'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.' [‎435] (520/905)

CHAP. XVIII.] INTERIOR OF THE TOWN.
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of the mosques, and the pointed arches of the houses, render
the appearance of Aleppo very striking; but it is particularly
so when approached from the south or west; since, in the
last case, the view includes Sheikh Barakat and the Beilan
mountains ; and on looking from the south, the snow-clad range
of Taurus forms a back-ground for the picture, enlivened by
the richly varied purple tints for which this part of the East is
so remarkable.
But, although well built and clean, the interior of Aleppo Present state of
excites much of the disappointment experienced by the traveller 8 in erior '
on entering almost every oriental city: except in the vaulted
stores, or the more busy arcades of the bazars, which, as usual,
may be said to constitute the city, the place presents a
succession of narrow streets, closed by dead walls, and
occasionally pierced with small latticed openings; but since
1822 its riven walls and ruined buildings exhibit every
stage of destruction, from an inclining or broken arch to a
shapeless mass of stones. In many places the damaged arches
are seen still supporting portions of dwelling-houses; and it
is said that they were the means of preserving the inmates:
it may therefore be presumed that, in some cases at least, this
architectural feature possesses advantages over a solid wall,
in resisting such convulsions as that which then desolated
Antioch.
The excavations a little way eastward of the town are the Excavations
only vestiges of ancient remains in the neighbourhood. They
are very extensive, and consist of suites of large apartments,
which are separated by portions of solid rock, with massive
pilasters left at intervals to support the mass above. Owing
to the regularity of the plan, and the pains bestowed in their
execution, these rocks are easily distinguished from the rough
quarries from whence stones were taken to build the modern
city.
According to tradition, ancient Aleppo was also situated on Supped site
the river Koweik, 20 miles southward of Antioch; and this town,
is the position of Kinnisrin ; it is therefore probable that the
ruins there represent the Aram Zobah of the Scripture, 1 after-
1 Psalm Ix. ; and Benjamin of tudela, by A. Asher, vol. I., p. 38.
3 K 2