The Sun.
London, England, 1857-02-11 00:00:00

THE GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.

At a meeting of the Geographical Society, held last
night, some interesting communications were made re-
specting that portion of Persia where warlike operations
are now being carried on, and where they will probably be
extended should the war continue. The proceedings com-
menced with the reading of a pacer from Gen. Monteith,
which described the position of Busbire and the surround-
ing country. Bushire itself is scantilysupplied with water,
nor can a goodsupply be obtained at a less distance than 2
miles. Al ag the shores, for a distance varying from 10
to 30 miles, there is a tract of low arid land at the foot
of the mountains, which rise immediately from it Those
mountains present a formidable appearance, but GeLeral
Monteith is of opinion they are not so impracticable for
an army as they appear to be, as there are several passes
through which artillery might be transported without
much difficulty. The height of the highest passes is
computed to be about 5,000 feet. Gen. Monteith stated
that the mountain tribes are warlike and friendly to the
English, and, being in a great degree independent of
Persia, he believes that they would join our standard.
At the conclusion of Gen. Monteith 's paper,
Sir 11. llA.wuNsox spoke at considerable length in
illustration of the anciei,t history, the pbysiciatl,fgereriligtnirg.::
phy, and the productiveness of the country.
in the commencement, to Respire, where
the
hel3 said
troops first came in collision with the Persians,
it was one of the most interesting
spots to the antiqua-
rian in the whole of Asia. Thu
ruins of a
Temple had
been discovered there, one of the bricks fromhich he
exhibited to the meeting that bad beenbuilt in the
time of Sennacherib and numerous interestinge inscrip-
tions in the cuneiform character
had be n
found there.
He stated that in those ancient times the Persian Gulf
who inhabited
and the Red Sea were both knJwn
_byrntehne same charac.
teristic name, derived from the red
described its general
their shores. After sketching thenlrinistory of the country to
the present time, Sir H. Rawleinn.
stern shore the land is ex.
appearance. All along the
northw of the Gulf there is a
ceedingly arid, but on
the foot of the n ountains.
large extent of the mosttbfeaerrtile country in the world, ex-
tehsling to Schuza,
alluvial depositions
This fertile tract has beneenh'
teohrmaerde by
yrought down by the
Efroemphrtahteen manoduntainnsn,_
other rivers, and being met by a pre-
there is an advance of land into
valent north-east
e mile iu forty years. If the war
the sea at the rate of
this
portion of the country would in all
should continue,
of by oeunrenaprimediesw,
iatsh it
ad
vantage.-
probability be taken possession
very accessible,
mistaken notion to suppose that the
wasanad capaole of being
English intended to enter Persia by crossing the moue-
taw range to the east el Ludlire, which %r LE, RAW,

linson considered more impracticable than General
Monteith appeared to do, and would, he said, present
most formidable barrier if held by a warlike enemy. He
spoke highly of the Persian soldiers, but the officers
were, he said, most incompetent, as they were princi-
psaFy appointed from the menials in the service of the
sh,Ah's ministers and favourities. _ .

My. LAYARD having been requested by the President
to znai,.-e some observations on the subject, he entertained
the mee,:ing with an interesting illustrative account of
big personal adventures in the country on the north of
the
Gulf of Persia, and among the mountain tribes,
with whom he spent many months, having obtained
the friendship of one of the chiefs. He de-
scribed these people as a superior class of men,
though somewhat given to thieving, and in his long
intercourse with them they manifested great friendship
for the English nation. The country along the western
shores of the aulf is inhabited by Arabs, who, on one oc-
casion, flooded tie country by cutting through the banks
of the river; and Mr. Layard gave a very amusing ac-
count of his being obliged to construct a raft to float
himself down the stream, and of his having fortunately
floated into a palace built across a calial, where he was
sumptuously entertained for many weeks; the whole
adventure reseLqbling a tale in "The Arabian Nighi,s.
Before the close of the proceedings Sir Henry Raw-
linson was calved .upon to explain the position of Herat,
which he did very g,.aphically, and observed that it would
be impossible to reach Herat by the Persian Gulf ; but
there would not be inue`i difficulty in taking it by a Bri-
tish force marching from India. It would be impossible,
however, for a British force to hold it without deporting
all the present inhabitants of the country. Sir Henry
Rawlinson stated that Herat never belonged to Persii ;
and it might, in fact, be more correctly stated that Per-
sia belonged to Herat. The country around it is one of
the most fruitful in Asia, and could maintain a large
army for many mouths.
The meeting then adjourned till the 23d inst.

Country Markets.

LIVERPOOL-FED. 10.

The corn exchange this morning had a full attendance
of millers and dealers, who were buyers on reduced terms.
Holders of good wheat and flour, however, were indisposed
to concede much, if at all, and the business done at the close
was called id per bushel decline on white wheat, but none
on good fresh red. Goad brands of flour were no lower,
and uncertain qualities were difficult to move at variable
prices. Indian corn was not in so much request tO-deYr
and it was hard to support prices. Oats and, oatmeal fair
sale at late rates. Barley dull and lower. Beans And
peas both firm, but sales are only made in retail.