388 
KASHAN. 
every step, while looking above me and around me, I could not 
forbear ejaculating to myself, Southey’s exquisite apostrophe, 
in his Thalaba, to a similar Asiatic scene, — “ How beautiful is 
night!” &c. As we advanced on the plain, the villages increased 
in numbers, and the culture of the ground bespoke the flourish¬ 
ing condition of the government of Kashan. The high range 
of mountains still at our side, appeared with peculiar magnifi¬ 
cence ; their varied heads shooting up into the cloudless and 
luminous blue of the vaulted sky, reflected the moon’s rays on 
their summits, with all the pearly hue and lustre only to be 
seen in oriental climates ; while the deepened shadows at their 
base, gave a profounder majesty to these heaven-tinted brows. 
But it was only in parts, that such very dark shadows prevailed; 
a broad and silvery light, in general rested on the whole countiy. 
The sun, however, rose upon us in the midst of our ride; and, 
as we hoped to be housed before his beams could become very 
powerful, we felt no apprehensive drawback from our pleasure, 
in contemplating the beauty and splendour with which his bright 
car seemed to mount the horizon of the desert. 
By six o’clock, having travelled about three farsangs in four 
hours, we saw the northern gate of Kashan, which is covered by 
the royal garden; and amidst whose cooling shades we im¬ 
mediately plunged, to find our appointed quarters in the Khooleh 
Frangy. 
Kashan, or Cachan, is situated on the plain, at some distance 
from the foot of the hills, and lies in latitude 33°. 54'. 32". The 
town is of large extent, and surrounded by walls and towers in 
good repair. At present, as in former times, its silk brocades 
are celebrated all over Persia, and bring very profitable returns 
to the place. A particularly rich shawl, of silk fabric, is also 
