In Nos. 108 and 109, we see not only the clay tablet, but the clay envelope which

was formed round it, making it impossible to open without destroying a part of the

envelope. In Table Case F are exhibited tablets with incantations and directions for the

performance of religious and magical rites and ceremonies. In Table Case G are

prayers, hymns, litanies and incantations. No. 5 is an alliterative hymn in Assyrian in the

form of an Acrostic. The initial and final syllables of the lines read downwards from the

same sentence.

Exhibited in Table Case H is a series of Omen tablets. Omens derived from water,

the flight of a bird, the births of deformed children, the weather, dreams, dogs, etc. The

present day superstition concerning mirrors, salt, tea-leaves, crossed knives, ladders, etc.,

are somewhat parallel and less excusable.

Table Case I  contains tablets inscribed with mythological legends, texts having

magical powers, catalogues, and labels. No. 53 is a contract tablet written 694 B.100:; the

nail marks of the witnesses here take the place of seal impressions. The present day

fingerprint system of identification is a parallel. No. 66 shows the effect of the intense

heat to which it was subjected at the burning of Ashur-bani-pal's Library at Nineveh.

A few words on the subject covered by these tablets may be of service. For the

following we are indebted to the writings of Prof. Sayce:--

SACRED BOOKS and RITUAL.--Along with the growth of the official religion

went the growth and completion of the Chaldean Bible and Prayer-book. The festivals of

the gods were numerous; the ceremonies to be performed by the priests were more

numerous still. The ceremonies were usually accompanied by the recitation of one or

more hymns; these hymns were written in Sumerian, which had now become the sacred

language of Chaldoea just as Latin is the sacred language of the Roman Church. An error

in pronunciation was supposed to invalidate the ceremony.

THE PRIESTS.--The High-priest was often the monarch. Subordinate to him were

other high priests and under them again the priests of Ishtar, and the "elders". By the side

of them stood the "prophets" under a chief.

THE TEMPLES.--The temples were provided with towers which served for the

observation of the stars. In the shrine was a "mercy-seat" whereon the god "seated

himself" on certain occasions. At Balairât near Nineveh the mercy-seat had the form of a

coffer or ark in which two written tablets of stone were placed.

ASTRO-THEOLOGY.--The stars were worshipped; Ishtar herself was originally the

evening star, and most of the deities were identified with the planets and chief fixed stars.

SACRIFICES and OFFERINGS.--Sacrifices were offered to the stars, as to the other

divinities. Besides the sacrifice, offerings were also made of meal, dates, oil, and wine.

The sacrifices and offerings were provided partly by endowments, partly by voluntary