From Our Correspondent in Homs

Our correspondent in Homs writes:

Homs was adorned, and gave a most lavish welcome to the finest of her blessed emigrant sons, who returned with longing as their guide, to feast their eyes upon the sight of the homeland. Their delegation, representing the Homs colony in particular and the Syrian colony in general, was composed of the venerable lady and great benefactress Korjieh Haddad, widow of the late Asaad Abdallah; Mr. Bishara Muhammadawi, the man of beneficent hands, famed for his good works and charities; and the remaining members of the delegation, ladies and gentlemen: George Saba, Stefan Shahfa, Husni Atallah, Musa Karim, and Nabiha Haddad — accompanied by the inspired poet, Syria's Minister Plenipotentiary in Brazil, Mr. Omar Abu Risha.

Wherever this generous delegation went, it was the object of esteem and respect; and there is no better proof of that esteem than the capital's joining the city of Homs in holding celebrations in tribute to the standing enjoyed by the members of the delegation and by the Syrian colony there in Brazil, and to the good care they bear for the interests of their mother country and their generous giving on every occasion. His Excellency the President of the Republic graciously invited them to his table and decorated them with high orders, and the President of the Council of Ministers likewise invited them. Not a newspaper or a gathering but extolled the honor and reverence they deserve. The name of the late Asaad Abdallah, husband of the great benefactress, has been given to a preparatory school in Damascus. Mrs. Korjieh donated the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand Syrian liras for the building of a special wing at the hospital of the Syrian University, and each of the members of the delegation donated the sum of five thousand liras to this project.

As for the celebrations held in the delegation's honor in Homs, they were, in order: the party of the "Society of the Friends of the Emigrants," the party of the Orthodox Orphanage, the party of the Municipality of Homs, the party of the Islamic Orphanage, and the party of the Red Crescent... The last of them was the charity-bazaar party held under the patronage of Mrs. Korjieh Haddad, at which a charity sale took place; the worthy lady donated the sum of two thousand Syrian liras, apart from her part in the charity auction and the rest. Nor did this benefactress stop her charities at any limit: she donated to the Municipality of Homs the sum of thirty thousand Syrian liras and to the Islamic Orphanage the sum of two thousand Syrian liras — this besides what she gave to the newspapers... And she still has several large projects that she wishes to carry out, or to support those in charge of them.

These beneficent hands extended by our emigrant colony, represented by its generous delegation, show most eloquently how deeply the emigrants are attached to their homeland, and how abiding an affection they cherish for it — one which the passage of days only makes stronger and firmer. We welcome the generous delegation and wish it a blessed journey.