A VISIT TO THE GARDEN OF EDEN.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2439, 12 January 1881, Page 4

A VISIT TO THE GARDEN OF EDEN.

A couple of hours 1 ride over a most wretched bridle path, up and down rug ged mountain passr-s, brought us to this charming oasis called “ Ehden. 11 The Arabs assured us this spot was the leal Garden of Eden, and judging from the intense curiosity they evinced concerning ourselves and traps, we had no difficulty in believing this was the garden where our first mother Eve dwelt ere she grew too fond of apples. This Eden is situated in a pretty little valley in the heart of the mountains, at an elevation of some 300 feet above the level of the sea. Water is abundant, and consequently everything is green and frnit is plenty. The valley is full of vineyards, with pomegranates and fig trees, and olive and mulberry’ plantations, and overtopping the whole can be seen some immense walnut trees that look old as the world. As I am writing these lines, sitling on a c imp-stool in front of ray tent, I can see tlie whole population |of Ehden collected round our camp staring at us. Young and old, men, women, and children are pressing forward to have a look at us ; and some of these wild children of Eve have climbed up the trees to have the luxury of a birdVeye view of our camp. Long before we reached our camping ground the news bad been brought that a caravan of people from behind the mountains, and perhaps, oh, wonder! from beyond the sea, was coming to camp in their oasis. The news spread like wild-lire among the tribe, and there was a general rush for the best place to see us come in and get oft our horses. The women left oft' their work in the fields, the men left oft playing on the reed .pipes, and the children left oft crying to see us coming. Barnmn's circus arriving in the village “ out West" never created such a sensation as we did on approaching this earthly paradise. As wo filed past through this aisle of human beings we were greeted with shouts and mock salutations. The women giggled, the men smiled, the childred roared at the queer figure we cut in our European costumes. Two ladies with us were made the objects of a very popular ovation. The green goggles which some of my companions wore seemed to raise the enthusiasm of the crowd to its highest pitch, and many' a swarthy finger was raised from among those Arabs, pointing to these green goggles, while the women called to each, other and x’aised their children in their arms to make them enjoy the treat. Meantime my friends, quite unconscious of their great popularity, did not know what to make of all this crowd. But as we drew near the tents and I helped Mrs E. off her horse, the crowd pressed so much on us that Halil and his men were obliged to drive them off, and to have ropes stretched around our camp to keep the intruders out. Here with plenty of elbow-room I enjoy the scene, winch, indeed, is very picturesque. When the excitement had somewhat subsided, I strolled out to enjoy the gorgeous sunset. The western sky was aglow with luminous tints of orange, pink, and purple. This glory' lasted but a minute and all was hushed in the gray' tints of evening. Later in the evening some young men and y r oung women we admitted to our dining-room tent. These Arab women were dying with curiosity to see and handle the clothes and trinkets of our lady friends. Velvet seems to attract their attention and admiration more than anything else, save perhaps our watches and gloves. The 'gloves, especially, seemed to puzzle them. The Countess took out her repeater and made it strike for them. They seemed delighted, just as little children would be at the sound of the tiny' bell. Some of these pretty Arab girls asked me, through our dragoman, if all the ladies in our country were like the two that were with us? I told Halil to ask these girls what made them ask that question. They answered with a giggle and a sly look from their roguish eyes, “If they are all so large it must be hard work for the poor horses to carry them.I’—Charles 1 ’ —Charles H. Ardisson, in Chicago Alliance.— [This is one of a dozen places where tradition locates the garden of Eden,]