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DHAHERIYEH-AGRICULTURAL PURSuits.

during my wanderings. He was moving at a slow pace; but soon trotted up one of the mountain sides, out of the reach of Bedaween guns.

Dhaheriyeh occupies a prominent site on a hill, and is visible at a considerable distance; but it has an aspect of poverty and wretchedness. It consists of hovels built of mud and stone. Remains of fortification, and, as we judged, of a church also, are still to be seen. Some have imagined that Dhaheriyeh was one of the line of small fortresses which were built along the southern boundary of Palestine. However squalid in appearance, there yet seems to be considerable wealth in herds and camels.

We pitched our tents under some olive trees, at the distance of a few hundred yards from the walls, near extensive threshing floors covered with grain, and were soon surrounded by a number of the inhabitants, who came forth to reconnoitre the European travellers. The arrival of a caravan from the Desert, is an event for the good people of Dhaheriyeh. They behaved with civility, though eyes, earsevery faculty seemed taxed to the utmost in the service of their curiosity. Some stood in groups talking loudly altogether; others sat in the dust smoking their long pipes, and looking on in silence. The inhabitants are all shepherds and agriculturists. We walked round to see their manner of cultivating grain, tobacco, and cucumbers. The tobacco was in bloom. When seen in considerable quantities in that state, it presents a beautiful appearance. The tillage is very rude and unscientific. The wheat-produce is thin and poor. They were busily employed on their threshing floors, which are wide open spaces on the surface of a table-rock of limeThe grain is beaten out by the treading of oxen yoked together. These animals are not muzzled while treading out the corn, but are allowed to pick up their morsel when they choose to do so. As a prevalent oriental custom, which we had noticed in Egypt, and afterwards had frequent occasion for observing in Syria, we felt it to be the continuation of a practice enjoined and recognized in Scripture, from

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an early period.* I presume that but little change has taken place in the pastoral habits of the people, since Abraham and his family dwelt in the land. We saw numerous large flocks, both of sheep and goats; and considerable herds of small and beautifully formed neat cattle. We obtained delicious milk-a pleasant change after the privations incident to the Desert. From the heights we could not obtain any extensive view, but only a succession of swelling hills. Fig and olive trees are scattered round about; but "the time of figs was not yet."

As Dhaheriyeh was the extreme point to which our Sinaite Arabs could escort us, we sent for the Sheikh el Beled (Sheikh of the village), and make our bargain with him for camels, horses, and asses, to take us on to Jerusalem. As our Desert stores were nearly all consumed, we required only a much. reduced establishment to bring us on to the Holy City. The Arabs of Dhaheriyeh had none of the wild peculiarities of the Bedaween, and seemed to want much of their free buoyancy of spirit, though they are quite as noisy.

As we resolved to leave Dhaheriyeh early on the following morning, it was needful that all our arrangements should be made before we slept. One matter really caused me some regret it was the necessity of bidding farewell to the faithful and kind-hearted Bedaween, who had been our guides and companions over many a dreary route, and amidst many surrounding dangers. A hearty cordiality had grown up amongst us. They had rendered us the most willing and cheerful service; and I felt a sadness stealing over my heart, as they gathered together their camels, in preparation for a short evening march towards the Desert, for the purpose of retracing their steps to their tents in the peninsula of Mount Sinai. I think we were all unwilling to part. As a Christian-and a Christian minister, I could but think how sad it was that these poor Heathen should go back to their tents and their wild Desert habits, without carrying with

* Deut. xxv. 4.

"Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn." See also 1 Cor. ix. 9. 1 Tim. v. 18.

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DISMISSAL OF THE BEDAWEEN.

them truths that might bear upon the eternal interests of their souls. But what could we do? We had no means of speaking to them on such topics.

We gathered the poor fellows about us; and in addition to the amount of the contract with Jumar, gave him a backsheech of one hundred piastres, and ten to each of the rest, with the addition of a few shawls for turbans, and a tarbouch or two. These small rewards were received with smiling satisfaction, and we stood with them as friends among friends.

The hour of departure arrived. Their camels were all loaded. We gave out a few rations of tobacco and coffee, as a last present; when, one by one, they made their adieus; and—last of all, Jumar kissed me solemnly on both cheeks and on my forehead-and gave me his final salaam. They were soon in motion; and winding their slow way by the route through which we had arrived, our tried friends of the Desert were soon lost to us. My heart warms towards these interesting people as I write. Few things in travel would give me more pleasure than to be en route with them again; and I think many an eye would sparkle were they to see us once more in their Desert-home, and mounted on their camels.

CHAPTER VI.

PALESTINE;

FROM DHAHERIYEH TO JERUSALEM.

Palestine-Hebron-Valley of Eshcol-Machpelah-Jewish Pilgrims-Road to Bethlehem-Bethlehem-Chapel of the Nativity-Bethlehem-Village of the Shepherds -Costume, etc.-Departure from Bethlehem-Tomb of Rachel―JerusalemArrival at the Latin Convent, Jerusalem.

AND have my feet really pressed the rocks and valleys of Judea? And have these eyes gazed on the venerated scenes of Palestine-the allotments of the tribes the inheritance, the forfeited inheritance of God's ancient people Israel, once the glory of all lands, but now the abode of desolation? Have I, indeed, been a privileged wanderer in the land of prophetic announcement of miracle and wonder-the land in which prophecy is yet to be gloriously fulfilled as certainly as it has been, and in which the consummation and triumph of gospel glory shall be manifested? My heart kindles at the recollection, and memory brings forth her deposits to confirm the sense of reality. But, I feel while now mentally retracing my steps, how feeble are the efforts of the pen, to make known to others, the vividness of impression made on my mind and heart by the presence of localities such as these. The emotion with which I recollect, is far more intense than that with which I felt, amidst the toils of travel, and the constant succession of new objects of interest.

Small as is the territory of Palestine, geographically speaking, yet there is no spot on the face of the earth, with which can be associated so various and vast an accumulation of historical interest, beginning from the time when Jehovah spake to Abram, and said "Get thee out from thy country,

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and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed." Whether we contemplate the establishment of Israel in the land of promise, and the might with which, in the strength of the Lord, they trod down their enemies under their feet; whether we reflect upon Israel and her history, when the Lord himself was their king, and they yielded to his paternal theocracy; whether we ponder over the splendors of the regal sway under which God, in compliance with their desire, saw good to place them; whether we contemplate the ruin which followed on their apostacy, and associate with it an idea of the might, and then the nothingness of those powers which God raised up as instruments of his righteous judgments towards a rebellious people; whether we think of the glory which was once so great, and of the desolation which remains to this day-Palestine is the wondrous centre-point to which every recollection pours its overwhelming tribute. And while humbled and depressed under a sense of our universal fall in the transgression of the first Adam, and turning to the page which reveals the fulness of divine mercy and love, as manifested in the greatest of all gifts-the gift of God's dear Son, we turn our eyes to the land of Palestine-all our interest centres there; for there prophecy had its accomplishment, and promise its fulfilment there was set forth the greatest mystery of godliness-God manifest in the flesh-there mercy and truth met together— there righteousness and peace kissed each other-there shone forth the tenderness of the Father's love-there was heard the hopeful choral song of Glory to God in the highest, and in earth peace, good will towards man-there was accomplished the wondrous sacrifice which makes salvation possible, and eternal glory sure; and from thence went forth to the distant ends of the earth, the glorious truth on which every hope of

* Gen. xii. 1-3.

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