1845.] CITY OF SHEUDI. 55 



out snug little bays and interesting spots for our resting- 

 places. 



The view of the city of Sheudi from hence, apparently 

 above a hundred feet or more, lower in level, as well as from 

 several other positions, aided by a good reconnoitring 

 telescope, led me to imagine that it has not been con- 

 structed for the purpose of defence. It appears to be a 

 walled inclosure, occupying the crest of a hill, steep 

 towards the north, or side next the anchorage, but jutting 

 in a peninsular form from the level behind it. These 

 walls, which follow the inequalities of the rocky face of 

 the hill, are probably from forty to fifty feet in height, 

 very slender, and not calculated to support ordnance ; 

 they are neatly kept and whitened, and have flag-staves on 

 three of the angles, on one of which a banner was occa- 

 sionally exhibited. On the land side, the walls are not in 

 such good repair, and at the neighbourhood of the eastern 

 gate, not more than ten or twelve feet in height ; the road 

 leading to this gate was by a paved causeway, and with so 

 large a proportion of well-built houses on either side, as a 

 suburb, that it impressed me with the idea that the com- 

 paratively small space inclosed by the walls might con- 

 tain a palace, temple, or some public establishment. In 

 confirmation of this idea, I was unable when at our best 

 position (where we breakfasted), and nearly at its level, 

 to detect more than two great buildings, occupying the 

 eastern side ; the remainder was concealed by the very 

 thick foliage of the large trees within, which are not 

 common in towns. Previous visitors have indulged in 

 various conjectures about this city, the Emperor, and 

 various other subjects, relating to the difficulty of pene- 



