Being five thousand feet above the level of the sea, it was not subject to oppressive heats.

There were fruitful gardens on the one hand, stretching for miles over the plain, and on the other, the placid lake, and snow-capped mountains; altogether forming a very striking landscape.

A small Nestorian community had formed a settlement on the mountains within three or four hours of Van.
Dr.Grant reached the summer residence of the Patriarch on the 9th of July, and was cordially received as before; and the same may be said of his intercourse with the mountaineers.

He mentions several places in Koordistan as having strong claims for a missionary station, but gives the preference to Asheta in Tiary.
While at Asheta, he received painful tidings of the death of Mr.and Mrs.Mitchell, and the sickness of Mr.and Mrs.Hinsdale, and immediately started for Mosul, though at much risk from Koords on the frontier, and from roving Arabs near the Tigris.

He reached Mosul on the 25th of August, in time to minister successfully to Mr.
Hinsdale, whose life had been seriously endangered by a relapse of fever.
Messrs.