PERSIAN HORSEMANSHIP. 
299 
mounds being found just in that position on the plain, where 
the alleged purposes would require them; far enough from the 
mountains, to render an artificial elevation of the kind necessary 
to persons who performed their religious rites in the open air, 
and on pyramidal heights; and also, so distant from the middle 
of the plain, where no water is, and to which none can be brought, 
that no human creature could find it possible to fix a habitation 
there. Hence, as these mounds must have been the work of 
man to some useful object, there does not appear a more probable 
intention for their origin, than the one which His Royal High¬ 
ness suggested; each village having then its “ high place,” as it 
may now have its little mahomedan oratory of prayer. 
This discussion brought us near to the subject of our discourse. 
It was one of the largest mounds I had seen ; very steep ; and at 
the top of the almost perpendicular side which fronted our caval¬ 
cade, there seemed to be a small level, of from twelve to sixteen 
yards in diameter. The Prince looked at it a moment; then 
turning to me with a smile, made a sign to me to follow him, 
while he set off at full speed. Plis brothers, son, and nephew, 
were not left far behind, nor myself neither; and he did not 
check his bridle, till he and his horse stood on the pinnacle; 
though he had looked back, more than once, to see how I enjoyed 
the expedition. Certainly, to one, of not quite so mounting a 
mind, or practice as our royal leader, it seemed an enterprize 
little inferior to riding up the side of a house; but the boys 
galloped on, with an eagerness and an ease which would have 
put a laggart to shame; and when I reached the top, His 
Royal Highness gaily enquired, how I liked his style of breathing 
a spring morning. We then viewed the surrounding prospect; 
which was more extensive and interesting, than rich or beautiful. 
Q Q 2 
