LXI 



Much of what has been said about the Arab in Syria 

 appKes to the Arab of western Asia Minor. He has per- 

 haps not as marked characteristics, neither has his steed, 

 but both bear quite a distinct resemblance to the Syrian. 

 Wherever the liorse is at his best, so, barring the lack of 

 civilization, is the Arab ; but, whatever may be said in 

 favor of the Arab, we can never forget that he has ruined, 

 agriculturally, financially, socially, morally, every country 

 he has conquered. Even the breeding of the iVrabian 

 horse cannot make up for this wholesale havoc. The 

 Moors, who at one time accomplished so much, and left 

 their impress on so many lands, seem to have been the 

 exception which proves the rule. Morocco of to-day, 

 Algiers, Tunis, Tripoli, Egy])t, Arabia, Syria, are all a des- 

 ert in comparison to what ^ve know from history that they 

 were in olden days. Nor, with the character of the Arab 

 as he has shown it in the past, does it seem probable that 

 any improvement will be made in the future. Whether all 

 this be not due to religious causes rather than racial, it 

 may be hard to say. The Turk has accomplished the same 

 devastation. 



The Moliammedan must, however, be given credit for 

 exemplary fidelity in some matters, as for his annual fast 

 (hiring the month of liamazan. From an hour before 

 sunrise until the sun has set he may neither eat, nor drink, 

 nor smoke ; and, strange to say, for a solid month ho hon- 

 estly does tliis thing, though he makes merry all through 



