The Sun.
London, England, 1838-10-29 00:00:00

DESCRIPTION OF HERAT,

Herat, the Aria of the Greeks, is a very ancient city of the
province of Khorassan, in Persia, but now constitutes the
western frontier of Afghanistan, being situated on the high-
road from Persia and Tartary to Hindostan. It has elperienced
all the advantages and disadvantages of such a position. It
has been from time immemorial the route of 211 the caravans,
and the depot of the commerce carried on between the three
countries, by which its inhabitants amassed great wealth ; but
it has also been the route of all the invading armies, and has
been often plundered, sacked, and burnt. It was taken by
Alexander, by Jingiz Khan, by Timour, by Nadir Shah, and
many others. In the end of the fifteenth and beginning of the
sixteenth centuries, it was the residence of Sultan Aboul
Ghazy, fourth in descent from Timour, who ruled Khorassan
with great reputation for thirty-four years. It was then in the
zenith of its splendour; and the Persian historians are profuse
in the description of its palaces, caravansaries, gardens,
mosques, &c. It is now held as a viceroyalty by one of the
sons or brothers of the King of Cabul, or Afghanistan. In
the year 1783, this city was visited by Mr. Forster, who de-
scribes it as standing on a spacious plain, and intersected by a
river, over which there are several bridges, and surrounded by
numerous villages in the midst of plantations. It then pos-
sessed a considerable share of commerce ; and persons from
all parts of the East were there to be met with. It has an
extensive manufacture of carpets ; and some good horses are
bred in the vicinity. Its revenues aro estimated at 4,000,000
of rupees per annum. The King of Persia is very ambiti-
ous of adding Herat to his dominions, and has sent an army
against it. Long. 62.20. E., lat. 34.50. N.

MONEY AND COMMERCIAL NEWS.

CITY (THIS DAYj, TWELVE O'CLOCK

. _
We have received the New Orleans Price Current of the
ht October, which contains the following—
" REMARKS.—The business of the past week, from the con-
tinual good demand for some articles of western produce, also
for cotton and tobacco, has exhibited a much more animated
appearance than we have noticed for some time past ; but a
more general revival cannot be expected until there is a rise
in the Western waters, such as will permit the passage cf
boats to and from this city. In the early part of the week the
weather was' very cool, and the last few days pleasant. The
city still continues healthy.
" Exchange :—Sterling bills have declined. The best sig-
natures were sold during the week at 11 per cent."
The American Papers received this morning are not of that
importance as was generally anticipated, as they do not bring
anything of a positive nature respecting the Earl of Dunham.
Addresses from all parts of Canada are pressing upon him to
remain there ; in all probability by the next packet we shall
receive something decisive in respect to the Earl of Durham's
intentions.

The accounts received from India of the warlike prepara-
tions, and the marching of a numerous army towards Caboul,
to prevent the Persians or Russians from crossing the Indian
frontiers, causes much anxiety in the City, and prticularly to
tly,se who traffic to that part of the world. They are anxi-
ously waiting for another overland despatch to ascertain the
movements of the Persians and Russians on learning that
numerous British forces are assembling on the frontiers.