TRAVEL TALK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 233, 1 October 1932, Page 13

TRAVEL TALK.

"A Trip Through the Near East," was the subject of an address given by Mrs. Cleghorn to the member's of the Overseas League yesterday afternoon. Miss A. Quayle presided over a good attendance of members. Mrs. Cleghorn's address was different from most travel talks, in that, apart from just describing the physical features of the places she visited, she told of many historical associations and various personal anecdotes, and also gave hints to those who might make the same trip on a future date. Her itinerary was from Suez, where she left the boat on her way Home, then to Cairo, on to Jerusalem, passing the Sea of Gallilee, to Damascus, from where she travelled by car to Beyrout then by an Italian boat to Cyprus, and on to Constantinople. When in Egypt, she said, a visitor should undoubtedly see the treasures recovered from Tutankhamen's tomb. When she saw these she realised that such treasures should not be moved from the country wherein they were discovered, and sympathised with the natives of that country, who resented their transportation. Mrs. Cleghorn was very impressed with the evidences of American philanthropy in the East. By Americans, universities and hospitals had been instituted, and it was no wonder that America was held in high esteem. A graphic description of Jerusalem was given by the speaker, who said that a traveller should endeavour to visit Palestine in the spring, when the anemones, cyclamen and all the wild flowering bulbs were in flower. The lack of trees, with the exception of cultivated orchards of olives and lemons, was most noticeable there. This arose from the fact that when the Turks were rulers they had put a tax on trees. When in Damascus Mrs. Cleghorn was told not to be afoot in the streets at night. This, she said, was the only country in the world where she had been told such a thing. Constantinople was found to be very interesting. Most gorgeous jewellery was to be seen there, and rare china. It was interesting to note that the city was called Istambul there, and letters received with the address of "Constantinople" were sent back to the sender. Speaking of the Turkish women, Mrs. Cleghorn said that they were becoming more and more emancipated. It was no unusual thing now to see a woman accompanying a man on the streets, ani unheard of thing until comparatively recently.