9 TURKEY IN ASIA, 



most part cut out of a mountain, and is the residence of a viceroy, 

 or beglerbeg. Orfar, formerly Edessa, is the capital of the fine pro- 

 vince of Mesopotamia. It is now a mean place, and chiefly supported 

 by a manufacture of Turkey leather. Mousul is also in the same pro- 

 vince, a large place, situated on the west shore of the Tigris, opposite 

 tvhere Nineveh formerly stood. 



Georgia, or Gurgistan, now no longer subject to the Turks, is 

 chiefly inhabited by Christians. The natives of this country are a 

 brave, warlike race of men. Their capital, Teflis, is a handsome city, 

 and makes a fine appearance ; all the houses are of stone, neat and 

 clean, with flat roofs, which serve as walks for the women ; but the, 

 streets are dirty and narrow. The number of inhabitants is about 

 30,000. It is situated at the foot of a mountain, by the side of the river 

 Kur, and is surrounded by strong walls, except on the side of the 

 river. It has a large fortress on the declivity of a mountain, which 

 is a place of refuge for criminals and debtors, and the garrison con- 

 sists of native Persians. There are thirteen Greek churches in 

 Teflis, seven Armenian, and one Roman-catholic church ; the Ma- 

 hommedans who are here have no mosques. In the neighbourhood 

 of the city are many pleasant houses, and fine gardens. The Geor- 

 gians, in general, are, by some U'avellers, said to be the handsome st 

 people in the world, which is attributed to their having early receiv- 

 ed the practice of inoculation for the small-pox. They make no scru- 

 ple of selling and drinking wines in their capital, and other towns ; 

 and their valour has procured them many distinguished liberties and 

 privileges. Lately they have formed an alliance with Russia, under 

 the brave prince Heracleus ; as has the czar or prince Solomon, sove- 

 reign of Immeratta, a district between the Caspian and Black Seas, 

 who is distinguished from his subjects (all of the Greek religion) by 

 riding on an ass, and wearing boots. 



The ancient cities of Damascus, Tyre and Sidon, still retain part 

 of their former trade. Damascus is called Sham, and the approach 

 to it, by the river, is inexpressibly beautiful. It contains a fine 

 mosque, which was formerly a Christian church. It still is famous for 

 its steel works, such as sword-blades, knives, and the like, the ex- 

 cellent temper of which is said to be owing to a quality in the water. 

 The inhabitants manufacture also those beautiful silks, called damasks, 

 from their city, and carry on a considerable traffic in raw and worked 

 silk, rose-water extracted from the famous damask roses, fruits, and 

 wine. The neighbourhood of this city is still beautiful, especially to 

 the Turks, who delight in verdure and gardens. Sidon, now Said, 

 which likewise lies within the ancient Phoenicia, has still some trade, 

 and a tolerable harbour. 



Tyre, now called Sur, about twenty miles distant from Sidon, so 

 famous formerly for its rich dye, is now inhabited by scarcely any 

 but a few miserable fishermen, who live among the ruins of its ancient 

 grandeur. There are strong walls on the land side, of stone, eighteen 

 feet high, and seven broad. The circumference of the place is not 

 more than a mile and a half, and Christians and Mahommedans make 

 up the number of about five hundred Some of the ruins of ancient 

 Tyre are still visible. The pavements of the old city, Mr. Bruce 

 tells us, he saw, and observes that they were seven feet and a half 

 lower than the ground upon which the present city stands. Passing 

 by Tyre (says our author, who deserves much praise for some happy 

 elucidations of Scripture) I came to be a mournful witness of the truth 



