'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎89] (222/458)

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MEMOIR ON THE « TIGRIS.”
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This is a somewhat free translation of the above : —“ He whom the
Supreme Being has chosen as the powerful protector of the religion,
to whom obedience is enjoined both in those present and in those at
a distance,* because of his eminent virtues and the restraints be placed
upon evil men,—Abu Jafr-al-Mansur-al-Mastansir B’illah, Amir-al-
Mumenin, (Commander of the Faithful;) may God establish him in
his place, and confirm him in the seat that he has inherited, elevate
him through good deeds to the highest sphere, causing by his enlight
ened justice a ray to dawn upon all men, so that through his direction
a clear path of truth may be evident to all creation,—(son of) the
equitable and pure Amir Abu Nasr Mahomed-al-Tahir, by the direction
of God,—(son of) that sanctified, pure, pious and sincere Imam, Abu
Abbas-al-Nasr-al’din Allah,—(son of) the devout and righteous Imam
Abu-al-Hassan-al-Mattaki, by the grace of God, Lord of the true
believers, and the successor of the faithful : guides in the path of
religion, who acted righteously and with justice. The blessing and
the peace of God be upon them. Performed in the year Six hundred
and twenty-nine. The blessing of God be upon our spiritual Prince
and Prophet Mahomed, and upon his illustrious descendants.”
We thus learn that the Bridge of Harbeh is now six hundred and
thirty-seven years old, notwithstanding the attempts to ruin it by the
Arabs, which have failed of accomplishment; a moderate sum would
render it again effective, but unless the canal were re-opened it would
be an useless expenditure. As it is, it is the only high road across
the Dijeil, and at the present time will admit the passage of twelve
horsemen abreast,—a part of one arch only having been destroyed in
attempts to cut off the communication with the desert portion of Meso
potamia, so as to prevent the Bedoins of the Aniza and Shammar tribes
making their forays within the country protected by the stream.
These irruptions, however, they now seldom try, unless in very large
* By this is meant the dwellers in towns, and the tribes of the desert who acknowledge
the Mahomedau supremacy.