BUSHIRE TO SHIRAZ. 
After having passed two tombs, one on the right side and one on 
the left of the road, we came to the bed of a torrent, over which there 
seems to have been built an aqueduct; for, on either side of its banks, 
are the remains of masonry, and the trace of its conduit is perceived 
on the southern bank. The extent of the ruins of Shapour to the 
southward is marked by a beautiful stream of water. Over the spring, 
from which it issues, the road is built, sustained by fragments of archi¬ 
tecture, which are a part of the entablature of some public build¬ 
ing, and by their dimensions must have appertained to a very 
considerable edifice. 
Immediately after having passed this spring we came upon the ruins 
of Shapour .* When standing on an eminence we computed the whole 
to be comprised, on a rough calculation, within a circumference of 
six miles. This circumference enclosed a tract of plain, and a hill on 
which the remains of the ancient citadel formed a conspicuous and 
commanding object. Whether by a mere caprice of nature, or whether 
by the labour of man, this hill or Acropolis is distinctly separated from 
the great range of mountains, forming the Eastern boundary of the plain 
of Kauzeroon. Between this and another imposing mass of rock runs the 
beautiful river of Shapour: we reckoned the space between the two 
rocks at thirty yards, which formed a little plain of verdure and shrub¬ 
bery, intersected indeed by the stream of the river.-f* The opening be¬ 
twixt the two grand masses presented a landscape the most varied, the 
most tranquil, the most picturesque, and, at the same time, the most 
sublime that imagination can form. A black and stupendous rock 
(the strata of which were thrown into strong and wild positions, and 
formed an acute angle with the horizon) flanked the right of the pic¬ 
ture: whilst another still more extraordinary rock, as richly illumined 
as the other was darkened, supported the left. Between both a distant 
range of mountains, whose roots were terminated by a plain, filled up 
the interstice, forming a fine aerial perspective; whilst the river and its 
* See the notes at the end. + Plate IX. which marks the situation of some of the sculptures. 
