'The Expedition for the survey of the rivers Euphrates and Tigris, carried on by order of the British government, in the years 1835, 1836, and 1837; preceded by geographical and historical notices of the regions situated between the rivers Nile and Indus. In four volumes. With fourteen maps and charts, and embellished with ninety-seven plates, besides numerous wood-cuts. Volume the first.' [‎438] (523/905)

438
SYRIANS OF THE DISTRICT. [CHAP. XVIII.
Houses of the rooms, attached to which are the stables for the animals. In
general, however, the houses consist of a single apartment,
one end of which is appropriated to the cattle and the other
to the family; a separation being formed by a row of high
conical wicker baskets containing grain, flour, &c. The
building is either of wood and clay, or of stone; and it is fre
quently within or adjoining a mulberry garden. Agriculture
and the care of silk-worms, together with the preparation of
silk, which last is performed chiefly by women and children,
are the occupations of the people. They have some good
horses, and numerous bullocks for farming purposes. The
dress of the Syrians consists of a coarse muslin turban twisted
round the head like that of the Bedawin; also a long white
coarse woollen cloak, and common boots or shoes. The
women's dress is likewise of home manufacture, and they do
not cover the face. The food is particularly simple, consisting
principally of eggs, milk, and coarse bread, with a large pro
portion of cucumbers, water melons, and other vegetables.
They appear to be unacquainted with the tenets of the Koran ;
and not having any knowledge of a sabbath, their mysterious
rites have been thought to relate to some kind of idolatry;
their history also is supposed to be connected with that of
- the earliest inhabitants of the country. Be this as it may, it
is but right to observe, that during our lengthened intercourse
we almost invariably found them well disposed, and of a par
ticularly gentle and retiring disposition. Before the arrival
of the Egyptian Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. the existence of this branch of the
Syrian people seems to have been scarcely known.
Supposed Probably as far back as the time of Abraham, the Zeugmas
the ancient
of Sumeisat and Bireh-jik afforded, as at present, convenient
Syrians. passes from Mesopotamia; whilst that of Thapsacus would
have suited the more- southern route of Jacob; and it subse
quently gave to the invaders of Syria a direct road of 45 miles
to Aram Zobah.
As the communications appear to have been constant, and
the warlike inroads from Assyria frequent, the population
along the line of the great route towards southern Syria
would be exposed to repeated and sweeping changes; but