In undertaking to describe so extensive and celebrated a region as the Persian empire, the Author is by no means insensible to the difficulty of the task on which he enters. The object is wide and intricate, while the sources of information are frequently imperfect or obscure; but it has been his study, by adopting a distinct arrangement, and by
consulting the best authorities, to present his readers with a correct and complete picture of that interesting portion of Western Asia.. His personal acquaintance with many parts of the wintry has afforded him material assistance in describing its, aspect, productions, and inhabitants and he has availed himself of the observations of the greater number of modern travelers, both to correct his own opinions, and to supply additional facts.