[Footnote 1: We have included in Tablet IV Tablets V and VI of the original, as classified by Mr. Sayce.] [Footnote 2: The above is taken from an Assyrian fragment ("W.A.I.," ii. 35, No. 4) translated in "Records of the Past," vol. xi., pp. 159, 160, and presents the Assyrian view of purity and the customs of their people.] [Footnote 3: Literally, "whose veil no freeman of pure race has raised." Before slaves and men of mean rank, women of the East are not obliged to veil the face.] [Footnote 4: Literally, "who has never moistened her teeth with an intoxicating liquor." "Rec. of the Past," p. 160, l. 6.] [Footnote 5: The public sale herein described is taken from the statement of Herodotus (see Herodotus, vol. i., p. 196. Compare "Nic. Dam. Fr.," 131, and Ælian. "Var. Hist.," iv. 1), who says all the marriageable virgins in all the towns of the empire or kingdom were sold at public auction. The beautiful maidens were sold to the highest bidder, and the proceeds were deposited before the herald. The ugly maidens in turn were then put up, and the bidders were called upon to take them as wives with the smallest dowry to be paid from the proceeds of the sales of the beautiful maids, and they were in turn awarded to those who would accept them with the smallest amount as dowry. The numerous contracts for the sales of women now in the British Museum may possibly be records of these transactions.] [Footnote 6: "Sab-at-tu," a day of rest for the heart ("W.A.I.," ii. 32), the Sabbath day, which was dedicated to the worship of the sun, moon, and stars, and their gods, which were known by different names.] [Footnote 7: "Lain," to lay, v.a. (pretr. "laid," part, passive "lain," from "liggan," Sax.), "to place along the ground."--Fenning's Royal Eng. Dic., London, MDCLXXV.] [Footnote 8: From the Babylonian Festival Calendar ("C.I.W.A.," vol. iv., pls. 32, 33); also translated in "Records of the Past," vol. vii., pp. 162, 163.] [Footnote 9: "Zubat," robes.] [Footnote 10: "Ku-bar-ra," linen robes.] [Footnote 11: "And two golden talents!"] [Footnote 12: "Three talents!"] [Footnote 13: "Fifteen!"] [Footnote 14: "Twenty!"] [Footnote 15: "And thirty!"] [Footnote 16: "And forty!"] [Footnote 17: "Fifty!"] [Footnote 18: "One hundred!"] [Footnote 19: "One thousand!"] [Footnote 20: "Five bilti," about £3,165 sterling, or $15,825.] COLUMN II COUNCIL IN THE PALACE