'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from January 1847 to May 1849. Edited by the Secretary. Volume VIII.' [‎311] (420/496)

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could trace no vestiges of inferior buildings within the area of the outer
enclosures.
A ride of one hour and twenty-five minutes, over a champaign country,
and in some places through the gardens that border the banks of the
Kara-su, which we forded, brought us again to the walls of Kirmanshah.
On our way to the house that we formerly occupied, we visited a garden
residence of the Amir. It boasts of a few fine rooms, some fountains,
and a central piece of water. These were gratifying enough, but the
neglect apparent in every part of Persian administration is here evident
also. The want of a timely repair is manifest in its crumbling walls, and
in its decayed but once superb garden and approaches. At sunset, we
were again within the walls of our former dwelling, enjoying the luxury
of its fountained apartment. The same bright eyes, those of the youth
ful but widowed owner of the mansion, are again seen peeping from an
abstracted pane in the casement of the anderun,* betokening a lively
interest in the proceedings of her foreign guests ; and the present of a
t ra y of sweatmeats, surpassed in delicacy only by the compliments that
accompany it, proves the interest to be as unfeigned as it is courteous.
She, too, has known sorrow, and the hand of oppression is said to be even
now at work to deprive her of the property left by her husband, who
was known to Major Pawlinson when residing at this place during his
former service in Persia, and it is hoped, through his influence, she may
yet be spared the sufferings apparently in store for her.
Sept. 12th, 13th, and 14t7i.—During this time we were occupied in
again preparing for the road. Our little chronometer was re-rated, and
found to be going tolerably well, although the cold air of the hills had
acted sensibly upon it. On the 13th,f the Amir made Major Rawlinson
an official visit, which lasted an hour. He appeals to possess neithei
energy nor talent, and although we several times tried to turn his conver
sation to topics of interest, it gradually sunk again into the matter-of-
fact relations of daily occurrences. It was a stupid scene, and we felt
relieved when he withdrew. I believe, however, that when excited, he
exhibits an energy foreign to his appearance, and that, although tacitui n
* Women’s apartment.
t Packets were received tins day, via Damascus ami Beyrout, fi om Bngland, and
notwithstanding the delays requisite for their transmission from those towns an
from Baghdad, the London dates were thirty-five days old only, bo much or
steam communication combined with the excellent dromedary post between beyiou
and Baghdad.