therefore we past by, to go to two, which stood almost opposite to
one another, and seemed most perfect of any, though not without marks
of the _Turkish_ Malice. They are two square Towers, rather larger
than ordinary Steeples, and five Stories high, the outside being of
common Stone, but the Partitions and Floors within of good Marble;
and beautified too with very lively Carvings and Paintings, and
Figures both of Men and Women, as far as the Breast and Shoulders; but
miserably defac'd and broken. Under these Statues, or by their sides,
are in the unknown Character, the Names probably of the Persons there
buried, or by them represented; or else some other Memorials of them.
We entred one of these by a Door on the South side, from which was a
Walk cross the whole Building just in the middle. But the Floor was
broke up, and so gave us a sight of a Vault below, divided after the
same manner. The Spaces on each Hand were again sub-divided into six
Partitions by thick Walls, each Partition being capable of receiving
the largest Corps: And piling them one above another, as their way
appears to have been, each of those Spaces might contain at least
six or seven Bodies. For the lowest, second and third Stories, those
Partitions were uniform, and altogether the same; save from the second
Floor, which answered the main Entrance, one Partition was reserved
for a Stair-Case. Higher than this, the Building, being something
contracted towards the top, would not afford space for the continuation
of the same Method: Therefore the two uppermost Rooms were not so
parted, nor perhaps ever had any Bodies lain in them. Unless it was
that of the Founder alone, whose Statue wrapt up in Funeral Apparel,
and in a lying Posture, is placed in a Nich, or rather Window in the
Front of the Monument, so as to be visible both within and without.
Near to this Statue was the following Inscription.
ΤΟ ΜΝΗΜΕΙΟΝ ΕΚΤΙΣΑΝ ΕΛΑΒΗΛΕΣ ΜΑΝΝΑΙΟΣ ΣΟΧΑΕΙΣ ΜΑΛΧΟΣ ΟΥΑΒΑΛΛΑΘΟΥ ΤΟΥ
ΜΑΝΝΑΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΕΛΑΒΗΛΟΥ ΑΥΤΩ ΚΑΙ ΥΙΟΙΣ ΕΤΟΥΣ ΔΙΥ ΜΗΝΟΣ ΞΑΝΔΙΚΟΥ.
'Tis a little doubtful whether ΑΥΤΩ should not rather be made ΑΥΤΟΙΣ;
or else there must be a Fault in the Verb, and all those but the Names
of one Person. The other Monument on the other side of the way is very
much like this; only the Front and Entrance are towards the North, and
'tis not altogether so Polite, nor so well Painted. But the Carvings
are as good, and it shews altogether as Stately and Magnificent as
the former. Besides, it has the Advantage in Age of a whole Century
of Years: As appears from the Date of the following Inscription. 'Tis
placed above a Nich in the Front, adorned with handsom Borders and
Cornishes; the place, doubtless, of some Statue, and probably that of
the Founder.
ΜΝΗΜΕΙΟΝ ΑΙΩΝΙΟΝ ΓΕΡΑΣ ΩΚΟΔΟΜΗΣΕΝ ΓΙΧΟΣ ΜΟΚΙΜΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΚΑΙΛΚΙΑΛΣΙΣΟΥ ΤΟΥ
ΜΑ......ΟΥ ΕΙΣΤΕ ΕΑΥΤΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΥΙΟΥΣ ΚΑΙ ΕΓΓΟΝΟΥΣ ΕΤΟΥΣ ΔΙΤ ΜΗΝΕΙ ΞΑΝΔΙΚΩ.
This is the most Ancient Inscription I met with in _Tadmor_, the 314th.
Year from the Death of _Alexander_ the Great, preceding the Birth of
our Saviour about Ten Years. The other also is between Twenty and
Thirty Years before the Reign of _Hadrian_, and consequently before the
_Romans_ got footing here. And from these sumptuous Structures, and
these costly _Mausolæa_, we may reasonably conclude, they were a Potent
and Opulent People, before they became subject to the _Romans_, and
were not obliged to them for their Greatness.
And now I believe I have wearied you sufficiently by leading you up
and down the Ancient and Famous City of _Tadmor_, and giving you so
dry an Account of our Employment there. After 4 Days stay we returned,
not the way that we came, but proceeding Eastward towards the River
_Euphrates_. In our way to which, the third Day, passing though a
Village called _Tieve_, upon a Stone set wrong End upwards, in the
midst of the Wall of the Mosch, we met with the following Inscription.
ΔΙΙ ΜΕΓΙΣΤΩ ΚΕΡΑΥΝΙΩ ΥΠΕΡ ΣΩΤΗΡΙΑΣ ΤΡΑ: ΑΔΡΙΑΝΟΥ ΣΕΒ... ΤΟΥ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ
ΑΓΑΘΑΝΓΕΛΟΣ ΑΒΙΛΗΝΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΔΕΚΑΠΟΛΕΟΣ ΤΗΝ ΚΑΜΑΡΑΝ ΩΚΟΔΟΜΗΣΕΝ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΝ
ΚΛΙΝΗ.... ΕΞ ΙΔΙΩΝ ΑΝΕΘΗΚΕΝ ΕΤΟΥΣ ΕΜΥ ΜΗΝΟΣ ΛΩΟΥ.
And under this was another in the same Language and Character we had
seen at _Tadmor_; I was surprized to find such an Inscription in this
Place, nor can any way guess how they should come by it: And the
mention of _Decapolis_ makes me still more in the Dark. If one might
extend the Bounds of _Decapolis_, as some are said to have done, as
far as _Cælosyria_, and comprize under this Name again all _Syria_,
_Phænicia_ only excepted, then need it not be brought from elsewhere,
but first set up in this Village. But this will not be allowed by those
who make _Decapolis_ only a part of _Palestine_. The Matter of Fact it
contains is only an Account of the Magnificence of this _Agathangelus
Abilenus_, whoever he was; who for the safety of the Emperor _Hadrian_,
erected at his own Charges, and Dedicated to _Jupiter_ the Thunderer, a
Royal Banquetting-House, (for so I take [17]ΚΑΜΑΡΑ to signifie) and a
Bed of State; for after ΚΛΙΝΗ there is doubtless a Letter omitted, and
it ought to be ΚΛΙΝΗΝ. The Date 445 agrees to the Year of our Lord 123.
which was the seventh of the Reign of _Hadrian_. And the Month ΛΩΟΣ is
our _August_.
[Sidenote: _Arsoffa._]
The next Day we past by the Ruins of a large Monastery of the
_Maronites_, as I guess it to have been by an Inscription we met with
upon the Capitals of several Marble Pillars, which supported the middle
Isle of a handsome Church, which was to this effect.
† ΕΠΙ ΣΕΡΓΙΟΥ ΕΠΙΣΚΟ. ΤΟΥ ΣΥΝΓΕΝ~ ΜΑΡΩΝΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΧΩΡΕΠΙΣΚΟ.
From thence we past on, and came the same Night to _Euphrates_, and
having travelled two Days on the Banks of that Famous River, we came to
the Tents of the King of the _Arabs_, who had furnish'd us with a Guide
for our Voyage. With him we remained two Nights, and in two Days Travel
more came back safe to _Aleppo_, having been out in the whole just 18
Days.
_The Reverend and Learned Author of this Account, cannot with Justice
be censured, if some Minute Particulars of the History of this Place,
have escaped his Memory, being obliged to write without recourse to the
Books proper for his purpose, which were not to be had in that Country.
We have since procured a Curious Prospect of these Noble Ruins, taken
on the Place; which, with some further Remarks thereon, are here
Published._
FOOTNOTES:
[14] This _Assyne_ was in the Year of our Lord 1693. Deposed by the
_Turks_, and one _Dor_ advanced to fill his place; so that now he is
constrained to live upon Rapine, being followed by a considerable
Number of Men, who delight not to Labour, nor to live under any settled
Government.
[15] 'Tis not improbable that ΟΛΟΓΕΣΙΑΣ might have been the Name of a
Person. _Vologeses_ is a known Name in History among the _Parthian_
Kings; to which the other seems to bear a great Affinity.
[16] _Plin. Secun. Ep. l._ 2. Tells us of one, who was accused of an
Illegal Exaction of Money from a Province, _Titulo Unguentarii_; now
what was in that case unjustly exacted, might be in this a Voluntary
Donation, not of the Province to the Governour, but of a great Man to
the People. Or else _Unguentarium_ may be supposed to be a Donative,
like _Clavarium_ or _Culinarium_, used sometimes by the _Romans_.
[17] This Word I find both in _Tacitus_ and _Strabo_, used for a kind
of Ships or Boats, long, narrow, light, and capable of receiving 20, or
at most 30 Men; but what they should do with Boats in an Inland Town,
without either River or Lake near it, I cannot imagine. I rather adhere
to the other signification.
_An Extract of the Journals of two several Voyages of the _English
Merchants_ of the Factory of _Aleppo_, to _Tadmor_, anciently
call'd _Palmyra_._
Our Merchants of this worthy Factory, being generally Men of more than
ordinary Birth and Education, have not been wanting (as the intervals
of leisure from their gainful Traffick would permit) to make Voyages of
Curiosity, to visit the celebrated Remains of Antiquity in those Parts,
whereby the once flourishing State of the World, under the _Roman
Empire_, is abundantly evinced. And being inform'd by the Natives,
that the Ruins of the City of _Tadmor_ were more considerable than any
they had yet seen, they were tempted to enterprize this hazardous and
painful Voyage over the _Desart_; but having been, by the perfidy of
the _Arabs_, disappointed of their Desires in their first Attempt, they
were obliged to defer their Curiosity, till they could better provide
for their Security: whereof being assured, from the Confidence some of
them had in the Friendship of _Assyne_ then King of the _Arabs_, they
adventured again, in the Year 1691, and had full liberty to visit,
observe and transcribe what they pleased.
[Illustration: _A View of the Ruines of =Palmyra= alias =Tadmor=, taken
on the Southern Side._]
What Account they there took, the Publick has already seen in our
Last, since which, by the Favour of Mr. _Timothy Lanoy_ and Mr. _Aaron
Goodyear_, two very Eminent Merchants, who were both in the first
Voyage, we have received not only the Draught of the Prospect of those
noble Ruins, taken upon the Place, (of which we here give a Copy,) but
also the Journals of both the Voyages; which, for the Satisfaction of
the Curious, we have thought fit to Publish.
_The first Voyage_, Anno 1678.
_July 18._ at Five in the Morning, we set out from _Aleppo_, being
sixteen _English_; but with Servants and Mulettiers in all forty; and
in four Hours and an half, travelling South by East, we arrived at a
Village call'd _Cafferabite_, being at the edge of the Desart, here we
reposed the rest of that Day.
_July 19._ we rose at one in the Morning, and directed our Course S. S.
E. over the Desart, for a Fountain call'd _Churraick_; but our Guide
losing his Way, there being no Path, 'twas near Noon before we found
it: which made us doubt of our Safety. This Well has no Signs near it
to discover it by. Here we pitch'd our Tents, and refresh'd our Selves
and Horses; and the Water being of a Purgative Quality, made us some
Diversion. In our way, we found two _Arabs_ with two Asses, one whereof
carried Water and a little Bread, the other they rod on by turns; they
had one Gun, with which they they shot Antelopes, the Bullet being a
hard Stone broken round, and cased with Lead; they had on the Palms
of their Hands, Elbows, Knees and Feet, some Antelope-Skin tied, that
they may be able to creep the better on the Ground, to Shoot; one of
the Asses walking by as a Stalking-horse, and the _Arab_ imitating the
Cry of the Gazel till he get within Shot: These _Arabs_ are called
_Selebee_. At the Well came to us some _Arabs_ that were making Ashes
of the ordinary sort of Weeds call'd _Chuddraife_, _Ruggot_ and
_Cuttaff_; these they cut and dry, and putting them into a Pit, set
Fire to them, and the Ashes cake at the bottom. The Ashes they carry to
_Eglib_ and _Tripoli_, to make Soap of: But the best sort of Ashes are
made of the Weed _Shinon_, which grows about _Tadmor_, _Soukny_, _Tibe_
and _Yarecca_; it grows like Broom in _England_, and in Shape resembles
Coral.
_July 20._ we rose at four in the Morning, and Travelling two Hours E.
S. E. we arrived at _Andrene_, where we found the Ruins of two or three
Churches, and of a great Town lying in a large Plain; where having
tarried about an Hour and an half, and taken some fragments of Greek
Inscriptions, which afforded no certain Sense, but yet were evidently
Christian, we march'd again S. by E. and in about four Hours time
came to a pleasant Aqueduct call'd _Sheck-alal_; this Aqueduct is cut
through the main Rock, for a great way from the Mountains; and where
it ends, the _Arabs_ have made a Garden, which afforded us Melons,
Cucumbers, Purslain, _&c._ In a Grotto hard by, there dwelt an _Arab_
with his Family; he had a dozen _Buffalo's_, which they used both for
their Milk, and to Plow the Ground, Sowing both Wheat, and Barly:
Hither the _Arabs_ resort, when they have committed any Robbery about
_Aleppo_, or _Hama_, and here they repose, and divide the Spoil.
_July 21._ we rose at four in the Morning, and riding two Hours South,
we came to a Ruin call'd _Briadeen_; here we found the following
Inscription on a Stone, good part in the Ground:
ΑΦΙΕΡΩΘΗ ΑΑΙΛΥΝΔΙΟΥ ΤΟΥ ΑΜΦ ΕΤΟΥΣ
ΔΙΑ ΜΑΤΕΡΝΟΥ ΚΑ(Ι Π)ΑΠΠΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΜΑΙΚΟΥ ΚΝΕΤΜΝ
-------- Υ -------- Ν
From hence going South-East, in four Hours more we came to a Well
called _Costal_ (which signifies a _Spring in Arab_.) Most part of
our way through the Desart we were troubled with _Rat-holes_ in great
numbers, like Coneyboroughs, which by the sinking in of the Earth, very
much incommoded our Horses and Mules. These _Rats_ have at the ends of
their Tails a bush of Hair, and the _Arabs_ eat them all, excepting one
part. From this Well we arose about four in the Afternoon, and began to
ascend small Hills, covered with Trees, which, for the most part, were
the small _Pistacho_'s which the _Arabs_ pickle with Salt; but eaten
green, are good to quench Thirst. We travelled on three Hours up the
Hills, where we pitch'd that Night, having no other Water but what we
carry'd with us; and at Night we had a small Shower of Rain, a thing
unusual in that Country at that time of the Year.
_July 22._ we rose by Two in the Morning, and Travelling E. S. E.
we came by Eleven to a Well call'd _G'hor_, where we found it very
Hot, and saw several prints of Horses Feet, so that we suspected some
_Arabs_ had newly past that way.
_July 23._ we rose by One in the Morning, and Travelling most East,
we came to a large Plain, where we saw before us, on a high Mountain,
a great Castle, call'd by the _Arabs_ _Anture_. When we had travelled
two or three Hours in this Plain, we espied an _Arab_ driving towards
us a Camel, with his Launce, so fast, that he came on a round Gallop,
and we supposed him sent as a Spy: being come up to us, he told us he
was of _Tadmor_, and that his Prince, the _Emir Melkam_, had that Day
made Friendship with _Hamet Shideed_ another Prince, and that together
they had four hundred Men; so he kept us Company an Hour or two, and
enquired of our _Mulettiers_ if we were not _Turks_ disguised, with
intent to seize on _Melkam_; for we travelled with a _Bandiero_, the
Impress being a _Hanjarr_ or _Turkish_ Dagger, and a Half-Moon. We told
him we were _Franks_, which he could hardly believe, wondering that we
travelled thus in the Desart, only out of Curiosity. Being come near to
_Tadmor_, he went a little before us, and on a sudden run full speed
towards the Ruins, we not endeavouring to hinder him. Our Guide told
us he was gone to acquaint the _Arabs_ who we were, and that we ought
to suspect and prepare for the worst; so we dismounted twenty of our
Servants, each having a long Gun, and Pistols at his Girdle, and placed
them abreast before us: we following at a little distance behind, on
Horse-back, with Carbines and Pistols. In this order we proceeded, and
came to a most stately _Aqueduct_, which runs under Ground in a direct
passage five Miles, and is covered with an Arch of Bastard Marble
all the Way, and a Path on both sides the Channel for two Persons to
walk abreast; the Channel it self being about an _English_ Yard in
breadth, and ¾ of a Yard in depth. At 20 Yards distance all the way
are Ventiducts for the Air to pass, and the holes are surrounded with
small Mounts of Earth to keep the Sand and Dust from falling down.
We marched close by these Mounts, which might serve us for Defence,
expecting every moment that the _Arabs_ would come to Assail us, having
the disadvantage of Sun and Wind in our Faces: wherefore we Travelled
hard to gain an Eminence where we might Post our selves advantageously,
and stop and repose a little, to consider what we had to do. The
_Arabs_ finding us to come on with this Order and Resolution, thought
not fit to adventure on us, so we gained the Hill, from whence we might
discern these vast and noble Ruins, having a Plain like a Sea for
greatness to the Southwards of it. Here having refresh'd our Men, we
fetch'd a little Compass and descended by the foot of a Mountain, on
which stands a great Castle, but uninhabited. Here two _Arabs_ came to
us with Lances, one being Chiah to _Melkam_, and we sent two to meet
them; they gave the _Salam alika_, and ours returned the _Alica salam_,
and advancing to our Company, told us the _Emir_ had understood of our
coming, and had sent them to acquaint us that he was our Friend, and
that all the Country was ours. We sent back with them our _Janizary_
and a Servant to visit the Prince in his Tents, which were in a Garden.
In the mean time we dismounted at a watering Place amidst the Ruins,
but did not unload till our _Janizary_ and Servant returned with the
_Emir's Tescarr_, assuring us of Friendship and Protection, a Writing
which the _Arabs_ were never known to violate before. With them came
also one that belonged to the _Sheck_ of the Town, for whom we had
Letters from _Useffe Aga_ the _Emeer_ of _Aleppo_. He desired us for
greater Security to pitch our Tents under the Town Walls, which is
in the Ruins of a great Palace, the Wall yet standing very high, the
Town within but small, and the Houses excepting two or three no better
than Hog-sties. So we pitched in a deep Sandy Ground where we found it
exceeding hot. Here we waited till three of the Clock without eating
any thing, expecting the _Sheck_ should have presented us according to
the usual Custom of the _Turks_ to their Friends, and have given some
answer to the Letters we brought him; but on the contrary we found
by the gesture of the People, that we had Reason to suspect them.
Hereupon two of our Company believing that the want of a present to
the _Emir_ was the cause thereof resolved to adventure to give him a
Visit, and taking the _Janizary_ and one Servant, they carried him a
Present of two pieces of Red Cloath, and four of Green, and several
other things: Being come he welcomed them into his Tent, and placed the
one on his right Hand and the other on his left. _Melkam_ was a young
Man, not above Five and Twenty, and well Featur'd, and a most Excellent
Horse-man; _Hamet Shideed_, the other Prince, was more elderly, as
about forty Years of Age, and was not in the Tent, but sat under a
_Palm-Tree_ near it. He treated them with _Coffee_, _Camel's-flesh_
and _Dates_, and enquired of their Journey, and the Cause of their
coming: They told him 'twas only Curiosity to see those Ruins; he said
that formerly _Solomon Ibnel Doud_ Built a City in that Place, which
being destroyed, was Built again by a strange People, and he believed,
that we understanding the Writing on the Pillars, came to seek after
Treasure, he having but six Moons before found a Pot of _Corra
Crusses_. After this he went out of the Tent, leaving them smoaking
Tobacco, to the _Janizary_ and Servant, and told them, that never till
that Day any _Franks_ had been at that Place, and that now we knew the
way through the Desert, we might inform the _Turks_ to their Ruin and
Destruction, so that 'twould be convenient for them to destroy us all:
But that we coming as Friends, he would only have 4000 Dollars as a
Present, else he would hang them and the two _Franks_ up, and go fight
the rest. This Message being brought them, they wish'd they had excus'd
themselves from this Embassy, and answered, they could say nothing to
that Demand, not knowing our Minds, but if he would permit them to go
and speak with the rest, they would return an Answer. Hearing this, he
threatened present Death, but at length gave leave to our _Janizary_
to carry us a Letter from them, wherein they shewed the danger they
were in, and earnestly entreated us to redeem them, the Price set on
them being 2000 Dollars, one half in Mony, the other half in Goods, as
Swords, Cloaths, Tents, _&c._ which the _Emir_ promised to estimate at
their Worth.
This Letter amazed us mightily, and a little before it arrived,
we understanding a little, and fearing more ill Treatment to our
Friends, were getting ready to free them or die with them. The Garden
where _Melkam_ lay, was about half a Mile from the Tents, full of
_Palm-Trees_, and had no Walls, but loose Stones piled up Breast high
about them, so we designed to have gone suddenly and given two or three
Volleys on them, e'er they could get to Horse; and the _Arab_ know not
how to Fight on Foot. And though they bragg'd they had 400 Men, we
supposed 200 might be the most, and they not all Lances. But on receipt
of this Letter, and the Servants telling us that they would certainly
be cut off, if we endeavoured their Rescue, we began to examin what
Moneys we had, Cloaths and other Trade, and found we could not near
make up that Sum. In this Confusion came two _Arabs_ to receive the
things, and immediately Word was brought that the _Emir_ would come
and Visit us; we sent him Word, that if he came with more than two
followers, we would not admit him: so he came with 2 Servants only; and
in conclusion, we made him up in Money and Goods to the Value of 1500
Dollars. He valuing our Things as we pleased; his Design being not so
much to compleat the Sum, as to take from us all we had. After this,
about Sun Set, he returned us our two Friends, when the _Sheck_ of the
Town invited us to Lodge within the Town; which we found afterwards
was with a design to have forced something from us: But we giving him
to understand that the Emir had taken all already, and had left us
only our Arms and the Cloaths on our Backs; which if they would have,
they must Fight for: That Resolution daunted them, and away they went,
promising us Barley for our Horses in the Morning. We kept good watch
in the Night, and when Day broke, we began to consider how to clear our
selves; we expected the Barly till Nine in the Morning, when it came,
and the Emir himself came and gave us the good Morrow: We feared least
they should pretend to stop some of us in the Gate-way, so we placed
six of our Company to secure the Passage, 'till all the rest were got
out, under pretence of taking an Inscription that was over the Gate.
Being all got clear, we returned by the same way we came and arrived at
_Aleppo_ _July 29._ in the Morning. This _Melkam_ told us, That if we
had not submitted our selves to his Demands, he was resolved to Fight
us after this Method: Loading 50 Camels with Baggs of Sand, and making
small holes in the Baggs for the Sand to drop out, he would drive
these Camels abreast upon us before the Wind, that the Sand might blow
in our Eyes, and we spending our Bullets on the Camels, might so be
easily overthrown; we answered, that we believed he would not venture
his Camels and Horses to such a Combat. He wondered extreamly when we
talk'd of Shooting Birds flying, and Hares running.
This and other the like Violences used by this _Arab_ Prince, made
the _Bassa_ of _Aleppo_ resolve to destroy him; and not long after he
cajoled him with the Hopes of being made King of the _Arabs_, and to
draw him near the City, he vested and caressed some of his Followers:
Which having its effect, the _Bassa_ surprized him in his Tents by
Night, and soon after he was put to Death: This those People were
willing to believe the effect of their so abusing the _English_, and
might much contribute to the Security and good Usage they found, that
went the second time on this Expedition.
We had not time to view these Ruins by reason of this usage, though
perhaps we might with safety. We only took one of the Inscriptions as
we past by, which was thus.
ΣΕΠΤΙΜΙΟΝ ΟΥΟΡΟΔΗΝ ΤΟΝ ΚΡΑΤΙΣΤΟΝ ΕΠΙΤΡΟΠΟΝ ΣΕΒΑΣΤΟΥ ΔΟΥΚΗΝΑΡΙΟΝ ΚΑΙ
ΑΡ..ΑΠΗΤΗΝ ΙΟΥΛΙΟΣ ΑΥΡΗΛΙΟΣ ΣΑΝΜΗΣ ΜΑΣΣΙΑΝΟΥ ΤΟΥ Μ..ΛΕΝΑΙΟΥ ΙΠΠΕΥΣ
ΡΟΥΜΑΩΝ ΤΟΝ ΦΙΛΟΝ ΚΑΙ ΠΡΟΣΤΑΤΗΝ ΕΤΟΥΣ Η Ο Φ ΜΗΝΕΙ ΞΑΝΔΙΚΩ.
Wherein the principal difference is in the Word ἀραπήτην, which
in the Account already Published is read ἀράπετην, which seems to
signifie some peculiar Officer of the _Syrians_, as _Ducenarius_ of
the _Latins_, which perhaps those skill'd in the Oriental Customs and
Languages may be able to expound.
As far as we could conclude from our Journeys, and the Position of
the Ways taken by two good Compasses, the Distance of _Tadmor_ from
_Aleppo_ is about a 150 English Miles, and the Course S. S. E. or
rather somewhat more Southerly, considering the Variation of the
Compass, which is above a half a Point Westward in these Parts.
_The second Voyage_, Anno 1691.
We set out from _Aleppo_ for _Tadmor_ on _Michaelmas-day_, being in
all, Masters and Servants, thirty Men, well armed, having obtained
a Promise of Security from _Assyne_, then King of the _Arabs_, and
one of his own People for a Guide. This Day our Road pointed S. b.
E. and in four Hours we came to a Fountain call'd _Caphir-Abiad_,
leaving Old _Aleppo_ about an Hour distant on the right Hand: Here we
made but a very short stay, but proceeded to a better Fountain at the
foot of a very high Hill, cover'd with loose Stones, the Ruins of a
Village called _Broeder_, of which there was not one House remaining;
and dining here, we advanced in an Hour and a quarter more, in the
Afternoon, through a fertile open Place, to a Place called _Emghir_,
famous for the best Wheat that is brought to _Aleppo_. This we made
our first Stage; and mounting again in the Morning about five a Clock,
in less than an Hour, past by an uninhabited Village, call'd _Urghee_,
our Road pointing as before, through the fruitful Plain, even and
pleasant; but when we came to ascend the Hills, where I reckon'd we
entred the Desart, and were to take our leave of Mankind, at least of
an inhabited Country for some Days, we had a troublesome Passage, over
loose great Stones, without any appearance of a Road.