220 
where the governor of the district resides, and having crossed 
the Euphrates opposite the city and remained there two days 
for rest, we went on to Aleppo along the " great river” until 
we came to Maskana, whence we branched off for the above- 
mentioned city, which is only about forty-five miles from the 
Euphrates. 
86. Maskana is a new station near the ancient city of 
Bales, where a military guard was established a few years 
ago by the Ottoman Government for keeping the Iniza 
Arabs in order, and for the convenience of passengers who 
came from Baghdad, Basra, or Hillah, by water so far up the 
Euphrates. The authorities have established one or two 
steamers to ply up and down the river as far as Maskana 
during the spring season, when the water is high enough to 
render the steam navigation safe, and of course any person 
who wishes to visit Aleppo from Southern Mesopotamia and 
dislikes roughing it could easily come up by this route without 
much fatigue. 
87. In conclusion I must apologize for the length and, per- 
haps, not very entertaining account of my travels ; and more 
especially I must crave your forgiveness for any unintended 
laudation of my exploits and what would seem very personal ; 
but in relating certain undertakings and successes, a writer 
cannot help bringing self to the front and making his story 
look as if it had been drawn up for the purpose of boasting 
and vaunt. I must also beg the indulgence of the learned, 
both in theological and scientific matters, and particularly those 
who are acquainted with archaic research, if' I have touched 
upon any subject which required more study than I have 
had time or ability to grapple. 
WHAT DIFFERENT AUTHORS SAY CONCERNING 
DIRS NIMROUD OR TOWER OF LABEL. 
“ The tower built by the dispersed generation is four miles from Hillah. 
It is constructed of bricks, called Al-ajur (the word still used by the Arabs 
for kiln-burnt bricks); the base measures two miles, the breadth 240 yards, 
and the height about one hundred canna. The heavenly fire which struck 
the tower split it to its very foundation .” — Benjamin of Tudela . 
“ This tower-like ruin is pierced throughout w T ith small square apertures, 
probably to preserve the fabric from the influence of damp. ... In dif- 
ferent parts are several immense brown and black masses of brickwork, 
more or less changed into vitrified state, looking at a distance like so many 
edifices torn up from their foundations. . . . Previous to examination I took 
them for masses of black rock. . . . They must have been exposed to the 
fiercest fire, or scathed by lightning.” — Mignan’s Chaldea. 
