The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-02-13
PALESTINE.
From Beckingham'S Lectures

PALESTINE.
From BuckinghamS Lectures.
MOUNT LEBANON
First in importance among the Individual
features of this country Lebanon deserves our
attention, rising to the altitude of 10000 feet a.
hove the level of the sea. Its towering summit
is covered with eternal snow; cascades and wa
leilalIs are sparkling on every side, and delight
tul odors are sent forth in delicious proiusions;
while dark and terrible ravines cause the idea OF
terrific grandeur to be mingled with the softness
and beatty of many OF its features. In point of
magnilicence, the mountain may be compared
with the liimmaeh, while in picturesque scene
ry 1t is unsurpassed by even the romantic regions
of Switzerland. This mountain was the delight
OF hlng Solomon, and has been treated Of by
HIM IN the Canticles under every variety of en-
dearng cpithet. He studied the various plants
and trees, and shrubs, with which it was cover
ell IN almost infinite variety, from the stately
cedar, to the hyssop that grows on the wall At
the foot of the mountain, the climate and produc-
lions compare with those ofcountries near the
tropics, the thermometer averaging 100 degrees in
the month OF July. AS you ascend the first
thousand feet you arrive at the region of Greece
and Italy, and the south Of FIance. The next
thousand feet brings us TO the climate and pro-
ductons OF Belgium, and Holland, and the north
OF France. Another ascent of equal distance
and we arrive Mt the temperature of England;
while may still arrive, at another stride, with
in the bleak aud dreary regions of Nova Fem
ba thus presenting every variety Of climate and
production, within the compass of single noun
tain.
MOUNT uERMoN.
Still lofticr than Lebanon, this mountain rears
its summit 500 feet in the air. soaring far above
the clouds. Here we find the spring and
tumnal seasons of moisture known as the carly
and The latter ram Vino those. saHsnrs CON
tinue, the appearance Of the country is lovely in
the extreme vegetation eXuberant and the whole
prospect enchanting ;bnt when these seasons are
Succeeded by the unremtted rays OF the sum- the
country Of course becomes dry and parched, and
vegetation burned up. The sacred writer's, par
ticularly the Psal,nist, frequently aIlndc to the
dcws on Mount Hormon, and to them they com
pare the mercy of God ; and no comparison could
be more beautiful and at the same time more
strictly true; for, unlike the other de"s which
are occasionally eNhalcd, the deWs OF Hernon
are perpetual; and in this view like the mercy
| of God, which cndureth for ever. The occasion
| of this phenomenon is this The Sea of 'Tberi-
as which is about SO miles distant, sends forth
n continuous vapor, which is waited III clouds
northwarN, by the constant south wind, and com
ing in contact with the snow crowned summit of
the mountain, is condensed, and flows down its
sides in perpetual supplies Of moisture.
MOUNT TABOR.
The ascent to the summit of this mountain is
extremely toilsome, it being peculiarly steep and
|
of an artificial tower than natural mountain.
The top is only to be gained by Il spiral zig zag
coursc but when arrived their, the view is per-
haps the most enchanting that the eye of mortal
ever gazad upon land the more especially so,
when the delightful and peculiar associations
which the scenes arc calculated to produce are
taken into the account On the northeast, at a
distance Of Is or 20 miles, lies the Sea of Galee,
quiet and calm sheet oil water ;atlording CRATE
| FIJI relief to the scenery around and in the dis
lance, Mounts Ebal, and Gerizim, and Gilead,
rear their SUBMITS while on the east, the lovely
valley of the Jordon, with the river like silver
. thread winding its way amid its banks ito the
south east, the eye stretches over the lake of
Sodom and Gomorrah, and the mountains ofMo-
alb and Amnon while on the southern side rise
the hills of Judea, with the city of Jerusalem, the
great plain OF ESdr on and the head of Mount
Carmel IN another direction extend the range of
hills at the foot of which stood the village of Ma
in, where the widows son was restored, and also
the tarvern in which dwell the Witch of Entlor.
On the north, stands Cana of Galilee, where
the Savior performed his first miracle, by chan
gng water into wine; and through bend or dip
ofthe hills, the eye can catch glimpse of the
Mediterranean. What lovely prospect How
richly grouped the varying scenes of hill and
dale, mountain and river, lake and sea, ancient
city and modern settlements And then the rec
objections associated therewith-what crowds OF
ideas must rush upon the mind, when standing
IN view OF so many sites rePiete with interest
Mr.. Buckingham remarked that Il certain
philosopher has remarked thar time ought not
TO be measured by days and hours, but by the
ideas which pass through the mind. Ifso, said
he, lived year within the few hours, that
spent upon this mountain; and l mourned, that
the sun was declining behind the western hills,
that the day could not be heightened out
MOUNT CARMEL.
Unlike the other mountains which surround
it, Mount Carmel is destitute of trees, but is re-
markable for the richness and variety offs Heaths
and flowers. Its sides are covered with rich
carpet of green verdure, and the plain of Sharon
joins it ut the base, where the lovely Rose OF
Sharon, and beautiful Lily of the valley, grow
in rich profusion.