SPLENDID RUINS OF PERSEPOLIS. 515 



forming, with the Grst, six in each row. They are quite distinct 

 from the great cluster in the centre of the hall, and was therefore 

 probably a grand entrance to it. 



Passing forwards through this double range, we observed 

 large blocks of stone, placed at symmetrical distances (to corn-. 

 spond with the arrangement of the columns at the entrance, and 

 those in the centre), and forming, probably, the bases of sphinxes 

 or other colossal figures. Having taken some pains to ascertain 

 the real plan and the original number of the columns in the great 

 hall, I came to the following conclusions : I observed, in the first 

 place, that there were two orders of columns, distinct in their 

 capitals as well as in their height, and that, of the highest, two 

 rows were severally placed at the E. and W. extremities of the 

 hall. 



Between these and the mass of columns of less height and a 

 different capital is the space on either side of one row, in which, 

 however, no trace whatever of bases exists, and through which 

 run the channels of aqueducts. The remainder in the centre con- 

 sists of six columns in front, and composes with the four exterior 

 rows a line of ten columns ; each row contains in depth six bases, 

 forming, with the twelve at the entrance, a grand total of seventy, 

 two. On drawing out a plan of this arrangement, I find that it is 

 symmetrical in all its points, and in every way in which I can 

 view it satisfies my imagination ; but, on comparing it with that 

 laid down by Niebuhr, my own conceptions have accorded so 

 exactly with those of that great traveller on this, (as well as on the 

 iconography of the general remains) that the introduction of my 

 sketch becomes unnecessary. 



On one of the highest columns is the remains of the sphinx, 

 so common in all the ornaments at Persepolis ; and I could distin- 

 guish on the summit of every one a something quite unconnected 

 with the capitals. The high columns have, strictly speaking, no 

 capitals whatever, being each a long shaft to the very summit, on 

 which the sphinx rests. The capitals of the lesser columns are of 

 a complicated order, composed of many pieces. I marked three 

 distinct species of base. The shafts are tluted in the Doric man- 

 ner, but the flutes are more closely fitted together. Their circum. 

 ference is sixteen feet seven inches. Some of their bases have a 

 square plinth, the side of one of which I measured, and found it 

 to be seven feet; the diameter of the base was five feet four 



