[28] So it is written in my notes, but I am inclined to think the name of this hamlet is Mynat Bergeh, or the port of Bergeh. It was in going to this place, that, finding one of the Turkish muleteers exceedingly careless, I dismounted, and laid a stick sharply across his shoulders. This was the only time, thus far in my travels, I ever struck a Mahometan; and, although he merely vented his dudgeon in words, I was very apprehensive that, on our arrival at Beyrout, he would take an opportunity of raising a mob against me. I would not advise a European ever to strike a Mussulman, whatever the provocation may be.
[29] Via Antoniana. This road was made by Aurelius. (Pococke.)
[30] Beyrout was taken from the Saracens, by Baldwin, in 1111, and lost in 1187. It was anciently a famous school of civil law.
[31] Some say the Adonis (Brown); some the Tamyras (Poc.); but Brown seems to have been exceedingly inaccurate in assigning names to places and things along the coast of Syria; and Pococke places the Tamyras, which we shall presently pass, and which is the modern Damûr, some miles too far North. The similarity of Tamyr and Damûr might have saved Pococke from this blunder.
[32] Dame Habûs.
[33] Vid. Niebuhr or Pococke.
[34] Supposed by Pococke to be the Porphirion of the Jerusalem Itinerary, eight miles from Sidon: but Nebby Yunez is from fifteen to eighteen, being six hours’ ride.
[35] Zâym means, I believe, the superior of any order: I should translate it by the word president. Capugi means a doorkeeper, and Capugi-bashi, a head doorkeeper. But these appellations do not convey to the mind the nature of the duties allotted to such persons by the government. A Capugi-bashi and a Zâym are great men, who are entrusted with the most important missions.
[36] Thus, whilst we were at Acre, there were Roman coins of the middle empire on sale at the goldsmiths’ by threes and twos: and as one three disappeared another supplied its place. It was plain that a jar of coins had lately been discovered, and it was said that Shaykh Messaûd of Hartha was the fortunate finder.
[37] “Avanized” is the Levant word for “mulcted.”