Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1904-04-28
FROM SMYRNA
TO BEYROUT

aer was mailed TO you at Smyrna. We
are now on our way to Beyrout. Our
visit to SMYRNA and Ephesus, though,
yery brief, was nevertheless of the
greatest interest to all Our vessel,
owing to its size, could not get into
the dock, and was, therefore, compell-
ed to cast anchor far out in the har-
bor. from whence we proceeded to
shore in large boats. Horse cars were
in waiting on shore to take US to the
station of the Ottoman Railroad, from |
whence we proceeded fifty-five miles |
by railroad. to Ephesus. This road is
provided with good cars and solid /
rosdbed. Electricity is used for light !
ing the cars The country through /
which we passed i'll going from Smyr-
ma to Ephesus was of the most pict-
uresque character. Our road ran |
through a fertile valley, containing !
well-kept gardens and farms, where /
oranges, figs, olives, grapes and garden
truck were growing in abundance
grapes, olives and figs were not yet in
bloom, but everything was green and
promising. On both sides of the beauti-
tul valley through which we passed
were high mountains, forming charm
ing background to the general view
Caravans of camels and donkeys were
to be seen on the road, and presented
novel sight as they wended their
way from place to place. Oxen are US
ed for blowing, and in many places
ancient plows are used, though here
and there we noticed farming imple-
ments of modern make. Everywhere
throughout this country shepherds and
their sheep were seen which sight re-
minded us of the Bible story of the
Great Shepherd. A peculiar outer gar
ment is worn by the shepherds, which
is made of very thick white felt, and
Is quite large, somewhat stitfened at
the shoulders and serves as protec-
tion from wet and cold weather. We
did not notice many song birds, but
storks of great size abound and live
near the people, and in many instances
make their nests on high places, right
in the towns. They are particularly
numerous about old ruins and disused
buildings.
For the first time since we left New
York we encountered disagreeable
day. The rain and wind were parti
cularly unpleasant features of part of
- i1---+ Latar- in tn
the weather was warm and pleasant
and gave us opportunity to visit the
stores and bazaars in Smyrna.
Smyrna has beautiful street along
the water front, where ships make fast
directly opposite the largest business
houses. Further up the street are the
finest residences of the city. Like 9TH
er Eastern cities there was a mixed
crowd oil the dock to meet US and
there were also the various cab driV
ers and sellers of curios and peddlers
seeking TO sell their wares.
The people seemed glad to see rs.
and as we rode past their houses. men
anu WOutu l6dutu Oub VI tutIl "iuu-
ows to wave their hands at us.
Smyrna is the principal commercial
city of the Levant and was founded in
6S8 B. O. 1t is one of the cities ad-
dressed by John in Rev. 2 IS :12. Smyr
na produces the finest figs, dates aud
raisins to be found anywhere. For an
English shilling GA cents) box con-
tanning about 8 pounds of the best figs
can be secured These and other splen-
did fruit were offered for sale at every
turn at reasonable prices.
There are mosques and churches and
schools here, also an American COL
lege. The streets are narrow, and with
the crowds of people of all Nation
alities and the horses and sheep and
poultry it is with difficulty that pedes-
trians make their way from place to
place. The city contains 335, 600 peo
pie, is 29S miles from Constantinople
and 686 miles from Jaffa.
The most interesting monument in
Smyrna is the tomb of Polycarp, one
OF the most celebrated characters in
ancient Christendom, who was Bishop
Of Smyrna, and had been disciple of
the Apostle John He suffered martyr
dom in 1866
At Ephesus, some on dOnkeys and
horses. others on foot, accompanied
by natives, we went by the road, trod
by men of old, to visit the Temple of
Diana. the Theatre. into which the
people rushed and raved against Paul.
shouting Great is Diana of the Ep-
hesians." This theatre seated 20, 600
persons We also visited the Forum
and "Church of st John, =" which still
stands in partly ruined condition
The "Roman Gate Of Persecution F."
where Christians are supposed to have
suffered martyrdom, is also standing,
and we passed under its arch.
Leaving Smyrna for Beyrout on our
way we passed the Island of Patmos,
where John wrote the Apocalypse. We
also passed the Islands of Rhodes and
Cyprus. These places are of great in
terest, and from a distance present
most beautiful appearance.
will write again concerning Bey
rout and my trip overland, on horse
back. from Caifa to Galilee and Sam
aria, which will occupy seven days
and half, and will include the Plain
OF EsdraelOn to Nazareth, Mt. Tabor
and through Cana of Galilee, Naz-
areth, Main, Samaria, Joseph's Tomb,
Jacobs Well, Shiloh and the Fount of
the Kings.
Best wishes to all,