The Sun.
London, England, 1840-08-12 00:00:00

THE TRIBES OF LEBANON.

The Maronites, who with the Druses and the other
tribes of Lebanon, are now exciting so much interest
as the opponents of Ibrahim Pacha in Syria, are, ac-
cording to De la Martine, brave, and like all moun-
taineers, warriors by nature. They could muster, in
1832, at the bidding of the Emir Beschir, their head,
to the number of 30 to 40,000 men, either to defend
the passes of their mountains, or to rush upon the place,
and make Damascus or the towns of Syria tremble.
Their population is upwards of 200,000 and increas-
ing daily by their attention to agriculture, which
has covered the sides of Lebanon with terraces of
mulberry, fig, olive, and plum trees, almost up to
the highest crags. Their villages exceed two hundred,
each having its well-built monastery, occupied by
about 100 monks, who are, besides, all laborious pea-
sants, raising silk, corn, &c., and are models of piety
and industry. Though rigid Catholics, they have ex-
torted from the Pope permission for the clergy to
marry, and no where are this body of men so pure, so
venerable, and so truly pious, so that crime is almost
unknown throughout the country. In short, De la
Martine observes, that should he ever be obliged to ex-
patriate himself, he should make choice of one " of the
peaceful villages of these Maronites, at the foot or on
the descent of Lebanon, in the bosom of a simple, re-
ligious, and benevolent population, under the palm and
orange-trees of one of the gardens of their mountains,
within view of the sea. .

" I may deceive myself (says he),
but I imagine that great destinies may be reserved for
the Maronite people—a virgin nation, primitive in :its
morals, religion, and courage ; possessed of the tra-
ditional virtue of the Patriarchs, of property, a por-
tion of liberty, and much patriotism ; and who by
similarity of religion and other relations of faith and
commerce, are every day more and more impregnated
with western civilisation." . . . . " Should a man of
talent spring up among them, capable of estimating the
future and disposed to ally himself with European
powers, he would have no difficialty in re-enacting the
wonders of Mehemet Ali, Pacha of Egypt, and would
leave behind him the veritable gem of an Arabian em-
pire."7-Pilgrinzage to the Holy 155, 162.

39, ALBEMARLE-STREET, PICCADILLY, AND
76, KING WILLIAM-STREET, BANK OF ENGLAND --
DEAFNESS AND DEFECTIVE VISION.—A greater proof of the
value of the Messrs. S. and B. Solomon's Invisible Operative
Voice Conductor and newly-invented Spectacle Lenses,
cannot be adduced, than the circumstance of the many
thousands of individuals who have obtained the greatest
benefit and instant relief, and the constant immense de-
mand there is for them, and the patronage they have and
daily continue to receive. The Messrs. S. and B. Solo-
mons disclairs all connection with persons of the same
name, and the sale of amber spectacles ; the pernicious
use of amber spectacles being now well known to the
public, and the vendor being aware of it, he has therefore
altered their name, by leaving out the word " Amber,"
and calling them " Patent Spectacles." Dr. Andrew
Ure, Esq., M. D., F. R. S., &c., states amber is most
powerfully electrical by friction, very hot, to such an ex-
tent as to explode into fragments. The workmen, too, are
subject to a nervous tremor in their wrists, arms, &c , they
encounter great danger by handling such dreadfully-ex-
cited electrics. Amber is of such a soft and sticky na-
ture, that it is apt to take fire ; and when exposed to
warmth, it swells, bubbles up, and will burn away with
flame. This statement is further confirmed by Sir D.
Brewster and Pliny, and also by Parks and Hearns on
chemistry. The pernicious and destructive use of such a
msterial for spectacles to imperfect vision may be ascer-
tained at any respectable optician's in London.
Leitch Ritchie's " Word or two to Father
Mathew; or Tee-totalism a Delusion l! l" will appear in
the Court Journal of Saturday next, August 15th. Also
" Memoirs of Chivalry, No. II." " The Shepherd Peer,"
" Private Intelligence fro n the German Courts and Wa-
tering Places ;" with all the Fashionable, Dramatic, Lite-
rary, and Musical Chit-Chat of the week. By a remit-
tenee of ed. in a penny• post letter, this Journal (established
under Royal patronage in 1629), will be forwarded to all
parts of the United Kingdom and the Continent, postage
free. Orders received by all Booksellers and Newsmen
in Town and Country. W. Thomas, publisher, 19, Ca-
therine-street, Strand.
NOVEL MODE OF
.TRAVELLING.—Lord
Stanley, shunning the more modern mode of traeelling—
" the rail"--or, perhaps, fearing lest anything serious
should befsl Lady Stanley, who is, at present, in an in-
teresting situation, last week adopted a novel mode of
tr tnsit from London to Latham House, the seat of Lord
Skelmersdale, in Lancashire. Early in the week his
Lordship, Lady Stanley, and a numerous suite, embarked
from Cashiobury Park, Hertfordshire, in two of Messrs.
Pickford and Co.'s boats—the one an elegantly fitted
packet, usually devoted to the use of the Company when
going on business excursions. The only stoppage made
on the journey downwards, took place at Stoke-upon-
Trent, on Wednesday night, at which place the boats
were moored for several hours. At 6 o'clock ma Thurs-
day evening his Lordship arrived at Preston Brook,
Cncshire, the junction of the Trent and Bridgewater navi-
gation. lie was here received by Mr. Mitchell, the agent
to the Bridgewater trustees, and the principal inhabitants
of the district. The whole of the workpeople belonging
to the canal, then stationed at Preston Brook, turned out
to a man, and a very handsome set of harness, with
liveries for the riders, made for Lord Francis Egerton's
private use, was brought into requisition for the first
time. The boatmen and porters drew his Lordship';
barge the length of the wharf. His Lordship stopped at
Stretford on Thursday night, and en Friday finished hie
- voyage.--Liverpool Times.
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