The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-07-22

The friendship which the emperor has shown for the sultan seems to be reciprocated, for roads were built, har- bors improved and many other things done in honor of his visit. We have heard all sorts of rumors /as to the kaiser,s intentions. but the only thing that seems certain is that GeGrman in fiuence in this part of Asia is increas- ing.
 While Baalbek contains the largest and most famous ruins. it is not the only place that attracts the archaeolo- gist. There are hundreds of sitess of ancient cities which abundantly repay the excavator. Specimens of Grek and Roman art have been found on both sides of the Jordan, as well as along the Mediterranean coast. The tombs also have yielded up their world have been supplied with tear bottles perfumery jars. vases, bowls, scarabs. ancient coins. etc.
 The Phoenicians are credited with having invented the making of glass in the days when Tyre and Sidon were their chief cities. It is said that the art owes its discovery to the use of saltpeter in the place of stones by some sailors who landed at the mouth or the river Belos, near Akka. Finding no stones upon which to put their ket- ties. they used blocks of saltpeter and WSES SuAP PAtSSu lo IlnQ that the uF6 na0 rused the sand and the saltpeter into a transparent substance The indus try was inauglrated at Tyre and Sidon, and Tor some time the Phoenicians supplied the world with glass. The bottles and vases found from time to time in the tombs of Syria and Egypt are more beautiful than when they left the hand of the manufacturer; the outer surface has decayed, and be- heath are revealed all the coiors of the rainbow. It was the custom to fill the tear bottles with tears of the mourners and to bury them with the dead.
 The scarab which is found so often in the ancient tombs in Syria and in Egypt are the old-fashioned tumble bug or dung beetle with which eve-M boy, or at least every country or VII- lage boy, is familiar I little thought when I used to see the fumble-bug rolling his little globe of manure along the dusty road that he was considered q sacred insect several thousand years ago, OF that he was ever used as a symbol of the Creator; and yet his likeness adorns temples and tombs, and his Image, cut in stone and bear ing the seal of rulers, has been found by the thousands. Often the heart of dead person was removed and a scarab inserted in its place The scarab. rolling its ball, typified to the ancient an unsen power guiding the sun. while the bursting of the young bug from it's egg in the ball symbol ized the resurrection-to what classical uses this commonplace little insect was put!
 Among those who have been instru- mental in bringing the hidden treas ures of Syria to the attention of the world. MT. Azeez Khayat, a native of Tyre, but now an American citizen, deserves special mention Many Amey- ican museums are indebted to him for their collections.
 Speaking of Tyre and Sidon rem@ ds me that in the study of Syria and Pal estine I ran across an early instance of monopoly. Josephus accuses John of Gischala of monopolizing the oil business on the Mediterranean coast It was early fin the Christian era that the aforesaid John. according to IO-