File:Nineveh and Babylon - a narrative of a second expedition to Assyria during the years 1849, 1850, and 1851 (1882) (14766960292).jpg

Identifier: ninevehbabylonna00laya (find matches)
Title: Nineveh and Babylon : a narrative of a second expedition to Assyria during the years 1849, 1850, & 1851
Year: 1882 (1880s)
Authors: Layard, Austen Henry, Sir, 1817-1894
Subjects: Nineveh (Extinct city) Babylon (Extinct city) Middle East -- Description and travel
Publisher: London : J. Murray
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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between which is occasionallyraised a scanty crop of wheat or barley. The neatness ofthese terraced plots conveys a very favourable impression ofthe industry of the Yezidis. Near the crest of the hill we passed a white conical build-ing, shaded by a grove of trees. It was the tomb of thefather of Murad, one of Yusufs companions, a Cawal of note,who had died of the plague near the spot some years before.The walls were hung with the horns of sheep, slain in sacri-fice, by occasional pilgrims. I had little anticipated the beauty and extent of the viewwhich opened round us on the top of the pass. The Sinjarhill is a solitary ridge rising abruptly in the midst of the de-sert ; from its summit, therefore, the eye ranges on one sideover the vast level wilderness stretching to the Euphrates, 95 NINEVEH AND BABYLON. (Chap. and on the other over the plain bounded by the Tigris andthe lofty mountains of Kurdistan. Nisibin and Mardin wereboth visible in the distance. I could distinguish the hills
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of Baadri and Rhcikh Adi, and many well-known peaks ofthe Kurdish Ali)S. lichind the lower ranges, each distinctlymarked by its sharjj, serrated outline, were the snow-covered IV.) THE YEZIDIS OF THE SINJAR. 97 heights of Tiyari and Bohtan. Whilst to the south of theSinjar artificial mounds appeared to abound, to the north Icould distinguish but few such remains. We dismounted tcgaze upon this truly magnificent scene lighted up by the set-ting sun. I have rarely seen any prospect more impressivethan these boundless plains viewed from a considerable ele-vation. Besides the idea of vastness they convey, the lightand shade of passing clouds flitting over the face of the land,and the shadows as they lengthen towards the close of day,produce constantly changing effects of singular variety andbeauty.* It was night before we reached Bukra, where we were wel-comed with great hospitality. The best house in the villagehad been made ready for us, and was scrupulously neat andclean, as the houses

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