Population. It is extremely difficult to estimate the population. According to recent statistics (1896), there were 99,000 Muslims; 20,000 Orthodox Greeks and Syrians; 15,000 United Greeks; 900 Armenians; 10,800 United Syrians; 3400 Maronites; 600 Latins; 300 Protestants; 4000 Jews; total: 154,000. Other authorities esti mate the population at 250,000.
The Muslims have in all 248 mosques and colleges in Damascus; of these 71 are large mosques, in which sermons are preached on Fridays, and 177 are chapels and schools for the repetition of the canonical prayers. Probably about 100 of the latter were originally endowed schools; some of them possess libraries to which, however, it is very difficult for strangers to obtain access. Most of the Mus lim schools have been closed, as the purposes for which they were founded have, intentionally or otherwise, been consigned to oblivion. Five 'medresehs' only are preserved in which the pupils still receive annual payments from the foundation. The chief branch of study is theology, including the interpretation of the Koran and the traditions of the prophets. Next comes jurisprudence; after which philosophy, especially logic, and grammar are studied on account of their relations to theology. All other branches of learn ing are almost entirely neglected. Damascus was once a great resort of scholars , but is now almost deserted by them, and as a seat of learning is far surpassed by Cairo. Education flourished again for a short time under the fostering care of Midhat Pasha, but most of the schools he founded have again been closed, with the exception of the 'École des Métiers et des Arts'. There are 173 primary schools, united with as many 'Ecoles Supérieures', and a military school.
Most of the Jews of Damascus are descendants of those who were settled here in ancient times, and are not recent immigrants like those of Palestine. They belong to the Sephardim, and have 14 synagogues and 8 schools for boys.
Within the last few years the Christians have made great efforts to raise the standard of education. As regards Protestant Missions, the American Mission has been working in Damascus for many years and its school is well attended. The efforts of the English Mission to the Jews have not hitherto been crowned with success. The British Syrian Mission maintains 4 schools (the largest is St. Paul's), a school for the blind, and 2 schools in the Meidan (p. 367). Divine service in English and Arabic is held in St. Paul's school. — Among the Latins the French Lazarists have an excellent 'college', and so have the Franciscans. The Sœrurs de Charité have a small hospital, a girls' school with ahout 250 pupils, and an orphanage. The Jesuits have also settled here. — The United Greeks have three churches, a patriarchal seminary, three boys' schools, and two girls' schools in Meidan. Their patriarch of Antioch resides here. — Other denominations, too, have schools of their own. The Orthodox Greeks are particularly active in this direction. — Much zeal is shown in the study of the old Arabic, and this is the more necessary as the colloquial Arabic of the Damascene Christians is particularly unpleasing.
he Damascenes are very fond of their city. The citizens of every creed are notoriously fanatic, and since the middle ages their character has been generally reputed to be insolent and malevolent. The Damascene Muslim is proud and ignorant at the same time. He feels the superiority of the West, and vents his wrath at being disturbed in his rigid conservatism against the native Christians. The Arabs had long considered themselves superior to all other nations, and the circumstance that they have come into contact with a culture undeniably superior to their own renders them jealous and fanatical, instead of stimulating them to greater exertion. The ancient native manufactures, moreover, have greatly declined in face of the ever-growing competition of European industries. There still remain, however, about 10,000 looms (of the most primitive character) for the weaving of silk, cotton, and woollen stuffs, which are often of great beauty.
Government. Damascus is the residence of the Vâli (Hajj Osmân Nûri Pasha) of the province of Sûrîya and of the Mushir (general in command) of the 5th army corps, who has charge of the military affairs of the province. The garrison is comparatively large (about 3000 men). — Municipal affairs are managed by a town-council, which includes several Christians and Jews, but the public arrangements for the protection of property are somewhat defective. The different crafts, whose stalls are grouped together in the bazaar, form a number of guilds, and there is even a guild of beggars.