and sometimes even draw them [PLATE CXXXIX., Fig. 7], convey the implements—­pickaxes, saws, shovels, hatchets, beams, forks, coils of rope—­place the rollers, arrange the lever and work it, keep the carved masses of stone steady as they are moved along to their proper places, urge on the gangs of forced laborers with sticks, and finally direct the whole of the proceedings by signals, which they give with their voice or with a long horn.  Thus, however ample the command of naked human strength enjoyed by the Assyrian king, who had always at his absolute disposal the labor of many thousand captives, still there was in every great work much which could only be intrusted to Assyrians, who appear to have been employed largely in the grand constructions of their monarchs.

The implements of labor have a considerable resemblance to those in present use among ourselves.  The saws were two-handed; but as the handle was in the same line with the blade, instead of being set at right angles to it, they must have been somewhat awkward to use.  The shovels were heart-shaped, like those which Sir C. Fellows noticed in Asia Minor.  The pickaxes had a single instead of a double head, while the hatchets were double-headed, though here probably the second head was a mere knob intended to increase the force of the blow. [PLATE CXL., Fig. 1.] The hand-carts were small and of very simple construction:  they were made open in front and behind, but had a slight framework at the sides.  They had a pole rising a little in front, and were generally drawn by two men.  The wheels were commonly four-spoked.  When the load had been placed on the cart, it seems to have been in general secured by two bands or ropes, which were passed over it diagonally, so as to cross each other at the top.

[Illustration:  PLATE 140]

Carts drawn by animals were no doubt used in the country; but they are not found except in the scenes representing the triumphant returns of armies, where it is more probable that the vehicles are foreign than Assyrian.  They have poles—­not shafts—­and are drawn by two animals, either oxen, mules, or asses.  The wheels have generally a large number of spokes—­sometimes as many as eleven.  Representations of these carts will be found in early pages.

The Assyrians appear to have made occasional use of covered carriages.  Several vehicles of this kind are represented on an obelisk in the British Museum.  They have a high and clumsy body, which shows no window, and is placed on four disproportionately low wheels, which raise it only about a foot from the ground.  In front of this body is a small driving-place, enclosed in trelliswork, inside which the coachman stands to drive.  Each of these vehicles is drawn by two horses.  It is probable that they were used to convey the ladies of the court; and they were therefore carefully closed, in order that no curious glance of passers-by might rest upon the charming inmates. [PLATE CXL., Fig. 3.] The carpentum, in which the Roman matrons rode at the great public festivals, was similarly closed, both in front and behind, as is evident from the representations which we have of it on medals and tombs.