In describing generally the construction of the palaces and other chief buildings of the Assyrians, it has been necessary occasionally to refer to their ornamentation; but the subject is far from exhausted, and will now claim, for a short space, our special attention.  Beyond a doubt the chief adornment, both of palaces and temples, consisted of the colossal bulls and lions guarding the great gateways, together with the sculptured slabs wherewith the walls, both internal and external, were ordinarily covered to the height of twelve or sometimes even of fifteen feet.  These slabs and carved figures will necessarily be considered in connection with Assyrian sculpture, of which they form the most important part.  It will, therefore, only be noted at present that the extent of wall covered with the slabs was, in the Khorsabad palace, at least 4000 feet, or nearly four-fifths of a mile, while in each of the Koyunjik palaces the sculptures extended to considerably more than that distance.

[Illustration:  PLATE 60]

The ornamentation of the walls above the slabs, both internally and externally, was by means of bricks painted on the exposed side and covered with an enamel.  The colors are for the most part somewhat pale, but occasionally they possess some brilliancy. [PLATE LX., Fig 1.] Predominant among the tints are a pale blue, an olive green, and a dull yellow.  White is also largely used; brown and black are not infrequent; red is comparatively rare.  The subjects represented are either such scenes as occur upon the sculptured slabs, or else mere patterns—­scrolls, honeysuckles, chevrons, gradines, guilloches, etc.  In the scenes some attempt seems to be made at representing objects in their natural colors.  The size of the figures is small; and it is difficult to imagine that any great effect could have been produced on the beholder by such minute drawings placed at such a height from the ground.  Probably the most effective ornamentation of this kind was by means of patterns, which are often graceful and striking. [PLATE LX., 2.]

It has been observed that, so far as the evidence at present goes, the use of the column in Assyrian architecture would seem to have been very rare indeed.  In palaces we have no grounds for thinking that they were employed at all excepting in certain of the interior doorways, which, being of unusual breadth, seem to have been divided into three distinct portals by means of two pillars placed towards the sides of the opening.  The bases of these pillars were of stone, and have been found in situ; their shafts and capitals had disappeared, and can only be supplied by conjecture.  In the temples, as we have seen, the use of the column was more frequent.  Its dimensions greatly varied.  Ordinarily it was too short and thick for beauty, while occasionally it had the opposite defect, being too tall and slender.  Its base was sometimes quite plain, sometimes diversified by a few mouldings, sometimes