And Babylon was the source to which the entire stream of Eastern civilization may be traced.

It is scarcely too much to say that, but for Babylon, real civilization might not even yet have dawned upon the earth.

Mankind might never have advanced beyond that spurious and false form of it which in Egypt, India, China, Japan, Mexico, and Peru, contented the aspirations of the species.
APPENDIX.
A.STANDARD INSCRIPTION OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR.
The Inscription begins with the various titles of Nebuchadnezzar.

It then contains prayers and invocations to the Gods, Merodach and Nebo.
The extent of N.'s power is spoken of--it reaches from one sea to the other.
An account is then given of the wonders of Babylon, viz.: 1.

The great temple of Merodach.