reat
capital of his extensive empire was filled to overflowing with exulting
thousands, to welcome the victorious monarch from a brilliant campaign.
Proud banners floated in triumph on the high turrets, while a thousand
minstrels filled the air with their high-sounding melody.

Nebuchadnezzar was as yet but a young monarch. He spared no pains to
render himself acceptable to his people, by a worthy deportment and a
liberal encouragement of all improvements throughout his realm, and
especially within the city of Babylon. At this period, he was greatly
beloved by his subjects, and his popularity was plainly visible in the
unbounded welcome with which he was received and escorted to the royal
palace.

Not far from the king's palace stood a splendid mansion of broad and
lofty dimensions. Within the enclosures, everything was arranged with
faultless taste. In front, large beds of roses unveiled their charms, and
sent forth their sweet fragrance. Each side was well ornamented with
shrubbery, and the rear beautified with a garden abundantly filled with
delicious fruits. With the permission of the reader, we will now enter.
In a richly-furnished apartment within this noble edifice, sat a man of
commanding exterior, attired in rich, military official costume.
Caressingly on his bosom leaned a young damsel, over whose head sixteen
summers might have gently rolled. Joy and gladness beamed in every
feature of her lovely countenance.

"Oh, happy day! Father is home again! Jupheena will now be happy. The
time of thy absence seemed long and dreary; but thou art back again in
our happy home!"

"Yea, my child, I am really home again, and am happy to find my sweet
Jupheena as well and as sprightly as ever."

"But my dear father has happily returned sooner than we expected; thy
stay in Egypt was but short."

"Short, indeed, my daughter. Pharaoh-Necho, when he saw our powerful
legions, soon came to terms of peace; and in this I admire his wisdom.
From Egypt, we marched into the capital of Judah, and gained an entrance
without resistance.

"My stay in Jerusalem, thou knowest, was but short, and my facilities for
observation were not very favorable; but owing to peculiar circumstances,
I became partially acquainted with those in Judah who left deep and happy
impressions on my mind. I found a few young men of the kingly line, who,
in my opinion, were far superior in mind to any I ever had the pleasure
of beholding."

"Dear father! t