DAMASCUS. THE PEARL OF THE DESERT 



67 



A POTTER AT THE WHEEL ' DAMASCUS 



A familiar scene in many of the homes of the Lebanon. Where such work is done 

 each member of the family takes some share in preparing and bringing the clay to the wheel, 

 on which it is skilfully molded into all kinds of vessels. 



it surveys 1 ' in the Lebanon. Over the 

 bridge is a constant stream of traffic, for 

 it is one of the main roads through the 

 mountains. The native has no eye for 

 its wonder, and the traveler from the 

 West rarely crosses it. 



Another charm of the Lebanon is the 

 abundance of cold, clear spring water. 

 One is led to wonder why the Creator 

 has been so lavish with the life-giving 

 fluid in the Lebanon, while lands near by 

 languish for want of it. Everywhere 

 cascades, streams, springs, and water- 

 falls abound, sometimes to such an extent 



as to cause serious alarm and danger to 

 the native and his property, but the finest 

 fall of water in the mountains is to be 

 seen at Afka, far away in the east, and 

 requiring a long ride in order to reach it. 



Out from a huge cavern high up in 

 the cliffs rushes a strong flow of water, 

 which comes tumbling down over the 

 rocks into the valley below, in its course 

 forming one of the finest waterfalls to 

 be seen in all the Orient. In a land 

 where water is so precious, it is no won- 

 der that crowds of people resort there 

 for many weeks during the long, hot 



