The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-20

Inc CIVIL, multary ana naval arrangements
made by the Abbaad Caliphs arc described at
length in the twenty fourth chapter Tho next
chapter is devoted TO Bagdad, "the capital OF Islam,
the eye of Irak the seat Of empire the centre Of
beauty, culture and arts" The city formed two
vast semi-circles, situated respectively on tho
right and left banks OF the Tigris The Abba!
metropolis was surrounded by a strong wall and
deep moat The walled city was twelve miles in
diameter, but numerous suburbs stretched TO o
considerable distance north and south along
both sides OF the river. In the days of its pros
pcrity. the population OF Bagdad and it's suburbs
amounted to over two mlliona The seat Of the
Abbasid Caliphate was very city Of palaces. not
made of stucco and of mortar. but Of marble The
buildings, although not otherwise different in
structure OF style from those in Damascus, were us
ually Of several stories and the influence OF Persian
taste was distinctly visible in the ornamentation.
The interiors Of the palaces and mansions were
lavishly gilded and decorated, and the apartment
walls were draped with beautiful tapestry and
hangings OF brocade or silk The rooms were
furnished with luxurious divans, costly tables
Chinese vases and gold and silver ornamental
The interminable halls Of the imperial palaces
bore distinctive names, according to their orna-
mentatons The special feature OF one was a
tree made entirely Of gold, with birds, made also
OF gold and studded with gems, perched upon its
Dranches Inc soChlieo Hal Oh PdrdnlSe was
distinguished for It's magnificent chandeliers and
it's nlad Jewels on the walls and ceilings That
the Caliphs could easily defray the cost Of their
palaces will be evident when We point ont that the
annual revenue OF Rashid amounted TO $54, 600 900
In silver. and more than &l4. 900 900 In gold, the
revenue being payable sometimes In one and
sometimes in the other metal. This Is the equi-
valent Of thee aliph income byweight; itspurcbas
ing value was. of course. incomparably greater.
To return to Bagdad. the Arabic chroniclers re-
count that both sides of the river beyond the city
were fronted by the kiosks, gardens and parks
Of grandees and mobiles: marble steps led every
where to the waters edge and the scene on tho
river was animated by thousands OF gondolas
called zourak, deckcd with little flags that danced
like sunbeams on the water. All along the quays,
which stretched for many miles along the liver
banks. lay whole fleets at anchor, sea an ri yer
craft Of all sizes and kinds from the Chinese
junk to the old Assyrian raft resting on inflated
skins Among these lowered the warships Of
principal mosques were magnificent structures
and. in the beauty OF their design, the immensely
OF their conception and the excellence OF their An
ish riyalled. II they did not surpass the great
mosque Of Valid at Damascus or the still more
famous mosque OF Cordova Each quarter OF
the city had Its own special place Of worship and
every town throughout the Empire had a finely
constructed mosque of its own In the capital
and also In the provincial towns were numerous
richly endowed colleges hospitals and irnrmaries
for both sexes. From a detailed account of dress
and table furniture NE Learn tn at atocLppa ado ~