The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1906-07-24

d dead person was removed and u
sarah inserted in is place. TIA
scarab, rolling it ball, typified t. the
ancient an unseen power guiding the
sun. while the bursting Of the youuE
bug from its egg in the ball symbol
lied the resurrection-to what classic.
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
WCrl-, Mr.. Azeez khayat. a native uF
Tyre, but now an American citizen,
deserves special mention. Many AmeIi-
can museums are indebted to him for
their collections.
Speaking of Tyre and Sidon reminds
me that in the study of Syria and Pal
estine | ran across an early instance
of monopoly. Joscphus Gus Jonn
of Gischala of mOnopolizing the OIL
! business on the Mediterranean coast.
1t was early in the Christian era that
the aforesaid John. according To Jo-
Sephus, convinced the Jews who dWeIt
in Syria that they were obliged to US
oil made by others, and then the his
torian adds. $50 he (John) bought
four amphorae with such Syrian
money was of the value Of four Al
tic drachmae and sold every half am
phor at the same price; and as Calico
was very fruitful in oil and was peculi-
dlIN 50 dl bllS llllIc, py SClidllS away
great quantities and having the sole
privilege SO to do, he gathered an inn
mensc sum of money together.
This is interesting and Instructive.
1t shows, first, that monopoly is an
ancient evil, and, second, that the mo-
nopolist in his inclination to take adj
vantage of the consumer by raising
the price was much the same then as
nOW-but | have been afraid ever since
| read Of John of Gischala, that some
American named John might try To
initiate him and establish a monopo-
~ i'll our country-possibly in oil
But on to Damascus-and We
reached it all too soon, for the ride
across the A~nti-Lebanon range is also
picturesque. The route down the east
side of the mountain lilo the val
ley of the ALBANIA, q splendid stream,
worthy of the compliment paid it by
Naaman. 1t leaps from the mountain
side a full grown river, II plunges
down into the plain only to be lost
in the sands, but not until it has
brought verdure to many square miles
that would otherwise be barren. 1t is
easy to understand why Damascus is
among the oldest. if not actually the
oldest, of all the cities still standing.
1t occupies the II green spot in all
that section. and is the outpost of the
Mediterranean coast. The Arabian deS-
crt stretches to the east and south
east for hundreds of miles and the
from Persia and Arabic pass
different sections. The Dealers in
sugar occupy one quarter, the silver
smiths, the candy manufacturers, the
h~laCkSnlthS, the carpentcfS-eacn
class has it's cluster of shops. The
arabian horse being the pride Of the
Bedouin. we were not surprised to find
much attention paid to the manufac-
ture of saddles, saddle bags, brides
and trappings, only they were for the
most part made of wool and cotton
rather than of Gather. Bright colors,
tassels, fringes, shells and ostrich
feathers are employed in the ornament
tation of the horse, the donkey and
the camel.
AS in Cairo, the different trades have
through Damascus ON their way TO
Egypt ever now, as they did when
Babylon and Ninevch were young; it
was also on the road between the great
asst and Tyre and Sidon.
Damascus is an rental city and IS
still innocent of the ways of the west
ern world. Its bazaarS give one a
glimpse of life as it was before Europe
and America were known to history.
The government is erecting public
buildings according to modern plans,
but the covered streets, lined With lit
tie booths, the homes of the people,
the dress, the costumes and the habits
are the same that they were when saul
of Tarsus wandered down the street
called "Straight' in search Of the one
who was to restore his sight. (This
street, though straight as compared
With the other streets, is hardly de-
serving of the name which it still
bears.)
The candies of Damascus are very
good and very cheap, and nuts Of all
kinds are to be found in abundance,
an excellent variety of walnut being
grown within the city limits. Natural
ly this city is a market for Persian
rugs, and large socks are kept on
hand. While the people make every
thing which enters into the daily life
of the country, they are especially
skilled in brass, damascene ware and
the inlaying of wood with mother-of-
pearl.
Damascus is not especially noted for
places Of historic interest. The tour
list is shown the house of Ananias and
the window through which Paul was
let down from the wall, but it is
doubtful whether the identity of these
places has been really established. a
house known as the house Of Naaman
the 1eper, is now very appropriately
used for a lepers' home. There is no
uncertainty about the river ALBANIA.
and another river near Damascus is
known as Pharpar. An ancient wall
surrounds the city, and one Of the
largest mosques in the world occupies
ground first dedicated to a heather
temple and afterWard to the Church
of St. John the Baptist. erected by
Arcadius, the son of T~heodosius.
The big-tailed sheep described by
HerodotuS is to be found on the streets
of Damascus. 1t is a peculiar breed.
and the tail. which is considered a
great delicacy. is often so heavy as to
seem a burden to the sheep. 1t is
broad. covered with wool. and some
times ends in a curl. We also saw
here the ~long-eared goats. as curious
looking in their way as the sheep.
And what shall we say of the Da-
mascus dog? He is to be found every
where and has no owner. We counted
Is in one group and 23S in one fore
Moons ride. They live on charity and
fight whenever an. opportunity offers.
1t seems to be against the law of the
sultan to kill dogs. as one learns to
his regret after he has heard +hor,