m every establishment, civil, judicial, and military. - There is another link in the chain. As our revenue increases, so will our ability to bear the burden of necessary taxation, and to preserve inviolate the national credit; for, like any other burden, the greater is the number of shoulders on which it is made to bear, the lighter will be its weight to each. Nothing can be clearer than that every advantage given to the productive powers of industry, such as the steam-engines, the spinning-jennies, the thrashing-machines, &c. - every thing, in fact, which diminishes expence in producing, leaves a larger residue for consumption, and also a larger residue applicable to the purposes of government: but, whenever government seizes on more than the real exigencies of the state require, and encourages consumption on the part of the idle and extravagant by giving to them the hard earnings wrung from the industrious, then is the fabric of society undermined, the principle of dissolution is in full activity, and the proud column is "nodding to its fall."

We have already intimated the impossibility of our making a regular analysis or epitome of the work before us; and indeed we have not attempted it, but have left a multitude of topics untouched our object being rather to give additional publicity to it, and to recommend it to the very careful study of our countrymen, who, we are persuaded, will not be disposed to undervalue the laborious calculations and valuable public principles which it contains.

ART. II. Sir R. K. Porter's Travels in Georgia, Persia, Babylonia, Armenia, &c.

[Art. concluded from p. 17.]

'tur

ON Nthe 14th of October, the author feasted his eyes with a distant prospect of Bagdad, the far-famed city of the Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid and his beauteous Zobeide; and early in the morning, the extremity of the horizon was reted with the long grey line of substantial walls, which embattle the great city of Bagdad.' When he entered its gates, he was struck with the characteristic dresses of the inhabitants, so unlike those of Persia. Every man whom he met wore an outer garment, ample and flowing, a high turban, and a costly shawl. • Monstrous turbans of all hues, pelisses, and vests, of silks, satins, and cloths, in red, blue, green, yellow, of every shade and fabric, clothed the motley groupes, who appeared every where; some slowly moving along the streets, others seated cross-legged on the ground, or mounted on benches by

the

the way-side, sipping their coffee, and occasionally inhaling a soporific vapour from their gilded pipes.' He was not impressed with any favorable notions of Turkish humanity, when he observed droves of dogs and cats like skeletons, wild with hunger, or tottering with famine, crossing him at every twenty yards; while the road was covered with sprawling kittens just ejected from the nearest houses, lying stretched by their mothers. The houses presented a novelty in their outward appearance, being built in different stories, with window-openings thickly latticed; the bazar was crowded with people; and numberless coffee-houses and shops were ranged on each side, all full of silent smoking guests. A low monotonous hum, and a rustling sound of slippered feet and silken vests, were heard from this numerous hive: but at times the swell of human voices increased, chiefly however from Jews, Armenians, and Persians. At the hospitable house of Mr. Rich, the East India Company's resident, the traveller was courteously received: but we lament to say that this gentleman has since paid a premature tribute to our common lot, leaving a name that will be long dear not merely to the natives among whom he resided, and to the Europeans who visited those remote regions, but to science and learning in general.

Mr. Kinneir has accurately stated the geographical limits of the pashalick of Bagdad. They may be more generally called the Euphrates and Arabian desert of Nedjid, to the west and south; Kuzistan and the stretch of Zagros, to the east; the pashalick of Diabekir, or Hollow Mesopotamia, to the north-west; and Armenia, with the Courdish territory of Julamerick, to the north the whole forming an irregular oval, comprizing antient Babylonia and Assyria Proper. Bagdad, now the capital of Assyria and Babylonia, is the place of the Pasha's residence; and at such a distance from the seat of the Ottoman empire, if the character of that officer be bold and ambitious, he may be considered as an independent power: but Dowd, the existing pasha, who rose from a servile condition to his present greatness, confines his ambition within the limits of his duty, and preserves the appearance at least of subjection to the Porte. In its earliest ages, Bagdad occupied only the western shore of the Tigris: but Haroun-al-Raschid added to its grandeur on that side of the river, and continued its buildings along the opposite bank, uniting both towns by a bridge of boats. Old Bagdad, however, is now little more than a suburb to the modern city. A burial-ground extends over a large part of it, in the midst of which stands the tomb of Zobeide; built of brick, of an octa

gonal

gonal shape, surmounted by a conical superstructure. The interior is a single chamber, vaulted to the top, richly colored and gilded. Two sarcophagi, sadly neglected, stand in the centre; the one containing the remains of Zobeide, the other inclosing those of the spouse of a succeeding caliph. The Tigris is navigable only for 60 miles above Bagdad: but a float, called Kelek, carries passengers and goods from Mossoul to that city. It is made of a raft formed by the trunks of two large trees, over which bunches of osier-twigs are fastened with great ingenuity to the stems below. To this light bottom, sheep-skins are attached, filled with air: on them is laid the floor; and the whole is then wattled. It is moved by two large oars on each side, a third serving as a rudder. The strength and rapidity of the current prevent the return of these vessels; so that, when the voyage is performed, the ma terials are sold, excepting the skins, which are carried back by camels. Herodotus notices rafts on the Babylonian rivers, composed of willows and the skins of animals.

Bagdad is in latitude 33° 19′ 40′′, and in east longitude 44° 44' 45". In summer, the heat is insufferable. At that season, says the author,

The thermometer frequently mounts in the shade from 120 to 149 degrees of heat, according to Fahrenheit. Hence it may easily be conceived that winter is the most genial season here; and the inhabitants tell me, that the air then becomes soft, and of the most delightful salubrity; particularly, they say, from the 15th of November to about the middle of January. At present, towards the latter end of October, while I am writing, the skirts of the "withering blast" seem to be yet hovering over us; the heat standing at 90, and has been from that to 93, on an average, ever since my arrival. When the heat approaches ten degrees beyond this point, the inhabitants betake themselves to the refuge of certain arched apartments, called the Zardaub; constructed deep in the foundations of the house, for this very purpose. From their situation they can have no windows; therefore catch their glimpse of daylight as it may glimmer through the doors from the chambers above. Thin matting supplies the place of carpets, and every precaution and method is pursued, that can bring coolness to these gloomy abodes; where the chief part of the natives of Bagdad pass the whole of the sultry day, while the atmosphere without retains its more scorching fires. At sunset, each family issues from their subterranean shelters, and ascending to the top of the house, take their evening repast beneath the arch of heaven. And under the same free canopy, "fanned by tepid airs," they spread their bedding along the variously disposed divisions of the roof; whose irregular forms are so contrived, to catch every zephyr's breath that passes. In these elevated apartments, the natives repose, until the close of October; at which time the days be

come

come comparatively cool; and sudden blasts blowing up during the night, from the north and south-east, render sleeping in the open air chilling and dangerous. Hence, at these nocturnal hours, the good people begin to nestle into the warm corners within the house; but during the day, they describe the atmosphere to be every thing that is celestial; so clear, so balmy, so inspiriting, as to yield sufficient excuse to the great monarchs of Persia for deserting the arid regions of their own kingdom at this season, to take up a temporary abode in the salubrious gardens of Amyites.'

Few of the antient public buildings, and not a vestige of the once magnificent palace of the caliphs at Bagdad, are to be found. Its present population is about 100,000, but (such is the wretched policy of the East) scarcely a year elapses with out several hundreds of the poorer inhabitants being driven out of it, from the apprehension of famine and tumults. With appropriate millinery of diction, Sir R. Porter thus describes the toilette of a fair Persian :

Women of the first consequence here go about on ordinary occasions on foot, and with scarcely any attendants; it being the etiquette to avoid, when in public, every striking distinction of appearance. In compliance with this fashion, all the fair sex of the city, high and low, walk abroad in the blue-checked chadre; its folding drapery having no other mark of an august wearer, than a few gold threads woven into its border. Instead of the white towel-like veil of the Persians, these ladies conceal their faces be hind a much more hideous mask; a black stuff envelope of horsehair. The liberty they possess, of paying visits without the surveillance of a male guard, and under these impenetrable garbs, are privileges, perhaps too friendly to a licence their husbands do not intend. So much the reverse is the case with Persian women of rank, they hardly move but on horseback, and escorted always by trains of eunuchs, and other trusty vigilants.

When the fair pedestrians of Bagdad issue from behind their clouds, on entering their own apartments, or those of the ladies they go to visit, dresses are displayed in every group, of the most gorgeous magnificence; for it may easily be conceived, that rivalry with regard to personal charms, and graceful habiliments, flourishes amongst the belles of an eastern harem, as gaily as with those of a European ball-room. The wives of the higher classes in Bagdad are usually selected from the most beautiful girls that can be ob tained from Georgia and Circassia; and, to their natural charms, in like manner with their captive sisters all over the East, they add the fancied embellishments of painted complexions, hands and feet dyed with henna, and their hair and eye-brows stained with the rang, or prepared indigo-leaf. Chains of gold, and collars of pearls, with various ornaments of precious stones, decorate the upper part of their persons, while solid bracelets of gold, in shapes resembling serpents, clasp their wrists and ankles. Silver and golden tissued muslins, not only form their turbans, but frequently

their under-garments. In summer, the ample pelisse is made of the most costly shawl, and in cold weather, lined and bordered with the choicest furs. The dress is altogether very becoming; by its easy folds, and glittering transparency, shewing a fine shape to advantage, without the immodest exposure of the open vest of the Persian ladies. The humbler females generally move abroad with faces totally unveiled, having a handkerchief rolled round their heads, from beneath which their hair hangs down over their shoulders, while another piece of linen passes under their chin, in the fashion of the Georgians. Their garment is a gown of a shift form, reaching to their ankles, open before, and of a grey colour. Their feet are completely naked. Many of the very inferior classes stain their bosoms with the figures of circles, half-moons, stars, &c., in a bluish stamp. In this barbaric embellishment, the poor damsel of Irak Arabi has one point of vanity resembling that of the ladies of Irak Ajem. The former frequently adds this frightful cadaverous hue to her lips; and, to complete the savage appearance, thrusts a ring through her right nostril, pendent with a flat button-like ornament set round with blue or red stones.

But to return to the ladies of the higher circles, whom we left in some gay saloon of Bagdad. When all are assembled, the evening meal, or dinner, is soon served. The party, seated in rows, then prepare themselves for the entrance of the show; which, consisting of music and dancing, continues in noisy exhibition through the whole night. At twelve o'clock supper is produced: when pilaus, kabobs, preserves, fruits, dried sweetmeats, and sherbets of every fabric and flavour, engage the fair convives for some time. Between this second banquet, and the preceding, the perfumed narquilly is never absent from their rosy lips; excepting when they sip coffee, or indulge in a general shout of approbation, or a hearty peal of laughter at the freaks of the dancers, or the subject of the singers' madrigals. But no respite is given to the entertainers; and, during so long a stretch of merriment, should any of the happy guests feel a sudden desire for temporary repose, without the least apology, she lies down to sleep on the luxurious carpet that is her seat; and thus she remains, sunk in as deep an oblivion as if the nummud were spread in her own chamber. Others speedily follow her example, sleeping as sound; notwithstanding that the bawling of the singers, the horrid jangling of the guitars, the thumping on the jar-like double-drum, the ringing and loud clangor of the metal bells and castanets of the dancers, with an eternal talking in all keys, abrupt laughter, and vociferous expressions of gratification, making, in all, a full concert of distracting sounds, sufficient, one might suppose, to awaken the dead. But the merry tumult, and joyful strains of this conviviality, gradually become fainter and fainter; first one, and then another of the visitors, (while even the performers are not spared by the soporific god,) sink down under the drowsy influence; till, at length, the whole carpet is covered with the sleeping beauties, mixed indiscriminately with hand-maids, dancers, and musicians, as fast asleep as themselves. The business, however, is not thus quietly ended.

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