'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.' [‎530] (621/905)

530
damascus.
[chap. xx.
divisions, which are separately enclosed; and the police regu
lations being very strict, the gates, which are closed at sunset,
are opened, and that after some hesitation, only for those who,
on returning to their quarters at a later hour, are provided
with a lantern.
Being of sun-dried bricks, the exteriors of the houses of
Damascus have a mean appearance ; but on entering through
a low and narrow door, the interior is found to be generally
handsome. The ordinary dwellings are of small size, and
nearly alike, having almost invariably a court surrounded by
slightly raised arcades, with the harim and other inner apart
ments adjoining them ; there are also one or two small rooms
opening on a terrace above. The houses of the richer inhabi
tants, whether Hebrew, Christian, or Muslim, generally have
two large courts, with a fountain shaded by trees in each, and
apartments around. The rooms belonging to the inner court
are allotted for the harim, kitchens, &c. The outer and
larger court, in addition to a terrace with some small rooms
above, has below, an Arabesque saloon of reception containing
a raised diwan richly carpeted, and its walls are either gaily
painted, or are covered, as well as the columns and ceiling,
with small triangular-shaped mirrors. The buildings of the
town itself have terraced roofs, but those in the suburbs are gene
rally covered with several small cupolas of a conical shape.
Josephus ascribes the foundation of Damascus to Uz, the
grandson of Noah ^ but according to the Orientalists, it dates
only from the time of Abraham f to whose steward, Eliezer,
or Djemshah, it owed its origin and its name ; 3 but according
to Josephus, 4 Abraham found the city existing when he came
from Mesopotamia, and reigned there for a time. After the
time of Hadadezer, 5 it became the capital of an independent
kingdom under Rezin ; 6 it was also that of Seleucus Nicanor;
and during the time of the Greek Emperors of Constantinople
it was celebrated for its wealth, luxury, and magnificence.
1 Jos., Ant., lib. I., c. vi., s. 4. 2 Gen., chap. XIV., v. 15.
3 D'Herbelot, Bibliotheque Orientale, p. 143. 4 Antiq., lib. I., c. vii.
5 2 Sam*, chap. VIII. 6 Isaiah, chap. VIL, v. 8.