The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-09-16

not extend beyond the chain of Lebanon, the
population OF which does not exceed 6O,0OO
souls, and IS composed of three Taces-the An
sarias, the Druses, and Maronites. The An
sarias, who reckon 10000 souls, and occupy
the northern part the chain in the environs OF
Trpoh, are idolaters, mixing however, IN
their worship sometimes Mahomedan and |
sometimes Christian rites. The importance OF
this tribe is comparatively very trifing. The |
Druses and Maronites, although following dill !
terent creeds, have mutual political relations.
TIE Marontes are Catholics, who having In !
the SIX century been prosecuted by the Greeks
took refuge in Lebanon. The Druses are
sect OF Mahomedans, whom their co-bellevers
drove from their country. Common safety
drove the Druses and Maronites TO combine IN
the defence OF their new country IT was not
till the reign OF Ainurath Ill. that they were
brought under the dominion of the Turks; but
they were allowed to have a chief taken from
among themselves. The race of this chief be
coming extinct, the authority was transferred
to an Arab, from whom Emir Becir, the pre-
sent chief of the Druses, is descended. He
was powerful prince when the French army
entered Syria, and he has ruled the Druses and
Maronites for 40 years. He is commander OF
all the forces of the country, and it is by his or
der alone that the people can take up arms; he
is the only medium for the execution of the di-
rections Of the Government; he raises the taxes,
which are levied according to the number ofmul-
bery-trees, Or acres of land, possessed by each
inhabitant, and out Of which he pays the tribute.
Emir Bechir, who is both loved and respected,
greatly contributed to suppress the revolt in
1899. Being Christian, he fears that if the
Sultan, or rather the Turks OF Constantinople,
should be re-established in authority over Sy-
ria, terrible reaction will ensue, and he there
fore remains faithful to Mehemet Ali. The
Mornnifas will eoon raliU rotind fha hannar of
their Emlr. As the insurgents have submitted,
Mehemet Ali will make concessions to them in
order to attach them to his interests.
CHINA.
The Chinese army, by the best computa-
tons, amount only to 10000 men, of which
200, 900 are cavalry. The greater portion are
in garrisons, scattered over the 10 provinces.
But few (say 25 soldiers only are allotted to
the smaller towns, and in Pekin itself, there
are not over 2000.
Linn is said to be fully informed of the move
ments ofthe English. but affects indifference,
and talks about blowing the fleet to atoms. He
scorns the idea of coming to terms. There are
now 1000 soldiers at Canton, the greatest force
ever known there
The Chinese SO .dier wears a jacket with the
name of the division written on it in front and
rear. A canvass bag behind for his provisions,
and cotton pouch before for his ammunition.
The exposed combustible nature of the latter
causes many of the soldiers to betseverely wound
ed by explosions in firing. The cap is longitu-
nal, with small red tassel, and those that can
afford it purchase CATERS and shoes. The cav
airy dress is the same, and their saddles are
| clumsy and their stirrups immense and without
spurs. The officers wear in addition robes o.
silk and furs, and lion, tiger, sc. embroidered
! in front, and they all have ring the thumb
| to assist them in drawing the bow. They wear
| the bow aroundtleir neck, and carry sword.
I'm Il r
tigers, to give them courag. and the regiments
BILE tigers. They have pixies, bows, and each
two swords, fighting with both, also matchbox.
The matchlocl1s cast, and are wretched
things, and often burst. They also use shields
made of rattan wicker work.
CHINA ExPEDlTIoN.--The Bombay Times re-
peats an account OF the China Expedition. 1t
consists of four sail of the line, three larger fri
gates, twenty-eight vessels of war, carrying
from is to 2S guns, and three or four steamers.
The above are manned by 1000 seamen and ma
rines To these must be added 5000 infantry,
accompanied by an extraordinary proportion OF
artillery rockets, bombs, as we'll as an extra as
sertment of sappers, miners, artillery, engineer
ing officers, Sc; we mean over and above the
usual number of naval and military officers APP
pointed on such enterprises. And, finally, we
must not omit to enumerate about 5000 tons of
shipping as transports, and large number of
hatbettomed boats, to go high up the rivers, car
rying mortars for the destruction OF forts, houses
and other buildings.
EaG;S EEyEsN MAR x FITS,