares, each of which was four furlongs and a half on every side; viz., two miles and a quarter in circumference.
[97] Porter.
[98] Anon.
[99] This is said to have been done at the building of old London Bridge.
[100] These canals having been suffered to decay, the water of the river is much greater now than formerly.
[101] Herodotus. Megathenes says seventy-five feet. "We relate the wonders of Babylon," says Rollin, "as they are delivered down to us by the ancients; but there are some of them which are scarce to be comprehended or believed; of which number is the lake. I mean in respect to its vast extent."
[102] Vol. xlviii. 199.
[103] The reviewer then goes on to say:—"By way of comparing this with a work of modern times, we may notice, that the Bristol ship canal, one of the late projects, was intended to have been eighty miles long, one hundred feet wide, and thirty feet deep; and the estimated cost was four millions sterling. To be sure, labour was cheaper at Babylon than in London, and well it might be; for if the Babylonian lake were to be made now in England, it would cost the trifling sum of four thousand two hundred and twenty-one millions sterling!"
[104] The reader will naturally be reminded of the tunnel now constructing under the Thames; a much more difficult and extensive undertaking.