Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1818-08-29
mo. I0.]

mo. 10.]
The grounds to great extent on each
side the main road from Smyrna, passing
Caravan bridge, are used as repositories
for the dead.
From the sombre and melancholy ap-
pearance oftbe forests Of cypress trees with
which they are covered, permitting only
enfeebled rays Of light to penetrate, added
to the death-like stiffness Of the place, The
mind is filled with gloom! Its, however,
in some part dispelled, on rejecting that
the siIen; tenants will there rest in peace,
undisturbed by the present or future gene
rations, not only from respect TO thermem-
DRY, but from religious prejudices, which
prevent the disturbance of their relics in
the prosecution of any interested specula-
ton, so dsgraceful, yet SO common, else
where.
From firm belief III predestination, the
Turk gives himself no trouble relative TO
the past or present, and takes no precauton
TO avoid impending danger! He lool's with
contempt on the traveller who labors 10
discover the hidden ruins of antiquity, and
smiles with disdain on the Frank, who i'm
prisons himself for months to escape the
dreadful ravages of malignant disorders.
Whether these feelings would be condu-
Give to the general happiness of mankind
or not. is uncertain; but with the exception
Of their total disregard to life, think them
enviabie.
Tothis firm beliefin predestination, may
with safety he attributed the devastation
made annually by the plague. The fumi-
ture, and wearing apparel of the deceased
are publicly dispos Of, and the purchaser
makes use OF both without the least regard
TO the inevitable consequences. From this
circumstance, it may easily he conceived
with what celebrity the Festilence spreads,
and the only method of avoiding il, is by
voluntary Imprisonment, or flying TO the
country beyond its reach.
II makes IFS appearance in swelIings on
different parts OF the body. In few days
the patient becomes delirious, and death
ensurs. 1t is conveyed only by the touch,
but such is the horror with which il is view
ed, nat Christians abandon their nearest
relatives TO the care Of those who are proof
against IFS effects, and allow them, with ma.
ture, To follow their own dictates.
About the time Of the suns making its
appearance, large bodies of Mshometans
visit the burying grounds, and there wait
till the remains of their deceased friends
are brought from the city. AT this time It's
extremely dangerous 10 pass-,he road be-
ing thronged, and some OF the pOpulace
having been known to cast the winding
sheets OF the dead, on the unsuspcctins
stranger while passing.
he bodies are brought on hiers without
collins, and are deposited naked with the
lace doWnwards in the grave, and the
mourners go about the streets" rejoicing
that another OF their kindred has changed
this uncertain pilgrimage of life for resi-
dence IN heavenly paradise, where all The
happiness they knew on ear.h will be great.
lycnhanced, and where Rouris, more beat
tilui than angels, will administer eiernally
TO their pleasures.
AT the head ofeach grave stone is erect.
ed covered with hierogIyphics and SUI.
mounted by turban cut from the same ma
ierIal or marble, and a; each end a cypress
tree IS planted, which from time to time is
watched with anxiety. lest its growth should
be ob!Ique instead of perpendicular This
sometimes happens, although very seldom;
IN which case, not all the philosophers OF
past ages, or those OF the present, would be-
able to convince Turk, but that the soul
OF the deceased had descended to the re-
gions OF eternal misery.