'Travels in Assyria, Media, and Persia, including a journey from Bagdad by Mount Zagros, to Hamadan, the ancient Ecbatana, researches in Ispahan and the ruins of Persepolis, and journey from thence by Shiraz and Shapoor to the sea-shore. Description of Bussorah, Bushire, Bahrein, Ormuz, and Muscat, narrative of an expedition against the pirates of the Persian Gulf, with illustrations of the voyage of Nearchus, and passage by the Arabian Sea to Bombay.' [‎104] (135/582)

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DESCRIPTION OF KERMANSHAH,
would certainly treat any man as an idiot or a madman who
should suggest even the notion of a reform.
Among the public buildings of the town, the Shah Zade's pa
lace is by far the largest, occupying perhaps a quarter of a mile
in circuit. The principal front opens to the south-east, into a
large square called the Maidan, a place of exercise for horses.
This square is surrounded by shops and stalls in recesses like
those of a large khan ; and having passages of communication to
most of the principal bazars in the different quarters of the town,
it is generally crowded with people.
The front of the palace towards this square is about a thou
sand feet in length, and the ascent to its centre is by an inclined
plane, sufficiently steep for steps, but having none, in order that it
may the better admit the passage of horses. Leading off from
the top of this ascent are two long causeways or galleries, going
all along the front of the building, at the height of fifteen or
twenty feet from the level of the square below. The whole of
the front is a plain brick wall, excepting only the centre, where
two or three stories rise over the door of entrance. The door is
in the Arabian style of architecture, corrupted by modern taste,
and above it, on two large pannels, are represented the exploits of
Rustan, the Hercules of the Persians, in figures boldly drawn and
gaudily coloured. Above this is the public divan, which has an
open balcony looking out on the square, and from which the view
of the town and the country must be commanding and agreeable.
Here the Shah Zade sits for an hour or two early in the day to
transact public business and receive visits; but as the sun shines
strongly on it at that period, it is then always covered by a per
pendicular awning, or curtain, of canvass, painted in gay colours
and fanciful designs.
The interior of the palace is laid out for domestic convenience,
and streams of water flow through the gardens, from amidst which
rises a polygonal kiosque, of the form of the stools on which the
salver is placed at the meals of the Turks, and totally devoid of