FARLEY'S TWO YEARS IN SYRIA. * IN 1856, Mr. Farley started
for Syria as "chief accountant" of the Beyrout branch of the Ottoman Bank. For some time things Went on so comfortably that he returned, to carry out his family with the sanction of the London Directors' but on reaching Syria a second time he found himself forestalled in the rooms he ex- pected to occupy. This matter, however, was arranged by the then chief pro. tern. ; but on the arrival of a Mr. P. Falconnet as permanent principal, he repudiated the arrangement. Mr. Farley, forgetful of the mot of Dundas touching resignations, threw up his post in a huff, and was taken at his word. The story of his grievances is presented at full length in an appendix of official documents illustrated by his commentaries ; but both together rather glance at causes than explain them. Whether Mr. Farley might be too fluent, as in his book—or somewhat given to inter- ference with other departments—or a troublesome reformer with- out the power to carry out his reforms, and resist those who up- held them—or whether there was a formed design to get rid of him without reason, we do not ascertain. The only clear thing, if Mr. Farley is correct, seems to be that the Banking department of which Mr. Layard is now the head, is as ready to stifle inquiry into alleged injustice, as any of those higher depart- ments, which he himself so vigorously denounced when a member Oa the collective wisdom, However, Mr. Parley's two years' residence at Syria enabled him to compose his book ; though it is hardly so solid and in- as might be looked for. A banker at Beyrout might, one Would have thought, have painted some pictures of life at once w, characteristic, and instructive as to Oriental men and minds. Iravellers in genezal malc'e a good deal out Zof common bargain. Yea"8 aria. By J. Leith; Farley, late Chief Accountant' of the Otto. k, &rent. Published by Saunders and otiey. ing. Even in Western Europe and settiedanie,reu manners of t,heir occupants, and their modes of cls frequent descriptions. How much more *mid we heard of the effect of banking operations among the umo of Syria. What did the humbler classes think of " a cheque .? did they exhibit any difficulty in understanding the question " How will you take it ?" Was the " Greek " equal to his Nor verbial xliputation ? did the Levantine excel the Greek ? or, (asit is said, that civilized man thoroughly initiated in a hunter's life, silk passes the Red Indian ) is the European settling in the East better than both? It would have been an amusing, nay an instructive chapter, in the arts of life' to know whether the delegates of the Ottoman bank, could fairly hold their own against the numerous demanders of " give," or what sometimes turns out to be the same in effect—" discount." It is even possible that the losses to which Mr. Farley alludes in his appendix, might less arise from a disregard of the regulations he would have established than from the superior craftmanship of the Philistines in the .alt of getting money. A description of the applicants an4 their applications to the branch bank at Beyrout would have .fornackii new and curious story. There is indeed a chapter *A ban gj; but a large portion of it relates to roads, and the benefits Oust would follow from establishing a rival shop. The most practical part is that which describes a wife's power over her Property, and the method of making family investments in that quarter of tho world—the whole of which investments lir. Farley ,cOuoeiven would by and by come into deposit, with a•pi-oper bank. "In Syria therein a great deal of wealth, but very little capital. The insecurity of property, which existed for so' many years under the Ottomanrule, and the total absence of any establishments in which money could be safely deposited, compelled the Syrians to invest their gains in the most valuable, and at the same time the most portable articles. In °owe- !Nonce of this, a considerable propoition of the wealth of the place earwigs in jewels, and it is startling, when visiting at the private house a of the na- tive population, to see the quantity of diamonds and other precious stones worn by the females of the family. The head-dress is generally one mass of brilliants, and the long hair, braided with silk of the same colour, hangs over the shoulders loaded with gold ornaments and coins. "The harem has always afforded a place of security ; it is the sanctuary of the wife, and has ever been held sacred and inviolable ; there is no in- stance of a pasha or officer of any description, forcing his way into its hal- lowed precincts. No matter what political change may affect the huaband, the property of the wife is always secure ; under all circumstances it re- mains her own ; ma is it in any way liable for her husband's debts, any more than the trust-property of a married woman in England secured under settlement. And this applies to all her property whatever, net only that which she possessed before Marriage, but if her husband subsequently purchase lands or houses in her name, they belong to her absolutely, and no claimof any kind against the husband will reach them. The natives have largely availed themselves of this mode of investment for their savings, and thus, inatead of being made use of in the ordinary way for the purposes of trade, the accumulated wealth of centuries has been uselessly hoarded and diverted
from its proper function of reproduction.
"The Syrians have great faith in everything English ; an Englishman's word is never doubted. When an Arab makes a promise, and desires to bind himself more solemnly than usual, he Bays, I promise, on the word of an Englishman.' This confidence in the English and English institutions opens a wide field for commercial enterprise, and no undertaking would be more successful at the present moment than a well conducted and properly managed bank. The security thus:afforded would cause much of the hoarded wealth to find its way into the bank in the shape of deposits, and those de-. posits, wisely and carefully applied for the encouragement of trade, would, while conducing to the prosperity of the country, add considerably to the profits of the establishment.'
Instead of giving to the reader the special knowledge which Mr. Farley might have gathered during his Two Years in Syria, he tells of that which is common to everybody who visits the country, and sometimes of that which is common to everybody who reads about it. Five fluent, but as regards the journey su- perficial chapters, describe the mode of getting to Syria, and what may be seen en route ; while, by way of a practical commence- ment, Mr. Farley takes a survey of Syrian history under the Arabs, and of Syrian commerce from the time of Tyre. So also we have an account of the Druses, and of that thoroughly worn- out subject a Turkish bath, besides many particulars ooncerning the immediate country and travelling through it ; which could have been got without going to Syria by reading former books of travels, and Murray's Hand-book, which has unluckily forestalled Two Years in Syria in some respects. There are narratives of excursions taken by Mr. Farley, which deal rather in description than adventure, and descriptions of a glowing not to say a" flow- ery" kind. The writer's fluency also employs itself on historical reminiscences, about the Bible, the Saracens, the Crusades, and anything else that turns up in connection with the particular spot. The more informing portions of the volume relate to the climate, domestic management, prices, rent, &c. ; methods of living, in the sense of regimen and of amusing yourself. On all these points Mr. Farley expatiates with panegeync, and in fact recommends the place as a residence for invalids during a large portion of the year, or as a settlement for people with moderate incomes who wish to live more en prince than they can manage to do in Western Europe. We dare say the representations are true as far as they go. De- lightful climate and neighbourhood—continuous novelty in the appearance and manners of the natives—pleasant excursions in the vicinity—Lebanon to withdraw to in the hot weather or for a ()hang F. society and everything cheap. But we imagine there is another side to the question. The company of the Levan- tine ladies might become monotonous, even did manners permit of free association. The gentlemen are busy with Warn, and even if disengaged might become monotonous too. Neither might the climate agree with every one so well as with Mr. Farley. Turbe
idlilis.bide Wed otegapeopIeethey hid rterrefftalff.' Itongne'tii head' the Pleihft;'' sho likttifittirfere ;
ma. things in raamiers vielniti i0.6nlike" 'tees fleltifisi'a: man to liveen philosophe'aletql as much 10prinee,,yetr. Instance glass Windows are rare. ./rOweirer things , .
crs ehisift here is a specimen of house-rent.
I have, succeeded in. renting a very nice, compact little house, prettily situated i.fl Qie midst of clusters of mulberry-trees, close on the borders of the little *Siert- The air comes fresh across the sands, and the distance is only fifteeniiiiinites froth the Bank. On the ground-floor are the kitchens, servants' roolifil,' and offices. There is good stabling. -Ascending a rather tong flight efsseeeleteenter a small'emirt-yard, into whieh open the three rooms composing the house. Thera *regime windows in these 10011111—oon- veniences that are quite a luxury . here from their rareness, there being little necessity for such appliances, compared with the exigencies of most
European climates. . "The rent of this house unfurnished is two pounds per month; and I have been fortunate enough to secure it for two months, not requiring it any longer. I took it merely in consequence of having given up my rooms tem- ponuily to Airs. Ai—, who, however, goes up to Beit-Miry in a few weeks. This house could be got for fifteen hundred piastres (12/. 10s.) per annum. The windows of my sitting-room look out on a small Greek church, near the end of the garden ; and those of my bed-room have a view of the sea and mountains beyond, so that as I lie in bed I can see the sun rise each morn- thug over Lebanon.
Horses and horsekeep are also cheap, but it should he observed that a steed is a necessity. You may hire a horse at the rate of two pounds ten shillings a month, and doubtless cheaper by the. year. Our author, however, recommends a resident to buy a horse and keep' a groom. "Since my arrival I have been riding a horse which I have hati on hire from Petering. This is, perhaps, the least troublesome mode, as he feeds and keeps the horse in his own stables, sending it by his groom to you whenever it is required, and for which the entire charge is but three hun- dred piastres (211 10s.) per month. I have, however. lately succeeded in purchasing 'beautiful little Arab, which I have christened Dnroc ; and, although in London, I have no doubt he would fetch sixty guineas, I bought him for twelve hundred piastres (101.) The expense of his keep is from four to five piastres a day, which, with a hundred piastres per month wages to my Egyptian groom, stands main altogether about two pounds per month.
"The most economical, and at the same time the most satisfactory way, fer persons who intend making any stay in the country, will be to purchase a horse on their arrival, which they can do well at a sum ranging from Si. to 101. The expense of keeping him, and a groom, too, will not be more than about what I have mentioned-21. a month ; and on leaving Beyrout, the animal, with the good care and feeding he will have had, would sell for more than the cost. Besides, the groom is always at hand for any purpose you may require, and will serve as guide or servant in any of the many ex- emwions that may be made through the country, the only additional ex- pense on such occasions being the hire of his horse, which can be obtained for ten piaotres a day. Should the groom reside out of the house, and con- sequently find. his own food, he should be paid in addition two piastrea per day or sixty piastres (108.) per month."
There is a good deal more information of a similar kind, with sketches of society at Beyrout, and some useful hints for making the journey thither. Had Mr. Farley condensed his descriptive style, and confined himself to the results of his own experience, he would have made a better book ; but it would have been much shorter.
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