New-York tribune., 1890-01-26
VICTIM OF SIX DOCTORS.
DEATH AND BURIAL OF THE GOyERNOH
OF DAMASCUS
FROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENTS OF THE rRrtrSE-i
Doo,oscus Dapembpr =


from AN OCCASIONAL CoRREsPoNDEN- OF THE TRrtrNE-I
Damascus, December Is.
The Governor Of this city and district died on
Sunday, and would have been in his grave few
hours after his death had not dispute arisen as
to where he should be buried. lie was not sup
posed TO be good enough Mosem to find tomb
in the Salhleh, where piOus Governors are
inferred. lie was not popular with the religious
Sheikhs because he drank heavily: nor with the
populace because he taxed arbitrarily. His claim
upon the Salhieh cemetery was slight His
body was not buried for a whole day after his
death-a tremendous interval in this country.
A young Greek, from Cyprus, died few years
ago in the hospital at Beirut The priest was
promptly on hand and would have buried him
at once; but friend demonstrated so firmly
that finally, as a great concession to his preju-
dices. lie agreed to wait three hours.
The Governor was i'll for only week His
disease was pneumonia. He lay in a room
hermetically sealed save for door opening into
a room where six doctors sat for three hours
day discussing his case and smoking. it may be
estimated. forty cigarettes an hour. There were
three Moslems and three Christlans-an Austrian,
a Greek and Scotchman. The views Of the
two trios were as a rule diametrically opposed
Meantime the poor Governor lay in the next
room patiently awaiting a decision 1t reminds
one of Max Adeler's rhyme
"Four doctors tackled Johnny Smith
They blistered and they blcd him.
After few days the Scotchman succeeded IN
getting one small window, very high up, opened.
Whether these three-hour discussions resulted IN
much being done for the Governor or not.
cannot say; but at their close the doctors always
helped themselves to ten cigarettes apiece to last
them for the drive home
His death was announced prematurely. !
was standing one morning in front of the hotel
when the landlord said beneath his breath:
THE Governor is dead, but don't dare say it
out loud
And why not?" | inquired.
IF policeman should hear me say so, he
would arrest me- saying SO you are glad he's
dead. are YOU? Else why do you talk OF 1t /?
On Monday. at noon, / took my station at the
iuuction Of Straight-st. and the Arcade leading
TO the Midan Cemetery to await the procession.
StraiQht-st is a long, lofty arcade, with arched
roof lined with shops, and in the daytime gay with
all the c0lors Of the rainbow, as the crowd pass
to and fro, in every variety of costume. One
sees dignned Moslem sheikhs, whte-turbaned'
with long. dark cloalls opened in front revealing
a rich lining OF yellow and brown furs; women.
sheeted in dark blues, browns, reds yelows;
Bcdouins in sheep-skins: peasant women in blue,
with long narrow aprons Of sth crimson cloth.
In this cold weather many wrap up the head IN
a shawl or kerchef carriage forces its rapid
way through the crowd the driver shouting, en-
treating cursing, slashiRg his whip. Camels pass
along in a line patient, awkward, contemptuous.
sellers of drink circulate, clinking brass cups
Bcggars. crpples. blind men entreat you for aims.
At night when you enter Straight-st. from the
bright moonlight outside, the high, dim arcade Is
impressive and mysterious. All i silent and de-
serted save for the watchmen. who are posted iIom
place to place. and who answer your salutatlOn
in deep, solemn tones.
The funeral cortege was TO leave the Great
Nlorgue at noon. Soon after that time the crowd
in front Of the pharmacy, where ! was Stationed
began 10 increase Then the police began to
kecp people back and to intercept meel; donkeys
and outraged camcls from pursuing tlef ac'
customed way At length the procession APP
pcared, and officially considered II was Out 4
poor affair. Picturesquely speaking however. II
was interesting. for il allied 10 itself a great
crowd of hangers-on whose Oriental dress gives
richness to any picture. The first figures To he
noted were half dozen poorly dressed men bear,
ing small. round boxes on their heads-D0Nes ot
spices for the body. There were some soldiers
and a few officers. all on foot, Then came no
bic collection of MoslSn sheilIhs. LRen me IN m
crazy creatures whose presence IS supposed 10 con-
fer a blcsSing-impudent fanatics out 0t whose
way a European would better keep. There was
some antiph0nal chanting by the people rs they
moved. not very slowly along The coffin was
borne on the shoulders of many men. including
the Dcputv-Govcmor. II was covered WIN y
fine cashmere shawl, piece Of gold-embroldei@I
velvet was thrown over this and upon a wooden
at one end Of the coffin was placed
the Governors tarboosh or tez.
There were not many people behind the CONN;
soon the procession moved out of sight and the
streets resumed their usual appearance. How
different was the sight in early October when the
Hal or pilgrimage returned from Mecca Then
tens of thousands turned out, waiting hours for
tie Splcndd pa aacant military troops ahoundcd.
bands played wild Turkish music. Pachas rode
ON beautiful hgh-rrcd horses, as uchly-ca-
as their masters. What enthusiasm
there was when at last there appeared the great
camel. almost Ovcrtoppcd by the tent he bore
tent of emerald green velvet heavily embroidered
i'm gold arahesques, the symbol of Mohammeds
dwelling place. have never seen a more I'M
prcsSvr thing than the dense, rapldlY-moYlng,
compact quiet crowd that followed after the pro-
cessiOn-a rushing. human tide
Nadecf Pacha cane 10 Damascus in the spring
of lN>S, and hence was Governor for less than
two wears \ couI1c Of months before his coming
the Walayat 90 ScQua had been divided. the new
Governor Of Beirut obtaining the provinces Of
the coast. Nadccf Pacha has not been at all
loved Nadecf means clean; ] need not enter
here into the question as 10 whether the people do
or do not care for n clean man, or whether they
think that His ENcclencY bclied his name. To-
day in the streets they are singing this song:
The Pacha is dead to the dead he has gone.
He took no sivpcnccs shings,
Twas our gold that he wanted.
The Governor Of Beirut has also been very Ill.
hui fortunately he had hut doctor Ia professor
in the American College and he has recovered.
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