CHAPTER V 

 THE MIRACLE OF IRRIGATION 



THE beauty of Damascus is the theme of poets. Speak- 

 ing of this ancient capital an anonymous writer remarks 

 that "the cause of its importance as a city in all the ages 

 is easily seen as you approach it from the south. Miles 

 before you see the mosques of the modern city the foun- 

 tains of a copious and perennial stream spring from among 

 the rocks and brushwood at the base of the Anti-Leba- 

 non, creating a wide area about them, rich with prolific 

 vegetation." He continues : 



"These are the ( streams of Lebanon/ which are poeti- 

 cally spoken of in the Songs of Solomon, and the 'rivers 

 of Damascus/ which Naaman, not unnaturally, preferred 

 to all the ' waters of Israel.' This stream, with its many 

 branches, is the inestimable treasure of Damascus. While 

 the desert is a fortification round Damascus, the river, 

 where the habitations of men must always have been 

 gathered, as along the Nile, is its life. 



"The city, which is situated in a wilderness of gardens 

 of flowers and fruits, has rushing through its streets the 

 limpid and refreshing current ; nearly every dwelling has 

 its fountain, and at night the lights are seen flashing on 

 the waters that dash along from their mountain home. 

 As you first view the city from one of the overhanging 



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