274 
A CUUSADE IN THE EAST. 
I had ever witnessed. Who can measure the good that each 
one of these Arabs may, by his influence and example, do for 
his fellow-men, even in his own day and generation ? 
Damascus has always been noted as the stronghold of 
Islamism ; and the inhabitants have ever been distinguished 
for their bigotry and intolerance. Until very recently, Chris¬ 
tian pilgrims were not only subject to insults in passing through 
the streets, but frequently assaulted and maltreated without 
provocation. A great improvement has become perceptible 
in this respect within a few years past. Missionaries from 
every civilized nation are now permitted to preach, and edu¬ 
cate the native children without molestation ; and although 
the result of their labors is not so encouraging as in other 
portions of Syria where there is less intolerance, yet there is 
every reason to believe that the great cause of civilization is 
taking root, and that a few years more will develop a growth 
equal to the most sanguine anticipations of those who are in¬ 
terested in it. 
Mr. Burnet, who has been in Damascus only six or seven 
years, now preaches to a respectable congregation of Arabs in 
their own tongue. Dr. Shephard, Mr. Lansing, and others, 
are making rapid progress in the education of the Arab chil¬ 
dren ; and when the system which they have adopted is 
thoroughly in operation, there can be no question as to its 
beneficial results. 
To each and all of these gentlemen I am indebted for much 
valuable information in regard to the social condition of the 
Syrians ; and I shall always remember with unfeigned pleas¬ 
ure the delightful and profitable hours which I was so fortu¬ 
nate as to spend in their society. 
After seeing all that travelers, limited in time, can be ex¬ 
pected to see in Damascus and the neighborhood, we bade 
good-by to our kind friends, mounted our horses once more, 
and proceeded on our journey. 
For three days nothing particular occurred. A heavy rain¬ 
storm set in as we left Damascus ; and we were drenched to 
the skin, and compelled at last to seek shelter in a miserable 
village up in the mountains, called Far-how-ar. On the fol- 
