Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-06-16
Syriam Ladies.

male Academy, by native of Syria, M.
Wortebat, he made the following curious
statements:
The custom prevalent among the Syrian
women is somewhat singular. Every mar
ried female wears horn, either of silver
or some other metal, attached to her neck
by cord. If worn straight it denotes that
the wearer is under sixty years of age if
over that period the horn is worn sideways.
The people are very hospitable and social
IN their character; stranger will be enter
tanned at any private house, where he can
stay for a fortnight, if SO, disposed, without
costing him anything. They are also very
polite on entering house every one rises
to greet, you and stranger is received in
the. same manner now as in the days OF A
braham and Lot, who entertained strangers
without knowing who they were. The Syr-
ians are 10th to depart from the customs OF
their, ~forefathers, and every habit at this
day accords with those of old. They fol-
low and cling to their customs with flial
affection and piety. When a, Syrian enters
the domicil of "a friend OF stranger, he takes
off his shoes, instead of his hat, as here
The lecturer described the expenses of liv-
ing in that country as very small compar-
ed with other lands. During the cholera
season in 1S4e, when his expenses were
double that of any other, year, it cost him
but $370, including male and female SER
want hire, physicians fees, &c. The price
of horses in that country ranges from $50
m fa SS00 opI of g nOn while
very decent donkey can be bought for So.
These animals are used by the ladies', who
sit upon them with perfect ease. The peo-
pie are great smokers. Their rooms pre-
sent more the appearance of London fog
than any thins else he could apply to it
The houses being open, allows the smoke
to escape with more freedom than it could
in this country, where the dwellings do not
seem to be so we'll ventilated-and this cir
cumstance renders their habitatons tolera-
BILE. Some of the Syrian ladies wear orna-
ments on their heads which cost from S1OO
to $1,000, the diferencesin this cost deslg-
mating the station and condition in life OF
those who wear them. They have no pl-
amos to play upon, nor chairs to sit upon.
They will not wear gold watches, because
European ladies wear them, but silver and
brass watches are common. The lecturer
represented the life of Syrian woman in
ANYTHING but favorable light. She does
not associate with her husband on terms OF
equality, but is mere slave to him, and is
treated more like slave than companion.
The Syrians are very jealous people. II
a husband sees man speaking to his vile
quarrel is certain to ensue and it is con-
sldered a decided breach of etiquette to in
qulre for mans wife when calling at his
house. The women, however, are not very
industrious. They make their husbands
shirts, and as for stocking. no body wears
any, and so darning is a thing unheard of.
This, with waiting on their husbands at
meals, constitutes the majority of their la
bors. When that is accomplished they
sleep or lounge about and smoke. The Syr-
ians do not make use Of any splrituous IL
quors-thcir principal drink being water,
and an article called Lebanon wine. ~ The
climate is warm-the thermometer ranging
about 80 degrees during nine months ofthe
year. The winter season, the speaker tho't,
was somewhat colder than it was in Eng
land and Scotland and the way he judged
this was, that his teeth chartered during the
cold spells in his own country, while in
those other lands they did not, although he
spent an entire winter there. The general
character Of the Syrans is lively and gay,
and they take pains to make themselves a
greeable to each other and to strangers.
Forms of saiutation.
Most modern forms of salutation and ci-
Witty are derived from chivalry, or at least
from war, and they all betoken some defer
ence, as from conquered person to the
conqueror; just as in private life we still
subscribe ourselves the every humble SER
wants of our correspondent. The uncov-
cred head was simply the head unarmed !;
the helmet being removed, the party was
at mercy. So the hand ungloved, was the
hand ungauntled; and 10 this day it is an
inci3ility to shake hands with gloves on
Shaking hands itself was but token of
truce, in which the parties took hold each
of the others weapon hand, to make sure
against treachery. So also gentleman s
bow, is but an offer of the neck to the stroke
Of the adversary; so the lady's courtesy is
but the form of going on her knees for mer-
cy, The general principal is marked, as 1t
ought naturally to be, still more strongly in
the case of military salutes. Why is dis
charge of guns salutei Because it leaves
the guns empty and at the mercy of the op-
ponent, And thus is SO true. that the sa-
lutlng with blank cartridge is modern IN
vention. Formerly salutes were fired by
discharging the cannon pail, and there have
been instances in which the compliment
has been nearly fatal.t to the visitor whom
1t meant to honor. When the officer sa-
lutes, he points tie drawn sword to the
ground; and the salute of the troops is, even
at this day, called presenting arms"-that
is, presenting them to be taken. There are
several other details, both of social and mil
itary salutaton of all countries which might
be produced; but have said enough to in
dicate the principle.-Notes and Queries.
TALL RYE.-We saw yesterday some
samples of Rye from the farm OF Col. Geo.
c. Washington, in Montgomery couty ,sev-
en- feet nine inches high, the whole field
we were informed, averaging seven feet
This rankness of growth is owing to that
wonderful fertilizer, Guano. The field re-
ceived dressing of this manure last year,
followed by crop of potatoes, and this
year by the extraordinary rye crop refer
red to above.-.Mary'and Paper.
THE CALIFORNIA ExoDUs.-The move
ment Californla-ward overland, says the
Galena Advertiser, is perfect astonish-
ment. Teams are continually passing al