ALEPPO, in Arabic, Haleb, the present metropolis of Syria, and, in point of importance, the third city in the Ottoman empire. In situation, magnitude, population, and opulence, it is much inferior to Constantinople and Cairo; but, in salubrity of air, in the solidity and ele gance of its private buildings, as well as in the conve nience and neatness of its streets, it may be reckoned superior to both. And though no longer possessed of the same commercial advantages as in former times, it still continues to maintain a share of trade for from in considerable.
Aleppo is situated in N. Lat. 36° 11' 25". E. Long., from Greenwich, 37° 10' 15". Its distance from Scan deroon, the nearest sea-port, is about 60 or 70 miles, in a straight line; but the usual road for caravans, through Antioch, is computed to be between 90 and 100 miles. Aleppo is supposed, by some, to be the Zobah of Scrip ture, mentioned 2 Sam. viii. 12. And such as wish to see this point discussed may consult Bochart's Geograph. Sacr. col. 79. But, however this may be, there can be little doubt, that Aleppo is the Bcrrcea of the Greeks; for we learn from Procopius, Persic.l. ii. c. 7.) that Berra was situated between Antioch and Hiera polls, about two days' journey from each, which answers exactly to the description of Aleppo. And we havt a still more explicit testimony, to the same effect, in Jure Grxeo-Roman. p. 292, Evricxoproy 1...eraA$15 eolay,v7o1 ze xamm.
Aleppo is encompassed, at the distance of a few miles. by a circle of hills, which, though not high, are, in most places, higher than the rising grounds nearer the town. They present but a barren appearance, being, for the most part, rocky, scantily provided with springs, and totally destitute of trees. The river Kowick, which rises near Aintab, glides with a slow and silent current westward of the city ; but, by the time that it reaches Aleppo, it is reduced to a small stream, having been let off, in ninny places, into the adjacent fields, as well as drained of large quantities of water for the use of the Aleppo gardens commencing at Heylan. Yet this stream,
insignificant as it is in appearance, sometimes swells in the winter season to a formidable river; and, when the Christian army was besieging Aleppo, in the year 1123, the Kowick, suddenly overflowing its banks, swept away their tents, baggage, and a great number of men, which obliged them to raise the siege.
The city of Aleppo, including its extensive suburbs, occupies eight small hills of unequal height, the inter mediate valleys, and a considerable extent of flat ground ; the whole comprehending a circuit of about seven miles. The city itself is not above three miles and a half in cir cumference, and is surrounded by an ancient wall, w hich, like those of other fortified towns in that country, is mouldering fast into ruin through neglect. Besides the wall, the city was formerly fortified with a broad deep ditch, which at present is, in most places, filled up with rubbish, or converted into garden ground. The city of Aleppo makes a fine appearance at a distance ; the mosques, the minarets and numerous cupolas, form a splendid spectacle ; and the flat roofs of the houses, which are situated on the hills, rising one behind ano ther, present a succession of hanging terraces, inter spersed with cypress and poplar trees; and the castle, placed on a hill, which towers above all the rest, pre sents a magnificent object to the eye of the approach ing traveller. But, as is the case with most other Turk ish cities, the ideas of splendour suggested by a distant prospect of Aleppo, subside on entering the gates. The streets, on account of the high stone walls on each hand, appear gloomy, and more narrow than they really arc ; and some of the best houses exhibit the appearance of nunneries, from the few high windows guarded with lattices, which only are visible. At the same time, it must be confessed, that some of the streets are spacious and handsome, and well paved with flag stones; and, in some of them, you look at once through several arches, which form an agreeable vista.