tains a mixture of Turks, Hebrews, Druses, Maronites, Mitaulis,
Ans&ries, Ismaili, and Greeks, all located either as artisans or
agriculturists in permanent dwellings. | J
The modern towns and ancient remains, particularly in the
northern part of the Pashalik, are of considerable interest. In
the limestone promontory overhanging the sea, on the southern
side of the N ahr-el-Kelb, a narrow road appears, from an inscription,
to have been cut by the Emperor Antoninus Pius to afford
an easier passage than that of the higher and more ancient
road. Along the remains of the latter have been cut several
antique figures, attired in the ancient Persian costume and wig,
and as many tablets with the remains of cuneiform inscriptions.
Six miles to the S.W. is Beirut, the port of Damascus,
and, commercially, the most important place in Syria. The
town is situated on a kind of shoulder, sloping towards
the shore from the north-north-western side of a triangular
point, which runs more than two miles into the sea. The
town contains upwards of 3000 houses, all of stone, well
built, and generally lofty; and some of the best display
the consular flags of different nations. The Bazar is adequately
supplied for the wants of the Maronites, Muslim, and
other inhabitants, who number nearly 15,000 souls. The
streets are narrowr, only moderately clean, and usually have
in the centre a deep channel of flowing water. The place is
enclosed on the land side by a substantial wall flanked by
large square towers ; besides which, three were constructed as
an additional means of defence in advance of the works, by the
Emir Fakr-ed-din. On some rocks at the north-western extremity
of the town are two castellated buildings to defend the
harbour, or, more properly, the anchorage, which is exposed
to the west and north-west winds. The innermost castle is connected
with the town by means of a causeway, resting upon
arches of unequal size, partly constructed with ancient
columns; and through which the sea passes. Beyond the
southern extremity of the town there is a basin capable of containing
four or five small vessels; and in its neighbourhood
are some cisterns excavated in the rock ; there are also some
portions of mosaic pavements and other remains of the city,
anciently Felix Julia1 and Berytus ; probably also it was the
Berothah,2 or Ba’al Beroth of the Phoenicians ; whose site,
like that of the neighbouring Byblus, is supposed to be coeval
with the first settlement of the country by Cronus or
Ham.3 A rich belt of mulberry and date gardens, enclosed by
hedges or walls, and studded with country-houses, surrounds
the town ; beyond which, the extensive fir plantation of Fakr-
ed-din, forms part of the striking landscape presented by the
slopes of Lebanon.
In the sixth century Beirut was considered to be the finest
city of Phoenicia, but many changes for the worse occurred
subsequently, particularly in the time of the Crusades. A
great improvement has, however, taken place of late by the reopening
of the European trade with Syria through this port;
and British commercial enterprise is likely now to be propitious
to the town.
• Seventeen miles southward, Saida, or Saide, the modern representative
of the Phoenician capital, is situated on the northwestern
slope of a promontory which runs south-westward into
the sea; and the ruins of a fine castle, constructed by Louis
the IXth of France, occupy high ground at the southern side
of the town. The latter contains about 1800 houses, and
nearly 7000 souls [and being in two portions surrounded by
gardens, backed by vineyards and mountains, the appearance is
striking. The upper part occupies an acclivity, but owing to
the streets being narrow and shaded with matting, it is rather
sombre. The lower part, however,4 is agreeably situated along
the shore, where there is a fine two-storied khan, which was
at one time a factory belonging to French merchants, and in
a flourishing state. Nearly opposite to this building are some
rocks and the remains of the port of Sidon the Great, which
continued celebrated from the time of Solomon ;5 till, with the
view of excluding the Turks, it was partly filled by Fakr-ed-
din ; so that vessels must now anchor near a ridge of rocks at
1 Plin., lib. V., cap. xx. 2 Benjamin of Tudela. vol. I., p. 61.
8 Cory’s Ancient Fragments, p. 15; Parker, London.
4 Tome V., p. 354, Recueil de Voyages et Memoires.
5 1 Kings, chap. V., v. 6i