'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎427] (510/905)

CHAP. XVIII.]
MODERN ANTIOCH.
427
tended to tlie fountains of Zoiba and Daphne; and higher up Aqueduct,
the ravine a portion of rock forms a natural bridge, over
which there is a communication towards the numerous grottoes
excavated in the face of the limestone range prolonging the
Antioch hills.
The modern Antakiyah covers but a small part of the Houses of . in<> -
ancient site, the remainder being for the most part occupied
with mulberry-groves, vineyards, and fruit-gardens. It con
tains several baths, a synagogue, a Muhammedan college, and
14 mosques: the houses are Turkish as to plan, but of inferior
construction; usually of stone, though frequently consisting
of a wooden frame filled up with sun-dried bricks, and having
a pent roof covered with red tiles. Exterior stair-cases lead
from a court shaded by orange and pomegranate-trees to
corridors and balconies; and the doors and windows of the
buildings generally face the west, for the sake of the cool
breezes coming from that quarter during the greater part of
the summer: the streets are narrow and dirty, being but
partially cleansed by a gutter in the centre.
The most remarkable gate next to that of St. Paul is Bab- Su-
el-Jisr. or Suweidiyeh : l it leads to a Muhammedan bridge of
four low arches over the Orontes, which at this spot is but
60 yards wide. On the southern banks are several tan-yards,
and both above and below the bridge are several fine Persian
wheels, some of which are nearly 60 feet in diameter. Their
power in working corn-mills is increased by dams of reed stakes
and other light materials, which usually cross the stream
above each, in order to raise the water, and at the same time
serve the purpose of productive fish weirs.
Edrisi describes the buildings of Antioch as being ma g ni "
ficent, its markets flourishing, the industry and resources of its
people great, and its manufactures and commerce prosperous. 2
But at present the bazars are poor; the principal products
being confined to the sugar-cane, fruits, silk, cotton, leather,
1 The three other gates are Bdb Hadid and Bab Ladiklyeh, both leading
southward, and Bib Ginein, or the gate of the gardens.
8 Jaubert's Edrisi, p. 31, tome VI.; Recueil de Voyages et de M&noires.
Paris, 1840.