True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1846-08-26
DAMASCUS-ITS WOMEN
PARADISE.

Alphonso de La MARITIME, in his PiIeri-
mage to the Holy Land, speaking of
Damascus, says:
| understand that Arabian traditions
represent this city and its neiohborhood to
form the site of the lost Paradise, and
certainly | think that no place upon earth
was better calculated TO answer ones idea
of Eden. The vast and fruitful plain with
the seven branches of the blue stream
wnIcn Irr1gaTe III the maJeSUc framework
of the mountains; the gIittering lake which
reflect the heavens upon the earth; its
geographic situation, between the two seas
the perfection of the climate; everything
indicates that Damascus has at least been
one OF the first towns that was ever built
by the children ofmen-one of the natural
haunts of fugitive humanity in prmeval
times. 1t is in fact, one of those sites
pointed out by the hand of God for city
a site predestined TO sustain a capitol like
ConStanunople.
These are, perhaps, the only two cities
which could not possibly have taken their
post in an Empire from arbitrary selection;
but which were papably indicated by the
coufiguration of the places. So long as
the earth shall bear empires upon her sur
face, Damascus will continue Ia be great
city, aud SlambouI the metropolis of the
world. On emerging from the desert and
entering Cello Syria, and the valley of
GaiIee, the caravans OF India need repoSe,
and they find a spot Of enchanlment at
Damascus. Commerce is there upheld by
industry. Damascus is like Lyons, one
vast mandatory. It's population, accord
ing to some, reaches four hundred thou
sand, according 10 others, only two hun.
dred thousand. | cannot decide, aud
indeed it is impossible to do so; one can
only conjecture. In the East there is no
exact census taken, and the traveller can
only Judge by the eye. BY the extent of
the crowds that inundate the streets and
bazaars: by the number of armed men who
issue from their houses on the least signal
of revolution or tumull, and the extent Of
ground which the houeses cover, should
myself be inclined to believe that those
who are inclosed within the city walls
might number between thee and four thou
sand souls. But If we do not limit the
town Tins arbitrarily,-if we include in
the aggregate Of ITS population those who
inhabit the immense faubergS and villages
which are COMPOUNDED to the eye with the
house and gardens Of the enormous assem-
badge of human beings, should think that
the territory Of Damascus might sum upa
million.
The high opinion had formed Of the
beauty Of the Syrian females, and my
vivid recollection Of the charms fthe wo-
men Of Rome and Athens, all vanished rt
the sight Of the Armenian women and the
young girls Of Damascus; we every where
see feaiuresso pure and delicate that the
pencil Of the most expert could scarcelv
do Justice % them. Eyes in which the
serene light ofils soul IS difused on a SON.
bre azure tint, and with a softness Of *
preston which never saw IN eyes before,
complications 50 transparent that they we
with the most exquisite tinis Of the ro1e
leaf the teeth, the smiles the erace Of form
and motion, The clear and silvery voice Is
in harmony in-thesc beautiful creatures.