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TABREEZ. 
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formerly composed part of the old city. Four gates, of no very 
imposing appearance, conduct into the new city. They are sur¬ 
mounted by turrets, and ornamented with slight minarets, 
covered with chequer-work of blue and green tiles, which have 
been collected from the remains of the ancient vaulted mosques. 
These walls and towers are built of bricks dried in the sun, with 
an occasional mixture of some that have been burnt; but, for 
these latter, the modern architect is obliged to the great 
earthquake, and the fine masonry it overwhelmed. Out of two 
hundred and fifty mosques, mentioned by Chardin, the ruins of 
only three are visible. The most considerable is that of Ali 
Shah, erected nearly six hundred years ago, by Ali Koja ; and 
which still presents lofty arches, and the mouldering vaulted 
work of splendid domes. The whole of the building, within 
and without, has been cased with lackered tiles of porcelain, 
adjusted into intricate and elaborate figures, with an ingenuity 
and taste that would honour the most accomplished artists of 
any age. The colours of these decorations are green, dark and 
light blue, intersp ersed with Ara bic sen tences in letters of gold ; 
and a broad band of such legends, formed in white , upon this 
beautifully varied ground, and interwoven with flowers in g reen 
and gold, winds round the entire extent of the building. This 
fine ruin is within the new fortifications of the city, as are, also, 
the remains of the ark or citadel . In former times, it is said to 
have contained the royal palace, with its attendant mosque. Very 
legible traces of these different structures are yet to be found 
within its lofty, though riven walls. The height of those walls 
may be about eighty feet, commanding an extensive view on 
every side over the lately erected works, and making a conspi¬ 
cuous object to a great distance from the town. The materials 
