138 
VIEW FROM ELWUND. 
them, was singularly romantic, breaking into the wildest forms 
of cliff on our left; and in a remote, solitary spot to our right, 
we saw the remains of a caravansary, which also owed its origin 
to the munificent Pericles of the Sefi race. An often contested 
empire cannot escape shewing marks of warfare, or neglect, on 
its public buildings, and Persia exhibits more than enough of 
them : but the present dynasty are doing all in the power of the 
most active exertions, to repair, or to replace, the fallen edifices. 
This laudable ambition, however, is only on an apparently slow 
progress; for, to restore the dilapidated works of many genera¬ 
tions, over so large an empire, must be a task of time and ex¬ 
pence, probably extending beyond the reach of several reigns to 
come. 
Wherever the earth was capable of culture, amongst the 
heights we were ascending, I observed the castor plant in great 
profusion ; a branch of husbandry very essential to the comfort 
of the peasant, who derives medicine for his ailments, and ali¬ 
ment for his lamp, from its abundant produce. 
After four hours’ march up this rocky, narrow, and arduous 
pass, we gladly reached its summit; and while the animals 
halted to take rest, I was again delighted with a panoramic view 
of this noblest part of ancient Media. The apex of the pass was 
some miles lower than the great peak of Elwund, whence I had 
seemed to behold the whole empire, in a mass of ruby-red moun¬ 
tains, an immense land of Edom, stretching its glowing, barren 
heights, from horizon to horizon. But, from the point on which 
I stood, (still in the region of Elwund, but considerably to the 
north-west of my former station,) the surface of the view, from 
being nearer to the eye, was presented more in detail,, and beauty 
mingled with sublimity. On looking southward, immediately 
