One of the most remarkable customs of the Baby lonians was the manner in which they disposed of their young women in marriage. They were all brought into the public market place, where the most beautiful were sold to the highest bidder ; and, from the money thus procured, portions were assign ed to be given along with those who were deficient in personal attractions. One of their most abomina ble regulations was that which required every female to suffer prostitution once in her life in the temple of Venus. And one of their most useful practices was that by which they endeavoured to supply the want of professional physicians. The sick were brought out to the public places of resort ; and all passengers, of whatever rank, as well as all strangers, of what ever country, were considered as bound in humanity to inquire into the nature of their diseases, and to suggest such remedies as they might have known to be useful in similar cases. The Babylonians were very temperate in their diet, and, like the Hindoos, lived chiefly upon grain ; but in their dress and household accommodations, they were very effeminate and extravagant. Their inner garment was of fine linen, descending to their feet ; above this, they wore a woollen tunic ; and over the whole, was thrown a short white cloak to repel the rays of the sun. Their heads were covered by linen mitres or
turbans, plaited with much art ; their feet were pro tected by light slippers ; their bodies sprinkled with perfumes ; and in their hand they generally carried a staff or cane, shaped at the top into the form of an apple, flower, bird, or some other characteristic em blem. Their habitations were adorned in a manner equally superb ; their floors glowed with carpets of the most brilliant colours ; and their walls were hung with the most beautiful tissues, named Sindones. They are represented, however, as very degraded in their intellectual and moral character ; as credulous and superstitious; debauched and voluptuous in the high est degree ; and, to the general prevalence of these • luxurious and licentious habits, is unquestionably to be attributed the easy overthrow of such a powerful monarchy, and the immediate subjugation of such a populous empire. See Anc. Univ. Hist. vol. iv. p. 332, &e. Galles's Hist. of World, vol. i. p. 60, 72, 16S, 193. (q)