The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-05-22
Life in Damascus---De Delights of saracenic

| MANSION.
A traveller who has been visiting the dwell
ing of Assa, one of the leading citizens Of
Damascus, gives the following description Of
| the building
When we arrived at the front of the man
sion we were surprised at the meanness of its
appearance-at the walls of sunburnt bricks,
and the few miserable windows stuck here
and there without order OF arrangement, pos
sessing no glass, but covered with thick lat
tice formed with crossbars of wood. Great,
however, was the contrast between the exte-
rior of the house and the scene that presented
itself when we passed through door opened
| by a slave. We saw, to our surprise and
pleasure, a spacious and magnificent court,
paved with Dutch tiles and marble. In the
centre of it was large fountain, bubblng
over into cool, clear, circular reservoir of wa
ter, filled with pet fish. Around this court
extended range of buildings one story high,
of a pretty, fantastic style of architecture,
decorated with Moorish or Saracenic orna-
ments.
At the upper end Of the court was grotto,
or alcove, foored with various colored mar
bles, opening on the spacious area, but eleva-
ted three steps above it. A rich figured divan
extended across the walls, and the little seclu-
ded spot presented cool and delightful smo-
king retreat, from whence the large court and
murmuring fountain were most agreeably sur
vcyed Seating ourselves on the soft and
luxurious divan, we were served with coffee.
Some black slaves in scarlet dresses with long
white wands, then came to conduct us TO see
some of the apartments of the mansion and of
the harem, the ladies of which were absent at
summer villa in the garden. The buildings
on the western side of the court contained
succession of detached handsome rooms the
floors were covered with thick mating, and
the ceilings were painted in beautiful manner
and with great taste.
The walls were adorned with rich carving
and gliding, and all around them, raised about
a foot and a half from the floor, extended !
'divan covered with rich figured mixed silk and |
cotton stuff of Damascus manufacture. The ,
grand saloon or reception hall on the ground .
floor on the northern side of the court, in .
which strangers and visitors arc received, was
far the finest apartment Of the place. We
first came on to square floor paved with DIFF
terent colo-ed marbles, having a fountain in
the centre, and overhead a handsome painted
and giIded ceiling. From the floor we assembled
by steps to other raised floors, paved with
marble and covered with a very handsome
mating. Scrolls and different devices were
painted around the walls, something of the
Chinese style, and divans extended around
the apartment, placed against the wall. Gilded
bowls of sherbet were handed round, and sill
ces of lemons and chopped almonds floating
IN it; then came a black slave. who held in
his hand an embroidered handkerchief which
he just pressed to urlips when we had ceased
drinking. The presence of the slaves was
commanded by clapping of hands, as men
TONED in the "Arabian Nights" Cups OF
coffee were then again handed round.