Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-07-14
From the Phil. North American.
SYRIA AND THE DRUSES.

Syria has been the theatre Of more
important events than any other por-
ton of our globe. The birthplace OF
Judaism and of Christianity, it has
claims upon our regard unequalled by
any other region. The spot in which
it pleased the Almighty Father to es-
tablish his two dispensations, it can
never be but Of the greatest interest to
the Jew and to the Christian. In all
the political contests and warfares Of
the East, it has played Leading part,
and contending nations have more than
once deluged its plains in blood. The
romantic incidents Of the Crusades,
the gallantry and generosity of Saladin,
the courage and high spirit Of the
Christian warriors, depicted as they
have been by the magic pen Of the
"Great Scottish Wizard have cast a
gliding over its mos recent days,
which blinds the superficial observer
from beholding the squalld misery
which pervaded, under its moslem con-
querers, the land once the! heritage OF
Gods chosen people.
Syria is again occupying public at
tention, and the events which have
.ranspired there within the last year,
are among the most interesting which
we have been called upon to notice in
any part of the world. The interior
ence of the European powers has bro
ken the strong letters with which the
rule of Egypt held it bound, and it has
re-passed to the feeble mastery of Che
Turkish Sultan. The Egyptian ruler,
the quiet which prevails III powerful
despotisrns, was its lot; under the
Turkish, the anarchy which always
pervades q ration, whose nominal ru-
iers are incapable of maintaining their
authority, is Gin full tide Of successful
experiment" there.
The most powerful Of the semi-con-
ouered tribes, inhabiting the mountains
Of Lebanon, are the DruSes. The his
tory and origin Of this people are in
VOWED IN InuCu OUSSuiitHf baSii tuClA
very name has been differently interpre-
ted by almost every author who has
has treated of them Gibbon, in evil
dent ignorance, dismisses them with a
paragraph, referring to the travels Of
Niehbuhr and Money for further infor-
nation. They are governed nominally
bv Turkish Emir, who is never a
Druse. Their real chief is probably the
principal Sheik Of their own native
stfes. They pay tribute tothe Turks:
dollars. After this, they cultivate the
lind for their own benefit. They are
hold and warlike, and being expert
marksnen, form an excellent body O
troons. The chief products Of tho
country are the vine, the mulberry, to-
baoco and cotton. They are very hos
n;table, do not use circumcision, anc
arr nroud of long line Of ancestry
The women are always yelled, and the
only women the Druse ever sees, are
TIC mother, wife, his own sisters, ane
. -. Of his wife. They have kline
IF salioue law, by which women arr
+. excluded from a succession.
Snch is portion Of the information
reaardinr them, which may be CLEANED
rom the Eastern travellers who hav'
1T them. The last number OF tn
0,,or+orlv contains. what pro
sasesz 10 be review Of recent worl
~ lrs1 her religion by the Baron De La
oav I'M Int which is in reality Learned
and laborious treatise on their origin
: AZ derivation Of their name, and tn
1iio osAA of their religion. Ac