The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-15
Society and Gossip of Events to Come-iss Elizabeth
Bowie to Be Hostess-Affars Planned for Brides
Elect-Personnel of Wedding Parties = Dr. E. NJ
Mason to Wed Miss Helen Steiner of Montgomery

A letter from Birmingham boy who
is completing n tour of the world is an
entertaining Dit of news, especially when
it is the result of the observation of Sc
clever and alert a mentality as that Of
Hanson Ford. MIR. Ford has been travel
ing a year with his tutor, Mr.. Lang, pass
ing the time in both study and observa-
tion. His letters have been interesting
especially to those who have had similar
experiences, but the one received, written
in Cairo, is particularly interesting mis-
sive. He will be home in about 10 days
toN4end the summer with his parents
Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Ford. His last letter
in part is as follows:
1--WE have been in Cairo now for two
days and will remain for two more and
then go back to Port Said for our ship
The last week has been a very busy one
for us and we have covered lot of in
teresting and historical ground. We left
Port Said for Jerusalem on the day after
we left the Prince Ludwig in the late
afternoon, arriving next morning early
These ships are very small ones and not
fitted up for comfortable travel The
tourists to travel, but we had second class
tickets, so had to rough it.. 1t was a
tough experience to say the least. We
had two hunks in o cabin for four, and
just across the hall from us was an old
lady who was sick the whole night. That
wasn't very conducive to good sleep and
the hard hunks finished it up. | enjoyed
1t, however, after it was over, for the op-
portunity it gave me of seeing the native
life All over the decks of the ship were
Arabs, Egyptians and every race of peo-
pie in this part of the world, huddled to-
gether and wrapped up in their large
cloaks and roses. 1t was certainly pic
ture to see them ard very much in keep
ing with the surroundings. After an un-
profitable night we landed in 'Joppa, as it
is in the Bible. From there we went up to
Jerusalem by train, arriving in the after
noon. Our stay in Jerusalem is a very
hard one to tell about. We saw so much
and saw such a mixture of the real and
legendary that it's very difficult to give a
good picture Of it. Anyway We went to
a good hotel and there managed to get
a guide cheap, for it is absolutely impos-
sible to hunt out the places for yourself
in these uncharted dark and winding
streets. He took US around on walks dur
ing the day we were there and for two
drives, one out to Bethlehem and one 20
the Mount of Olives. In the city We saw
the Temple of the Holy Sepulchre which
is beautiful in it's way and very rich IN
jewels.
I'VE had all the places pointed out 70
us here, but the majority of them l nor no
one else can believe.
IT wish 1 could give you a clear and ac-
curate picture of the streets of Jerusalem
They are most interesting In the olden
times they were al arched Ger and some
of them are still so, with only little
light hole now and then to let In light
and air. They are lined on both sides
with tiny stalls, Which constitute the
stores and shops and In these are sold all
manner of articles from church incense 10
whisky. To walk down a street like this
rubbing shoulders with the half naked and
dirty natives, three lines of such stores
under arches, up long flights of steps, past
churches, lodging donkeys and even cam-
els now and then, is certainly a treat and
privilege. But, like all other treats and
you respect your health and clothes The
beggars are everywhere. | never saw 50
many in my life. At every corner, on ev-
cry door step, everywhere you GO 1t is
poor policy TO give them anything, al
though look will suffice to convince YOU
of their deplorable condition. If you give
they follow up for more; if you don't give
they follow for some. / got very tired Of
seeing these wretchcd, even frightful peo-
pie and was glad to see them no more
when [ left. Another thing which is IN
teresting to see although deplorable, is
the religious fanaticism. There are FIVE
distinctly different religious sects. The
Mohammedans, the Jews, the Romans
Greeks and Armenians. The last three
have each chapel in the Church of the
Holy Sepulchre and they hold service one
after the other in their own chapel
When the one is holding its service it
has to be guarded by Turkish soldiers in
order to keep the other two from break
Ing up the meeting and causing a riot. 1t
is the same with all three, and the feel
Ing between, or rather against the Chrjs-
tians is very intense, much more so be-
cause of the Balkan war results. We
saw a very good instance of this feeling
while there. Every Friday the Romans
have procession, starting at the first sta
tfon and going through to the fourteenth
the stations marking different incidents In
the walk of Christ from Herod's judS-
ment hall to Calvary. The first is in the
barracks of the Turkish army, and after