Feb. 9, 1857.] RAWLINSON ON SOUTHERN PERSIA. 289 



ment, and for the express purpose of maturing the plans which 

 are now heing carried out. He is not mentioned by name, but 

 is described in a manner which leaves no doubt of his identity. 

 Now it so happened that while this gentleman was exploring the 

 Bakhtij^ari mountains, a steamer was going up the Karun at the 

 same time, for the purpose of executing a survey of the river, and 

 accordingly these two facts are put together in the paper alluded to, 

 and it is inferred that this country must have been laying those 

 plans fifteen years ago, of which we have the consummation in the 

 present Persian war. Such is the consolation we get for our geo- 

 graphical ardour, and our desire to communicate our knowledge to 

 the world. 



To return, however, more particularly to the Karun :~the 

 passage of our steamer up the river was no doubt of great use in 

 showing us the navigability of the stream ; but if it ever should be 

 necessary to pass up the river into the interior, it is not to be 

 supposed that one steamer, or two steamers, or half-a-dozen steamers 

 will be sufficient to meet the requirements of the expedition — the 

 invading army must, of course, march along the banks of the river, 

 merely trusting to the flotilla for the conveyance of its stores and 

 ammunition, and in ten days' march from Mohamrah it would 

 reach the town of Shuster, which is situated in one of the best 

 supplied districts in the whole of Asia. The town of Shuster 

 moreover is extraordinarily strong in a military point of view, 

 being defended on two sides by a great river, and with a wall and 

 ditch at the base of the triangle leading from one river to the other. 

 It is altogether one of the strongest military positions that I 

 remember to have seen anywhere. The whole tract of country 

 between the two rivers, is farther admirably irrigated, and is in fact 

 one vast expanse of garden and cultivation. The only drawback 

 that would be met with is the heat. In summer time the place is 

 almost as hot as Bushir itself, although by no means so unhealthy, 

 since at Bushir, it is not so much the heat as the humidity which 

 creates unhealthiness, while at Shuster the climate is singularly 

 dry. Should a British army, however, be encamped at Shuster, it 

 must be understood that they will merely have the command of the 

 country below the mountains. That alone is an important position. 

 It would certainly be of great political importance to hold a province 

 of this extent and richness at our command ; still we must be careful 

 not to run away with the idea that, because an army has advanced 

 to Shuster, it is in a more favourable position for operating on 

 Tehran, than it was in at Bushir. It is in fact, all but impossible to 

 penetrate into the interior of the country from Shuster, that is — 



