New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-02-26
ASIA MINOR.
Viii, 70 the Rains Of Nineveh-Expsorat'cns
Of Layard, &C.

Mosut, Nesopotsr1ia, Nov. ., lsJ2.
Ipropose to give you an account ola late VISIT 70
the Raiss Of Ninroud. You will remember that
this was one Of the tells which XeDophon noted
in his famous Anabasis. There is no doubt that
thi, IL the place he called Larissa- lyon VIII
Look az his account OF the retreat of the ten
tbou,apd Greeks, (book III, chap. w. you VIII
zee A good description Of the pyramid near
which be passed night when Mrthndates was
irving 10 drive him into the Tigris. The re-
mains Of the city are situated about twenty
niles south of MOsul, on the eastern slde OF the
river. A bend in the stream from the village
Sels.miyeh toward the west, afforded the an
Gent kings fine opportunity TO irrigate the
plain between the river and the m0und-a gar
den-stot about a mile vide and three miles IN
length. Two Arab villages now occupy il, Mai
fab and NimrOud the last yestige Of the an
Gent civilization had passed away when Layard
exhumed some Of its splendid memorials. i
shall not here inquire whether Rich, Badger or
Ainsworth first conceived the idea Of making
excavations in the mound it was to see the re-
suits Of the operations Of Layard and Rawlln-
son that took this journey The British Mu-
scum. through Col RawlinsOn, had recently
informed my colleague, Mr.. w, that he
or any other American might remove whatever
blocks he chose, if they we're not marked for
removal to England The French are prohlb-
tied from taking any sculptures from Nlmroud,
doubtless because they were go opposed to the
operatiops of the English at the commencement
of the excavations ID was the intention OF Mr.
w. and myself 10 spend two days on our trip,
and We took with US, besides our servant khudhr
Sbammas Ereemiab, a converted Cbaldean, to
preach to the JacObtes Of Karer KOsh and the
Papal HISTORIANS of Bartielli. We crossed the
Tigris on its bridge Of boats, 50 chained tOge-
Their and covered with planks and mud as TO re-
main firm while the stream is low, and forced
our way at 5 A. NJ. through a crowd of caInels,
a0Dkeys, and peasants TO the plain Of Nineveb.
Our horses moved rapidly by Nebbe Yunns, and
after few circuits 10 avoid the indentatiOns OF
the banks Of the river, we came upon the long
plain with the prospect Of q hot ride to MIN
rOwd A fine grove Of mulberries lay upon our
right, a sacred place, as well may such spot
be called, in this land so destitute OF trees and
shrubbery. PlOughmen we're breaking up the
hardened clay as the sun rose over the Kurdish
mountains The air was full Osdust from the
opening burrows and perfect sterllity appear
ed TO possess the whole region save
where irrigation changed the soil to fertility.
Such spots are rare in these degenerate
times throughout Assyria, and we look for them
Oniy near ldfIt tltlCb anu CIV NlAlhEch
on these plains have any gardens in summer
all the fruits and flowers are brought on the
backs of donkeys from the mountains. OnOur
route we saw many troops of villagers with their
herds Of loaded asses moving over the fe0t-paths
Of the plains. A plOwman was following team
composed of donkey and steer; often have
/ seen donkey and COW yoked together con-
trary TO the laws of the Mosaic economy. A
bird resembling the hawk and the eagle attract
ed our notice frequently; il appeared stupid
enough The crooked beak is a characteristic
Of the birds in this region, although in some
seasons various species OF swallows darken the
banks of the 1igris, and the doves often rustic
20 as 10 make one think of thunder when they
hy over the houses Of the city.
An hours ride brought us near Yerumleh, a
large mound crowned with few miserable huts;
it's northeast side has evidently been washed
by the Tigris, and is almost perpendicular. IL
seems to have gradually accumulated as the
ruins of old huts are visible in the body of the
mound The chief part of the village, which
ia entirely Moslem. is on the south side OF the
tel
Haman Ali, or the springs OF Ali, near large
mound on the right bank of the river came in
sight when We were about three hours from
Mos0l. rode 10 the summit of a small tel,
an extensive prospect. As intend visiting the
celebrated baths TO which 80 many resort for
the cure Of all diseases, at some future time,
will only say now that il is evident large city
once stood there--perhaps the rival OF Nimroud
itself The waters are a sort OF Saratoga
A sLerbeh Of cool water was brought Us at
Selamiyeh, a rude village inhabited by domesti-
Gated Turcomans, sad representatives OF the
Resen las some think it) of Genesis. A gazelle
which had been Just caught on the plain and
terribly mangled by the dogs, was offered us
all presents are given with the implied condition
of a baekshish in return of double its value. We
declined the animal and galloped over the low
fat which still retains traces OF ancient irriga-
ton A dam stretches across the river midway
between Selamiyeh and Naifh, and'wc looked
at il with much interest. Ii is now much lower
thanit was few years ago, or the accounts of
French travellers who mention the dam as being
twenty feet high and greatly endangering the
passage traits, were exaggeratedwith the usual
facility of writer's in describing an unknown
country. lt is at present nearly level
with the surface of the river, and in the
spring must be almost out of sight, as the
water is 50 much more abundant at that season.
The hard grey sands stone of which il was origi.
nally composed, and the longer layers of which
still remain, history informs us must have been
very firm, cut il was into large blocks, and
these bound together by iron clamps Ii is one
Of the many indications Of AssyIian art as it
Aouiished in the days of Sardanspalus, About
midway in the river there is a cusical struc-
ture Of blocks OF stone, some twenty feet high,
which doubtless once had part to perferm in
enabling the Kings 10 regulate the amount of
water desirable for irrigating the gardens
A curious mode is now adopted for raising water;
perhaps il was in use in places distant from the
Tgris at as early day as the AraA itself; it
certainly has the advantage Of greater sdapta-
ton to the existing capacities OF the people,
When il is 10 be raised from the river, per
pendicular bank is formed and aninclined plane
extends from the top in an opposite direction.
Two strong posts are placed close TO the bank
aud over movable axle uniting them plays
rope, to one end Of which is attached an i'm