Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1870-07-13
From Turkey.


who has many friends in the county, dated
Talas, Turkey, June LIST, 1870;
~ hardly know what to say Every
body is always bored with manners ana
customs of the people. Everybody IN
America ought to know it all by heart by
this time. After being here SIX months,
[ have almost grown into a native ; not in
reality, but nothing strikes me with the
novelty it did at first, SO of course can
not portray it to others. can say truly
we have a pleasant home. Our mis-
sionary circle numbers nineteen, including
the children of whom there arc ten, and
We re all in the same house, without ill.,
convenience The Farnsworths with their
six children occupy one-half of the double
house. and Mr.. and Mrs. Barrows with
two children, Mrs. Giles with her little
boy, and Miss Closson and myself board
with the Bartlctts on the other side.
3rd. While | was writing the other
night, Mrs Giles came in q while, then
Mrs. Bartlett came and insisted should
go to ride, so that day went, and yester-
day spent the day in the city. go in
twice a week, and givea singing-lesson to
the school and Turkish lesson to the ma
tive teacher, besides taking one myself.
While there we got the post-which, in
this benghted region, comes but once a
week.
Co I'D you be here now, you could hard
ly fail to think the scenery around us at
least pleasant. We have not the forests
Of Vermont, indeed, there are no trees,
except where there is much water, but
the mountains are delightful just now, so
many beautiful shades there are, and the
plains are completely covered with beau
tiful violet flowers. Abous as near us as
Mansfield is to you, is old Argos, $4,000
feet high, and whose peaks are ever coy-
cred with snow 1t seems very refresh
ing in the burning sun, to look up there,
and know it is so cool, even if you can't
get there.
Last week Mrs. Giles and | with Mr..
Bartlett and two natives, pastor and
preacher, went on tour to Genearek,
village about 40 miles from Cesarea. We
started from here Thursday afternoon and
rode four hours to Meovnjasoon, where
we spent the night, and the next morning
proceeded on our way. 1t lay, the first
part of it, through beautiful valley,
then we came in sight of lake, the first
| have seen in Turkey. Its waters are
very salt, as much so as the sea. We
stopped at a fountain near the shore to
eat our lunch, when suddenly a storm
came up. We mounted our horses 10
haste, but had scarcely started before it
burst upon us in all its fury. Wind,
thunder, and Lightning, and pouring rain
Not particle Of shelter within six miles.
We push our horses to their utmost speed
without running them, and in an hour
and half arrive at mud village where
we remain till after the storm which clears
away after an hour or so, and we proceed
again on our journey, arriving at Genoa
rex about dusk. We went to the best
house 10 the village and were conducted
to the guest room, which was over a sta
Bile, leading out of it by rude, steep
ladder, and no door or partition to save
us from the perfume. The walls and floor
were of mud, and there were two win
dows, though both without glass, which,
of course was fortunate. After while
table about six inches high was brought
up, on which were spread five plates,
eight or ten sheets of bread, and for each
one an iron fork and wooden spoon. In
the center of the table was q large dish of
hot milk, into which we all. dipped, and
afterwards dish of eggs cooked in NUT
ton tallow which we abused IN the same
way, then dish of soured milk-a pro-
cess not known 10 America--6nishcd our
repast After the table was taken away
we were treated to Turkish coffee.
We remained until Monday morning.
Meanwhile We called among the people,
held meetings. etc. We had communion
on Sunday-the table was covered with
sheet, the elements with towel-we had
wine in tumbler, and bread in a soup
dish, and the baptis'ual font was another
earthcrn p ate. What matters it if the
man whose thirteenth baby was baptized
had to hunt round to find it after all was
ready-probably il was just as acceptable
to God, and he himself united with the
church that day, with one other, an old
lady.
There are several church members there
all belonging to Cesarea church, and
Protestant community af 40 Tbay