I return from Khorsabad more astonished than ever at my discovery. Notwithstanding some interruptions, my workmen have restored to light a vast number of bas-reliefs and inscriptions, without any clue being yet afforded me by which to ascertain the design, or even to form an idea respecting the general arrangement of this monument; consequently, in order to understand my explanation, you will necessarily be obliged to follow the plan I now send you, and which is very nearly correct. I have numbered the prominent parts with Roman cyphers; they will help me to describe them. You recollect

* This plan will be found accompanying M. BOTTA's first letter, Plan I.

that the wall marked XVIII on the plan turns a little towards the east; it has been followed the length of 5m. 10c. (xIx) without reaching its extremity. Here are first displayed two colossal female figures, attired like those of which I have already sent you a drawing, and armed with swords. The only apparent difference is in the position of the hands, and, further, the heads being well preserved, I was able to perceive that the hair, eyes, and eyebrows were painted black. In front of these are two more personages of equal dimensions and in good condition, save a single fracture completely dividing the gypsum slab whereon they are sculptured. One of these personages is bare-headed, his temples bound with a red fillet, descending upon the shoulders; his hair and beard are painted black, and very curiously plaited; he has ear-rings, rich armlets and bracelets, and a sword, his left hand resting on the handle. The second personage, who turns towards him, seems to be a King; upon his head he wears a tiara ornamented with red bands and pointed at the top. His hair and beard are plaited like those of the first. His right hand grasps a long red staff, and the other is placed upon the hilt of his sword. His robe is adorned with rosettes, and, under it, hangs a sort of scarf,

beneath which his sword is passed. I have been very successful in delineating these two figures; that of the King in particular is pretty faithfully represented by my drawing. Although I have given the upper part alone, they are entire; the remainder having fallen down, I had not time to replace and copy it. The slab upon which these personages are sculptured is in good condition, the details are perfectly preserved, and, consequently, it would be possible to transmit them to France,

Such, Sir, are the sculptures of wall XIX as far as the point where the clearing stopped without having reached its extremity.

Let us now proceed to wall xv in passage No. II. It turns eastward (XIV) like the former; there, it displays a chariot similar to that of which I sent you a drawing, and also containing three personages. It is, besides, preceded by two warriors. Above, is the usual band of inscriptions surmounted by a bas-relief very much decayed, wherein, however, may be discerned a man apparently swimming in a river, and flocks climbing up the sides of mountains, &c. I could not draw it; it will be quite possible to copy the inscription, but time has failed me for the purpose. Wall xiv does not end here, but continues in this

F

direction; everything leads to the supposition that it formed one side of a large chamber, walls xxii and

xx

XX constituting the rest. You remember that wall XXII displayed a chariot which I drew.* Further in advance (XXI) some kind of animal is indistinctly discerned, and several personages, all in a state of extreme decay. One appears to be writing, and taking account of six human heads piled up before him. This bas-relief is surmounted by a band of inscription, part of which I have been able to copy.†

The entire length of this wall is 5m 62; then, instead of turning westward, as I believed, it turns towards the east (xx). First are seen a number of small personages, whose legs alone remain; next, a bas-relief representing two archers kneeling, and two others standing, they are discharging arrows against the fortress I am about to describe. These archers are clad like those with whom I have already made you acquainted, and are surmounted by a band of inscription, a copy of which I now send you.

*See PL. XVII.

Then

† See PL. XXIII. The third line is wanting, and the inscription is incomplete at both ends; it forms the sequel of the inscription contained in PL. XVIII.

Plan XXIV. This inscription is complete, except where it is marked with irregular strokes.

comes a curious scene (I have made a drawing of this, and enclose it to you); the assault of a fortress.* It consists of an embattled enclosure, defended by towers; beneath, are undulating lines, probably representing either a river or the water in the moat. This enclosure surrounds a strong-hold, whence rise certain streaks that, from their red colour, must, I believe, be intended for flames. At one extremity are perceived three warriors armed with pikes, carrying their shields on high, and mounting a ladder; others have already reached the top, and, in the spaces between the towers, smaller figures are seen likewise ascending to the assault. More warriors were scaling also the opposite end, but these are sadly decayed; all that can be discerned is one of them running his sword through the body of an enemy. From the summit of this extremity a man is falling, pierced by an arrow; and, in various parts of the fortress, personages may be distinguished raising their arms towards heaven. On the ground within the enclosure is a row of unfortunate captives who have been impaled. In conclusion, I must not forget to remark that the crest of the mountain bears some characteristics which very possibly indicate the locality of

*Plan XXV.