48 ed to hold a communication with spirits. They came in great numbers, and stood before the king, waiting for his commands. The king said to them, “I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit is troubled to understand the dream.” And they answered, “O, king, live for ever; tell thy servants the dream, and we will show the interpretation.” Now this they could mot have done, but would probably have contrived some explanation that might have deceived the king. However, the request to know the dream, before they attempted to interpret it, was reasonable. Yet the king was exceedingly angry, because they could not make known to him the thoughts which had passed through his mind when he was asleep, those thoughts which he had himsself forgotten. The kings of eastern countries have entire power over the lives and fortunes of their subjects : the constant exercise of this power often makes them cruel and tyrannical. Nebuchadnezzar insisted that the wise, men should reveal to. him his dream, as well as explain its meaning. If they complied with the
