p. 199.—_Of sainted cedars on its banks._ This rivulet, says Dandini, is called the Holy river from the “cedar-saints” among which it rises. In the _Lettres Edifiantes_, there is a different cause assigned for its name of Holy. “In these are deep caverns, which formerly served as so many cells for a great number of recluses, who had chosen these retreats as the only witnesses upon earth of the severity of their penance. The tears of these pious penitents gave the river of which we have just treated the name of the Holy River.”—See _Châteaubriand_’s Beauties of Christianity. Footnote 249: p. 200.—_Of_ OMAN _beetling awfully._ This mountain is my own creation, as the “stupendous chain,” of which I suppose it a link, does not extend quite so far as the shores of the Persian Gulf. “This long and lofty range of mountains formerly divided Media from Assyria, and now forms the boundary of the Persian and Turkish empires. It runs parallel with the river Tigris and Persian Gulf, and almost disappearing in the vicinity of Gomberoon (Harmozia), seems once more to rise in the southern districts of Kerman, and following an easterly course through the centre of Meckraun and Balouchistan, is entirely lost in the deserts of Sinde.”—_Kinneir_’s Persian Empire. Footnote 250: p. 201.—_That oft the sleeping albatross._ These birds sleep in the air. They are most common about the Cape of Good Hope. Footnote 251: p 201.—_Beneath the Gheber’s lonely cliff._ There is an extraordinary hill in this neighbourhood, called Kohé Gubr, or the Guebre’s mountain. It rises in the form of a lofty cupola, and on the summit of it, they say, are the remains of an Atush Kudu, or Fire-Temple. It is superstitiously held to be the residence of Deeves or Sprites, and many marvellous stories are recounted of the injury and witchcraft suffered by those who essayed in former days to ascend or explore it.—_Pottinger_’s Beloochistan. Footnote 252: p. 202.—_Of that vast mountain stood on fire._ The Ghebers generally built their temples over subterraneous fires. Footnote 253: p. 202.—_Still did the mighty flame burn on._ “At the city of Yezd, in Persia, which is distinguished by the appellation of the Darûb Abadut, or Seat of Religion, the Guebres are permitted to have an Atush Kudu, or Fire-Temple, (which, they assert, has had the sacred fire in it since the days of Zoroaster,) in their own compartment of the city; but for this indulgence they are indebted to the avarice, not the tolerance, of the Persian government, which taxes them at twenty-five rupees each man.”—_Pottinger_’s Beloochistan. Footnote 254: p. 204.—_The blood of_ ZAL _and_ RUSTAM _rolls._ Ancient heroes of Persia. “Among the Guebres there are some who boast their descent from Rustam.”—_Stephen_’s Persia. Footnote 255: p. 204.—_Across the dark sea-robber’s way._