The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-12 00:00:00

The Exploration of Palestine.

The following letter (dated Feb. 9), from Mr.
George Grove, the Hon. Secretary of the Palestine
Exploration Fund, will be found deeply interesting
not only in itself, but as affording distinct and posi-
tive evidence that the work of exploration under-
taken in the Holylands will be carried on now, is
being carried on both systematically and ener-
getically
I have received a further report from Captain Wilson,
in charge of the first exploring party of this association,
dated Banias (Caesarea Philippi), Jan. 2.
" The party left Damascus on the 28th December, and
travelling by S'as'a and Jeba reached Banias on the 31st.
They had very bad weather, with sleet and snow every
day. The country between Jeba and Kuneiterah was half
under water.
Topography.—The positions of Damascus, Kaukal Jeba
(not marked on the maps), Banias, and the junction of the
Hasbany and Banias rivers, have been fixed astronomically,
and the calculations made both for latitude and longitude.
A reconnaissance sketch of the route from Damascus to
Banias has been made showing great discrepancies in the
best maps. A reconnaissance sketch was in progress of the
district round Banias to show the junction of the three
streams of the Jordan and the course of the Wadys near
the town. The snow is, however, so thick and so low
down as to prevent much being done in the Wadys them-
selves.
Archwology.—Plans have been made of the great Mosque
at Damascus, of Bab Shurky (the Roman Eastern Gate)
and of the Mound of Tel-Salhiych. Excavations had
been made in three places in the mound, but with no
decisive result except the discovery of ono sculptured slab
of quasi-Assyrian character. Tho mound was originally
formed of a compact mass of sun-dried bricks, with ter-
races, of which traces still remain. It is now much ruined,
and the masonry has probably been used in the buildings
at the foot of the mound. Mr. Consul Rogers has under-
taken to transport the slab to Beyrout, and the further ex-
ploration of the Tel will probably be carried on by him.
Photographs have boon taken as follows—of the Mosque
at Damascus (8), which with those taken by Mr. Bedford
at the Prince of Wales's visit will afford a very good illus-
tration of this remarkable basilica : of Bab Shurky : of the
city wall opposite Tomb of St. George : of arch and
iwneenlyt
hb
uo
do kr
:1)
oa zf anaiic•
h:
eosf
ahno
du sg
re iont t toh:eocf i ttyh
e:
foof
üßhat
an
fina shpfereaoddmi
of the castle from various points (5).

The geology of the country passed through had been
carefully observed, and noted. It was intended to leave
Banias on the 6th of January for Deir Mimas, at the bend
of the Litany, and thence to follow the ridge to Kedes :
proceeding from Kedes, by Kefr Birim, Meiron, and Safed,
to Tell Hum, and Khan Minyeh on the Lake of Galilee.
This would give opportunity for surveying the ridge
dividing the Hasbany and Litany and the district round
Jebel Jurmuk and Safed, whilst excavations, plans, and
photographs are being made among the ruins at Tell Hum.
The health of the party, " adds Mr. Grove at the end of
his communication," was good. Heartily and earnestly we
wish God speed to this enterprise.

HOUSE OF LORDS, FEB. 9.—O'MALLEY IRWIN V.
SIR GEORGE GREY, BART.—IN ERROR.—Master Benettl of
the Court of Common Pleas, attended at the bar of the
House this day, with the plaintiff, and delivered in the
judgment roll in furtherance of tho above appeal case.