The Lehi sun. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 1921-11-17

prepared by the National Geographic So
oiety. Washington. d. c.
When France obtained the mandate
for Syria after the World war. she
fell heir to what IL reputed to be the
oldest Giving" city In the world
Damascus. Nearly 1000 years ago the
writer OF Genesis mentioned this old
city, and spoke Of 1t as a place of
note. It existed when the Pharaohs
ruled over Egypt; 1t probably saw
Babylon rise, and certainly It saw that
proud city fall. And II has lived as
other world-famous places about 1t
have passed into oblivion or lost their
glory: Memphis, Thebes, Nineveh,
Sardls, Tyre, Sldon, Jerusalem, Susa,
Ephesus-a long procession Of mighty
cities.
Situated at the head OF Arabia, near
the east end Of the Mediterranean and
on the land route between Egypt and
the rest Of Africa on one hand. and
Asia and Europe on the other, Damas-
Gus occupied a position In which 1t
could not avoid Importance. With the
establishment Of Mohammedanism It
took on increased Importance as the
assembling point for the final long
crossing of the desert sands to holy
Mecca. And when II Is added that the
city Is encOmpassed by a fertile plain
through which flows an abundance of
water, its early consequence, its viril-
lty and its long life can easily be I'M
derstOod. II is set in the oasis of
Gases, a grove more than so miles IN
circuit Of nut and fruit trees in
terspersed with gardens Of vegetables.
No wonder the Bedouins from the
sandy stretches OF Arabia and Syria
called It "the pearl OF the desert -
In recent times Damascus was the
second city In Turkey, being surpassed
In size and importance only by Con-
stantinople. Now Aleppo, also In old
Turkish territory, and since the war, a
part, too, of French Syria, has about
overtaken Damascus in size. But
Damascus hoary traditions will long
give 1t first place In the hearts of
the East.
Fascination Of Its Streets.
Damascus is the rendezvous Of peo-
pies from all parts Of the Moham-
medan world. One cannot be long on
Its streets without being interested
In the motley crowd of humanity that
swarm through them, and, in spite
Of creed and nationality, manage to
keep sweet tempered. The urban Da.
mascene rubs against the swarthy
sun-burnt son Of the desert without
even a word OF scorn or anger; the
Mohammedan shoulders the Jew as II
they were brothers In the faith; the
spotless visitor from the Occldent
iostles the notary-too-clean peasant
from the surrounding villages, while
Persians, Moors, Afghans, Indians
Egyptians, Sudnnese, and others from
many parts Of the globe hurry along
all Intent on something of Importance
thot has brought them to this nae.
tropolls Of the Orient.
On the streets are TO be seen ven.
ders OF almost everything under the
sun, especially In the way of eatables
ana, to those who are familiar with
the value Of the goods offered for sale
the words of the native visitor arc
pam when he Informs you that "ir
Damascus you can sup or breakfast
for nothing" because OF the little cos
of food.
On the same street, within a few
yards Of each other may be seen Tn,
vehder OF cucumbers with his ware,
fresh from the garden, exposed on {
donkeys back (when the load wa,
sold In pre-war days, IL brought no
tween ~ and 30 cents); the breaC
seller with his warm cakes Of brea,
on tray resting on a stand ready I,
supply the hungry with good-slze,
loat Tor cent, and the yender n
milk, who for another cent win CIV,
you a large basin. Of sweetened mill
IN which to soak your loaf. At differ
emf Lessons you may fare well n
ME eJst Off meions, grapes. aorI
ccI pluhs, peaches, apples. oranges
nss' etc, all the products of the gar
dens and orchards around the CITY.
MI Due to the River Barada.
HIT some will ask whence comes nj
thls abundance, for In no other par
OF Syria or Palestine is there such
prof'lsion of fruit and vegetables a
such low prices. The cause Is IN