, 1876-02-26
FAMILIAR TALK.


Thc Fsr East in which lie Tia countlfeu long
est kuonn 10 history, ia still, to dwcllors like
ourselvoB, on continent without antiquity,
romauce-laud. which Attracts our thought bY its
Bcenoty, iss climate. its vegetation, and ita in
hnbitants. It Is impossible to foretoll what tho
sncrosehments Of European progress may otIcct
In tho Orient during tho remainder Of tho prca-
ent century. but 1t ls still what 1t was Ii por-
trayed in tho 1eyore1 records Of the Hobrows,
or Tho wonder-book OF tho A1abian Nights.
Tho people Of It's cities, those Of its villages
and lis Wandering tribeB, haro distinctive modes
OF lifc though the thrco classes arc connected
by kinship. by trade and By many intoroSss in
common.
OF the nomads, tho best known aud tbs mosr
important arc tho Delouin, or dcsert-llyots, at
tho Arab racc. Their migsations ara now Sim
less or irregular; but. boiug apastogal people,
dependent On their hotds, they travorso. every
spring and autumn, tho samo tracts Of country,
going. 1t tho former seksou, to tho table
lands, whoro they find cool air, springs of water,
and grass for thor hocks and descending from
the platoaux when tho autump-tains approach.
TLoir fonts scrvo for shcltor in summer aud !u
tho winter, durlug thor stay in the mild valieya,
II tent or booth does not auifor, ard there IL no
ancient ruin to dwell In, thoy sometimes erect
A&h4 AalitAtaVA VI n@Al4-l&IuA Q1tEhs 4ACF AAfp
leas civilization than tho por,nanent dwsllora in
cities, but are by no means barbarous.
Tho Shah OF Persia Ia dosconded from tribe
Of Tartar nonads, aud is proud OF owing his
iucst cavalry to that t1ibc.
The dark hnlr-cloth Of tho DodaNys tons IL Of
home-manufacturo, hla goats furnishing tho 1na-
tcriai but, for military usos Aud fol, travellers.
csnras tents arc manufactured In all the cities Of
Western Asia. Thsso ara circular In shape.
painted EEeen,-tho color Bacrol to tho Alns-
limes,-aud supported by ninele pole. Tho
Arab tent, oblong !n shape, supported by at leaat
lliue poles. divided in tho middle by mats or cur
ta,ns OF hair-cloth, has tho 4pArtmopt fer mon
on tho right "a you ensor. and that for women or
the left. The mena apartment Il tho one In
which tho cAtp8tB aud cushions are arranged,
and tho visitors aro received. In tho lower por-
ton Of tue tent, where the covering descends to
the ground, tho fayorite uuhres and their colts
arc kept. These tenta arc furnished simply but
sufficiently, With tho products Of the!E own lA-
and often by robbery.
Whom moving, tribe Of this people ia vast
companS, guided and governed moro or lcas
anthortat!yey by their Emir, or shotkb.
aib!o attacks Of other tribes. who may wuh to
socuro tho pastusc-lnrds to which they arc
bound; or, in tue autumn. share tho bnoty
walch! has boen captured from loss powerful
travellers.
The Arabs arc dsided.En distinct tribes, and
tho Emtr of each IL patElarctal ruler. Accord
lug to Dr.. Van Lennop.-lroul whoso records
most Of these fac!s arn derivod,-their religion
should DO called Islam. It doos no. approve OF
auy aristocEatto distinctions. but oach trtbn has
families holding themselves superior to tho
maHs, And kooping tLclr influence and property
within thals own control, and tue most intuon-
tisl Of thsse is chosen Emir.
Tho customa which 10 strtoscntly Impose hos.
ritality upon tho Uedoutn arc a fortunate check
upon their reckless, unraulfnE lives; though
sometimes tho passionate Arab nature will break
eyery lam OF Hospitality and violate the most
solemn o2thS. ... 49,,
Their dead xro often buried whcsercr loath
may occur. but frequently tho vicinity OF "eit
or tho shade OF ttue, ia chosen: aua sfhdaa'lY
number Of graycs arc clustered tosethor each
marked by an uphsMn stoue. or osen sometimes
q carofu!ly.a5ranged ri!a Of thcm m,,,...-'
aIoro aocure mora rotincd, nioo !tkaly to auaes
great wealth, but not more contented with thcir
lot tllAn these FREQ wanderers OF tho deaert. ate
tho dwel!ers In towns.
Perhaps tho sitos Of most Eastorn cittes haye
boon cb0aen for their vicinity to good springs OF
Natef ; for thoHo are comparatively rare, and OF
tho groasrst Importance fa tbsst somi-trop!ca!
climate 1hsors aso also scarce, aud tho lalld IL
cruelty parchet with drought during the dry sea-
aou. Ny tho precious sptlng OF water, troes aso
planted shelter ia often erected, and tho spot
becomcs = ccntTo for tue life Of 4 village. Wator
IL often conveyed from pool or spring In the
Hills. TO supply town, by meant OF pipos maas
OF baked CLAY, supported by scquehucls Of wood
and stone. Though tho fact In hydsauIIcs, 40 H.
uIllRs to US. that water Reeks its own ieys tloss
not sestn to be kuoWn 10 tue people Of tho East,
thoy bs'loye that 1t will acquire AZ impetus which
Will carry II to certain height, and they
build distributing towers In thsis towns.
Thoy aro counoisseurH Of drinking-wa-
ter, and quito equal to tho tcA-taasoEs
Of other lsuaa in their critical Judgment Of dir
feTapt sptlngs. Placed on the banks OF river,
OF in sho midst Of springs, which supply irriga-
tiou, ~ Oriental eIty, surrounded BY III gardens.