'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎130] (263/458)

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COMMANDER F. JONES.
but connected, in very early times, by a commerce that, alike honorable
to all, spread civilization over the face of the globe, the blessing 0 f
which England is now enjoying, and which she is endeavouring in her
turn to dispense by establishing an “ Opis” in the west, which, let us hope,
in 1851, unlike its protype on the banks of the Tigris, will prove the
foundation of an intercourse conducive to universal harmony and
peace. War and its ravages are but too well depicted on the face of the
country around this early emporium of our race, and with such examples
before us, who can blame the vindicator of peace or the advocates of an
enlightened union between communities of men? Let the dweller on
the Thames, however humble or hard be his lot in his life, turn aside
from the contemplation of his distresses but for a minute, and ere lie
turns his thoughts from home let him take a glance at the smoking
cottages hovels if you will—and smiling fields around him, and then
direct his eye to the banks of these classic streams, where a howling
waste has succeeded a picture similar to the landscape before him.
Before the ruin was accomplished he will find, if he traces its history,
that far greater miseries than his own were endured by its people, and
that the horrors of war which, under so long a term of peace, he has no
idea of, led to the withering aspect which the features of the once smiling
landscape at present bear. The lovers of war and the agitators of tlio
people should also contemplate the scenes which are of every-day
occurrence in the land I now write in, overrun as it is by the enemy of
his fellow man. The predatory Arab spares not the most needy,
compared to whom the denizen of a workhouse and the Irish starveling
may be termed happy, but for ever prowls in search of booty of some
sort, and to whom the wretched clothing of the miserable wanderers
around becomes an object of cupidity and plunder. Once witness
of this anarchy and distress the contemners of order and peace would not
only bless tbe laws that protect them, but would appreciate the industry
of all classes of men who are laudably striving to uphold the high
position England has attained in the scale of nations, while at the same
time the Government and a sympathizing community are doing every
thing to alleviate want,—a privation as unheeded in this country as it
is prominent.
(Signed.) FELIX. JONES,
Commander and Surveyor
Baghdad, 15th September, 1850.