'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.' [‎96] (125/450)

EASTERN MANUSCRIPTS. [CH. XVI.
rent; and the books being damaged, were deemed
of no further value, and consequently were torn up
and thrown about. Some scattered leaves were
shown to me, which were unquestionably of the
highest antiquity. Manuscripts are fast perishing in
the East; and it is almost the duty of a traveller to
rescue as many as he can trom destruction . I sent
♦ One of Mr. Rich's objects upon this tour to the Christian
convents and villages in the territory of Mousul was for this very
purpose. For many years he had spared neither time, money, nor
labour, in pursuit of this object, and he finally succeeded in rescu
ing from destruction a few of the Syriac manuscripts scattered
over this part of Assyria. They are little valued by their pos
sessors, until an offer of purchasing them is made, and then, with
that avidity for money which is so undisguised in the East, they
express unwillingness to part with them, in order, too generally, to
secure a large sum being offered for them, the collection made
by Mr. Rich during his residence in the East is now in the Bri
tish Museum, where it has been carefully examined, and is highly
valued by one whose power of judging of its merits is unques
tionable ; from whom the Editor has just received the following
letter":—
R British Museum, Jan. 14, 1836.
The greater part of these MSS. are Biblical, and have .v claim
to bo. considered of much importance; for though they lurmsn