The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1921-11-17

prepared by tho National Geographic DO
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 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. 1t existed when the Pharaohs
ruled over Egypt; it 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, Nlneveh,
Sardis, Tyre, Sidon, 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 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 fertile plain
through which flows an abundance Of
water, It's early consequence, its viril-
ity and its long life can easily be I'M
derstood. 1t is set In the oasis of
cases, 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 1t "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 size. But
Damascus hoary traditions will long
give 1t first place in the hearts Of
the East.
Fascination Of Its Streets.
pies from all parts of the Mohan-
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 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,
and, to those who are familiar with
the value Of the goods offered for sale,
the words of the native visitor are
plain when he informs you that Gin
Damascus you can sup or breakfast
for nothing" because Of the little cost
of food.
On the same street. within q few
yards Of each other, may be seen the
vender of cucumbers with his wares
fresh from the garden, exposed on
donkeys back (when the load was
sold In pre-war days. II brought be-
tween 20 and 80 cents) the bread
seller with his warm cakes Of bread
on tray resting on a stand ready to
supply the hungry with a good-sized
loaf for a 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 well 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.
But some will ask whence comes all
this abundance. for In no other part
of Syria or Palestine Is there such
profusion of fruit and vegetables at
such low prices. The cause Is the