'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎528] (619/905)

528
DAMASCUS.
[CHAP. XX.
in circumference, which terminates on one side in an almost
boundless wilderness. The interior of the city is not unlike,
but on the whole it is rather superior to its younger sister.
Grand Cairo, and its character is more peculiarly oriental ;
perhaps more strikingly so throughout than even Baghdad
Or Ispahan.
The Khan Towards the centre of the town, situated in the middle of a
fine covered bazar, is Khan Assad, the masonry of which con
sists of black and white marble in alternate courses ; and with
respect both to the plan and elevation, this is one of the most
imposing structures of the kind in the East. A finely-executed
Saracenic gateway leads into a large paved court, having a
handsome marble fountain in the centre, and about it' an
arcade with pointed arches and rich Saracenic mouldings.
Under the arcade are placed the heaps of merchandise; and
above it there is a spacious corridor, adjoining which are sun
dry apartments used as counting-houses by the principal
merchants ; instead of the ordinary flat terrace, these are
covered by low elliptical domes. The scene below is one of
great interest, being peculiarly characteristic of the country;
for in its ordinary state the great court presents crowds of
noisy Arabs, scrambling as if between life and death about
their laden camels; some preparing to start, others arriving,
and a few keeping their animals recumbent till the bales can
either be received into the magazine, or placed in some part of
the surrounding bazar.
The bazar. The latter, being as usual laid out in streets separately ap
propriated to various trades as well as to different kinds of
merchandise, presents another busy and animating scene.
Christians and Jews are seen moving from place to place with
a speed which indicates that gain is the object, amongst laden
camels, mules, and asses ; besides these, there is a mixed
crowd of idlers such as no other city can present; and among
the loungers, the Bedawin, with his flowing dress and long
spear tipped with black ostrich feathers, occupies the most
prominent place. The Druses of the Haouran, with their
peculiar close-fitting turbans, their ample cloaks, alternately
striped black and white, and long matchlock guns slung at