166 the palace, to enjoy the air and pleasant prospects around. It was, perhaps, just as the sun was sinking low in the west, and the cool winds were heginning to blow; for in the southern parts of Asia, as well as in other warm climates, it is customary for people to keep within during the heat of the day, and to walk abroad only towards evening. We may suppose that the king walked towards the hanging gardens, which he had made to gratify his queen. These gardens were so called because, to persons standing at a distance, who did not perceive the lower terraces, they seemed to be suspended in the air; but to any one who stood at the foot of them, they appeared like a high mount covered with trees and flowers. This mount was three hundred and fifty feet in height, or as high as the walls of the city, and much higher than our tallest steeples. Beautiful gardens and pleasure grounds were laid out ονει all herraces. The soil was deep and rich enough. to support the largest trees, many of which were planted in different part of the gardens; in some places scattered about, in others standing in groups,
