New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-11-22
The Corn-Yrndcr OF the Desert.

When we speak Of the Desert, an idea is natu-
rally awakened of a vast eXpanse, over which no
track leads and with visible boundary re
zion of sand and light, OF heat and thirst, made
only for the especial habtation of the sunbeams
and the simeon This indeed, is the aspect UNI
der which the Desert appears III the WORKS OF inc
poets; and it is true that in some lew portions OF
Africa and Asia their widest conceptions are real
led Caravans have been swallowed up, and
even armies we are told, overwhelmed, in endeav-
orng to cross these frightful tracts-just as ships
are wrecked in the ocean; and the ingenuity OF
thinkers has been batfed in seeking for what may
be called the physical excuse for their existence.
But the Desert, III its larger gnitcaiOn, is simply
region of comparative barenness, where scat
tered tribes of men find, it is true, scanty subsis
tence, yet still a subsistence sufficient to enable
them not only to form nations, but to be the par
ents OF nations
The most celebrated inhabitants of the Desert
are without doubt the Arabs, commonly called
Bedawins. Their form interesting
object of study; and although much has been said
about them much more remains 10 say. | nave
had opportunities OF seeing them under some OF
their aspects, and was especially led to notice the
way in which they provided for the support OF lie
When first started from Egypt into the wilds
of Libya, and LETT behind me the last outpost OF
what perhaps may with some courage be called
civilization, represented by cluster OF m4d
huts, sheltered by huge old ruined wall, could
not suppress q slight feeling of age. My mind
seemed to lose its firm footing or reality, and to
move with faltering steps towards the vague and
the infinite. But familiarity, ii it did not breed
contempt, soon CONSOLIDATED as 1t were, my ideas,
allowed them TO assume definite tOrm and lear
and mystery vanished together There is nothing
really dreadful bat the uncertain and the un-
known. | soon found that the Desert, SO far from
being disagreeabe place, has many fascinating
characteristics The pureness OF the air is unri-
vailed; the sky is nowhere else so glorious, the
sun SO magnificent, twilight so lovely, though so
fading, night Tranquil, or the moon so full OF
light. The forms of the e0rhs surface are by no
means unvaried vast level tracts do sometimes
present themselves, with their trembling horizon
Of mirage; but there are likewise lofty rocky ran
ges, deiles of Al pine ruggedness, steep passes,
gloomy Cayerns and now and then, at the bottom
Of valleys, the sides OF hills or III almost
mperceptible depressslons in the plains, one
meets with little spashes Of green sparkling
Tickets Of brushwood, TUFTS OF wild sage, or some
other plant agreeable to the eye
Nor is it uncommon for the caravan in pursuing
its undertaking course over hill and valley to tall
in, in the Autumn, with helds-unhedged, 1t IS
true-where the sturdy stubble, left some SIX
inches in hight speaks OF crops OF maize or OF
barley planted and reaped by some wandering
tribe, who have lett no other traces OF their So
journ, but have passed away like the wind. Many
OF these spots ofcomparatye fertility we found to
be far removed from any WELL and as little or no
rain falls either in Spring or Summer Ia the De
sert, must have depended for moisture almost en-
tireiy the dews OF night, which are exceedingly
copous-so copious, indeed, that have been ire
quently drenched to the skin alter having passed
a night in my cloak on the ground.
knew already that the Bedawins depend in
great measure for support upon the produce OF
their hocks and that their hardy sheep and goats,
as wei rs their camels, find sufficient nourishment
in the extremities of the ligneous plants which
everywhere abound, even IN the tracts most desc
late to the eye; for this peculiar vegetation blends
with the ground in hue; but soon began to spec
ulate the possibility of their being able to raise
grain enough for their own consumption, and to
remember that Of old their toretathers used TO 90
down for corn into the land of Egypt. My uncer.
tainty not OF long duration. The very first
rencontre we made was that of kaila Of unaden
cameis escorted by a certain number OF young
Bedawins on the way to Alexandra to procure a
supply for the next season; and the same circum-
stance aiterward REQUIRED repeatedly. We soon
became well acquainted with the habits and man
ners OF these extemI ore traders. They are gene
rally the sons OF the chief men OF the tribes,
WHO send to Egypt on their own account so
many can els, according to their wealth and
their wants, and 90 not consider it prudent
10 tlust hired drivers with SO important care.
The camels are the most valuable portions Of
toei5 property, and none are likely 70 defend them
" til So much vig0r as those who are to inherit
them. Generally speaking, certain proportion
Of the purchases are made in Egypt with dollars
whence procured it is difficult to say-the re-
mainder with.the price of a few blankets, woven
beneath the tents or Of acamelcolt reluctantly
sold. The Bedawins are not good bargainers
when ptted against those who drink the waters
of the Nile and they are often cheated and laughed
at over and above. They console themselves,
however. BY staring with barbarian curiosity at
the wonders OF the city, walled IN formerly
against them, and by rejecting, no doubt, that
whole bazzarfull OF superciliods Iskenderanehs
would Ay ike flock Of geese at sight of one OF
their white bunooses in the Desert. When
the y have filed their sacks, and seen enough of
civilization, they hasten to escape from place
where they are exposed to derision and insult;
and casting aside as they issue from the gates,
their somewhat astonished and clownish look, re-
sumo at once all their pride and arrogance: New
t4rbcosles and slippers generally adorn them on
these occasions and most probably they compen-