THE PASSING OF THE PARIAH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 138, 10 July 1909, Page 4

THE PASSING OF THE PARIAH.

One of the oldest institutions in Constantinople is to be swept away by the reforming zeal of the Young Turks. Xo more pariah dogs are to be allowed lo run loose about its streets (says a Home paper).

For centuries these animals have i acted as the si-avengers of tlie city, ami what will happen if they are cleared oil' without proper provision being made for doing the work thai t||cy have I hitherto accomplished remains to be' seen. , XKAKLY CAUSED A KEYOLCTIOX. j Certain it is that other experiments j in this direction have resulted more nri less disastrously. Thus Ahdul Mcdjid. the reforming Sultan «f the nineteenth century, nearly .provoked a revolution by banishing the dogs—they were found to number over eighty thousand at that time—to an island in the Sea of Mirmora. I'lngtic followed hard upon their removal, and the (.Vmimiudcr of the Faithful was only too glad to bow to public opinion and have them back i again.

On another occasion il certain Chief of Police started emigrating them ill hatches across to Asia Minor; or at least he said that that was their destination. As a matter nf fact, he had the lypoy brutes secretly and quietly drowned in ll)c »iii[l)le of the IHack Sea, and the populace,' |iijdii)g uiit what was goiifg on, tore him Hurt) fri'jni ljii|l|, and M't lire to and burnt to the water's edge . ti)«"if((jj transport ship that was lying I at the nuay salting for its next Hying load. JIGDKRJf TItAFFIC DfIP.S PKTUjm THEM.

For these mangy mongrels arc greatly beloved by the lower orders of Constnu-ti-.iople, who gladly share with tlicm their ncaiitv meals', besides improvising for them kennels out of old barrels, lioves, and so forth. The dogs, in return, act as guards to tlicir patrons' property, warning off all strangers in a manner none can gainsay or fail to understand. I And t' l ''' l ' adaptability is marvellous.

The comma of the railway affected them not at all. They gftl, used to the electric trams. Even the' advent of the motor-Minx in the narrow, crooked, illpaved streets has not greatly disturbed their equanimity,