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At one side of the car, near the front, was a socket, in which was sometimes set, perpendicularly, the staff of the standard, presently to be described; and at one of the hinder corners there was another socket frequently carved into a human face, from which projected, diagonally, a spear, or, occasionally, a pole carved in imitation of a spear. Two large quivers were hung across each other at each side, which will be more particularly described hereafter.

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Two persons ordinarily rode in each chariot, of whom one was the warrior, the other the charioteer, just as Homer describes.* These were manifestly of equal rank. Sometimes a third rider was present, who in that case generally maintained his position, by holding a loop affixed to the front rim, because, from the narrowness of the chariot, and from his being behind, he was liable to be thrown out.

The ancient Hindoo chariot had posts standing up from the body of the car, which the riders laid hold of, when the unsteadiness of its motion caused danger of their falling out.

The smallness and lightness of the Assyrian chariot were such that one man carried it on his shoulders, while another bore up the pole.

In the later Assyrian era the form and appearance of the chariot had greatly altered. It was larger, and was placed on loftier wheels; it was perfectly parallel sided, deeper than wide, and the posterior upper corner of each side carried a curious angular projection, difficult to explain, which subsequently became rounded off. The sides or panels were carved in some regular pattern; the crossed quivers and bow-cases were removed, and a quiver was attached perpendicularly, along each front angle; sometimes, however, it seems to have been dispensed with altogether. The wheels had eight spokes. No trace of the elliptical ornament remained over the pole, but a cord, probably of twisted thongs, and gilded (being painted red in the

The Hebrew chariot carried double (1 Kings xxii. 34); the Egyptian, like the Assyrian, bore generally two, sometimes three. The chariots of the early Britons carried a warrior and a driver, of whom the latter took the higher rank. It was open before, and thus the warrior could run along the pole, and smite his enemies here and there with great effect.

sculptures), passed from the upper part of the front of the car to the extremity of the pole. This cord could be tightened by a loop being taken up in it, and drawn tightly through a ring.

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There is a little difference between the form of the car, its pole, &c., on the Khorsabad sculptures and on those of Kouyunjik, though only one generation had intervened. It is interesting to observe how exactly in this form, especially the Kouyunjik modification, it agrees with the chariots of the Persepolitan bas-reliefs, because we thus trace the transfer of Assyrian customs to their Persian successors.

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The chariot never seems to have been used as an actual weapon of war, but only as a means of conveyance, like those of the Greeks and Trojans, and no scythes are ever represented on the axle.

In the earlier era three horses were always attached to each car, two of which drew by means of a yoke transversely set on the end of a pole. The external horse is supposed to have been supernumerary, and to have been intended as a reserve. But in a chariot represented in a Khorsabad bas-relief, borne by attendants, the yoke certainly appears intended to receive four. horses. Yet in the battle scenes of this period, the number represented is, almost invariably, two, though the reins in each hand of the charioteer are always three, a curious anomaly.

We incline to think that the ancient chariot was drawn by the yoke alone, just as a bullock-cart is with us. Nothing of the nature of traces is visible in sculptures of either Assyria, Egypt, or Persia. From the frequent

It is uncertain what the material of the chariot was.

mention of the circumstance that the chariots with which the Hebrews were familiar were "burned in the fire" (Josh. xvi. 6, 9; 2 Kings xxiii. 11; Ps. xlvi. 9), we may infer that they were generally made of wood; especially as the same thing is predicated of those of Assyria in particular, "I will burn her chariots in the smoke" (Nah. ii. xiii). The "iron chariots," which the Canaanites possessed (Josh. xvii. 16; Judg. i. 19; iv. 3, 13), and which were looked upon with so much terror, were probably adorned and strengthened with that metal in an unusual manner.

The Assyrian chariot was not furnished with a seat in any period of which we have monumental records, the king himself invariably standing in his car, even when luxury had prompted the invention of the carriageparasol with its depending veil. The Egyptian chariot was equally unprovided; and so, as it appears, was the Hebrew, for the wounded king Jehoram "sunk down in his chariot" (2 Kings ix. 24), and his predecessor Ahab, in similar circumstances, "was stayed up." (1 Kings xxii. 35.)

A VISIT TO AUSTRALIA AND ITS GOLD REGIONS (continued). THE COLONY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA-ITS EARLY HISTORY AND PRESENT CONDITION.

It was in the year 1805 that Captain Flinders first explored that portion of the Australian continent' which is now known as the Colony of South Australia. He landed first on Kangaroo Island, which acts as a natural breakwater to the Gulf of St. Vincent. This island, which received its name from the large number of kangaroos that were found upon it, is about 100 miles long, and at the widest part about 25 miles broad. It is very hilly, and the general appearance is uninviting. There are in the island extensive lakes, the water of which is salter than sea-water; and in the summer season the evaporation causes a deposit of salt upon the banks, which is collected and sold in Adelaide. It was upon this island that, in the year 1836, the first colonists landed; but they soon became dissatisfied with their locality, and sailed over to the mainland at Rapid Bay, near Cape Jervis, and there founded a settlement. They at once commenced the cultivation of the land, and were so enraptured with the beautiful appearance of the country that, overlooking many natural disadvantages, they determined upon establishing there the future capital of the colony. It was not long, however, before the more sagacious amongst them began to perceive that, however little those disadvantages might be felt at first, they would prove seriously detrimental when the colonists became more numerous. They, therefore, again started off, and, sailing towards some hills seen to the north, at a distance of about forty miles, they landed at Holdfast Bay, and discovered the district now called the Adelaide Plains. Here a level grassy country, intersected by picturesque bands of trees, and backed by a chain of hills of moderate height, presented to them not only a beautiful tract, but a wide extent of excellent land. After exploring these plains for some time, they came upon an extensive chain of ponds in the bed of a watercourse, which subsequently received the name of the River Torrens. In the winter it is a large and rapid stream, but in the summer it is much diminished. As soon as this river was discovered, the surveyors commenced marking out the future city of Adelaide, the larger portion of which it was decided should be on the south side of the river. The surveyors of Adelaide certainly appear to have discharged their duty

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with much judgment; the streets (laid out at right angles) are from 60 to 120 feet in width; and, besides twenty-two principal streets of great breadth, there were several squares and terraces, so designed as to ensure ample space, and a free circulation of air in the heart of the city.

The plans were scarcely completed ere a mania commenced for the acquisition of town land. Ships had arrived with monied people, and at every auction a scramble ensued for the best lots. Every purchaser endeavoured by all means in his power to render that part which he possessed the busiest and most bustling portion of the town. Houses, and rows of huts of every material and form, were run up with the greatest speed. Bricklayers, masons, carpenters, and all who could render themselves in the slightest degree serviceable in building operations, were sought after with avidity, and received enormous wages. As fresh arrivals took place, and the price of houses and land increased, every one became infected with the desire to take advantage of the opportunity of rapidly becoming rich. Flocks of sheep, and herds of cattle, from Van Diemen's land, supplied the colonists with fresh meat; for the attention of all was so absorbed by building speculations, that no one as yet dreamt of the necessity of going into "the bush," or of cultivating land. Each purchaser speedily sold his lot at an enormous premium; but he repented of his precipitation on seeing it immediately resold at double the price he had received for it. Again he invested his capital in a fresh purchase; and then he wrote home to his friends in the old country acquainting them with his good fortune, and advising them to come out and bring "money in their purses." Artisans also sent letters to the poor relatives they had left behind, telling them that they could earn enough in two days to live like gentlemen all the rest of the week; and these communications producing their effect, gradually brought in hundreds of immigrants, both capitalists and labourers, all anxious to secure their share of such unexampled prosperity. Merchants also vied with each other in sending cargoes of goods to so excellent a market; and even the adventurous bushmen of New South Wales, hearing of the extraordinary price which sheep and cattle were commanding in the new colony, started overland, and, overcoming all the difficulties of six hundred miles of unexplored country, appeared with their flocks and herds in the streets of Adelaide, to the astonishment of the inhabitants. Publicans made a fortune in three years. Gentlemen, elated with the increasing nominal value of their property, kept open house to all their friends. Provisions rose to an enormous price. Cows were sold at 407.; bullocks at 1007. per pair; sheep 37. to 47. per head; meat was 1s. 6d. to 2s. per lb.; bread 2s. 6d. the 4lb. loaf; flour 1007. per ton; and land rose from 31. or 41. to 1,000l. and 2,000l. per acre. All classes were pleased and satisfied. The capitalists rejoiced at the enormous price which their land and houses brought them in a community where all were anxious to purchase, and none to sell. Artisans, notwithstanding the high price of food, were satisfied, as the amount of their wages increased in proportion; merchants and tradesmen were overjoyed at their enormous profits; and the whole community were in ecstasy at the progress their new colony was making.

Soon, however, came a change. Had there been one unexcited observer, possessed of good common sense, and having no personal interest in the affairs of the colony, he might have seen that, as there was no land cultivated, and every variety of provision had to be imported and paid for in hard cash, the money brought in by the capitalists was gradually flowing

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