'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎77] (210/458)

X
MEMOIR THE “ TIGRIS.”
XX;
i 7 sterling, |
> square miles, o|
on e moreprojud
lO^perstji
6 soil, requires if
the purpose off
level, needs onljt
*nt, with no ol
to render ilie i
then to the ref
lan nowbestf
! times tliey sif
ioks some yarii
77
on the skirts 6f the village, where we at least could inhale the pure
air of the desert instead of the accumulated odours of the cow-house
and stable—the apartments generally approximate to the Arab village
drawing-room, which in itself, if not of impure Augean stamp, is so
crowded with living specimens of inferior zoology, as to lead to the
belief of your having stumbled by accident into an entomological
museum, and were doomed to suffer for the mistake a personal intro
duction, not to, but of every little member comprising the community,
for you are assailed on all sides at once. I had often thought, indeed,
that the Arab generally was the greatest idler in the Creation, but
more than a casual glance has since convinced me of my error ; for
these tormentors of his race, which Nature has amply provided, afford
him a constant occupation. It would be matter for speculation, perhaps,
to consider how far this has interfered with the performance of works
of more general utility, but as the night is waning and my compa
nions already buried in the oblivion of sleep, I will let these thoughts
take the same course, while I stretch myself out in the attempt to
follow them,—first, however, examining my instruments for to-morrow’s
journey, for my late reflections are due to the slow passage of Sirius
[canis majoris) over the meridian of my carpet, spread true East of
Sumeyeheh minaret, which consequently is in the same latitude*
The following morning (March 24th) being anxious to obtain a good
set of bearings, after sounding the people with respect to the proprie
ty of ascending the minaret, for this purpose I set off for the mosque, and
from the broken gallery had a good view of every remarkable object
in the vicinity—not, however, without imminent risk of a broken neck,
for a ledge of brick about two feet broad, without protecting sides,
alone conducted round the summit of the minaret, and thus compelled
nio to proceed, as bearing after bearing was taken, with my back
against the upright shaft, and a clear drop of sixty feet into the court
yard of the building below me. It was a ticklish task, and I was not
sorry when it was completed, and merely mention the circumstance from
tke sensations. I felt according with what 1 had before heard, but
could never comprehend. On this occasion an almost irresistible
desire seized me, not to precipitate myself headlong down, but
* See Appendix L.
f See Appendix M 0
.. t * -v’ccsaEf