'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.' [‎223] (258/450)

LET. III.]
NAKSIII RUSTUM.
2-23
I dropped a most unfeigned tear to the memory
of poor Bellino, when surveying these ruins, which
would have caused him such rapture. And notwith
standing my tirade against industry, I was actually
diligent enough, after I had satisfied myself with
viewing the ruins over and over again, to fall to work
at copying the inscriptions ; and during the six days
we remained at Persepolis, I copied all the inscrip
tions except one. I have found much to corroborate
Grotefend's system, and have admired his sagacity.
The labour I have gone through will greatly assist
him.
I of course visited Nakshi Rustum, where I saw
a singular and most curious fire-temple, beautifully
built, and looking as if it had been completed yes
terday ; the tombs of the four kings of the first
dyniisty; and the more recent Sassanian sculptures
beneath them. These latter are but coarse per
formances, and clearly indicate a more barbarous
age than the Persepolitan. There is at least as
much difference as between the works of the Au
gustan age and that of Justinian. One sculpture
represents a Roman, in the correct costume, pros
trate at the feet of a Sassanian king in his uncouth
garb ; and at a certain distance it has rather a
striking effect. There was something affecting, at
the first view of it, to see the majesty ol Rome,
even the Rome of Valerian, prostrate before a bar
barian.