CHAP IX. 
y 
ISPAHAN. 
t8*T 
RUINS ON THE PLAIN OF ISPAHAN-THE ZAIANDE-ROOD-RECEP¬ 
TION OF THE ENVOY BY THE PEOPLE; THE MERCHANTS; THE 
ARMENIAN CLERGY; THE GOVERNOR-ENTRANCE INTO THE 
CITY-BRIDGE-CHAHAR BAGH-PAVILIONS--COLLEGE—--PA¬ 
LACES OF THE KING; CHEHEL SITOON ; PAINTINGS--HAREM- 
GATE-GENERAL VIEW OF ISPAHAN--MAID AN--PAVILION 
OF THE CLOCK - POPULATION-ENTERTAINMENT GIVEN TO THE 
ENVOY BY THE GOVERNOR. 
XHE great number of buildings, which stud every part of the plain of 
Ispahan , might lead the traveller to suppose that he was entering a 
district of immense population. Yet almost the whole view consists of 
the ruins of towns, and here and there only are spots which are en¬ 
livened by the communities of men. But whatever may be the condi¬ 
tion of modern Persia, its former state, if the remains scattered over the 
whole country are sufficient evidences, must have been flourishing and 
highly peopled. 
The village of Ispahanek is situated just at the foot of a range of 
hills which screen the extent of the great city from our view. It is 
now reduced to a small fort, in which its population is immured. The 
