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bodies, garments, and relics in the stream; but not more than fifty of the Romish persuasion appeared. In the year 1808, when the church was partly consumed, the repair was chiefly done at the expense of the Christians of the Greek communion.

We went to the Governor's house, to pay our respects to him, and to show him our firman from the Pacha of Egypt. From his house, which stands on the northwest side, is the most complete view of the Mosque of Omar. This imposing specimen of Saracenic architecture, eight-sided, seventy feet a side, standing in a large inclosure, is on the site of Solomon's temple. Behind this edifice is the mosque of El Aksa, with many decorations and pillars, and said to have a place inclosed for females to worship. We went on towards the Zion gate into the Armenian church, which is very capacious and elegant; were shown the rock which was rolled away from the sepulchre of Christ; also the house of the High Priest.

One day we devoted to a visit to Bethlehem, about eight miles west of Jerusalem, where the Greek, Latin, and Armenian monks have possession of a convent and chapel; seeing many things by the way; such as the Greek monastery of Saint Elias, and the tomb of Rachel. On arriving there, the first thing to be done was to make bargains with the people for the purchase of their wares. They drive a brisk trade with amulets, beads, and basins, made of the bituminous stone of the Dead Sea, and with crucifixes and other articles representing sacred persons and subjects, carved in mother of pearl. After chaffering for an hour, and getting supplied with the goods as we desired, we dined, and then were shown the sacred places. We proceeded to the manger, where Christ was born, and which was lighted with lamps and ornamented with ordinary pictures; to the tomb of the Innocents; of St. Jerome and his two distinguished female converts, and many other sites.

We went on an hour further to a place denominated the Pools of Solomon, which are large collections of water in three great reservoirs, supplied by a fountain under ground, and running into one another; thence into one or more acqueducts, whence they proceed to Jerusalem. They are works of great strength and durability; but the age and the author of them are not satisfactorily known, though they are ascribed to Solo

inon.

Jerusalem, in certain views, is an impressive sight. Some
VOL. XXIII. 3D S. VOL. V. NO. II.

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portion of the public edifices, especially the Mosque of Omar, make an interesting and grand appearance. There are several bazars, where business is carried on; articles of necessity, comfort, and even luxury are purchased. But a great source of its means are the visits of its pilgrims; and some Jews of wealth make this city their home in their last days. A few olives, figs, and vines grow in spots in and about the place. In general the land is poor, much of it producing nothing but stones and rocks. In all directions, there are only single horse or mule paths; not a wheel carriage can approach the city.

We intended, in going from Alexandria to the Holy Land, to stop at Jaffa, which is about forty miles from Jerusalem; but the wind being unfavorable, we sailed for Caipha, which is thirty or forty miles further east, a seaport of 1500 inhabitants, in sight of St. Jean d'Acre, about ten miles across the bay, and within two miles of the top of Mount Carmel. This Carmel we ascended, on the summit of which is a newly built Convent of Carmelite monks; and a number of persons, male and female, lodging in the convent or in the town, who have retired from Acre during the siege. By the advice of the Governor, who was very accommodating, we took his letter to the person who commanded at the siege of Acre, the grandson of Ali, about fourteen miles from Caipha, and obtained from him letters and passports to the Agas or Governors of the several towns, we should pass through, and a cawas or armed horseman, who staid with us till we left Palestine. The first day brought us to Nazareth, situated in a valley on the top of a high hill; where we found an asylum in the Latin Convent. Here you are referred to the several places, where events in the sacred history occurred; the brow of the hill about a mile and a half from the village, whence they attempted to throw Christ down, when they were incensed at his discourse; and the Well of Salutation, where the angel Gabriel told the virgin Mary of her distinctions and privileges. We were introduced to Joseph's workshop, the Lords's dining table, a rock where he sat at meat with his disciples, before and after his resurrection, and the synagogue where he taught. In this place is a showy chapel adjoining the convent, built by the order of St. Helena, over the spot where Mary resided. We were shown her kitchen and the chasm left where the present house of Loretto, it is affirmed, was taken away m the night by angels, and transferred to the site it now occu

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pies in a city in Italy. Having staid one day in Nazareth, we made our way to Genyn, over the plain of Esdraelon, twenty miles in length by fifteen in breadth, covered with grass and some cultivation, beholding Mount Tabor and Hermon on our left. The next day we came to Genyn, and the third we spent at Nablous (Sychar or Shechem) a remarkable city, situated between two overhanging hills, Ebal and Gerizim, a town of ten thousand inhabitants, in which you see Jacob's well, and Joseph's tomb, and a synagogue of Samaritans. It has a plentiful aqueduct from the hill Ebal, which waters the whole city. It has fruitful gardens and an exuberant soil. From Nablous we went to the summit of a hill, where we lodged in the open air, encircled by our mosqueto net, and the next day at one o'clock found us at Jerusalem, where and in its neighborhood, we remained a week; including a journey of two days to Jordan and the Dead Sea, before mentioned. In returning from the Holy City, we took the direct route to Ramla and Jaffa (Joppa) about thirty-nine miles, to which latter place we had ordered our vessel. They are fruitful regions, especially abounding, in the season of them, in melons, Indian figs, pomegranates, grapes, and oranges. Jaffa bas a limited trade, particularly in soap, which is manufactured in the best manner, and sent far and wide. Vessels of any size are anchored at a distance, while smaller craft, of eight or ten tons only, come within the ridge of rocks which lies between the shore and the outer bay. We were entertained in the most hospitable manner by Mr. Damiani, the British Vice Consul, who refused compensation, though we, without his knowledge, left a portion of our stores with his family.

The population of the principal places we visited is stated as follows; Jerusalem, 15 to 20,000; Nazareth, 4,000, all but 500 Turks of the Christian persuasion; Bethlehem, 1000; Ramlah, 3000; Jaffa, 3000 Turks and Arabs, including five hundred Christians.

The inhabitants of Palestine are Turks, Syrians, Bedowins, Arabs, Jews, Latin, Greek, and Armenian Christians, Copts and Druses. The Turks occupy all civil and military stations. We asked if the Egyptian Viceroy would not substitute other officers in their places; he might, they said, but he had not ́ done it yet. The priests of the several classes of the nonprotestant Church, are in convents, of which there is one or more in every considerable place in Palestine. It is a fre

quent remark among the Monks, that their manner of life is very wearisome to them from the monotony of their religious exercises. The soil is unequal, frequently rich, and then barren; now an extended plain, and the next a hill country, with terraces on the slopes.

The dress of the inhabitants is oriental; large trowsers, a tunic with long sleeves, encircled with a sash, in which are contained their sword and pistols; and if they are effendi, or writers, implements of writing; and a benous or cloak above the whole. The women, besides inner garments, also wear a tunic, consisting of one large piece with a sash loosely girt about the person. The Mahometan women are frequently veiled below the eyes, or the whole face is covered with a thin handkerchief, by which they see and are not seen. The Jewish women are seldom abroad, especially where they make a small minority; but when they go out their faces are not veiled. The Arabs, who live by grazing their flocks in Syria, are not very comely; and their lips colored with blue are not attractive. The Greeks, Armenians, and Syrians are visible often to those admitted into their houses; and they, as well as the Jewish women, are in many instances very beautiful.

The Pacha of Egypt has made a successful war upon Abdallah of Acre, which he has almost destroyed by a blockade and continual firing. His troops are in possession of Palestine and a great part of Syria, and are advancing their conquests.

The Protestant missionaries are prosecuting their work in this region, with exemplary zeal. The members of the Greek Church and Armenians accept their bibles and school books, and allow them to teach their children, keeping a reserve on particular religious doctrines. But few converts are made from the traditional faith. Seldom is any impression make on the obtuse prejudice of the Mahometans. The Roman Catholics rarely change their belief, and the Jews, when inclined, cannot renounce their creed without obloquy and sometimes persecution from the brethren of their own persuasion. Could Christianity be presented to men in its simplicity, without the technics of the schools, it might obtain a more ready and general reception.

Smyrna, June 15. We arrived yesterday after a long but not unpleasant passage from Jaffa. We touched at the classical Cyprus, known by its sweet wine, and at Rhodes where

are remains of the Knights of St. John, in public and private buildings. We went three miles to Old Rhodes; there the better conditioned inhabitants have small country houses, as retreats in summer. We ascended the lofty mountain, whence is a wide and delightful view.

Smyrna with its vicinity contains one hundred thousand people. It slopes gradually to the sea, It carries on an extensive commerce in figs, raisins, and opium, as well as in carpets and other articles of manufacture. Here we were entertained by the Dutch Consul, Mr. Vanelep, who was well known and much respected in Boston some years ago, and who has two nephews in Amherst College. Mr. Langdon, formerly of our city, showed us much attention; and the Rev. Mr. Brewer guided us to every interesting place and object.

I learned, a year since, the sudden death of your excellent brother. We desire our kind remembrance to all your family. We go from this to Constantinople, where we propose to remain ten days, and then make our way through Vienna and Munich to Paris. We hope to be on board a packet to New York or Boston by the first of October, and

I am your friend faithfully,

To Hon. J. DAVIS.

JOHN T. KIRKLAND.

NOTICES AND INTELLIGENCE.

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1.- Fourth Annual Report of the Managers of the Seaman's Aid Society, of the City of Boston. Written by Mrs SARAH J. HALE, and read at the Annual Meeting, January 10th, 1837. Boston: Marsh, Capen & Lyon. 1837. 8vo. pp. 35.-2. Ninth Annual Report of the Board of Directors of the Boston Seaman's Friend Society. Presented May 31, 1837. Boston: Perkins & Marvin. 1837. 8vo. pp. 32. It is matter of devout gratitude, that the friends of a long neglected portion of our brethren of the human family are becoming more and more active in their behalf, and that their labors have been crowned already with such signal success. The managers of the "Seaman's Aid Society, of the city of Boston," say in their Report; "In 1833, our Society was instituted. The ladies who assisted in forming it will recollect our mode of proceeding that first year

* Samuel Davis, Esq. of Plymouth, who died July 9, 1829.

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