THE ARABIAN RACE. 



239 



at the city of Bombay. Here, I saw several of their tombs in the 

 European burying-ground ; and I remarked, that they were pro- 

 vided with a niche for burning incense, like those of the Indian 

 Muslims. 



In the Mediterranean, Armenians are now frequent passengers in 

 the steamboats to and from the Levant; a circumstance attributable 

 in a good measure, to the extent of their commercial relations. Many 

 Armenians, are doubtless settled in the principal cities of the United 

 States ; although their presence may not be generally known. 



ASSYRIANS. 



I have not heard of any modern distinctive name for the inhabitants 

 of the valley of the Euphrates, and I have therefore had recourse to 

 an ancient appellation. The district is well known on the Indian 

 Ocean, as belonging to Turkey ; its southern angle being interposed 

 between Persia and the territory of the Arabs. Formerly, it was the 

 seat of the power of the Caliphs; and although the lower country has 

 been much overrun by Arab tribes, I believe there is some separate 

 nationality remaining. 



While conversing at Singapore with a Barbary Arab, an individual 

 interposed with great ease and address, to assist in the interpretation. 

 His polished manners, and the graceful disposition of his turban (an 

 art regarded as very difficult), at once attracted attention. According 

 to his own account, he belonged, to Babylon (Bagdad). And in reply 

 to a question respecting the personal appearance of the Bedouins, he 

 stated, that " some of them were white, others brown, and that some 

 were black." The conversation, however, was soon interrupted by 

 his withdrawing, having taken umbrage at the rudeness of European 

 manners. His complexion was at least as fair and as clear as that of 

 any northern European ; and in costume and mental refinement, he 

 differed widely from the Turks of the Mediterranean. 



From the geographical position, it seems probable, that many na- 

 tives of the valley of the Euphrates, visit Hindoostan and the shores 

 of the Persian Gulf; but none were pointed out to me on my recent 

 journey, and perhaps, they are not generally distinguished from other 

 Muslims. 



