praise for the abounding mercies of our covenant-keeping God.

During the winter, two brothers of the patriarch, one of them his designated successor, made us a visit, and urged the extension of our labours through all parts of their country; and the patriarch himself wrote a cordial letter, renewing his invitation for me to repeat my visit in the spring.

The following is an extract from the patriarch's letter, in which reference is had to the desires he had expressed for the extension of our labours. It is dated from the Patriarchal Cottage, " with prayer and blessing." .” *** “ My heart went with you, O doctor, in the day that you went from me: but after I heard that you had arrived in safety, I greatly rejoiced. If you inquire of my affairs, and what I have to say, it is that word which we spoke. What I said to you before is what I have to say now. You and I are one: and there is no change touching the things you heard from me. And again may you be a blessing, and blessed with the blessings of God and the words of salvation: and may He give you joyful seasons and length of years, and remove and keep you from troubles and disquietudes."

I was desirous to promote, as far as possible, the friendly regard and confidence of the patriarch, improve our acquaintance, acquire additional information, and especially to remove any remaining doubts of the practicability and safety of travelling or residing in the mountains or among the Koords on their borders. I

therefore resolved to pass through the regions of Central Koordistan, and revisit the patriarch, and proceed thence on my route towards my native land.

I left Ooroomiah on the 7th of May, 1840, accompanied by my little son Henry Martyn, then about four years of age, together with the two bishops Mar Yohannan and Mar Yoosuph, who are connected as coadjutors with our mission. At Salmas we were joined by the two brothers of the patriarch mentioned above, and a number of Nestorians, who were returning to their homes in the mountains after spending the winter upon the plains.

Our way over the mountains from Salmas was so obstructed by the snow that we were benighted upon. their summits, and slept under the open canopy of heaven, while the temperature was quite below freezing. But, fortunately, the patriarch's brothers had with them a quantity of carpeting, by means of which we made ourselves comfortable, and rested quietly till about three o'clock in the morning, when we proceeded on our way by the light of the moon. On descending into the valleys along the sources of the Zâb, we found numerous bands of Koords living in their black tents and pasturing their flocks; but they offered us no molestation, and we passed on to the fortress of BashKalleh.

My friend the Koordish chief was absent in the Turkish dominions, where we shall meet with him hereafter. I spent the night with the local governor, from whom I received a friendly welcome. The next morning I continued my route along the course of the

Zâb towards Jûlamerk, which I reached on the evening of the second day. The road was much obstructed by the remains of avalanches which had slid down the steep mountain sides; and into one of these my horse made a sudden plunge, and sent me and my little son over his head into the snow, but without our receiving material injury. Once or twice afterwards we experienced similar falls; but I usually dismounted wherever there was apparent danger.

The approach to Jûlamerk from the river is very grand. The road rises along the face of the mountain, till at length the traveller looks down from an almost perpendicular height of more than a thousand feet. It was a part of the road which the governor of Salmas had described in the strong figurative terms already mentioned. The castle of Jûlamerk stands upon an insulated mountain, in an opening between the higher ranges. It is distant three or four miles from the river, which is visible through the opening ravine..

The bridge leading to the patriarch's residence had been swept away a few hours before my arrival, so that I could not cross the river and visit the tribes of Jelu, Bass, and Tehoma, as I at first intended; but I was so happy as to find the patriarch a guest with Suleiman Bey, the then presiding Hakary chief of Jûlamerk. My reception was most gratifying; and during ten days which I spent in the castle, all my former impressions regarding the practicability and immediate importance of a mission in the mountains were fully confirmed. The confidence and interest of the patriarch in our work appeared to be increased, and he was

joined by the chief in his repeated invitations for me to remain or speedily return.

I everywhere found myself an object of much curiosity, as I had exchanged the wide, flowing robes and turban, worn on my former visit, for my own proper costume, which I was accustomed to wear in Persia, retaining my beard to establish my identity. But the people very properly remarked that there was quite a deterioration in my appearance. I must certainly have appeared like a smaller person; as I became aware on seeing the chief habited in my Frank dress, which he put on in his harem for the amusement of his ladies.

My intercourse with the patriarch and his numerous visiters was of a very gratifying and encouraging nature; and I much regretted that I could not at once enter upon my labours for the improvement of this interesting people, instead of pursuing the long journey before me. But this might not be, and I hastened my departure.

Instead of proceeding through Tiyâry to Môsul, I resolved to take the more direct route by way of Van and Erzeroom to Constantinople.

CHAPTER IX.

Hospitality of the People-Return by way of Van-Night in the Valley Visit to Koordish Villages-Pastoral Life--Death of Shultz -Van-Interview with the Hakary Chief-Change of his Relations -Incident among the Koords.

it

May 25, 1840.-It was afternoon before I could leave the Koordish bey; for, after all other business was finished, and he had written a letter to the next chief beyond the borders of the Hakary country, he constrained me to wait for a repast, of which he partook with me; while his mother prepared food for us to eat on the road, spreading honey over the bread with her own hands, and rolling it up with great care. She then brought forward a bag of raisins and nuts, into which she put a small loaf of sugar, and gave to my son, who had become a great favourite with her and with the whole household, especially with the little Koordish children. He was now able to speak three languages, Turkish and Syriac as well as English. The patriarch's sister had also sent a quantity of bread, in which was rolled up a large supply of holwá, or honey, butter, and flour simmered together so as to form a kind of rich cake. His mother sent us bread, cheese, and eggs, so that our scrip was really very well furnished by our benevolent friends. in these wild mountains; a kindness, to appreciate which one must place himself in the same dependant circumstances, and remember that there was a scarcity