Alleged Discovery of the Ancient Ophir.
THE last antiquarian sensation, and one which bids fair to exceed the Nineveh discoveries of Mr. Layard—if the announcement is only true—is the discovery of the ancient gold-exporting city of Ophir, of biblical fame. The alleged discovery points to that part of Southeastern Africa lying north of Zululand as the site of the old city. The tribe living in the locality allow, it is said, no approach to the ruins, from which it is supposed they procure the materials for the manufacture of certain gold ornaments they are in the habit of wearing. Discarding a great many probable falsehoods and exaggerations, the truth of the matter seems to be that gold is found in the corner of Africa indicated, and that there are some traces there of an ancient civilized settlement. Biblical allusions seem to confirm this supposition, and the majority of antiquarians lean to the opinion that Ophir was situated somewhere in that part of the continent of Africa.—Public Opinion.