DHAY NAIN. 
383 
variety, till we reached the remains of an extensive turreted 
enclosure. Thence we descended into the plain, having a view, 
as we passed, of another deserted town, which is called Dhay 
Nain. It stands on the slope of a high ground, commanding 
one of the pleasantest prospects in the whole range. The chief 
buildings were of the same character with those at Lanker-rood; 
and in one of them I found the remains of a handsome saloon, 
with stuccoed walls, richly painted in the usual Persian style. 
The arches of the structure, (for such a temple-shaped edifice, 
it is difficult to consider, and name as a house,) were decorated 
in a similar fashion; and in several of the pinnacled recesses of 
the room, were the vestiges of whole length portraits, in fresco 
of men and women, executed in a much better taste than any 
I had seen at Teheran. The name of the place would imply its 
having been celebrated for the growth of pomegranates ; and, 
indeed, the walls of the numerous extensive gardens which used 
to be covered with those brilliant trees of “ emerald and ruby 
hue,” still stretch far to the south-eastern side of the hills. On 
every enquiry respecting the depopulation here, and the devasta¬ 
tion there ; why the mulberry-tree, no longer cherished its silk¬ 
worms ; or the golden fruits of Dhay Nain, fell ungathered to the 
ground ; I have but one answer, — “ Invasion, from one side or 
other!” And these invaders were Turcomans, Tartars, and 
Afghans ! We, here, would call them barbarians. But, indeed, the 
more I see of these numerous ruined tracts, and recollect what 
blood-stained lands I have lately traversed in Europe, the more am 
I impressed, that a spirit of conquest is a remains of the spirit of 
barbarism. The perfection of policy is to make your own station a 
good one; and of bravery, to maintain your place. But to trample 
on the lands and the rights of our neighbours, whether intheprivate 
2u to. (v 
