On the one hand, Mr.S.had been threatened with the fate of St.Stephen for wishing to make a few sketches; and yet, on the other, these people were so kind and so ready to oblige.
This region produces abundance of fruit, and is particularly rich in mish-mish, or apricots.

The finest of these are dried; while those which are over-ripe, or half decayed, are boiled to a pulp in large pots, and afterwards spread to dry on long smooth boards, in the form of cakes, about half an inch in thickness.

These cakes, which look like coarse brown leather, are afterwards folded up, and form, together with the dried mish-mish, a staple article of commerce, which is exported far and wide.

In Constantinople, and even in Servia, I saw cakes of this description which came from these parts.
The Turks are particularly fond of taking this dried pulp with them on their journeys.

They cut it into little pieces, which they afterwards leave for several hours in a cup of water to dissolve; it then forms a really aromatic and refreshing drink, which they partake of with bread.
From Damascus to Balbeck is a ride of eighteen hours.