DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.8#0147
i 146 )
Scripture, and in the history by Josephus, by frequenting
those places, where the most splendid and magnificent
structures had been raised, as Babylon^ Thebes^ and
places renowned for the surprizing grandeur of their
Temples and public edifices. And to such were the
Athenians in after times indebted for their principles of
architecture : and Callimachus did no more than devise a
variation of the capital, so beautifully executed in leaves
of the lily, by direction of Hiram.
Thus I have described the ordination,disposition and
symmetry of a Temple the most majestic and magnificent
ever heard of on earth. But who shall be able to describe
the elegance, taste, beauty and perfection of thè sculpture
that graced every part of the immense capacity within ?
throughout covered with animated representations of celes-•
tial cherubs, amidst the imitations of nature's choicest
productions ; altogether an unbounded display of sump-
tuous grandeur, richly decked with the purest gold !
What was reported to the Queen of Saba, was deemed
by her greatly two much to be believed : but when she
came to Jerusalem and beheld the stately appearance of
the Temple without, and all the majesty within ; the
inexpressible splendor of such a glorious sight over-
powered her senses : and after an involuntary pause, she
thus spoke her astonishment ; "what was related to me O
King of thy wisdom and thy powers in devising dignified
magnificence, I thought incredible ; but now I am come,
and my eyes have beheld thy works, I have myself made
proof, here is more than double the magnificence reported"f
CHAP.
Scripture, and in the history by Josephus, by frequenting
those places, where the most splendid and magnificent
structures had been raised, as Babylon^ Thebes^ and
places renowned for the surprizing grandeur of their
Temples and public edifices. And to such were the
Athenians in after times indebted for their principles of
architecture : and Callimachus did no more than devise a
variation of the capital, so beautifully executed in leaves
of the lily, by direction of Hiram.
Thus I have described the ordination,disposition and
symmetry of a Temple the most majestic and magnificent
ever heard of on earth. But who shall be able to describe
the elegance, taste, beauty and perfection of thè sculpture
that graced every part of the immense capacity within ?
throughout covered with animated representations of celes-•
tial cherubs, amidst the imitations of nature's choicest
productions ; altogether an unbounded display of sump-
tuous grandeur, richly decked with the purest gold !
What was reported to the Queen of Saba, was deemed
by her greatly two much to be believed : but when she
came to Jerusalem and beheld the stately appearance of
the Temple without, and all the majesty within ; the
inexpressible splendor of such a glorious sight over-
powered her senses : and after an involuntary pause, she
thus spoke her astonishment ; "what was related to me O
King of thy wisdom and thy powers in devising dignified
magnificence, I thought incredible ; but now I am come,
and my eyes have beheld thy works, I have myself made
proof, here is more than double the magnificence reported"f
CHAP.