Babylonian Collection

Prol". Craig, of the chair of Semitic languages at the University, has a rare collection of Babylonian tablets and seals at bis home, which were sent here by Mr. Noorian, of Newark, N. J., on approval. They are Vonderfully interesting because of tbeir extreme antiquity, showing civilization as it was in Nebuchadnezzar's time. Exhumedfrom the banks of the Euphrates river where they had rested for fourthousand years, bey show the methode of business ransactions, contraéis, leases, deeds, eceipts, bilis of sale of horses, cattle, louses, lands, etc. ïliey were written on bricks, stones, glass and marbles revious to any known manuscripts of he Hebrews or Chaldeans. Many are wliat are cal led case tableta. ?hese are eontracts written on brick the ize and shape of a piece of soap. To )rotect them an outer case of clay is put ibout them, on which was written the contract. In the event the inscription on the covering got indistinct, or a disiute arose, it was taken off and the nner one referred to. They are all signed by private seals and witnessed he same way. These seals were small cylinders which were grayen with figures or hieroglyphics, and as they were rolleü over the soft clay they made au iinpression of the seal of the owner rhese date 2200 and 2300 years before the time of Christ. The University has nothing of this kind in its collections and should possess these very rare documents for research, teaching and exhibition. The value of thein is $800, an extremely reasonable figure as considered by Prof Craig, who is an expert in his branch He can read all of them and appreciates their importance. It is lioped a sub scription can be gotten up to retain thi valuable collection here.