Richmond palladium., 1850-05-01
The Rains Of NincycDa.


a correspondent Of London pape
furnishes the subjoined extracts from tn.
letter Of Mr.. Stewart Erskine ROLAND
who is now at Nimroud with Captain
Layard, assisting him in his endcavors Il
bring to light the hidden antiquarian treas
urcs Of Nineveh:
1.-THE first two or three DAYS at Mossu
! spent in examining the excavations a
kOvnnjik. where fresh slabs are being cv
cry day brought to light. Two new CO
lossal bulls and two colossal figures were
discovered while was there. at the en-
trance Of the city gates; and the pave
ment at the gateway. marked with ruts by
chariot wheels, was also uncovered.
left my wife under Mrs Rassam's care
and accompanied Layard days Jour
ney to the villages Of Baarshekah and
Bamyaneh, and TO the Mound Of khor-
sabad. We took greyhounds with US
and had days hunting, catching seven
antelopes. After our return. Mr.. Layard
Charlotte and ], and our servants, en-
barked on raft. and noaicd down the
Tigris in seven hours 10 this little village
OF Nimroud. close TO the large mound.
our baggage and horses by land We
have since been residing in his house
here; il is. IN fact. Little more than a mud
hut; but he has put in glass windows, a
table, and some sofas, and made it as
comfortable as circumstances will admit
'Layard has placed a party of the
workmcn under my control. and allowed
me to dig where please. | am sinking
wells in all directions. and am not with
out hopes Of discovering subterranean
chambers, which am convinced must ex-
ist In one place. considerably below
The level Of any of the hitherto discover
ed monuments. a brick arch between two
walls of brick has been uncovered; it is a
puzzle TO US all. Another great discovery
is an immense stone wall Of most solid
masonry inside the brick pyramid The
workmcn are Iaboring to force an en-
sarily very slow. not exceeding a foot or
two in a day. But the greatest discove-
rv vet made since the earth was first
turned remains to be told. will give il
you in due order You must recollect
commenced my letter on Chr stmas day.
and am continuing it at intervals.
"Ianuary 3. 1850,--On the 23th Of De-
ccmbcr Layar and !. with our aticn.
dants and two or three Arab Shcikhs.
started Oft 10 pay a visit TO the Tai on
the other side Of the Tab We were the
first Europe ans who had ever visited that
Three hours galloping from
Nimroui brought US 10 the banks of the
stream. which is as rapid and broad as the
Fisris. and nearly as deep. but here be-
ing divided into four branches, il is forda-
BIZ. With some difficulty we swan our
horses across it. getting of course very
a three:old oblcct-frSt. 10 explore the
mound of Abou Sheeta. which appears to
contain buried city; secondly. TO make
friends between two rival chiefs Of the
Tai; and. thirdly. TO promote a reconcile
ntion between them and their implacable
enemies the Jibours. which will much
facilitate Layard's future operations.
Our frs, visit was 10 the camp of the
Ilawar. who is considered BY all the
Arabs. even by those Of the great African
i'scri. to be the highest born and noblcsi
among them. lie is probably the man
'f most ancient descen, in the world.
'eckoning his genealogy far above the
ime Of Abraham. H.. is supported in
lis Prctensions to the cHichain>hip bv the
,oblest of the tribe. while. his rival. Fcras.
5 supported by the Turks and the greater
lunber Of the Tai. Ills brother. the
'andSomcst man have ever seen. came
nj 10 meet us with one hundred horse. (
nen. most of whom had come to our
ilaSe TO plunder the other day They
alloped madly about the plain brandish-
1g their long spears. shouting their war
ry. and escorted US in great state TO the
amp of the Shiekh. where he stood TO
rceIve us. | never saw SO noble or DIG
'hcd figure; he is eininentlv handsome.
lough advanced in years and suffering
'om i'll ealth. In stature he is ciran-
c. six feet four or five at least. and erect
5 a pine tree. His tent was spacious
ne. a load for three cames. with the
omen's tents on one side. and that Of the
orses on the other. all under the same
overing. Mats and cushions were
rread on the floor OF the tent. on which
lie Hawar. Layard. and sat. as did his
rother. his uncle. and others ofihe mag
ates OF the tribe. while the rest stood in
semi circle at the door 4 noble hunt
,,g hawk stood on his perch in the centre.
We par'ook of spiced coffee. discussed
lie business on which we came. and
ined III The tent on acapital stew Of NUT
IN. pumpkins. rice. and sour milk. After
'e had partaken, the rest OF the tribe
'ade their repast. certain humber si,-
ns down together. each man RISING
hen he was satisfied. and sor, of mas. J
r Of the ceremonies calling out the name
the man who was to succeed him
here was 40 hustle or indecorum. After
inner they all said their prayers. We
Id sent our tents. which. bv the wav,
II very wet crossing the river. and we
tched them close 10 that of the Sheikh.
ne next day the encampment changed
} quarters. have seldom seen a more
cturesque sight. The Sheikh' tent was
rnck first. and the long procession Of ..
den camels. horsemen, donkeys, and
attle stretched as far as the eve coull