'Telegraph and travel. A narrative of the formation and development of telegraphic communication between England and India, under the orders of Her Majesty's Government, with incidental notices of the countries traversed by the lines.' [‎443] (482/782)

viii.]
.1 ME RIGA N Ml SSI ON A R1ES.
443
" \\ r eut again to the American Missionaries. Messrs. B., W.,
and A., with their wives and children, and Messrs. W. and E.,
occupy t\\ o \6iy good lionses in the highest and most airy
quarter of Kharput. Their church is a roomy, square building,
with an upper storey containing the class-rooms of a colle
giate institution, besides six bedrooms to accommodate eighteen
boarders. One room, called Mr. Eobinson's, was built at the sole
cost of a gentleman ol that name, who remitted the money from
England. He seems to have rendered great assistance to the
Mission generally, who otherwise acknowledge considerable
English and local (or Constantinople) support. Their envoy
at the Porte is not, they say, quite in the same position to
influence the Sultan on their behalf as the British Ambassador;
and it is, therefore, to the representative of her Majesty that
they look for much. Lord S. was a firm friend to them. Of
Sir H. B. they say little; more of Mr. E., to whom they are
attached from acts evincing personal interest. The American
Mission has been here for seven years. I hear that one of the
Pashas is so attached to Mr. B., a Turkish scholar and superior
man in every way, that he takes him gently by the beard and
kisses his forehead! Their account of the modern Turks is
very cheering. How different from the bigoted Muslim in
other places! Can this be in any sense a fruit of our Anrdo-
Turkish policy ?
"June 30.—Kharput still. Dine with Mr. and Mrs. B.
^isit the girls' school and collegiate institution. Young Ar
menian women are interesting, and have very handsome 0 dark
eyes, but want elegance of contour. The head is the most
attractive part of the picture, one tied with a jaunty kerchief,
one encased in an ornamented fez: but this comely head is
put upon an awkward body, either very square or broad-
shouldered, or with very slouching gait. Some faces remind
me of Italian peasantry, some of English village life: all have
a ower-class aspect. Miss W. examines in Armenian: the
su ject is ' Conscience.' The behaviour of the girls is superior;
J e order and attention remarkable. Among them are a few
lied m omen, wives of the elder students. The singing of