'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎240] (271/582)

240
DEPARTURE FROM ISPAHAN.
us. From this spot we enjoyed a last view of Ispahan, which
from this elevated point, and during the freshness of the morning,
looked indescribably beautiful.
It was here that our friends quitted us to return to the
city. The grasp of my countryman was warm and cordial; and
the expressions of the young Mohammed Hassan were as kind
as when we parted before at the Khan of Chal Seeah; though
he said he had thanked God a thousand times already, and
should continue to do so all his life, for our having so unex
pectedly passed ten days together, after what both had thought
a final separation.
On clearing the ridge of hills, we came out on an extensive
plain, on the left of which villages, gardens, and the large circular
buildings for pigeons, before described, occupied a line of several
miles. In the way through this, we passed some ruined build
ings ; and at its extremity we came to a steep road, cut up over a
bed of rock, with some deserted huts at the top.
As it was now near noon, we alighted to refresh. The charac
ter of the stone composing the hills here, was different from that
we had seen before, being hard, close-grained, of a chocolate-brown
colour, placed in horizontal layers, of nearly equal thickness, and
disposed to divide in oblong squares. The last slate we had seen
was on the first low ridge of hills, where we filled our supply of
water for the journey; this, too, was of a brownish colour, and
disposed to divide perpendicularly, in square pillars ; thus differ
ing from the blue slate between Ispahan and Hamadan, which
separated in horizontal plates.
continue till his placing in the grave, which is after they have washed him, (for they think
purification in life and death is very necessary,) they perfume him, wrap him in fine linen,
bid him commend them to all their friends, lay him with his head to Medina Talnabi, place
him where never any was formerly buried, (because they think it an extreme injury to molest
the bones of such as sleep,) place two stones writ with Arabic letters, to signify his lodging,
its length and breadth, then bid farewell/ Page 168.