'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.' [‎222] (257/450)

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RUINS OF PERSEPOLIS. [LET. III.
disproportionate application of vast and ponderous
materials to inadequate purposes ; narrow door-ways
and small windows, formed of blocks that would
build a mole, nay frequently even of one single
block. There is no correspondence between the
object and the means, which gives to many parts of
these remains, at least as they now appear, rather a
heavy, crowded, and crushed effect; and withal some
thing of littleness, notwithstanding the vastness of
the materials. The orientals at no period seem to
have understood the laws of proportion, and the
magic effect resulting from a due attention to them;
and this is evident in every part of the ruins of Perse-
polis. They are, however, very interesting remains;
and let us be grateful to the want of judgment of the
architect, who unnecessarily employed such immense
masses for ordinary purposes; for by it a specimen
has been preserved to us of the arts and manners of
ante-Alexandrian Persia, when all other monuments
of that period have perished by the work of time,
and still more the hand of the barbarian. The latter
engine of destruction has been at work here, even
lately. Many parts have been defaced by the passion
for possessing curiosities. This rage has induced
some even to chip off bits oj inscriptions ! One has
endeavoured to chisel off a very fine head, which
was well preserved, and, not succeeding, he has
apparently in wrath, thrown his mallet against the
head and smashed it.