'Narrative of a journey to the site of Babylon in 1811, now first published: memoir on the ruins; with engravings from the original sketches by the author: remarks on the topography of ancient Babylon, by Major Rennell; in reference to the memoir: second memoir on the ruins; in reference to Major Rennell's remarks: with narrative of a journey to Persepolis: now first printed, with hitherto unpublished cuneiform inscriptions copied at Persepolis: by the late Claudius James Rich, Esq., formerly the Resident of the Hon. East India Company at Bagdad. Edited by his widow.' [‎14] (41/474)

xiv
INTRODUCTION.
ripened. This fertilization does not take place, as in
Egypt, by the river overflowing the fields, but the
lands are irrigated by the hand or by pumps; for
the whole region of Babylonia is, like Egypt, every
where intersected by canals. The largest of these
canals is navigable, and, turning towards the south
east, connects the Euphrates with another river, the
Tigris, on which Nineveh stood. This region is, of
all lands we know, the richest in the gifts of Ceres ;
but it does not afford any produce from such trees
as the fig, the vine, or the olive. Yet so favourable
is the soil to the growth of corn, that it ordinarily
yields two hundred fold, and sometimes three hun
dred. The leaves both of the wheat and barley in
this region are four fingers broad. As for millet
and sesame (Indian corn), the plant becomes a tree
of such magnitude, that, though I have personal
knowledge of the fact, I forbear to mention its size,
feeling assured that to those who have never visited
the province of Babylonia, what I have already said
of its produce will appear incredible. They use no
oil, except that which is made from sesame. Palm-
trees grow throughout the plain, which for most part
bear fruit, and from this fruit is prepared a kind of
bread, as well as wine and honey."
Having thus it is hoped given the reader some
idea ot Babylon, during the time of her prosperity,
it may be well to begin the description of her decay,
with some of those passages in Scripture where it
had long been foretold :—