The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-05-19
Letter from Mr.. George w. veiger


stead of ruins.
On account of small boats, narrow and
dangerous channels, and frequent storms
on this part of the Mediterranean Sea, [
dreaded the voyage from Beyrout to Con-
stantinople, thence to Athens, distance
of 400 miles, more than any other part
of my voyage We were, however, very
fortunate in securing good boat, had good
service, calm sea, and, therefore, very
pleasant voyage
In this voyage we passed between scores
of islands These islands are all of volcanic
origin, are mountainous, and the scenery
very beautiful. We landed at Rhodes,
where Paul landed, and strolled through
the streets of this ancient city for several
hours, We next passed the island of
Patmos, and then landed at Smyrna, in
Asia Minor.
This is beautiful city and some parts
are quite modern. Population $50, 600
The city is noted for the manufacture of
Smyrna rugs, and for being the largest
drug exporting depot in the world. 1t is
also the site of one of the seven churches
of Asia and the place where Polycarpe suf-
fered martyrdom.
From Smyrna We went by train, As
miles, to EpAesus. This was, perhaps,
the largest city in the world in Paul time.
Today there are only few small dwellings
With a population less than one hundred.
For more than six miles We travelled
through ruins of the ancient city. Here
st. John lived before and after he was
banished.
The ruins of the church of St. John,
where the apostle whom Jesus loved was
pastor, are still here. Not much remains
of the temple Of Diana, but the Eufas Of
the Amphitheatre are very extensive. At
ter visiting St. Lukes tomb and other
places of interest our party returned to
Smyrna and sailed the same day for the
Dardanelles. This IS a narrow channel
forty miles long and three fourthS Of mile
wide All vessels sailing for Constantine
pie and the Black Sea must pass through
here. On account of the great Importance
of this water way in case of war all Europe
is watching this channel with jealous eye.
If properly fortified no man of war could
pass through.
Constantinople is large city, and it is
said if seen from the bay it presents the
most beautiful scenery in the world. The
Mosque, the church built by Constantine,
the Museum, the Sultan going to prayer on
Friday, and the bazars are some of the
points of interest. The church built by
Constantine 1852 years ago contains eight
columns of the Temple of Diana at Ephe-
sus, and eight from the temple of Baal at
Baalbec
In the museum here is the finest collec-
ton of sarcophagi in the world, The coli
lection was secured from Tyre and Sidon.
These beautiful marble Sarcophagi we're a
luxury of the wealthy, and valuable jewels
and gold were buried with the corpse.
..No Jewels or Gold in This Sarcophagus
is the inscription King of Tyre put on
bis coffin. This he did to prevent thieves
from robbing his tomb, which was often
done. But the museum ghoul doubted
his words and found jewels and gold of i'm
meuse value in his sareopAagus. The
mummy of the King AEd his jewels and
gold lie side by side, Here lies perpetual
liar
BY securing a permit from cur Consul
and paying 80 cents ''backsheesh we
were permitted to stand on an elevated
place and see the Sultan of Turkey pass to
and from the Mosque where he goes every
Friday at 30 p, IN. to pray.
His palace is about 800 yards from the
mosque and 10, 900 soldiers and 800 cav
airy stand guard as he drives along. Bands
played all around About % soldiers We're
stationed among our party, 50 yigilant were
they less some one should throw bomb at
the Sultan.
The Sultan Is So years cd aad u y law
full foF him to take new wife every year
Before We left CopstantmopIe We took a
voyage to the Black Sea just % we can say
1--WE sailed on the Black Sea. What
fools zee MORALS be. -
Athens was the seat of government Of
Ancient Greece The ruins of the Acrop-
ais, the Parthenon, where all the Gods
we're worshiped, and the temples, show
what Atheus must have been when Paul
stood on Mars Hill. Athens today is a
western city, streets wide and clean, beau
tiful public squares, and the people intelli-
gent and prosperous.
On Tuesday, April "a, our party went
to the Amphitheatre to see athletic drills,
.L..l ,,,o-., .x,,-a,, Iaf,ra Tho Rov,f fau,il,
About 600 students in athletic uniforms
were in the drills The King awarded
prizes and the exercises were fine aud great
ly enjoyed by an audience of 40, 600 peo-
pie.
The Amphitheatre is about 700 feet hong
and has seating capacity Of 60, 600.
The Royal family, King George and the
Queen, the Crown Prince and his wife,
walked the whole distance of the theatre
and took seats among the audience. 1t
was Democratic walk.
No 10, 900 soldiers guarded them; 40 :
goo people applauded them, to which the
King frequently bowed.
Our party secured reserved seats around
the King. We also provided a number of
Greecian flags and stars and stripes When
the Royal family appeared .hree cheers
were given and our enthusiasm and flags
brought the King to stand still He
bowed, and bowed, and bowed again, aud
then took seat. The next morning the
press gave us quite compliment.
On accounted recent massacres of Amer
lean Christians in Crete by the Turks
feel myself very much favored that had
the pleasure of seeing the two Rulers who
opposed each other in the bloody struggle
You remember, dear readers, how thou
sands of prayers were offered throughout
the civilized world in behalf of the Armea-
ian christians who were driven from vighsge
to village and murdered by the Turks.
The Sultan of Turkey worships Moham-
med, and so do the people of his dominion
Crete belonged to Turkey, and on account
of religion the Turks began to massacre
the Armenian christians,
King George of Greece is 4 Protestant
christian, brother-in- law of Emperor
William of Germany, and the Queen is
niece of Queen Victoria of England.
MANY of the christians that were muir