720 
RETURN TO ISPAHAN. 
comparing its relics with those I had so lately seen in the 
province of Fars, the ancient Persis ; and thence take my 
course along the shores of the Tigris and Euphrates, to search 
into the remains of the oldest city of the world, and with my 
own eyes behold the stupendous pile of Babylon; the awful wit¬ 
ness of the sure word of prophecy, the great city, which covered 
so many leagues, reduced to a heap, and a pool, and a wilder¬ 
ness : not a man dwelling there, nor a roof remaining to show 
that there ever was a dwelling for man : and yet, after more than 
two thousand years of this utter desolation, neither time, nor 
warring nations in its neighbourhood, have been able to level the 
imperishable heap ; which stands a mountain in the desert, the 
monument alike of its great existence and signal overthrow. 
With this object now possessing my mind, I took my leave of all 
at Shiraz ; and, adding my own people to the suite of Dr. Sharpe, 
on the 30th of July, 1818, set forth on my return to Ispahan. 
END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. 
London: 
Printed by A. and R. Spottiswoode, 
New-Street Square. 
