But what is the use of that stone by the door-post? These stones are the steps from which ladies mount their donkeys, mules, and horses. Nor should you think this strange. In the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, Paris presented these mounting-stones at all the angles of the streets, and at other convenient places. At Frankfort on the Main, there was a certain gate at which these conveniences were prepared for the⑦emperor and the magnates of the German Diet;and I haveno doubt that, in the days of feudalism⑧ and knightly glory, London was not behind its neighbours in this respect.
- REV. DR. GRAHAM
WORDS
absolutely, wholly. allotted, assigned. attainable, procurable. celebrated, renowned. celestial, heavenly. circumstances, events. concealment, secrecy. concurring, agreeing. confidence, trust. consciousness, knowledge. consumption, employment. disagreeable, unpleasant. effectually, successfully. effeminate, womanish. enchanted, bewitched. encircled, encompassed. enhanced, increased. external, outward. extremely, very.
indefinitely, without bounds.
intolerable, insufferable.
isolated, alone. levelled, smoothed. liability, danger. momentary, temporary. myriads, hosts. oriental, eastern. preparation, cooking. protection, covering. reclining, resting. redolent, fragrant. relieved, gratified.
respectability, estimation.
seductions, allurements.
semi-somnolence, being half-asleep.
supremacy, authority. suspicion, surmise. tendency, inclination. turbulence, tumult. vehicles, carriages. verdure, greenness.
NOTES
① Mosque, a Mohammedan place of worship.
② Minarets, tall and slender turrets, surrounded with balconies, from which the people are summoned to prayer.
③ Without are dogs, that is, robbers; rapacious fellows.
④ Damascene, a native of Damascus; also applied to Damascus plums, and contracted into Damsons .
⑤ Our fathers used no coaches.-Whirlicotes were used in England in 1398, for the mother of Richard II. used one in fleeing from the rebellious people. They were afterwards disused, as effeminate and unnational, until, in 1580, the Earl of Arundell introduced the spring-coach from Germany or France, which speedily became popular with the nobility. In 1601 they were forbidden by Parliament, as effeminate; yet, in defiance of all legislation, they were common enough in the city of London in 1605. In the year 1625 hackney coaches were established and licensed; and in 1778 the number of coaches in England was 23, 000 which paid ?117, 000 duty. The origin of the easy suspension or spring, coach is ascribed to Hungary; and the post-chaise we owe to France.
⑥ Bedouins, a tribe of wandering Arabs, dwelling in tents, and scattered over Arabia and parts of Africa. The word means "dwellers in the desert."⑦ German Diet, the meetings of the princes who formed the confederation of the German Empire. The Diet was so called because its sittings were continued from day to day. [Lat. dies , a day.] The last Diet met at Frankfort in 1866. The Parliament of the new German Republic meets at Berlin.
⑧ Feudalism, the system of government under which lands were held by a vassal from asuperior, on condition of the former rendering military service to the latter.
QUESTIONS
What contrast to London does Damascus present, in respect of its buildings? What, in respect of its atmosphere? What is the cause of the great stillness in the eastern city? Why are there no country-houses around Damascus? What are these the proof of in any country? What would most strike a Damascene in the streets of London? Why are the streets in eastern cities made narrow and crooked? What effect has this upon the prospect? What are fine houses and streets proof of in a commercial nation? What do the mean low doors in Damascus indicate? For what purpose are stones set up at the door-posts?