'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.' [‎117] (150/450)

CH. XVII.] SUBTERFANEAN BUILDING.
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some fragments of friezes, at least these seem now
not to be in their proper places. The stucco of the
upper part is drilled with shot-holes, as the idle
Turks amuse themselves with practising at it as a
mark.
The subterraneous building, which appears to be
very extensive, is said to reach as lar as Ghizelan on
the banks of the Tigris, to the south-west of our
garden*. The entrance is by a little low door in the
sacristy, on the right hand of the altar. It led at
one time, according to the information of a person
who had been in it long ago, out into the desert at a
considerable distance, but it has now become choked
up with rubbish.
In the most ancient oriental churchesf, there seem
to have been no chapels or altars, other than the
great one ; and generally only one aisle; but they have
very often a parallel church connected with the prin
cipal one by a little door.
January 24.—I had some interesting conversation
with Matran Hanna about various particulars rela
ting to the antiquities and history of these countries,
with which he seems well acquainted. I took my
hrst lesson of reading Chaldean from him to-day.
* Half way between Deir ul Mankoosh and Ghizelan are the
remains of another convent. The Syrians say there were two
Jacobite convents in this neighbourhood, dedicated to St. Gabriel
and St. Michael.
t Several of the mosques in Bagdad were formerly Chaldean
churches.