DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5073#0181
170
BEYEOUT.
combine the advantages of the most delicious climate
and magnificent scenery under a clear sky, bright sun-
shine, and sweet, but not relaxing air. Beyrout is said
to be somewhat damp in the winter, but then the winter
seldom lasts six weeks, and is not severe enough to
render a fire necessary, though a brasier of hot coals in
the evening may sometimes, but not often, be agreeable;
and with a little notice and some pre-arrangements,
houses might be found at Latakia, Beyrout, and its
neighbourhood, Saida and Hhaiffa, all most charming
places; and living is certainly less, with a tolerably
honest dragoman, than at Naples, Nice or Malta; they
are easy of access by frequent steamers, and the neces-
sary comforts required for invalids can be had at Beyrout
or from Alexandria, while, with a good dragoman, you
have as little trouble in housekeeping as in an hotel.
Of course these native-built country houses do not look
very grand; but our experience can testify that a very
little trouble taken, with the help of a dozen nails and
a few yards of coloured flannel or cotton, will make the
room not only comfortable but pretty also. The coast
of Syria is at least worth thinking of by invalids for
whom the ascent of the Nile is too expensive an affair:
while Cairo is very damp in the early part of the winter,
and feverish; and few people like Alexandria; Corfu
is said to be dull; and many persons are tired of the
regular Italian watering-places, and are unwilling to
encounter the enormous expense of a winter there. Of
course, with the exception of one or two families at
Beyrout, there could be no society, as the Consuls are
the only European residents at each place; but to some
persons this would be a minor objection.
There are innumerable charming expeditions to be
made from Beyrout; and while waiting for our house
BEYEOUT.
combine the advantages of the most delicious climate
and magnificent scenery under a clear sky, bright sun-
shine, and sweet, but not relaxing air. Beyrout is said
to be somewhat damp in the winter, but then the winter
seldom lasts six weeks, and is not severe enough to
render a fire necessary, though a brasier of hot coals in
the evening may sometimes, but not often, be agreeable;
and with a little notice and some pre-arrangements,
houses might be found at Latakia, Beyrout, and its
neighbourhood, Saida and Hhaiffa, all most charming
places; and living is certainly less, with a tolerably
honest dragoman, than at Naples, Nice or Malta; they
are easy of access by frequent steamers, and the neces-
sary comforts required for invalids can be had at Beyrout
or from Alexandria, while, with a good dragoman, you
have as little trouble in housekeeping as in an hotel.
Of course these native-built country houses do not look
very grand; but our experience can testify that a very
little trouble taken, with the help of a dozen nails and
a few yards of coloured flannel or cotton, will make the
room not only comfortable but pretty also. The coast
of Syria is at least worth thinking of by invalids for
whom the ascent of the Nile is too expensive an affair:
while Cairo is very damp in the early part of the winter,
and feverish; and few people like Alexandria; Corfu
is said to be dull; and many persons are tired of the
regular Italian watering-places, and are unwilling to
encounter the enormous expense of a winter there. Of
course, with the exception of one or two families at
Beyrout, there could be no society, as the Consuls are
the only European residents at each place; but to some
persons this would be a minor objection.
There are innumerable charming expeditions to be
made from Beyrout; and while waiting for our house