Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1888-02-24

ferent from that to which we have
been accustomed. On the 18th of
October the heat was intense and
the summer so dry that everything
was parched and about the only green
thing to be seen was tie leaves on
the trees. The sand and stones re-
feet the heat, making it very unpleas-
ant; but we are not in quest of pleas
ure, so we will try and make the best
of things that are not desirable.
This place has a population of
5000; two-thirds Moslems, the re-
mainder Greeks, Americans, etc. A
number of the streets are of a resson-
able width, but not many of them are
we'll paved.
The greater part are, however,
very narrow; perhaps ten to twelve
feet wide. There are no carriages Or
wagons in use here, merchandise of
all kinds is transported on the backs
camels or donkeys. The donkey is
very patient animal, and is often very
much abused. Horses are principal.
" used for riding, but many prefer
donkeys az being surer footed,
especially for use in the mountains.
There is much less business done here
now than there was some years ago.
The principal reason being that the
cultivation and sale of tobacco, which
was a source of much revenue to this
portion of the country, has been in-
terfered with by excessive taxation.
The only articles that are now ex-
ported are wheat, barley, pease,
poultry, &c. A reasonable assort-
ment of dry goods is to be found in
the stores; but groceries cannot be
obtained, except of the more common
articles, such as coffee, sugar, rice,
&c. The stores here are odd looking
affairs, mostly small rooms 8 TO 10
feet square, with goods piled up on
three sides, the front opening on to
the pavement, Many of them the
purchaser cannot enter at all, but
stands on the outside and makes his
purchases; others have barely room
for two or three persons inside. One
unaccustomed to the ways of these
people does not stand much chance,
as they have two prices, their asking
price and their taking price, and, un-
fortunately, they have little regard
for the truth. There are representa-
tives of all the different trades here,
but most of them are very clumsy
workmen. especially the workers in
wood. They do very nice stone
work, however, and also weave very
nice cloth The stone of which the
houses are built is a soft sandstone
which is easily worked. All the
houses and yards are enclosed with
walls ten to fifteen feet high These
are necessary to keep out robbers and
others who are not wanted. The
tops of the walls are frequently coy-
cred with broken pieces of glass, set
in the mortar in such way as to
make it impossible for any one to
cross them. Sometimes the house is
built in one corner of this enclosure,
the wall forming two sides of the
house. Most Of the houses have fiat
roofs composed of kind of cement
made Of ashes, lime and sand, but
quite a number are built in modern
style with tile roofs. The floors are
nearly all made Of cement, marble or
stone. Rugs are used instead of car
pets for covering the floors. Some of
them are very fine indeed. The bet
ter ones are very expensive. They
can be had of all sizes. Straw mats
are also much used. The houses of
the wealthier classes are furnished in
good style. They are a polite and
friendly people. When calling upon
them in their houses you are ushered
into the best apartment, seated upon
a divan, and argilah, the native pipe.
or cigarettes are brought in for those
who smoke, as most of the natives do.
Then they pass sweetmeats OF some
kind, followed by small cups of Turk
ish coffee, which is very strong and
verv sweet. The Arabic language
abouuds in extravagant expressions,
and one is compelled to listen to many
high sounding phrases, that after all
mean but very little. The mass of
the people are very indolent, and
many of them live in very filthy
condition. 1t is really wonderful
that there is not more sickness among
them than there is, as there is an en-
tire absence of any sanitary regula-
tiohs whatever, everyone being al
lowed to live pretty much as be
pleases. They do not seem, however,
to be much more liable to disease
than those who live under more fay-
orabIe circumstances. Medical prac-
tice among this people is not the most
pleasant thing, in many respects, as
their ignorance and poverty is an un-
surmountable barrier to having your
directions carried out, but like many
more intelligent people, they expect
physician to accomplish almost
everything except to actually perform
miracles But, however, the Ha-
cheem, or "wise man." as they call
the physician, is held in great esteem
by them, and accorded the highest
honors. The principal diseases here
are those of the eye, skin diseases
and fevers. AS yet l have been
working through an interpreter, which
| will have to do for some time to
come, as my Arabic vocabulary is yet
very limited AS this has gone be-
yond my first intentions, l will close
hoping at some time in the future to
give an account Of trip to the
mountains, and also one to CONSTANT
nople, the Capitol Of the Turkish En-
pire. ) M. BALPH.
At the Wrong Window.
A good story is told at the expense
of the Amherst College Glee Club.
About ten years ago the club made a
trip through New York State. and
sung in Rochester at the same time
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