34 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO l6g5. 



its name, both in Hebrew, Tadmor, which signifies a palm-tree, and in Latin, 

 Palmyra ; and the whole country is thence denominated Syria Palmyrena ; and 

 sometimes Solitudines Palmyrenae : so that the Latins did not change but only 

 translate the old name, which therefore still obtains in these eastern parts, and 

 the more modern is wholly unknown. 



The city itself appears to have been of a large extent, by the space now oc- 

 cupied by the ruins ; but there are no foot-steps of any walls remaining, nor is 

 it possible to judge of the ancient figures of the place. The present inhabi- 

 tants, as they are a poor, miserable, dirty people, so they have shut themselves 

 up, to the number of about 30 or 40 families, in little huts made of dirt, 

 within the walls of a spacious court, which inclosed a most magnificent heathen 

 temple. Certainly the world itself cannot afford the like mixture of re- 

 mains of the greatest state and magnificence, with the extremity of filth and 

 poverty. 



The whole inclosed space is a square of 220 yards each side, encompassed 

 with a high and stately wall, built of large square stone, and adorned with 

 pilasters within and without, to the number of 62 on a side. And had not the 

 barbarity of the Turks, enemies to every thing that is splendid and noble, out 

 of a vain superstition, purposely beat down those beautiful cornishes both here 

 and in other places, we had seen the most curious and exquisite carvings in 

 stone which perhaps the world could ever boast of: as here and there a small 

 remainder, which has escaped their fury, abundantly evidences. The west side, 

 where is the entrance, is most of it broken down, and near the middle of the 

 square, another higher wall erected out of the ruins, which seems to have been 

 a strong but rude castle. Within were to be seen the foundations of another 

 wall, which probably might answer the front ; and probably the Mamalukes, 

 whose workmanship it seems to have been, built the castle here for the security 

 of the place. Before the whole length of this new front, except a narrow pas- 

 sage which is left for an entrance, is cut a deep ditcii, the ascent whereof on 

 the inner side is faced with stone to the very foot of the wall, which must 

 have rendered it very difficult to be assaulted. The passage and the door are 

 very narrow, not wider than to receive a loaded camel, or that two men may 

 well walk a-breast. And as soon as you are within the first door, you make a 

 short turn to the right, and pass on to another of the like size ; which leads 

 into the court. This outward wall quite shrouds that magnificent entrance, 

 which belonged to the first fabric ; of the stateliness of which we may judge 

 by the two stones which support the sides of the great gate, each of which is 



35 feet in length, and artificially carved with vines and clusters of grapes, ex- 

 ceedingly bold, and to the life. They are both standing and in their places, and 



