'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in reference to Major Rennell's remarks: with narrative of a journey to Persepolis: now first printed, with hitherto unpublished cuneiform inscriptions copied at Persepolis: by the late Claudius James Rich, Esq., formerly the Resident of the Hon.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.' [‎143] (231/474)

RUINS OF BABYLON.
143
stricter standard than many modern descriptions
would bear. We naturally wish to make the most
of what we possess in the smallest quantity, and to
seize with avidity on a single word which may help
us through the obscurity of antiquity, or enable us
to establish a favourite hypothesis. The testimony
of the ancients who have been on the spot must of
course be placed far above those who merely copy
others, whose statements, however high their rank
in literature may be, must be received with much
caution ; and when their descriptions in either case
do not accord with what we now see, it is much
safer to say that they were mistaken than to attempt
forcing a resemblance. It would require a separate
memoir to prosecute this subject to the extent which
would be necessary to show the various causes of
error, give examples of the mistakes and inaccura
cies even of professed travellers, and prove how
often we have rendered the ancients accountable
for much more than they ever dreamt of themselves.
I the more readily refrain from such an inquiry at
present, as it is not necessary to my subject to carry
it so far. I have thought it requisite to state my
general opinion of the ancients as topographical
authorities; but, in reconciling the present remains
of Babylon to their accounts, I shall not have occa
sion to contend for the latitude which may com
monly be allowed to them. I shall on the contrary
show that I am willing to adhere much closer to
the only one of them whose authority is of any