. 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.

. . . . . . .

The afternoon was fair and beautiful. It was about the ninth hour of the
day. Daniel, weary with his arduous duties within, thought fit, in order
to invigorate both his body and mind, to take a walk in the beautiful
groves of the palace park. So he laid his papers aside, and was soon
under the refreshing breezes of the open skies. The scene was truly
delightful. The sun was gradually losing the intensity of its heat, and
slowly sinking toward the western hills. Nature was adorned in beauty and
innocence. The sweet choristers of the trees chanted their melodious
sonnets on the high branches, and the parks rang with the sound of praise
from the feathered tribe. The river rolled majestically along, while its
shores were strewed with the choicest roses and flowers. On the banks of
"proud Euphrates' stream," the Rab Mag sat down and gave freedom to his
thoughts.

"His paths are unsearchable, and His ways past finding out! He reigns in
heaven above, and on earth beneath. Jehovah is God alone. By him kings
rule and princes govern. He taketh down one and setteth up a