St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-06-22

their destruction of what they con-
sidered heather embems and their
work was in turn demolished by the
Moslems. who turned the whole
place into a fort, the walls of which
still remain. Earthquakes have
added to the general destruction and
the only marvel is that so much that
is beautiful still remains. Regret
fully we looked our last upon the
columns towering 80 feet into the
air, as we drove back to Shtoura
that afternoon. Crossing the Anti
lebanon the next morning, on our
wav to Damascus, cold wind came
up. clouds of white dust blinded and
choked us, much Of the way was
through barren and rocky country,
but ali discomfort was forgotten as
we came in sight of the dancing rush
ing torrent of the ALBANIA and saw
almond and peach trees in bloom
and every shrub decked in the green
est of spring dress. Mark IVAN
saws. Leave the matters written OF
in the first eleven chapters OF the OId
Testament out and no recorded
event has occurred in the world,
but Damascus was in existence to
receive the news Of it. Though an
other claims the name, old Damascus
is bv right the Eternal City" 1t
was certainly the most oriental city
we had seen, much more so than
Cairo. which is fast becoming
European and one can walk miles IN
the covered streets of Damascus and
never weary of the endless variety
of color and surroundings.
We visited the Mosque built, ac-
cording to archaeologists, upon the
site of the House of Rimmon,'
spoken of in Second Kings V: 10; we
went through the street called
Straight" and had pointed out to
us the place of Saul's conversion,
the place where he was let down in
basket. and Mammals house, now
used as hospital for lepers. One OF
our party asked for the site OF the
house of Eliezer, Abraham 5 steward,
but the dragomen have not yet
learned to show that mythical place.
Our guide, handsome Syrian,
wearing Turkish trousers, embrold-
cred Jacket and tez, brought us
delicious Damascus corrections, can
died pistach nuts, apricot and
Turkish delight, and took us TO
bazars where there were most tempt
ing rugs, silks and inlaid work. A
bargain made at these places is a
very entertaining affair. The price
asked for an article is twice or three
times its value. The dragoman
scorns the amount and offers one
half of the sum. The merchant de-
clares he cannot take less than two
thirds of his original price. The
dragoman throws the article in
dignantly upon the counter and
walks out of the shop, At the first
corner the merchant sends for him to
return and gives up the piece OF
merchandise Then comes an exhl,
bition of some of the more beautiful
goods, kept in the background until
one purchase has been made
Turkish coffee IN tiny cups and very
sweet is passed around and another
bargain is begun.
The drive back to Beyrout was a
interesting as the journey over. Th'
hot Syrian sun had made percepti
bic difference i'll the height OF tn
snow banks the air was not so cole
and panorama consisting OF lon!
trains of white tented baggag
wagons drawn by mules, Syrial
families with all their possessions OF
little donkeys, camels laden with tn
whole furniture of house and
Gaze's tourist party on horsebac
and in palanquins passed before on
eyes during the seventy miles.
was pleasant to reach Beyrout an
spend another Sabbath with GU
friends before starting on the week
voyage to Constantinople.
NJ G. T.