86 
CHUMEEN. 
towards it, has a fair and inviting appearance, from the regu¬ 
larity, newness, and neatness of its walls and towers ; with an 
additional beauty, (not quite so common, as of old, in Persian 
cities,) the battlements are shaded by the finest trees. On en¬ 
tering the gate, every thing corresponds with the impression of 
its distant view ; almost all within having been recently erected, 
is fresh, clean, and handsome. The bazars, though small, are 
good, and well fitted with shops and business. The streets are 
wider than in the old style of building ; and the whole proclaims 
a rapid progress to more than ordinary prosperity and comfort. 
Indeed, the young city, and the young governor, appear to give 
the fairest promise together; and none can leave it without 
wishing the amplest fulfilment of every hope, to the industrious 
natives, and to the amiable prince by whom their labours are 
encouraged. This miniature metropolis lies four farsangs from 
Zanguina. 
September 11th.—We quitted Chumeen at five, P.M.; our 
road being now a point or two to the eastward of north, it wound 
up the brow of a hill just over the town. Having gained its 
summit, we soon lost sight of the fertile and lovely vale, and 
found ourselves again in the wildernesses of nature; coming in 
amongst a succession of rugged heights, narrow ways, and abrupt, 
gaping precipices. Such a wild-goat route possessed one ad¬ 
vantage; it was left to ourselves: its ups and downs, and shelving 
intricacies, not agreeing with the crowds and turmoil of the pil¬ 
grim phalanx, men, women, children, dead and alive; for a 
train of coffins made part of the procession; asses, horses, and 
mules; and all the paraphernalia of bedding, cooking utensils, 
and votive offerings. These could in no way follow our alpine 
track; so taking a temporary leave of the Mussulman Frangy, 
