Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1921-11-18

prepared by the National Geographic So
ciety, Washington, d. CO.
When France obtained the mandate
for Syria after the World war, she
fell heir to what is reputed to be the
oldest ''living" city in the world
writer of Genesis mentioned this old
city, and spoke of it as place of
note. 1t existed when the PharaOhs
ruled over Egypt; it probably saw
Babylon rise, and certainly it saw that
proud city fall. And it has lived as
other world-famous places about it
have passed into oblivion or lost their
glory: Memphis, Thebes, Nineveh,
Sardis, Tyre, Sidon, Jerusalem, Susa,
Ephesus-a long procession Of mighty
cities. e.
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 it is added that the
city is encompassed by fertile plain
through which flows an abundance of
water, it's early consequence, it's viril-
ity and it's long life can easily be un-
! derstoOd. 1t is set in the oasis of
GASES, a grove more than 30 miles in
circuit of nut and fruit trees in
terspersed with gardens Of vegetables
No wonder the Bed0uins 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,
part, too, of French Syria, has about
overtaken Damascus in siAp. But
Damascus hoary traditions Will long
give it first place in the hearts Of
the East.
Fascination of Its Strests.
Damascus is the rendezvou. Of peo-
pies from all parts of the Moham-
medan world. One cannot be long on
it's 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 If
they were brothers in the faith; the
spotless visitor from the Occident
jostles the not-any-tOo-clean peasant
from the surrounding villages, while
Persians, Moors, Afghans, Indians,
Egyptians, Sudanese, and others from
many parts of the globe hurry along,
all intent on something of Importance
that has brought them to this me-
tropolis Of the Orient.
On the streets are to be seen VEN
ders of almost everything under the
sun, especially In the way of eatables,
end. TO those who are familiar with
the value of the goods offered for sale,
the words of the native visitor are
main when he informs you that IN
Damascus you can sup or breakfast
FOR nothing" because of the little cost
of food
On the same street, within a few
wards of each other, may be seen the
yender of cucumbers with his wares
fresh from the garden, exposed on a
dOnkey's back (when the load was
sold in pre-war days, it brought be-
tween 20 and 80 cents) the bread
seller with his warm cakes Of bread
on a tray resting on stand ready TO
supply the hungry with a good<sized |
loaf for cent, and the vender OF |
milk. who for another cent will give |
you a large basin of sweetened milk |
In which to soak your loaf. At differ-
ent seasons you may fare Wen at
little cost off melons, grapes, april
cots, plums, peaches, apples, oranges
figs. etc. all the products of the gar
dens and orchards around the city.
All Due to the River Barada.
Rut some will ask whence comes all |
tbis abundance. for in no other part |
Of SYRIA or Palestine is there such a |
nrofusion Of fruit and vegetables at |
such low prices. The cause Is the |