‘The strategic importance of the Euphrates valley railway’ [‎19] (196/204)

19
for policy's sake they affect the national religion, and they will lean to
wards the faith of whatever person they may happen to address.
1 he Jews are divided into Sephardim, Askenazim, Samaritan and
Karaite.
Then we come to the Christians, who number 14 sects:—Maronite
(Catholic), Greek Catholic, Greek Schismatic (styled " orthodox"),
Armenian Catholic, Armenian Schismatic (styled " orthodox"), Syrian
Catholic ; Jacobite, which is Syrian "orthodox" or non-Catholic, Latin
Catholics (like the French, &c.), a few Protestants (from the Missions
and schools of England, Chaldea, Prussia, and the United States,
and their converts), Copts, Abyssinians, Chaldean Catholic and Chal
dean Schismatics (styled " orthodox"). The Catholic rites have each a
liturgy different from the Latin Catholic Mass, and said in their own
language; they communicate under both kinds, but there is no heresy
in their belief. A French Catholic satisfies his obligations of hearing
Mass on Sunday with them, but of course he cannot receive their com
munion under both forms.
Nineteen Europeans reside at Damascus. This is the residence of the
consuls, whose districts extend to Baghdad on the East, and to Nablus
on the South, and who have all the real work to do. Some suppose
that they are subject to the Consulates-General at Beyrout, but this,
though the Turks desire it, is highly unadvisable, as Damascus work
requires prompt and decided action and no loss of time ; moreover, any
order which might apply to Beyrout would be totally inapplicable at
Damascus ; finally, in nine cases out of ten it would proceed from the
advice of a Dragoman interested in the case, his superior not knowing
Arabic, or perhaps never having seen Damascus.
Upon the English Consul devolves the responsibility of the post for
Baghdad, and the protection of commerce, of travellers, and of some
half-dozen English residents. There are, besides the Consular corps,
four missions each with its school, three European religious houses
(Lazarists, Franciscans, and Sisters of Charity), an English engineer,
a French sanitary officer under his own Government, and, lastly, the
employh of the French Road Company.
Whoever lives in Damascus must have good health and nerves, must
be charmed with Oriental life, and must not care for society, comforts, or
luxuries, but be totally occupied with some serious pursuit. Should he
be a Consul—an old soldier is best—he must be accustomed to com
mand with a strong hand. The natives must be impressed by him, and
know that, if attacked, he can fight. He must be able to ride hard and
to rough it in mountain or desert, in order to attend to his own work
instead of sending a Dragoman or a Kawass, who probably would not
really go, or if he did might be bribed. He must have the honour and
dignity of England truly at heart, and he should be a gentleman to
understand fully what this means ; not a man risen from the ranks, and
liable to be "bullied or bribed." He should speak Arabic, Persian, and
Turkish, as well as English, French, and Italian, so as not to take the hear-