The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1825-11-24
VOLUME II.
MISCELLANY,
EXTRACTS

geograpntcai Work OF Malta Brun. This ads
mirahle author has not only adopted new
method of imparting TO his readers knows
ledge Of the physical and moral state of ma.
tons, but no hss placed himself by his superios
science ana often by his oloqueuce, far above
I'LL other writers who have preceded him Oh
the same subject. Those who peruse him will
find instruction, amusement, a lofty sense Of
the rights of man, and the desire of diffusina
the principles of civilization, and of contribut.
nc to the n,tlioration and happiness Of societys
tic begins h,s account Of Asia Minor and the
coasts Of tho Black Sen with tho following do
scriptive ami eloquent eaasion.
awe are now to tread upon soil rich id
interesting and splendid recollections, with
an existing population completely debased
by ignorance and slavery.
"The glory Of twenty different nations
which once hcurishcd in Western Asia has
been extinguished focks wander over ths-
tomb Of Achilles and Of Hector and ths
thrones of Mthridates and the Antiochus.
es have disappeared, as well as the palaces
of priam and Croesus. The merchants Of
Smyrna do not inquire whether Homcrw was
born within their walls ;the fine sky of loniA
no longer inspires either painters OF poets)
the same obscurity covers with i'm shades
the banks ofthe Jordan and the Euphrates,
the republic Of Moses is not to be found
the harps Of David and Isaiah are now 81
lent for eTer THE wandering Arabian
comes, Indifferent and unmoyed, TO rest tho
poles Of his tent against the shattered coll
umns of Palmyra; Babylon also has fallen
beneath the stroke Of an avenging destiny,
and that city which reigned supreme over
oppressed Asia has scarcely left behind it
trnce that can shew where the ramparls
OF Semitamis were raised"
[After much miscellaneous matter We arrive
at the city Of Damascus
"on the eastern basc Of Lbanus is the
fertile plain watered by numerous streams.
where the ancient city of Damascus stands.
the Demcshk, or Sham Demeshy of the
orientalists. This city was once famous foo
the Manufacture of sabrcs, which appear To
have been made of thin lamin@ ofsteel and
iron welded together no as to unite great
fexibility with keen edge. The art Of
making them 10 lost, since Tamerlane car
ried off the artisans to Persia Sabres ara
still made here, but Of inferior quality. ID
has manufacture Of excellent soap, and
Of stufis made of q mixture Of cotton and
silk. The cabinct-work Of fno wood, a.
dorned with ivory and mother Of pearl, has
excited the admiration Of the Europeanss
This city is enlivcned by the hustle ofcoEiA
merce, and the passage Of the caravans ID
Mecca. The great street which crosses it
presents two rows Of shops, In which tho
riches ofIndia glitter alorg with thdso Of
Europe Its population may amount to-
l00,UU. The private houses Of Damascus,
simple in external appearance, exhibit in
the interior al the splendof aud elegance
ofa refined luxury the floors are Of mar
BILE; alabaster and gildihgs are displayed
on every sde. In every great house therss
are several fountains playing in magni6-'
cent basins. Tho smallest house has threV
water pipes, one fbr the kitchen, anothep
for the garden, and u third for Washing
The same fhagnifcence is displayed in the
mosques, the churches, aud the coffee. hou-'
scs. The Chan Verdy, or Coffce-hou OF
Rosos, is considered az one of the euriosi-s
tics Of the Lcvant. The environs Of the
city, watered by the RArrady and other
small streams, present at all seasons Of the
year pleasing verdare, andcontain an ex-
tensive series Of gardens and villas. The
valley Of Damascus or Gutha is, according
TO Abufods, tte first Of the four torcstrioS
paradves."
| I'VE Ter hiinats our extracts q this time, ~
pne follo'Siny judicious remarks on the present
prospects Of the ottomnns.l
"'rhe French under Bonaparte, pleasing
themselves with the prospect Of universal
conquea, spared the Turkish power only
|. because the conquest Of tho Russian en-
pifc was more brilliant object for their
arms, and tho materials Of that empire were
more easily smalgsmated with those az
ready in the hands Of this all-powcrful inva-
der, and moro easily made effective for fu-
,,,,s cououests. The sudden fall of French