throughout felt the shock. Evil-Merodach was far from being a favorite,
and among all classes in the nation there seemed to be a growing
dissatisfaction. This feeling would have been immeasurably greater had it
not been for the wisdom and vigilance of Belteshazzar, his prime
minister. Of Daniel's wisdom the regent had no doubt. From his father he
had learned all the particulars in regard to Daniel's interpretation of
the dream; and, seeing before his eyes daily a literal fulfillment of its
awful predictions, he could not but hold the interpreter in much
reverence.

Nearly seven years passed without witnessing events of special importance
in the empire. During most of this time Nebuchadnezzar exhibited all the
signs of a maniac. As he showed no disposition to injure those around
him, he was permitted to go at large, within royal inclosures. His
treatment was much according to the direction of Daniel, who was the only
person at the palace of whom the maniac king appeared to have the least
recognition. He carefully shunned the presence of every one, and the only
thing that appeared to give him satisfaction and check his raving was the
permission to be a companion of his oxen, that quietly fed in the palace
park. Here it may be well to remark that the peculiar feature of the
king's insanity was the strange conviction that he was an ox; and, under
this conviction, he would endeavor to imitate that animal in all its
motions and voices. He was never confined or bound with chains, but
permitted to enjoy himself as his maniac fancies might dictate. This was
not the result of indifference, but quite the contrary. The king was held
in much respect at the palace, even in his deplorable insanity; and there
was much faith placed in the opinion of Daniel in regard to the king's
final restoration to his reason and the kingdom. Among many of Daniel's
Chaldean friends at the court the opinion was becoming prevalent that the
interesting occasion was not far distant.