The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1870-10-26

on Tarsus, "Pompeiopolis omitted"
The edition, however, is old, and the
deficiency may perhaps be supplied in
more recent issues.
Through the Kindness Of Rev. L.
II. Adams, one of the Missionaries of
the American Board, we obtained |
valuable information before starting, I
and we're enabled by his knowledge Of |
Turkish and Arabic, to make the nec-
essary arrangements for an instructive |
visit to Messina, the present port for |
Tarsus, and other portions OF Cilicia,
as also for pretty thorough investi-
CATION Of the ruins supposed By some
to have been parts of the public build
ings of town built by Pompey after
he expelled the pirates from this re-
gion.
The whole coast here is full of
classical "reminiscences, the Gap is al
most visible, a short distance to the
right, as we face the Taurian range,
through which portion of the Ten
Thousand retIeated with XenOphon,
and as we row out at sunrise the
burning glow impaired to- the eastern
hills, with Antioch in the rear seemed
to impart to her a portion of her for
mer splendor. and of her mission to
shed over this region of the globe the
radiant glories of a light ditf1slng
moon.
Tarsus, a few hours inland, so we'll
known as the birthplace of the
| Apostle Paul, is also noted for its
River Cydnus, because after bathing
| in it, Alexander was attacked by the
disease which led to the interesting
history of his confidence in his physi-
clan; and because majestically through
its waters sailed in oriental pomp
and sDIendor, Egypt's Queen, Cleo
patra, for FIRST interview with Marx
Anthony.
The town is further associated with
later history; the remains Of a wall
being shown, supposed to have been
constructed by order Of Haroun-al-
Raschid, whose reign has claims to
distinction besides those so gorgeous
" set forth in the Arabian Nights F"
thousand and one tales. A castle is
also pointed out, which tradition
ascribes to Bajazet; and the most
noteworthy gate of the city is decrib-
ed, by those who have seen it, as truly
magnificent.
While making the transit from the
vessel to the shore. We could notavoid
, observing the peculiar form of the
roWers' heads, and learned that the
pointed shape, converting, as phrenol-
ogists might say,all philoprogenitive-
ness into firmness and self-esteem, was
the result of prevalent custom, which
induces mothers, as we had observed
on the vessel, to bandage their chill.
dren into o mummy shape, as the
North American Indians do, and
strap them to a board, or the cradle
the back of the soft skull resting
against the plank, and acquiring dur
ing its plastic condition a permanent
modification. Approaching the shore
we were cited 10 the position, in the
distance, east, of the ancient Greek
town Soil, then inhabited by emf
igrants, who, by their provincial Pc
culiarities of language, gave origin to
the permanent word soleeism, to
designate Inappropriate term.
On entering Messina we realized
some of the confusion experienced by
: the sinners of Babel, distinguishing
an infinite diversity of language,
which we judge to be Arabic, Turk
ish, Greek, Arminian, etc., without
being able to make ourselves under
stood. By the aid of Mr.. Adams we
were, however, provided with horses
and guide, pending whose prepare
ton, we were politely invited into the
house of Mr.. Adams agent, original
ly of an Arab family, but having
Greek manners and religion. Set al
our ease at once by his benevolent
countenance and courteous signs, we
passed through the great central
apartment, in which meals are set,
which communicates with all the
others, and were pleasantly seated on
a divan, covered with printed muslin,
whence we could command hne
view of the picturesque shore.
Through the open door we observed
sundry female figures, walking on the
high pattens or clogs, to which for
mer allusion was made, and soon the
daughter of our host, with a head
that would have done honor to any
Greek lady of olden times, and a con-
tour that might serve as a model for
one of Italy talented sculptors, Gid
ed gracefully and mo0estly into our
presence, saluting US by placing the
right hand first to the heart and then
to the head. Presenting the neat lit
tie tray with cups of fragrant tea, she
seemed to say with her eyes and dem
onstrative right hand, Partake of re-
freshments before the fatigues of your
Journey" and we, hand to heart and
| head, unmistakabiy accepted not only
the proffered cup of tea, but a subse
quent doll-baby cup of Turkish cof-
fee, placing it first In small silver
cup holder, shaped somewhat like an
egg cup, which served instead of a
saucer.
The same ceremony was gone
through on our return from the ex-
ploration, after which, with q grasp. of
the hand, as indicative of occidental
usage, and a touch to heart and head,
in conformity with Oriental Gust tom,
at least amid this nationality, the
round, good-humored face of the
| father, the waving hand of the son,
the oval symmetry of the daughters
classical face and jet black hair, the
heavy gold necklace and smile of the
blonde daughter-in- law, all faded
alike from our view, and we stumbled
through Messina's market of camels
and mules and donkeys. and nation
alities of cotton and coffee, of
! dates and figs, of packsaddles and
sacks, and all the ct ceteraS which
might be found.in a western country
store, or a Smyrniote jews pawn
broker establishment.
Now We gambol and amble on
Turkish palfrey, with Turkish saddle
and full grown shoe stirrup, serving
the additional purpose of spur, along
the coast over high peaked bridges
and low mud valley, DER stock and
stone, through scrub pines and
thorny bushes, mid focks of goats
and herds of cattle, under &C loudless
| Syrian skv and Narr Vol nInnnon