'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.' [‎553] (644/905)

GHAP. XXI.]
TURKS OF SYRIA.
553
government intrusted to his care. The principal riches of the
Turkomans, however, consist in cattle; but in the spring
they carry to Aleppo, Antioch, and other places, carpets, bags. Traffic,
and the produce of their fields, also sheep's wool and lamb's
wool, butter and cheese; taking back cloth, coffee, sugar,
sweetmeats, &c. At other times their chief employment is the
transport of merchandise ; and their favourite animal is a low
set powerful camel of a cross breed between the double
humped or Bactrian and the Arabian camel. The better
qualities of the Turkoman do not appear to have suffered in
consequence of his having made some approach to civilization;
and although he may not get credit for such good qualities, he
has carried with him into the plains of Aleppo hospitality and
fidelity to his engagements, in addition to a fair share of
honesty in his dealings with mankind.
The migrations of this people are quite in accordance with Migrations of
their pastoral habits: their manner of removing from one theTurkomans -
place to another differs from that of other nomadic people in
the employment of cows and oxen as beasts of burden, the
goods to be conveyed being distributed among them; each
animal carries one or two large bags of grain; some have
besides, either kitchen utensils, tents, or booths ; poultry, and
even cradles with infants, are slung to others. Goats, sheep,
&c., form part of the line, and each day's march is in con
sequence, as may be supposed, very short. The ordinary
language in use is a corrupted dialect of the Turkish.
The character of the masters of the country, who are no Character of
doubt the principal branch of the preceding stock, differs but ^ Turks '
little from that already given. 1 The Turks of Syria are,
however, especially in Akka, Damascus, and Jerusalem, less
tolerant, and have more of the haughty spirit of past times
than those who live in Europe and Asia Minor; but if the
former still continue in some degree intolerant with respect
to the so-called infidel, it may, on the other hand, be observed
that the traveller who is the guest of a Muslim not only finds
himself safe with his host, but is in no danger of being robbed
or injured by any other of that creed.
1 See above, p. 376-378.
VOL. I. 4 B