The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1874-12-09
Fos rHE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
suMMER.pAYs IN THE EAST.

sUMMER-DAYS IN THE EAST.
1t is Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath and
Arabs beggars-day in Jerusalem. In the
early morning long before the breakfast
hour, the stOne-steps and landing outside Of
our eourt-doOr were full of beggars. I'm
washed, unkempt with few rags and atten-
uated blankets 60 hide their nakedness, they
presented 6ue specimen of the most ear
nest class Of Orientals. What letters hung
abOu, their forms, looked as if they had been
sifted With dust from the wings of butterflies
and abundanty. Their skins wore the
complexion of badly beached brick. Evi-
IDENTIFY they dwelt in land "where no water
is. There they all sat, cOntentedly, pa
tiently waiting for alms-for bread, rather
waiting than not. Some were full grown,
weIl-built men with their thick boards mat
ted and filthy, the FIRE of their black eyes
quenched by self-abasing beggary. Some
were women with strings of gray hair hang
ing down over their gaunt cheeks. There
we're children of all ages, even to the babe
at the breast. Fathers and mothers had
brought their families, and the halfnaked
youngsters we're kicking and rolling playfully
on the cool stone-slabs. The click of the
latch as the door was opened, brought them
to their feet, aud there was a general rush
and tumble to get as many chunks of bread
a. wbeeding or impOrtunity could win. The
servant was obliged TO beat them bowling
and squeahng back, as swain his greedy
swine. Hardly was one band fed and sent
of, before fresh hungry pack filed the
doorway or more boldly pushed on to the
kitchen steps. Eagerly they snatched the
portion Of bread dealt to each, the older
ones sticking theirs into dirty little bags or
their bosoms which seemed already well filed,
the younger deyOuringit. One quarrelsome
old villain with leprOus child in his arms,
had already received his share; but as the
servant returned Immediately with fresh
supply for others, he quickly searched it,
crowded to the front and was the boldest,
most blatant beggsr in the pack. He would
succeed anywhere. They continued to drop
in for hours. If the cook, out of patience
or bread, shut the door in their faces, they
stood outside howlng, pounding with their
fists and furiously ringing the bell till there
was no escape from the torment save by let
ting them in and giving them something. II
the door was left open it became the frame
TO beggar planted on the threshold with
outstretched arm, pleading, in the sweetest
tones and with the elOquence Of beggar,
for Bakshesch or bread Their impudence is
eoualled only by their pertinacity. Not the
least degree Of gratitude was manifested
They turned away in silence or muttering
their dissatisfaction. This benevolent distri
button on Saturdays has grown TO be Gus
tom, aud that which is a gracious gift TIT
beggars now demand as their due Were
the distributions withheld, ! suppose they
would rise up in arms, if anybody would Civ,
the arms. Amongst the hOrdes of beggar
which swarm here, there are doubtless som,
deserving of the hand of charity, but tn
noyertv Of most Of them--certainly thei
decradation-is the result Of beggary no
the beggary Of poverty. Begging is pursue
as profession; but it is we'll known to b
a hand. TO- mouth business. The effects upo
the whole nature of those who practice il
are in the last degree deplorable. do no
wonder that the Spartans taught the yOun
rather to steal. The remedies for this an
the other evils Of this land, are a pure T,
Heion and Just and humane government.
Lately I have seen trayersing the stree
Of Jerusalem a strange creature who appear
to belong to the priesthood Of mendicant
He is a Bedouin from the desert, too prou
to begin the ordinary way. Entirely make
except that white sash is bound around
loins, be stalks through the alleys, the bazar
in and out the gates, chanting in weird 81
monotone an incarnation the exact meanir
of which nobody can tell me. If any o.
throws coin into the little urn which
carries, he stops for moment, lifts his hal
and in rapid tone seems to invoke the blel
ing Of Ali. Then he resumes his sOleu
march and his unvarying dirge,like sOr
turning neither to the right nor the le
looking at no one and never pausing, save
pronounce bis quick benediction upon sol
contributor to his urn.
This evening went out at st. Stephel
Gate TO examine the outer wall from tht