1835.] Georgia, Persia, and Mesopotamia. 613 



tains, and by the side of a rapid torrent. We followed its rills, which 



were beautifully fringed with willows, presenting to the eye a pretty 



appearance. It is this plentiful supply of water which renders these 



tracts so fertile; while in Persia, this inestimable blessing is the most 



scanty of nature's bounties. The plains and hills are also equally 



destitute of wood — a few trees only being planted in the environs of 



cities, chiefly, if not entirely, for the purposes of building. So great 



and manifest are the natural advantages of Kurdistan, that the verdict 



of all travellers is unanimous in commending the fertility of her soil. 



But since the beginning of that time from which we have any 



authentic records of her history, wars, dissentions, and violent 



distractions, have scared away improvement, and Kurdistan is still 



" An unweeded garden 



That grows to seed." 



In ascending a very abrupt mountain, the mules had to walk literally 

 upon the edge of a precipice, where the least false step would have 

 consigned them to inevitable destruction : yet tbe confidence of the 

 muleteers in the steady tread of these animals was such, as to make 

 them trot on without the slightest apprehension. From the top of 

 the mountain a most sublime and extensive view presented itself. 

 Immediately in front of us appeared the snowy ranges of Mount 

 Zagros towering to heaven, and beneath them several beautiful 

 valleys and plains extended to the base of the mountain we were 

 commencing to descend ; while on either side, and in the rear, were 

 hills of various elevation, without assuming a bare or barren appear- 

 ance. Had I seen this picture of nature upon canvas, I should at 

 once have pronounced it a production of the imagination. Here 

 was an assembly of natural beauties, precipitous mountains, rich 

 valleys, clear brooks, fantastic rocks, and wooded crags! Man alone 

 has steeped it in gloom, and rendered its inhabitants a desperate 

 people. But Kurdish history is one of suffering, and well may [ 

 address that beautiful country in the feeling language of the poet — 



Oh tu ! cui feo la sorte 



Dono infelice di bellezza, ond' hai 



Funesta dote d'infiniti guai, 



Che in fronte scritti per gran doglia porte ? 



Without any exception, I may safely aver that Kurdistan is the 

 loveliest country I ever beheld. The passes over its mountains are 

 of the highest interest to the traveller, as they offer opportunities of 

 observing portions of the globe, which must from their nature have 

 been in their present state since their creation. In their recesses, he 

 may observe from the wonderful and varied position of their stratifi- 

 4 K 



