The tribe of Aeneze which most usually visits the Haouran is the Would
Ali, under their chiefs Etteiar and Ibn Ismayr; the latter has at
present more interest than any other Arab Sheikh, with the Pasha, from
whom he occasionally receives considerable presents, as an
indemnification for his losses by the suspension of the Hadj, as well as
to induce him to keep his Arabs on good terms with the Turkish governors
of the Pashalik.
[p.311]
DESCRIPTION OF A JOURNEY FROM DAMASCUS
THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS OF ARABIA PETRAEA,
AND THE DESERT EL TY, TO CAIRO;
IN THE SUMMER OF 1812.
WISHING to obtain a further knowledge of the mountains to the east of
the Jordan, and being still more desirous of visiting the almost unknown
districts to the east of the Dead sea, as well as of exploring the
country which lies between the latter and the Red sea, I resolved to
pursue that route from Damascus to Cairo, in preference to the direct
road through Jerusalem and Ghaza, where I could not expect to collect
much information important for its novelty. Knowing that my intended way
led through a diversity of Bedouin tribes, I thought it advisable to
equip myself in the simplest manner. I assumed the most common Bedouin
dress, took no baggage with me, and mounted a mare that was not likely
to excite the cupidity of the Arabs. After sun-set, on the 18th of June,
1812, I left Damascus, and slept that night at Kefer Souse, a
considerable village, at a short distance from the city-gate, in the
house of the guide whom I had hired to conduct me to Tabaria.
Kefer Souse [Arabic] is noted for its olive plantations; and the oil
which they produce is esteemed the best in the vicinity of Damascus.
June 19th.--In one hour we passed the village Dareya [Arabic];
OM EL SHERATYTT
[p.312] where terminate the gardens and orchards which surround Damascus
on all sides to a distance of from six to ten miles. We found the
peasants occupied with the corn harvest, and with the irrigation of the
cotton fields, in which the plants had just made their appearance above
ground. The plain is every where cultivated. In two hours and three
quarters we passed Kokab [Arabic], a small village on the western
extremity of the chain of low hills known by the appellation of Djebel
Kessoue. To the left of the road from Dareya to Kokab are the villages
Moattamye [Arabic], Djedeide [Arabic] and Artous [Arabic]; and to the
right of it, El Ashrafe [Arabic], and Szahhnaya [Arabic]. The direction
of our route was W.S.W. Beyond Kokab, a small part only of the plain is
cultivated.
