c 294> 
TABRIZ TO ARZ-ROUM. 
the same quality, we witnessed the curious effects of the vapour, (called 
Ser Aub) which overspread the plain. About four miles before we 
reached All Shah, we crossed a bridge of four arches, over a pool 
of standing salt water. The industry of agriculture was visible, and the 
crops of barley and corn were luxuriant and promising. 
The plain of Tabriz extends far to the W. and S.; the mountains 
which border it on those directions being just designed in very light 
tints in the horizon. To the Northward and Eastward it is bounded 
by hard-featured lands of an inferior elevation, indicating on their 
surfaces the minerals below. There are several pretty villages situated 
to the North, on the declivity of the mountain about three or four 
miles from Ali Shah , and which, together with it and others to the W. 
are in the Mahale or district of Ghuneh. 
The lake of Shahee is about seven fursungs from Ali Shah , and the 
middle of the long mountain (which extends into the centre of the lake, 
and which now appeared isolated on the horizon of the plain) bore 
S. 50 W. of our station. 
In my progress to Constantinople , I traversed a country in its confor¬ 
mation most picturesque, and in its productions most luxuriant. No 
traveller in any season, or in any direction, could have passed these 
scenes without admiration; but I saw them in all the richness of 
spring, contrasted with a winter in Persia; and after the leafless and 
barren region which I had passed, I enjoyed doubly the wild prodi¬ 
gality of vegetation, which in the early part of the year is displayed 
through Asia Minor. The impression therefore of delight which I ex¬ 
perienced, was strongest at the fifst point of contrast; and the first 
verdure and foliage which I saw near Tabriz, appeared to me to con¬ 
stitute the very perfection of landscape. 
2d June. If a writer of romance would describe beautiful scenery, 
he might select our departure from Ali Shah. We began our journey 
by a most charming moqnlight; and the sky was delightfully serene. 
Just as the sun was rising we reached an orchard, (full of every species 
