"According to appointment, O king, behold these young men are conducted
hither for public examination in the presence of their illustrious
sovereign, and in the presence of these, his nobles."

To which the monarch replied in an interesting address:

"Citizens of Babylon! the king taketh much pleasure in greeting you on
this occasion. To witness your smiles is truly refreshing to my mind amid
all the pressing duties of my extensive empire. I trust I shall always
merit your smiles and good wishes. Long may the Chaldean empire continue
to shine a superior orb in the firmament of nations.

"The stability of government must greatly depend on the wisdom and
intelligence of the people; and ever since I have had the honor of
presiding over the destinies of this vast empire, I have not for a day
lost sight of this important truth. Whether since the beginning of my
reign the cause of education has been advanced, I leave to the judgment
of my worthy subjects. Three years ago, I thought it advisable to
establish a school at the expense of the government, where a number of
young men might be placed under the care of superior instructors, and so
be prepared to serve with distinguished ability in the different spheres
in which they might be called to move. Those youths are now before you;
and if their mental culture will well compare with their fair
countenances and manly forms, my most sanguine expectations are more than
realized. I am happy to know, from vigilant observation, that the
teachers, without any exceptions, have nobly proved themselves worthy of
the unreserved confidence of their king; and let them now be assured that
such unwearied faithfulness will not go unrewarded. The king has been
well pleased also, from time to time, to hear of the great proficiency
and rapid advancement of many of the scholars."