EDWARD RIGGS. 93 
elers are satisfied. If they would only turn aside a lit- 
tle out of the well-worn path of the standard guide 
books, they would find Asia Minor filled to overflowing 
with points of deep interest. Centres of ancient civili- 
zation, scenes of memorable battles, homes of renowned 
men, and relics of wonderful architecture and sculpture 
lie waiting to be recognized by the modern world when it 
shall get wearied of its present favorite haunts. Ancient 
history, classical history, medizeval and modern history, 
secular and ecclesiastical history, each has left its dis- 
tinct marks upon this much reconquered land. 
Thoroughly interwoven with the past life of Asia Minor 
are the names of Homer and his heroes, of Cyrus and 
Creesus, of Darius and Alexander, of Strabo and 
Diogenes, of Mithridates and Julius Cesar, of St. Paul 
and St. John, of Timothy and Polyearp, of Constantine 
and Julian, of Gregory and Basil, of Genghis Khan and 
Tamerlane, of Othman and Bayszid, and a multitude of 
others. 
But were all historic interest set aside the country 
would still be worthy of careful attention and study, 
for aside from the deep interest attaching to its present 
inhabitants there are broad fields for investigation and 
enjoyment in its natural scenery, its geology, its fauna 
and flora and its climatic characteristics. 
There is, however, scarcely anything which will strike 
the ordinary traveler so remarkably as the numerous 
castles which meet the eye. Modern warfare has de- 
veloped the use of gunpowder to such a degree that the 
old-fashioned castle holds a much less important posi- 
tion in relation to other means of offence and defence 
than it did in ancient times. Yet, that it has not wholly 
lost its power and usefulness, witness such important 
castles as are familiar to all, or that perhaps less known 
but not less heroic castle at Kars on the border between 
Russia and Asia Minor. Thisremarkable fortress, after 
