The Sun.
London, England, 1850-06-05 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

NOTES FROM NINEVEH.

P. Fletcher.

By the Rev. J.

2 Vols.

To the general reader this work will recommend
itself by the number of subjects of which it treats,
end with all it will gain approbation by the happy
and able manner they are in turn considered. Still,
we must at once say, that ancient biblical history is
the topic mostly kept in view by the author,
and that all others are made subservient to his
evident purpose of collecting from the most
authentic sources, the data upon which he frames
new suppositions, corroborates statements previously
deemed uncertain, or refutes long-established errors
in connexion with scriptural history ; and after a
careful perusal of these volumes, we can but say that
the writer is entitled to the thanks of all who take a
real interest in that all-important subject, for having
conveyed the result of his unwearied labours and
deep research, in such a form, as to make it ac-
ceptable to all readers, by connecting with it the
incidents and daily views of his journey. Equally
pleased were we to find, that though engaged in
an enterprise which might be deemed sectarian, with
regard to the localities he had to visit, his opinions
evince that unbiassed freedom and coolness of judg-
ment requisite to prove their soundness, while he
seems to have been animated by that kindly feeling
of brotherhood to all men which we deem to be the
true spirit of a Christian seeking after truth. how
far the records before us may be the ultima ratio of his
labours, we are not prepared to say, but so far as they
go, and as a literary production, we pronounce
them to be profound in their views, frequently
entertaining, always interesting and instructive. We
were indeed surprised to find that in a work aiming
at carrying the light of research into deep and abstruse
subjects, the writer had so succesfully contrived to
introduce so much of travelling incidents and road-
side episodes as to relieve the otherwise too serious
effect of its more elaborate and scientific parts. We
will attempt to follow him neither through his long
and oftentimes perilous journey, nor through the
main subject of his patient investigations during
that journey ; such a course would lead us too

far. SuffiCe it to say, that during sk-Period of
two years the author pursued steadily and
dauntlessly the purpose of exploring the remotest
parts of Assyria, that we possess in these volumes the
result of his persevering labours, and that no small
praise is due to him for having fairly judged men and
manners. Upon one more point we would offer him
our mead of praise, and congratulate him upon the
courage, both moral and physical, of which he must
have given ample proofs in the course of a journey
which no doubt exposed him to many personal hard-
ships and real dangers, and upon his happy issue out
of them ; but, much to his credi', the writer has had
the good sense to keep himself in the back ground,
and our sympathy is rather the result of inference
drawn from the internal evidence of his work, than
from any direct appeal made by himself. To attempt
selecting any part out of such a work, in support of
our observations, were useless, if intended to give an
adequate notion of the whole; yet we cannot resist
giving a slight specimen of the author's style in those
moments when, laying aside the learned historian's
pen, he takes up the travellers pencil to note down
his impressions on a wayfaring casualty :
" During our journey from Hardin to Diarbekir, we
received the intelligence that a band of mounted robbers
were in pursuit of us, and were Lurking on the other side
of a low range of hills which skirted the road to the
right. This piece of information caused us to halt and
prepare for the onset of the marauders, as our horses
would have been of little service in the event of a flight.
Giorgio, who was in his element, took the command of
the surredjees and other attendants, by whose aid he
constructed with the baggage a species of barricade, be-
hind which we were to shelter ourselves, and discharge
our fire-arms.
" The crisis was felt to be momentous. A fat merchant
of Mosul, crouched in agonies of terror behind a heap of
saddle-bags, while his trusty sabre, which he had dis-
played before with no small amount of or eatation, lay
unsheathed be tide him. One of our Christian servants
was invoking the aid of the Virgin and Saints, while a
black dependant observed, that if we were feted to have
our throats cut, no efforts of ours could avert it. This
assurance was not very sa'isf.,ctory or consolatory, but
we determined to do our best, and loading our guns and
pistols. we looked vary determined and warlike behind
our defences, while Giorgio volunteered to reconnoitre,
and mounting his horse, galloped up the hill before us.
" We watched his movements with some anxiety, ex-
pecting, at each moment, to see the white smoke of the
enemy's guns rising above the summit of the eminence.
Giorgio galloped along the broad ridge of the hill, and
then disappeared on the other side. After a quarter of
an hour, we again discerned him riding leisurely towards
us: ho brought the intelligence that no robbers were in
the neighbourhood, and that all our warlike preparations
were in vain.

" This announcement reassured those of the party who
had been looking forward with no slight tremor to the
probable conflict. The stout merchant in the heat of his
enthusiasm mounted his steed, and flourishing his sabre,
rode to the foot of the mountain, but was suddenly
brought back by a shot which Giorgio fired in that di-
rection. Those who had been most terrified handled
their sabres and pistols, and boasted of the feats of va-
lour which they would have performed. ,
" It scems strange to recall now the sensation which I
experienced when news was brought that no attack was
to take place; I confess I felt somewhat disappointed,
although I am not fond of fighting, and would at any
time, in the language of Sbakspere—' Walk rather with
Sir Priest than Sir Knight.' Yet there seems to be
something stirring and exciting in the prospect of a
fray, which kindles the warm blood in our veins, and
makes us feel that as far as the animal instinct is con-
cerned, we are all lovers of Wife. Philosophy may
soften, and religion tame these impulses, but they exist
in the breast of every child of Adam, and are liable t.)
be only too easily called into action.
" Oa one occasion two travellers were traversing a
dangerous part of the wild country on the borders of
Persia. One of them held tenets most averse to warlike
proceedings of any kind, and averred that it was not
lawful, even in self-defence, to take any measure which
would endangor human life. 'The other endeavoured to
rebut his companion's arguments, and convince him of
the futility of his reasoning, but he failed in producing
any impression on his friend's mind. While they were
engaged in conversation, one of the attendants who had
been dispatched on before, made his appearance, gallop-
ing hard, and breathless with haste and fear. He in-
formed the travellers that eight mounted Kurds were
advancing, who had fired at him as he rode on, and who
were in fact close at his heels. The man of peace
seemed somewhat disconcerted. but when the clattering
of the Kurds' horses was heard, his hand stole towards
his holsters, from which he extracted two well-polish( d
pistols, and, when the attack was made, signalized him-
self by the valour with which he joined in beating off
the assailants.

" We proceeded on our way in safety, and met with
no further interruption from the sons of Ishmael, or the
equally marauding Kurds. When we were in sight of
Diarbekir, an individual of our party who had hitherto
maintained the most profound silence, gave me the fol-
lowing recipe for obtaining the protection of the Arabs,
which for its originality I deem worthy of insertion
here. 'lf you are at any time attacked by these sons
of dogs,' said my instructor, do not resist, fur if you
lift sword or gun against them, they will slay you with-
out mercy. Endeavour to touch them, and if you suc-
ceed you are safe; but if you are unable to do this, spit
at them.'
And get my throat cut to a certainty,' continued I.
No, on my. head,' he replied, ' you may save your
life, for if anything that proce,eds from you, even saliva,
touches their person or clothes, it is as though you
touched them, and you have then a sacred and imperative
claim upon their hospitality. lam telling you no false-
hood, for a brother (4 mine, who did this, escaped out
of their hands, and is still living at Baghdad.' "