'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1865 to December 1867. (Edited by the Honorary Secretary.) Volume XVIII.' [‎22] (157/268)

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inconveniently situated for tire security of the whole line, but the instru
ments appear to be well cared for and in good order. Mr. Williams,
the intelligent American missionary here, reckons the population of
this place at about 22,000, of whom one-half are Christians. Two-
thirds of these, again, are put down as Roman Catholics; so that
7,000 Papists and 3,500 non-Papists may be held to represent the
approximate number of each division. Mardin meiits a much longer
and more detailed description than can be given to it in the present
report, for it is a place of rnnch historical and local interest, and there
is a host of legends commemorating its importance, and relating toils
immediate neighbourhood. The inhabitants are called Mardili, and
the Mahomedan portion consists chiefly of Arabs and Kurds, the
common language of the market being Arabic. Mr. Williams, thinks
there are no Roman remains here, certainly no walls. It may be that
the vicinity of Dara and Nisibin gave rise to the supposition. The light
cloak or ‘ Aba’ of Mardin is an elegant and inexpensive article of
manufacture, highly prized by those who have seen the better specimens.
The government here is exercised by a ‘ Majalis’ or assembly composed
of mixed Mahomedan and other members, and presided over by a
‘ Kaim Makam,* under the authority of the Pacha at Diarbekir.
29. Once a place of much commercial importance, and although not
up to the mark of former prosperity
Diarbekir. its central position would seem suffi
cient to preserve it from decay. I
learn that there are about 20,000 inhabitants, of whom nearly half
are Christian. Mr. Southgate reckoned that there were about 2,700
families, of whom 1,500 were Mussulman, and this statement rather
serves to corroborate that made to myself than otherwise. The town is
agreeably situated on the right bank of the Tigris, and there are neat
little country-houses outside the walls, which make a residence there
tolerable. But the heat is very great, and, like all Asiatic towns, the
streets are irregular and confined. The Telegraph Office, where we
resided, enabled us to prove the climate within the walls. I was eager
to escape from it, notwithstanding an intelligent host and hospitable
reception. From hence there is a line of telegraph with two wires
leading to Orfah and Aleppo.
30. Mhile halting for a day at Diarbekir a native of India was
brought in by the Mudir or head of the office, and presented to me as