Yezidees make votive offerings to the devil, by throwing money and jewels into a certain deep pit in the mountains of Sinjar, where a large portion of them reside; and it is said that when that district, which has long been independent, was subjugated by the Turks, the pasha compelled the Yezidee priest to disclose the place, and then plundered it of a large treasure, the offerings of centuries. The Yezidees here call themselves Daseni, probably from the ancient name of the district, Dasen, which was a Christian bishopric in early times. Their chief place of concourse, the religious temple of the Yezidees, is said to have once been a Christian church or convent. The late Mr. Rich speaks of the Yezidees as "lively, brave, hospitable, and good-humoured;" and adds that," under the British government, much might be made of them." Can nothing be made of them under the gospel? and will not the effort be made? Môsul is a central position from which to approach them, and they may well form an important object of attention for a mission in that city. The Nestorians claim them as a branch of their Church; and there are other reasons why they might well be included in our labours for the improvement of that people. Many of the Nestorians speak the Koordish language, which is spoken by the Yezidees, and they would prove most important and valuable coadjutors in our labours for their conversion,

while, at the same time, an opportunity would at once be afforded for the development of the missionary zeal which once so greatly animated the Nestorian Church, and which we aim and expect, by the blessing of God, speedily to revive.

The precise number of the Yezidees it is difficult to estimate, so little is known of them; but it is probable that we must reckon them by tens of thousands, instead of the larger computations which have been made by some travellers who have received their information merely from report. Still they are sufficiently numerous to form an important object of attention to the Christian Church; and I trust, as we learn more about them, sympathy, prayer, and effort will be enlisted in their behalf. It will be a scene of no ordinary interest when the voice of prayer and praise to God shall ascend from hearts now devoted to the service of the prince of darkness, "the worshippers of the devil!" May that day be hastened on.

Continuing in a northeast course, in two hours we came in sight of the ancient convent of Mar Matta (St. Matthew), which is said to have stood about fifteen hundred years. It occupies a bold position on the steep, rocky acclivity of a mountain, which I ascended on a mule, after receiving a charge to hold fast to his mane to keep from falling backward in the steep, zigzag ascent. It has been deserted in consequence of the

ravages

of the

Ravendoos Koords, who overrun this region six or seven years ago, committing sad havoc pártic ularly among the poor Yezidees. A cool fountain in a cave, which is shaded by a pretty arbour and the overhanging rock, invited to repose, but I had not time long to admire its beauties; and, after surveying the extended and charming prospect, I hastened to the little village of Meirik, where my companions were waiting for me to partake of the plain collation of melons, etc., which the poor Yezidees of the place had prepared.

We then hastened on through an opening in the hills, and just at dusk reached another village of the Yezidees, called Mohammed-Ravshan, where we stopped for the night. Our ride was enlivened by the sight of small herds of antelopes, which skipped fleetly over the hills, or gratified their curiosity by gazing at us at a safe distance from our path. We also met a number of Koords, who gave me the friendly salutation (which a Turk accords to the true believers alone) of "Peace be with you."

Two monuments of the description of those I have mentioned, but of a much larger size, were very conspicuous objects near the village; but fatigue and the lateness of the hour prevented me from making a particular examination of them. The accommodations which the village afforded were of the poorest kind; and, to avoid the ver

E

min of the houses, we spread our carpets in the open street, and, after a social chat and a mess of pottage, made of sour buttermilk and herbs boiled together, I lay down under the broad canopy of heaven, committing myself to the ever-watchful care of heaven's great Architect.

There is little or no dew in these countries, and the natives usually sleep in the open air through the summer. The people of a whole village may often be seen making their toilet upon the tops of their flat-roof houses at dawn of day.

CHAPTER IV.

Battle-ground of Alexander.-Akra and its Scenery.-Reception by a Koordish Chief.-Journey to Amâdieh.

October 8, 1839.-My slumbers were disturbed by slight showers of rain which fell in the night. This proved a fortunate circumstance, as I was thus awakened just in time to hear the neighing of my horse and secure him, as he was moving off under very suspicious circumstances, his halter having been loosened probably by robbers, who fled on the outcry and pursuit which was made.

At dawn of day we mounted, and soon entered upon an extensive and very level plain, watered by the Gomela and Hazir, or Chaser rivers, which we soon after forded a few miles above their junction. Geographers are agreed that the latter is the Bumadus, upon which the famous and decisive battle was fought between the legions of Darius and Alexander; and the extent and situation of this plain, with its relative distance from Arbela,* whither the Macedonian army pursued the vanquished monarch of Persia, and which gave name to the battle, seem to denote this as the probable theatre of that memorable scene of blood

* Six hundred stadia, according to Arrian.