"سرد لإقامة في كردستان وفي موقع نينوى القديمة؛ مع مذكرات رحلة إلى بغداد عبر نهر دجلة ووصف زيارة إلى شيراز وبرسبوليس." [‎٩‎٧] (٤٥٠/١٢٦)

CH. XVI.] EASTERN MANUSCRIPTS.
97
Aga Minas to-day to hunt for books in the town of
Alkosh, and he fortunately procured me a very valu
able Chaldean manuscript of the New Testament, in
vellum, of the highest antiquity, and which was fast
perishing.
I find my friend Hussein Aga has rather over
rated the extent of his master's dominions, which, in
fact, end at Alkosh ; and we are now really in the
territory of Amadia, and surrounded by the wild
tribes of the Muzuri, Dostaki, Baranki, Shiuki, and
tateuch, No. 1, and that of the Prophets, No. 8, are very valuable.
Copies of the Prophetical Books arc extremely rare. The Ono-
masticon of James of Edessa, No. 39, is a book of considerable
interest and value in its bearing upon Biblical criticism. I know
ot no other copy except one at Rome.
The commentaries upon the Scriptures, by Bar Salibe, and
Bar Hebrceus, are unpublished, and contain a variety of curious
niatter for the theological student.
In history, the annals of Elias of Nisibis, of which no other
copy is known to exist; and the latter part of the chronicle of
Bar Hebraeus deserves particular notice.
The two grammars of Bar Hebracus, and the dictionary by Bar
Ali, though not of uncommon occurrence, are books ot great
intrinsic value.
'I he MSS. consist of 800 volumes. Of these, 3 are in Greek,
59 in Syriac, 8 in Carshunic, 389 in Arabic, 231 in Persian, 108
in Turkish, 2 in Armenian, and 1 in Hebrew.
The Syriac and Arabic MSS. are probably the most valuable
collection ever formed by a European; and if Mr. Rich had
rendered no other public service, the contribution made to the
literary and antiquarian treasures of the nation, by means of his
judicious, patriotic, and munificent expenditure, would alone
entitle him to the lasting gratitude of his countrymen.
Believe me with sincere respect.
Dear Mrs. Rich,
Your faithful servant,
J. F orshall
The list of the Syriac MSS. which accompanied this letter, will
be found in the Appendix.
V ol . II. H