Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-10-02
NOTES OF TRAVEL IN PALESTINE.
Written for the National Latelligencer By a Citizen
Of Washiagtoa.
THE MILL OF MALAHA.

The MILL OF MALARIA.
wish it to be distinctly understood that entertain
yndictve or reyengefu feelings towards any body
count of the disappointment experienced in the first vie,
of the Mill Of Malaha To be candid il arose partly ror
creduous faith in every thing that the Arabs told me
however wonderful and partly from natural disposition
TO invest every thing with the charms of romance Not
withsandng the practical sense of my companions VIII
believed nothing at all that in print and VIII
continually producing authorities on every doubtful
point, secretly swallowed every thing miraculous, anc
hed up all the obscure parts with glowing antcipatons
that were doomed to be realized Even at the time
often suspected that such things only to be
In the Arabian Nights; but somehow could not helI
thinking they might turn out to be true and on that hope
hung an immense amount of anticipation. Bearing in
mind, however, that my mission Of practical cha
racte was always ready to admit the facts in the end
and to denounce the Arabs for their exravagant indu
gence in hyperboe also TO expose the facies of all
travellers who make practice of investing
realities with the glowing absurdites of fiction 1t may
be set down rule that when writer on oriental life
bes you what pleasant thing it is not be civilized
when he processes have savage propenses
in has nature, and has unconquerabe desire be
wandering Ishmaete there be something wrong in
the man. Either he is making book to be read by a
public that continually hrsts for something strange and
new, or wishes himself to appear in the light Of dark
minded restless unhappy man. high above all the con-
ventionaes of society," that to be savage is the only
condition really worthy of him. or worse than all there
little of the genial and kind in his nature that he
finds few to love him Mt home finds fault with others for
what ne owes TO himself, and becomes smitten with
morbid contempt for civilization 1t reads very prettiy
all ths-especialy if be clevery done But let me tell
you, my friends, there is dreary, commonplace COM
ahnuf Arab Efo
romance beggarly vagabondism that is entirely un-
worthy of being apred to by any person of good prnc
Piles sense bestiality that must make any
who has respectable home turn to it with grateful
heart and inward thankfulness that he was born in
toeraby decent country and among people who with
all their aectaons and absurdties are yet something
better than savages.
And now for the Mil, Behold it, as we wind down the
rugged pathway towards the of Malaha-a little
square stone building, half in ruins with fat top perch
ed over the water among the rocks, camel browning
the bushes it, and dozen lazy Arabs squatted down
by the door smoking their chibouks That single glance
enough Every thought of the hospabe old gentle
man and his accomplished daughters the fowergardens
the choice home bread and sparkling wines of Lee
banon, vanished in moment l said nothing; but rode
quietly up to the door, where, with msgving of the
sequel, resigned my horse to the muleteers, and
him. together with the horses of my companions, led off
to cave in the neighboring mountains very animated
conversation took place between dragoman and
the Arabs The chief talker rugged ill-fayored man.
whose dark eathern skin looked darker still from the fact
that his beard and eyebrows covered with meal,
other than the old miller himself and the Others
Bedouns who had come from an encampment
the opposite side of the stream As well as could
catch the drift of the conversation from Yusefs
and gestures, which had now learned to interpret
with considerable accuracy it appeared to be this that
we, travelling party, consisting of the Commandern
Chief of all the Military forces in America royal Prince
of the King of the United States and English Lord
whose palace at home built of pure gold wanted
lodgings for the night in the faramed Mill of Malaha of
which we had read in ancient and modern history and
whose proprietor had always regarded the Submes
Miller that the world had produced. On the other
hand, 1t urged by the miller that he devout
Musselman, and would consent to having his mill
defed by the presence of party of ndels who at
best fit TO kiss the smallest toe Of the great Prophet
that should he suffer to sleep there, he would
have particle of luck and chances to one the
hoppers would Fly in his face and kill him dead or
the mill itself would tumble down upon him after we left
and make minced meat of himself and all his family To
which, took it. Yusef replied that praised be ALA
convinced Of the of our ways and
pilgrimage Jerusalem where there was no earthly
doubt would join the standard Of the Prophet in less
than month and that besides being royal personages
Of boundless wealth. would cheerfully pay high
three pasters each twelve and half cents for the
commodatons This establishment together with liberal
6dckshish in the morning In reply to which, the miller
with gisenng eyes, stated that he was that
minded sort Of person who could from any religious pre-
JUDGES be guilty Of so nhospabe act from
his doors party Of distinguished Howad; that he al
ways regarded the Americans and English the most
liberal and enlightened people in the world to the
Arabs and upon the Of five pasers each and
such backshsh we deemed consistent with our rank
and dignity, he would cheerfuy consent to having the
mill honored with presence. Keeping in view his
own interests Yusef made TO this by saying that
he being responsible agent in oil pecunary matters
deemedit incumbent upon him q Of honor, known
throughout Syria and the remotest Of
England and America dragoman who never lied or
took advantage of the beray Of his employers pay
and reasonable prices for every thing and that he
could Of duty pay than four
pasers but that he had the slightest doubt that the
backshish would treble that sum- At this the
miller shook his head dismay grunted few words Of
doubt which Interpreted to signify that he had become
rather accustomed to promises Of that kind then pulled
his chbouk awhile and ended by waving his hand for
to enter. BY this time it had begun to rain, and we
we're glad enough to find shelter
If the external appearance of the mill was dshearten
Ing the interior absolutely dramatic and inspiring
Stables had slept in caves haystacks trees, and the
broad canopy of heaven had afforded lodgings cases
of emergency but had nothing half strange or