The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-07-09
Jerusalem, Palestine, and Syria, in 1851.
BY DIR. ] v. c SMITH.

Nothing can be finer, more imposing or
dianifed in the way of dress, than the ordi-
nary costume Of the men in the HOLY Land
Their heads swa,hed in shawls or scarfs three
yards lonr, give them the majestic aspect OF
profound pefsonages when nor one in fV
thousand ear ellher read or write their vei-
nacuIar. In looAlng at oae Of tham whiIo
quailing Office or drawing lei>u civ si O.
chebouc 1nc niaht be led TO suppose the
were ali lachas, az multi from Constantine
pie, just as children from the Un1ed States
in takina he cars Tor lhe frs, time in Eng
land or France imagine the servants of ,ha
corporation are .or1s and dukes, they are So
heavily laden win gold lace cocka,les and
military buttons For labor, their long gowns
silk belts several lines round the body. rcd
morocco shoes and dangling sleeves, inte,
fere with every movement. They sit slil
better than any other people in the world.
inch. They have stout bodies without souls,
There being no evidence that lhey ever
think or dream. a II they know is the mean.
ing III the word buckshies -(gi,e me some
thing. which is the first word they utter al
Ter ing weaned, anu it Is the last as the,
bld adleu to things below the sun, in s,ep.
ping from any paIt of the Turkish domain
into eternity.
Women oi the upper circles appear like
ghosts in the streets, envelopcd in white cot.
ton sheets fiom head to foot. Que eve oc-
casonally gets loose, but their Stacking
gait in yellow boots stuck into loag peaked.
toed slippers, gives them such a comical air
that IT IS a1 amusing sight to look al them
They show their wisdom essentially in con
ceallng their faces, since the little | have
seen OF Them convinces me of their ugliness.
Black powder is sprinkled on their eyelds.
their nails stained red, and the under lip not
unfrequenlly made entire blue. Some stain
the hair red. In Damascus, even beggars
fancy they look better with red locks, and
very queer old women, in frizzled, betangled
hair, red as blood, press their claims more
eoquently in the name of saints no one ever
heard of but themselves.
Were to give you description Of all
that is to be seen in Syria. there would be
nothing to relate on my return. Whoever
has the presumption 10 tell the truth, th.
whole ruth and nothing but the truth in re-
gard to it, will certainly hazard his reputa.
ton for veraci'y. In consequence of being
physician, it is certain my opportunities
have given me minuler insight into the So
clai organization, than could otherwise have
been obtained. If | were merchant |
would establish an agent at Jerusalem and
another at Damascus, the capital, the focus
OF trade and fashion, and third at Beyroot,
being convinced that immense profits might
be realized by the legitimate operations of
buying and selling. OF this matter, howev.
er, more remains TO be said, which will be
hereafter TO my enterprisire
friends.
Palestine has many agricultural resources
never yet developed; and the whole of Syria
were it in the possession of Anglo Saxons
would be The garden of the world, as some
section Of it was probably the Garden OF
Eden Wherever the Turks hold rule,
mere Is determination in every depart
men'' D'l"pida'iOn marks their progress
* Always has wherever their conquests have
extended Put them in possession of the |
city ol Boston, and in six months, the pilas,
'ers OF the Merchants Exchange would give
way the Aqueduet would burst through and |
never be repaired; Quincy Market would |
be converted into mosque; Faneuil Hall
be made bath houss, and both sides of
street lined with the faitbful
on the side walk, smoking thr oush |