The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-26
Lecture on Syria and the syrians.

Mr. Gregory NJ Wortebat al native Of Syria in Asia,
,ast evening delivered the first lecture Of S
ria and the and customs Of the syrans, at the
Female Academy, Brooklyn. The audience was very
mcagre numbering. all told not than bakers do
The lecturer young man, about so yesrsof age
Of medium height rather slight in figure jet black hair
dark complexion and dark, expressive eyes lie at
tired in tho costume Of his country, wearing long loose
black robe which to his feet and grded about
his waist lie has slight foreign accent but his pronun-
citation Of the English language is distinct and he makes
himself easily understood lie frequently becomes
cited in his subject and at such times speaks very rapidly
aud gestculatcs good deal The lecturer surveyed
audience and said that although the seats looked vc,y
blank he should not disappon the few who did honor
him with their presence, and should, therefore, take up
his subject lie commenced by describing the geography
Of his country 1t situated the western coast Of
Asia and tho Holy Land within its precincts It's
soil good and in proof he referred to the bunch
grapes which in the time Of Moses it took two to
carry The soil i not quite prolific at the present day
The country abounds in but few rivers, Of which the
| Jordan is tho principals the remaining streams
! small and ali into the Mediterranean. The towns
ali walled and they entered by gates lie referred
to the siege OF Acre by Napoleon and it, capture by the
very high The land still embraced Jerusalem, Bethle-
hem the Mount Of Olives. and ether places mentioned
the Holy Scriptures which at this day adds to its in.
terest throughout all nations where the Christian
gon prevails. The prevailing religion is Mahommedan;
but there other sects embracing among them the
mounted by minarets which by them is considered
emblem Of sacredness; and spires consequently
ailowed Christian churches. The government is adj
mintered by the Turksa pasha being appointed every
year who acts Governor His decision, in which
brought before him be appealed from and carried
before the powers at Constannope but this privilege
seldom embraced The habits between town and country
people entirely diercntthe latter still adhere to
the customs Of their forefathers while innovations have
in Europeanized some Of the towns especially
| Beyroot. The custom prevalent among the wo
| men is somewhat singular. Every married fe-
/
other metal, attached to her neck by cord If
straight it denotes that the is under sixty
years Of age if over that period the horn is worn side
ways The people arc very hospitabc and social in their
character stranger will be entertained at any private
house where he stay for fortnight If disposed
without costing him anything. They also very
polite entering house every one rises to greet you
and stranger i received in the in
the days Of Abraham and Lot who entertained strangers
without knowing who they were The Syrians are 10th
TO depart from the customs Of THAR forefathcrs and
every habit at this day accord With those Of old They
follow and cling to their customs with a affection and
piey The city Of Beyroot has been under missionary
influence for about thirty.two years and while it has in
a measure been Europcanized, other portions of the
country still the same formerly. When Syrian
enters the domcc Of friend stranger, he takes off
his shoes instead Of his hat here. The lecturer de-
scrted the expenses Of living in that country very
small compared with other land. During the cholera
season in lS5s when bis expenses double that of
I any ether year, II cost him but $50 including
| male and female servant hire ply sicians fees. Sc
The price Of horses in that country ranges from
$40 up TO $500 and 81 900. while very decent
donkey be bought for So These animals used by
theladic who st upon them with perfect ease. The peo
pie great mokers. Their rooms present more the APP
Ioarance Of London FOG than any thing else he could
apply e. il The houses being open allows the smoke
L. cscape with more freedom than Il could in this
ny who're Tie dwellings 10 not seem 70 be so we'll vcn
l5tcdand this circumstance render, thor habation
Ccrabe some Of the syrian ladies wear ornament. on
thin heads. which cost um 500 70 II 600. the difference
liz this designating the station aud condition in life
q those who wear thcm. They have no pianos to play
ry3n. chairs to ST. up1n. They will not gold
Wafcbo.. bccaue European ladies them, but silver
/ and bu.s watches are common. The lecturer repre-
\ sentcd the life of Syrian woman in any thing but
favorable light She docs not associate with her husband
On terms q equality. hut is mere slave TO him and II
/ treated more Like slave than like companion This
m does net apply to Beyroot (of which the speaker
u nativcl. whore females treated better than.
! he observed they were generally treated in some
portions Of spain and Germany. The Syrans very
jealous people If husband a speak
ing 70 his wife quarrel Is certain 10 ensue: and 1t l.
sdercd q decided breach Of etiquette 10 inquire for
man wife whom calling at his house The women. how
! ever, are not very industrious They make their
hueLands shirts and as for stockings mo BODY weers any
and darnine IS thing unheard Of This with waiting
their husbands at. meals, constitutes the majority Of
their nlors when that is accomplished they Sleep, or
lounge about and smoke The syrians do not make use
of my spuituous iquors-their principal drink being
water aud an article called Lebanon wine The climate
werm-the Thermometer ranging about w degrees dur
Ing nine months Of the year The winter season The
speaker thought what colder than IL was in
England q Scotland and the way he judged this
that vi teeth chartered during the cold pe ia his
country while il those other Lands they did not although
he erent m entire winter there The general character
u the syrians i lively ana CAV and they pains
make thcmscycs ar, cable ~ each other and stranrcrg
TIE lcgker concluded y stating that lie would deliver
VI. second lecture On Thursday evening.
HORErELE OUTRAGE IN RoxBoPorGu. -Yester-
day old convict ~ ne nanc q John Bo, eniiccd
child between nine and TO of age daughter ola
German famy living on tiay smil road. into Goreas
woods in oXborough tOMn.hip and PERFORATED mo-
brutal and horrible outrage on her person The child
whom found. could neither walk stand VI l. feared
she viii de ghe hend held snii her throat t. pre
vent alarm. lie arrested and Committed by Alder
man Charles Thompson Jones III, affair caused he
YFtG Ia