A Political Forecast. 283 



borders, while tlieir ancient cliaracter and way of 

 life remains unchanged. In my mind's eye I see a 

 day not very far distant when, the treasury at Con- 

 stantinople being exhausted, these outlying military 

 posts of the Euphrates, with its schemes of railroads 

 and steamers, will be abandoned, and the Bedouins, 

 havins; exchano-ed their lances for more modern 

 weapons, shall reign again supreme in the valley. 

 The shepherd tribes, and even the villagers, will 

 not much regret their return ; and all will be as it 

 was a hundred years ago. My sympathy is with 

 them and not with progress ; and in their interest I 

 cry, " Long live the Sultan." 



But will no other power appear in the desert ? 



THE END. 



BRADBUEY, AGNEW, & CO., PRINTEU ;, WllITEFXUABS. 



