'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.' [‎167] (198/582)

THE SITE OF THE ANCIENT ECBATANA.
167
Ecbatana. In the time of Benjamin of Tudela, who visited Ha-
madan, and described the tomb of Mordecai and Esther, # there
were no less than fifty thousand Jews settled here, which is more
than the whole of the present population: but this is easily credi
ble, as the whole aspect of the city gives proof of former magni
ficence and subsequent decline. It is remarkable too, that at the
same period, according to the same authority, there were not more
than fifteen thousand Jews in Ispahan, though in that city resided
the Chief, in a University, on which all the other Jews of Persia
were dependent. This fact alone proves with what comparatively
high importance the sacred depository at Hamadan was regarded,
for it was this alone which could have drawn so many more Jews
to reside in that city than at Ispahan.
* Sir Robert Kerr Porter obtained the following translations of the Hebrew inscriptions
still existing in the tomb of Mordecai and Esther.
Hebrew Inscription on a marble slab in the Sepulchre of Esther and Mordecai.
4 Mordecai, beloved and honoured by a King, was great and good. His garments were
as those of a sovereign. Ahasuerus covered him with this rich dress, and also placed a golden
chain around his neck. The city of Susa rejoiced at his honours, and his high fortune be
came the glory of the Jews.'
Inscription encompassing the Sarcophagus of Mordecai.
* It is said by David, preserve me, O God! I am now in thy presence—I have cried at the
erate of Heaven, that thou art my God; and what goodness I have received came from thee,
0 Lord!
< Those whose bodies are now beneath in this earth, when animated by thy mercy, were
great; and whatever happiness was bestowed upon them in this world, came from thee, O God!
' Their grief and sufferings were many, at the first; but they became happy, because they
always called upon thy holy name in their miseries. Thou liftedst me up, and I became
powerful. Thine enemies sought to destroy me in the early times of my life; but the sha
dow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. of thy hand was upon me, and covered me, as a tent, from their wicked purposes !—
M ordecai.'
Inscription around the Sarcophagus of Esther the Queen.
♦ I praise thee, O God, that thou hast created me! I know that my sins merit punishment,
yet I hope for mercy at thy hands ; for whenever I call upon thee, thou art with me; thy holy
presence secures me from all evil.
4 My heart is at ease, and "my fear of thee increases. My life became, through thy good
ness, at the last full of peace.
' O God ! do not shut my soul out from thy divine presence ! Those whom thou lovest,
never feel the torments of hell. Lead me, O merciful Father, to the life of life ; that I may
be filled with the Heavenly fruits of paradise I—E sther'.— Travels in Persia, vol. ii. p. 109.