The process of manufacture indicated by the re presentations in cut 151, does not materially differ from that which is still followed in the same coun try. The clay was brought in baskets from the Nile, thrown into a heap, thoroughly saturated with water, and worked up to a proper temper by the feet of the labourers. And here it is observable that the watering and tempering of the clay is per formed entirely by the light-coloured labourers, who are the captives, the Egyptians being always painted red. This labour in such a climate must have been very fatiguing and unwholesome, and it consequently appears to have been shunned by the native Egyptians. There is an allusion to the severity of this labour in Nahum iii. 14, 15. The clay, when tempered, was cut by an instrument somewhat resembling the agricultural hoe, and moulded in an oblong trough ; the bricks were then dried in the sun, and some, from their colour, appear to have been baked or burned, but no trace of this operation has yet been discovered in the monu ments (Dr. W. C. Taylor's Bible Illustrated, p. 82). The writer just cited makes the following pertinent remarks oil the order of the king that the Israelites should collect the straw with which to compact (not burn) their bricks : It is evident that Pharaoh did not require a physical imposs.hility, because the Egyptian reapers only cut away the tops of the corn [AGRICULTURE]. We must remember that the tyrannical Pharaoh issued his orders prohibiting the supply of straw about two months before the time of harvest. If, therefore, the straw had not
been usually left standing in the fields, he would have shewn himself an idiot as well as a tyrant ; but the narrative chews us that the Israelites found the stems of the last year's harvest standing in the fields ; for by the word stubble' (Exod. v. 12) the historian clearly means the stalks that remained from the last year's harvest. Still the demand that they should complete their talc of bricks was one that could scarcely be fulfilled ; and the conduct of Pharaoh on this occasion is a perfect specimen of Oriental despotism.' [Bricks of this sort were used principally for building purposes, but being of a flat shape, they were also used for receiving inscriptions, which were engraved on them (Ezek. iv. 1, where the A. V. has tile).
[2. The bricks used in the building of the Tower of Babel were burnt bricks, which were cemented by bitumen (Gen. xi. 3). These were, doubtless, the same as those of which Babylon was built, and which were made of the clay dug out of the trench, and burnt in kilns (Herod. I. 179). Of such bricks abundant specimens still remain in the ruins of Nineveh and Babylon. They were sometimes covered with a thick enamel or glaze, on which figures in different colours were traced ; of those which were used for ornament many specimens have also been found (Layard, Nin. and Bab. 507 , etc.) Some seem also to have been coloured in the clay, without glaze. These bricks were flat and slightly oblong.]