I S O 



328 



I SO 



merit* of the isotonic, in common with a great number 

 of other systems which have been proposed, may be put 

 to the test of sufficient trial in mrsical performance : by 

 the use of those 12 Listonian notes, which approach 

 nearest to the true isotonic notes respectively, or those 

 of any other system, which may be submitted to this 

 trial. 



The Table of the true isotonic system, winch we are 

 row about to present to our readers, is exactly similar 

 in its arrangement, and was calculated for the purpose 



which exclusively pertains to Mr. Farey's first system, 

 now contains those 12 notes of his enlarged Listonian 

 scale, which he has recently recommended to be tried 

 in performance, as substitutes for the "strict isotonic 

 notes, which all the following colurrrhs of the Table now 

 given, are occupied with 



Before we arrive at the printing of TEMPERAMENT, in 

 bur work, we may hope to bo able to announce that 

 the experiments above alluded to have been marie, and 

 their results, and to give all the further particulars, in 



of comparis-oh with that of Mr. Farey's system, approxi- a tabular form, regarding the system of 12 notes, which 

 mating to it, which has already been referred to in our are now contained in our third column below, 

 ninth volume, p. 273, except that the 3d column there, 



Isotonic Table. 



In pages 273 and 274 of our volume, which has been 

 quoted, the sums of the beats in each of the six latter 

 columns of the above Table will be found, compared 

 with similar sums of the beats of Mr. Farey's equal tem- 

 perament ; and several other comparisons and averages, 

 by which the very near co- incidence of these two sys- 

 tems are shewn : the total number of beats in the two- 

 Tables, differ only .0063 of a beat, out of more than 847 

 beats! (?) 



ISPAHAN, ISFAHAN, or SFAHAN, a city of Persia, 

 in the province of Irak, situated towards the south part 

 of a very extensive plain, on the north bank of the ri- 

 ver Zaimleroud, which is not fordable in spring, and is 

 crossed by several fine bridges. This city, which du- 

 ring centuries was the capital of the empire, and yet 

 remains pre-eminent in population and commerce, en- 

 joys a delightful climate, of which the Persians have 

 always boasted. The air is so pure, that metal bearing 

 the highest polish does not contract rust ; and it is said 

 to possess powerful antiseptic principles. Except du- 

 ring a few weeks of the year, the sky is serene and un- 

 clouded, the rains arc never heavy, and snow seldom 

 lies long on tlie ground. The seasons are so regular, 

 that it is considered a point of indifference whether the 

 market places be covered or open. 



Ispahan, in its most prosperous days, was surround- 

 ed by a wall 20 miles in circuit ; but the inhabited part 

 of the city is now restricted to a space of between two 

 and three miles in diameter. Every where it is surround- 

 ed by ruins, extending to a great distance. Some of 

 its most extensive suburbs have entirely disappeared, 

 and the most populous quarters are deserted. Beheld 

 from the top of the highest edifices, all the buildings 

 exhibit a lignt yellow colour; and, were it not for the 



intermixture of trees, the view would be monotonous. 

 The domes of the numerous mosques are a field of green, 

 or sometimes blue lacquered tiles, with ornaments in 

 blue, yellow, and red, and they are crowned by golden 

 balls and a crescent. When visited by Chardin, the walls 

 were so completely covered by houses as scarcely to be 

 discernible. He observes, that he did not take a plan of 

 the city, neither did he give any view of it except in a 

 vignette, " because, from whatever side the city is be- 

 held it resembles a wood, where only domes, are to be 

 seen, with lofty slender towers attached to them, serv- 

 ing the Mahometans for belfries.'' Ispahan consists of 

 the city properly so called, and the suburb of Julfa, 

 with some others of inferior note, all surrounded by 

 beautiful gardens. The former is in general ill built, the 

 streets narrow, irregular, badly paved, and very dirty, 

 full of mud in rain, and of diist during great part of the 

 year. The better quarters and market places are wa- 

 tered in warm weather, which was wont to be done 

 twice daily throughout the city. The houses, .though 

 sufficiently handsome and convenient within, m^ke no 

 external shew. Those inhabited by the governor, pub- 

 lic officers, and opulent merchants, may almost vie with 

 palaces, but nearly the whole consist of bricks dried in 

 the sun, for none, except the public edifices, are con- 

 structed of burnt bricks. They present nigh dead walls 

 without windows, and have terraces, whereon the in- 

 habitants sleep during several months. The only access 

 is usually by one door or gate. In the interior there is a 

 tiourt, which, if large, is laid out in walks, planted on 

 the sides with flowers, and ornamented witli fountains. 

 Almost every dwelling of consequence has a garden be- 

 longing to it, which, while promoting the beauty and 

 salubrity of the city, greatly increases its extent. 



