'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎55] (188/458)

MEMOIR ON THE “ TIGR1SSgj
divine.” Nor is the antithesis wanting, for in simitar numbers of the
species, wherever congregated, there would not be displayed, perhaps,
so many of the bad propensities of our race ; on a sudden excitement alj'
the evil passions are called into existence, of which ungovernable rage,
inordinate desire, and duplicity, are the most prominent. The expres
sive features of the Arab, however, joined to his picturesque garb, the
keenness of his eye, and independence of manner, with his weapons on
the carpet by his side, evince a superiority in race, and though humbling
himself in prostrations and prayer,* the same inherent fierceness can be
distinguished in his glance, that spread his doctrines among so many
nations ; and doubtless at this moment he is, as personally r* j ady to
draw the weapon in defence of his creed, as were his ancestors in its
promulga tion.
Leaving the Kathemein gardens which are of some extent and beauty ?
we enter suddenly upon a district termed Taji, now a complete desert in
all respects, excepting only a strip of cultivation extending in no case
above 300 yards from the river ; indeed, during great inundations, or
even in moderate rises oJ the river, the Marshes of Akr-Ktif—formed by
the overflowing of the Euphrates 50 miles distant—connect themselves
with the Tigris and envelope Kathemein and its gardens, as islands in
a wide sea of water—Baghdad, and the gardens in its neighbourhood
though better cared for, have, for the last two years, suffered a similar
fate, owing to the apathy of the authorities in not repairing the ‘bunds’
in time—and the town is not only isolated—crops destroyed—houses in
jured, fruit trees decayed, but the receding rivers, leave behind them on
the surface of the plains, vast Marshes, which create not a thought in the
Government to drain. The consequence is—as we have experienced
the last two years—these lakes, as they become stagnant, are converted
into fetid and unwholesome swamps. By the middle of June a rank
reed has grown within them to a height of several feet, at which time a
torrid sun, until the end of October, is slowly evaporating the moisture
and leaving slime and vegetation festering under its rays. An
atmosphere thus poisoned, has to be inhaled by the population at a time
when the tremendous heats are scarcely bearable by man ; and fevers
* The Koran forbids the wearing of weapons or even iron of any sort on the person, dur
ing the performance of prayers at any time. How different this from our Church parades
where side arms are enjoyod as part of the ceremony in the Military Officer and the
soldier.