d,
between them and the Celtic races, who always in such instances
have been more royalists than the king. And I think Mt. Lebanon
is going to be the Vendee of the Turks.

I have been in Beirut but a few days. And truly, I could not
believe my eyes, when in the Place de la Concorde (I hope the
Turks are not going to follow in the steps of the French
Revolutionists in all things), I could not believe my eyes,
when, in this muddy Square, on the holy Stump of Liberty, I
beheld my old friend the Spouter dispensing to the turbaned and
tarboushed crowd, among which were cameleers and muleteers with
their camels and mules, of the blessing of that triple political
abracadabra of the France of more than a century passed.
Liberty, Fraternity, Equality!--it's a shame that the show has
been running for six months now and I did not know it. I begin
by applauding the Spouters of Concord Square, the donkey that I
am. But how, with my cursed impulsiveness, can I always keep on
the sidewalk of reason? I, who have suckled of the milk of
freedom and broke the bottle, too, on my Nurse's head, I am not
to blame, if from sheer joy, I cheer those who are crowning her
on a dung-hill with wreaths of stable straw. It's better,
billah, than breaking the bottle on her head, is it not? And so,
let the Spouters spout. And let the sheikh and the priest and
the rabbi embrace on that very Stump and make up. Live the Era
of Concord and peace and love! Live the Dastur! Hurrah for the
Union and Progress Heroes! Come down to Beirut and do some
shouting with your fellow citizens.

Letter V

No; I do not approve of your idea of associating with that young
Mohammedan editor. You know what is said about the tiger and its
spots. Besides, I had another offer from a Christian oldtimer;
but you might as well ask me to become a Jesuit as to became a
Journalist. I wrote last week a political article, in which I
criticised Majesty's Address to the Parliament, and mauled those
oleaginous, palavering, mealy-mouthed Representatives, who would
not dare point out the lies in it. They hear the Chief Clerk
read of "the efforts made by the Government during the past
thirty years in the interest of education," and applaud; while
at the Royal Banquet they jostle and hustle each other to kiss
the edge of Majesty's frock-coat. The abject slaves!

The article was much quoted and commented upon; I