228 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



You will perhaps have noticed the absence of any allusion 

 to the swine among the domestic animals enumerated. The 

 reason is obvious. Considered as an unclean beast by both 

 Turk and Jew, it is only in Christian villages that they are 

 to be found. What was cursed under the Mosaic dispensa- 

 tion and continued under the Mohammedan, is still looked 

 upon with suspicion by the faithful ; and, though their 

 mouths may water as the delicate aroma of roast suckling 

 pigs arises on the air, yet they rigidly a])stain from any par- 

 ticipation. Two infallible signs, one negative and one 

 positive, disclose the character of a Christian town in Tur- 

 key, — the absence of minarets and the presence of pigs. 

 In consequence of the pig being in this manner a Christian 

 animal, there is an oppressive tax on pigs, levied when the 

 animal is three months old. The risk incurred from the pay- 

 ment of so large a tax (ten piasters) on so young an animal, 

 is so great that many of them are killed shortly after birth, and 

 an important article of food is lost to the peasantry. 



I have lingered longer than I intended, for one reminis- 

 cence has led on to another ; but I cannot close without 

 alluding to one more fact which must be patent to every 

 thoughtful observer traveling in the Levant to-day ; and 

 that is, the constancy of the Eastern mind to itself, and the 

 immutability of its customs and observances. The same 

 scenes penned by the writers of Holy Writ two thousand 

 years ago are repeated to-day unchanged. 



Rebekah still lets down her pitcher at the wayside foun- 

 tain, and helps the thirsty Labans to a refreshing draught. 



The tender Ruths still glean where Boaz reaps. 



The Miriams still dance and sing the song of triumph, 

 as they go forth to welcome home their conquering heroes. 



The women still in humble posture grind their corn, as, 

 sitting on the ground, they whirl the upper grindstone round 

 upon the nether one. 



Still, at the evening meal, reclined about the table, raised 

 but a few inches from the floor, they dip their piece of un- 

 leavened bread into the common dish, just as in the days 

 when Jesus said, " He that dippeth his hand with me in the 

 dish, the same shall betray me." 



Adjourned to Thursday, December 6. 



