'Narrative of a Residence in Koordistan, and on the Site of Ancient Nineveh; with Journal of a Voyage down the Tigris to Bagdad and an Account of a Visit to Shirauz and Persepolis.' [‎15] (38/450)

ch. xii.]
omar aga.
15
pensed with this "honour, as we were almost suffb-
cated with dust before Ave came to our ground, where
we arrived at half past three. The time of our
march had been eight hours and forty minutes.
We encamped near a kahreez, or water-course, be
longing to Hajee Cossim Bey, a little south-west of
the town. Near us was encamped a small party of
Arabs of the Harb tribe. The Arabs, now I have
not seen them for a long time, look a squalid, yellow-
skinned, ill-favoured people. The people of Arbil
are Koords and Turks.
On the road to-day we met a caravan going to
Bagdad, loaded with onions and onion-seed.
I found awaiting me at Arbil my old mehmandar
Hussein Aga, sent by the Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. of Mousul to escort
me on; but I intend halting here for a day or two,
in order to rest the people, to procure fresh mules,
and to take leave of Omar Aga*.
Thermometer—5 a.m . 58° ; half past 2, 94° ;
10, 59°.
October 27.—I was up by peep of day, and began
my operations immediately t. I first went to the old
minaret, which is the most conspicuous object in this
neighbourhood. The mosque to which it belonged
is quite in ruins, and bricks are dug up on its site all
* There is no further mention of this nohle character. He and
Mr. Rich parted at Arhela, and it was too affecting a scene to
say much about. This accounts for its being passed over in
silence in the Journal.
t See Appendix,