The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-09-12

number Of Copt pilgrims is about 200.
This year only $50 arrived. Their app
pearance IS very wretched. The pill
grims that have visited Jerusalem this
year, may be thus summed up Greeks,
1900; Armenians, 1900; Copts, $50;
Catholicks, so, chiefly from Damascus;
Abyssinians, 1; Syrians, 80; Total,
3,140.
Jertsdlem.-The streets Of jerusalem
were all life and hustle. To avoid the
confusion, we left the city by the gate
of Bethlehem, and, passing along the
north side, fell in with the train of pill
gr:ms at the gate of ST. Stephen. The
scene was very lively. The path
through which we passed, down Mount
Moriah, across the valley of Jehosha-
phat, and up the side of Olivet, was lined
with people who came to witness the
procession. A Turkish band of musick,
leaving the gate of St. Stephen, and ac-
companied with banners, proceeded
with US as far as tree, on OIivet, I'M
der which the Governor of Jerusalem,
with his court, was seated. Guns were
fred at intervals.
Jericho.-After having crossed num-
Der Of hills, we descended into the
plain of Jericho. In the midst of this
plain appear, large Verdant tract, like
an cast in the desart and here, embossed
in the trees, stands the wretched mud
built village of the ancient Jericho, for
merly celebrated for the number of
palm-trees growing near it, and on that
account called 6 the City of Palms,
This city was the first in Canaan which
fell under the power of the Israelites.
after their entrance into the Land of
Promise and the walls fell down be-
fore the Ark Of the Covenant, on the
first sound of the trumpets, in the year
of the world 1854, and before Jesus
Christ 1,4OO.
River Jorddn.-About half past three,
the next morning, we all sat out, by
torch light, for the Jordan. The APP
pearance of the pilgrims, moving in
numerous detached parties with their
tlambeaux across the plain, was singu-
lar and striking. The Jordan, at the
spot where the pilgrims bathed, is beau
tlfully picturesque its breadth twenty
yards, and it is shaded on both sides by
the thick foliage of closely-planted trees.
The water appeared turbid, and was
not deep. On retiring from the water,
the pilgrims employed themselves in
cutting the branches from the trees, to
carry home with them, as memorials of
the Jordan. They then mounted their
beasts, and returned to their former
station in the plain.
Dead Sea,-Our party set off from the
Jordan with Prince Avalofr Ga Georgi-
an and suite, to the Dead Sea, where
we arrived in about two hours and
half. We rambled about for some time
on the borders of this lake, which coy-
ers the ashes Of Sodom and Gomorrah.
tasted the water, and found it excess
sively nauSoous. Come of the party
bathed.
Solosaon's Temple-Jerusalem is
considerable place. The most beautiful
building within its walls, is the mosque
of Omer, which stands on the site
of Solomon's Temple. The Turks
have a singular reverence for this
mosque, and will not permit Christian to
set his foot in the large grassy area
which surrounds it.
Valey Of Jehoshaphat-The walks
which most frequent, are those which
lead down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat,
by, the fountains of Siloah, or those that
run along the side of Olivet.. From the
side of O4iEet you have very COM
handing view efJerusalem. The mosque
Of Omer appears particularly fine from
the situation. The greater part of
the surrounding country is most des-
olate and dreaFy, Hills of white parch-
ed rock, dotted here and there with
patches of cultivated land, every where
meet and offend the eye.