S A M 
passable morass, which prevents any approach to the town 
but by two fine roads, east and west, both of which are 
raised, and communicate with each other, by one running 
parallel to the coast, and close to the water. Ships are 
obliged to lie at the distance of five or six miles from the 
shore, the anchorage being six fathoms, and a muddy 
bottom, in Lat. 6. 53. S. long. 110.34. E.; or a ship may 
anchor in 5 or 4§ fathoms nearer the shore. The bay is 
bounded on the east side by the high land of Japara. The 
river, which is navigable for prows and coasting vessels up 
to the town, runs between the west side of the city and the 
Chinese campong. In blowing weather, the bar at the 
mouth of the river is deemed very dangerous. The town 
has a neat appearance, with anumber of good houses. It has 
also a fine large church, a new town-house, and a variety of 
other public buildings, both elegant and commodious, with¬ 
in and without the city. Here was formerly a public school, 
where numbers of Dutch and half-cast children were edu¬ 
cated for the military profession. Samarang, was always 
the seat of a separate governor, having the denomination of 
governor of Java proper, and exercising very extensive 
powers under the sanction and controul of the governor- 
general and supreme council of Batavia. All political and 
commercial regulations with the neighbouring courts of Solo 
and Djoejocarta, were under the immediate authority of the 
governor of Samarang, whose influence, extending over so 
great a territory, made this an exceeding lucrative office. 
But the establishment has given way to the less expensive 
institutions of a civil commissioner, and residents for the 
transaction of business. The climate of Samarang, though 
not very salubrious, is far preferable to that of Batavia. The 
European inhabitants appear much more healthy, and in¬ 
stead of the gloomy indolence of the Batavians, we find here 
a pleasing sociability of disposition and hilarity of behaviour. 
The environs have numerous villas, which, from their com¬ 
manding situation, overlook the stately tops and the neat 
garden houses that peep through the shady groves‘among the 
verdant fields; while the beautifully variegated hills and 
dales towards the interior greatly enliven the scenery. The 
Chinese and native population here is very considerable. 
Crowded villages overspread the neighbourhood. Under the 
system of land rental adopted alter the British acquired 
possession of Java, the territorial revenue of Samarang lor the 
year 1814, amounted to about 56,536/., exclusive of the 
land assessments provisionally assigned to native chiefs. 
The salt revenue is stated at 22,223/., opium at 2675/., and 
the town duties at 22,223/., which gjves a total of about 
103,657/., without reckoning the profitable collections made 
on the edible birds’ nests, which are given up by the native 
courts, and a variety of other customs; 343 miles east of 
Batavia. Lat. 6. 54. S. long. 110. 38. E. 
SAMARCAND, a great city of Asia, once the capital of 
Independent Tartary, and, under Timur, of an empire which 
extended over a great part of the continent. It does not 
appear, however, to have ever equalled in magnitude the 
great metropolitan cities of India, or even of Europe. Cla- 
vijo, a Spanish ambassador, who visited it about 1400 A.D. 
estimates the poplation of the city and suburbs at 150,000. 
A considerable number, for want of houses, were ob¬ 
liged to make their habitations in caves in the surround¬ 
ing rocks. The country, for two leagues round, was entirely 
covered with large villages, gardens, and country houses, 
the residence of Tartar chiefs; so that to a stranger approach¬ 
ing, a vast forest seemed to inclose it on every side. A 
great proportion of the inhabitants consisted of persons who 
had been collected by Timm- from every part of Asia, as he 
made it a system to bring from every place persons exercising 
the art for which that place was famous: so that there was 
scarcely a nation in Asia which had not representatives, or 
an employment which was not exercised at Samarcand. Its 
inland commerce was most extensive with Russia, Tartary, 
India, Turkey, and particularly China. The pomp of 
Timur’s court, and of his numerous palaces, is said to have 
almost surpassed description. The magnificent halls painted 
with various colours, the hangings of silk, gold, and silver 
S A M 
embroidery, the tables of solid gold, and the display of 
rubies and precious stones, formed a scene of the most 
dazzling splendour. Our information with regard to the 
modern state of this once celebrated capital, is very imper¬ 
fect. Not only has Independent Tartary ceased to rule over 
the rest of Asia, but Samarcand has ceased to be the capital 
of this region. This has been transferred to Bukharia, 
which now holds the first place, both as a metropolitan 
city, and a school of learning. Of late, however, under the 
government of Shah Murad Bey, who took it from the 
Tartar tribe of Y uz, Samarcand has recovered somewhat of 
its former greatness. The climate is delightful: on one 
side a fruitful and verdant plain extends to Bukharia; on the 
other, at the distance of two miles to the southward, the 
hilly country commences. The river Kohuk flows at a 
little distance, and falls into the Zurusshan, which passing 
by Bukharia, empties itself into the Oxus. The city is 
supplied with water, by a small stream descending from 
the mountains. All kinds of fruit are plentiful, and of 
great excellence. The city contains still many fine build¬ 
ings; 180 miles south of Bulkh. Lat. 32. 37. 23. N. long. 
64. 9. E. 
SAMARIA, in Ancient Geography, a country and town 
of Judea. The town was situated on Mount Sameron, called 
also Samaria, and was the residence of all the kings of Israel 
from Omri, its founder, until the overthrow of this kingdom. 
All of them contributed to aggrandize and adorn it, till it 
became the largest and strongest town of the kingdom of 
Samaria, i. e. of the ten tribes of which it was the capital. 
It sustained several sieges against Benhadad, king of Syria, 
but that which it resisted against Salmanazar, king of Assyria, 
lasted three years, after which he took it, and utterly destroyed 
the kingdom (2 Kings, ch. xvii.) The country of Samaria 
comprehended the tribes of Ephraim and of Manasseh, on 
this side of Jordan, and its inhabitants were called Sama¬ 
ritans. (See the article.) Josephus, in his “Antiquities,” 
says, that Samaria was captured by Hyrcanus, son of Simon, 
one of the Maccabees, who pillaged it, razed its foundations, 
and caused torrents to overflow its ruins; but Aulus Gabi- 
nius, proconsul of Syria, began to re-establish it, and Herod 
the Great completed the work, restored its ancient lustre, 
built here a temple, and called it “ Sebaste,” in honour of 
Augustus. (See Sebaste.) The city of Samaria is seldom 
mentioned in the New Testament, otherwise than in connec¬ 
tion with the country of which it was the capital. (See. Luke 
xvii. 11. John iv. 4. It is mentioned in Acts viii. 1,2,3.) 
Samaria is never called Sebaste in the New Testament, 
though strangers hardly know it by any other name. St. 
Jerorn suggests that Obadiah was buried at Samaria. Here 
were also shewn the tombs of Elisha, and of St. John, the 
Baptist. There are many ancient medals struck at Sebaste 
or Samaria: and some bishops of this city subscribed to the 
acts of ancient councils. 
SAMARITAN, s. One of a religious sect still subsisting 
in some parts of the Levant. 
Its origin was in the time of Rehoboam; under whose 
reign, a division was made of the people of Israel into two 
distinct kingdoms. One of these kingdoms, called Judah, 
consisted of such as adhered to Rehoboam, and the house 
of David; the other retained the ancient name of Israelites, 
under the command of Jeroboam. The capital of the state 
of these latter was Samaria; and hence it was that they were 
denominated Samaritans. 
Some affirm, that Salamanzar, king of Assyria, having 
conquered Samaria, led the whole people captive into the 
remotest parts of his empire: and filled their places with 
colonies of Babylonians, Cutheans, and other idolaters. 
These finding themselves daily destroyed by wild beasts, it 
is said, desired an Israelitish priest to instruct them in the 
ancient laws and customs of the land they inhabited. This 
was granted them; and they thenceforth ceased to be in¬ 
commoded with any beasts. However, with the law of 
Moses, they still retained somewhat of their ancient idolatry. 
The rabbins say, they adored the figure of a dove on Mount 
Gerizim. As the revolted tribes had no more of the scrip¬ 
tures 
