The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-08-10

In only one or two instances we observed
signs Of cultivation, and the laborers were
some Of the nomade tribes of the desert, who
resort TO fertile spots on the borders OF ciyili-
cation to reap scanty harvest, and then
roam of again in winter 10 their wilderness,
in order to appropriate the new pastures for
their focks of sheep, goats and camels.
They live in rude tents, and are as wild in
their, appearance as the savages Of our far
west.
| Jericho, and the land round about, was the
inheritance of the tribe of BENJAMIN. Ii
contained then fourteen cities, including Je-
rusalem. What contrast il now presents
You who are so familiar with Bible history,
must remember the frequent mention OF "cha-
RIOTS" both for the purposes Of war as well as
for luxury, as used in this country. How
can one now realize these facts, when at pre-
sent there is not wheeled carriage oil any
kind ia all Palestine or Western Syria nor
indeed, does the present state Of the highways
admit of any thing of the kind.
The land in the vicinity Of Jericho is ex-
tremely fertile, owing to the stream of water
mentioned before, and produces beautiful
wheat. The gentlemen procured a quantity
Of il for seed, under the supposition that If
there is any advantage in changing seed from
one plantation 10 another in the same country,
there must be much more efficacy in seed
from the plains of Jericho by the time il reach
es the land Of " Yengi dunia.rx
We were glad to break up our encampment
early next morning, as we had been the whole
night disturbed by the loquacious and quarrel
some Arabs, and the half barbarous Turkish
soldiers who are quartered at this outpost Of
the present Egyptian ruler of the land.
The Sheik would not accompany US any
farther, and we made bargain with several Of
lbrahim's light armed troopers, volunteers
from all nations, TO accompany us us far as a
guard was necessary.
The first object Of interest we saw was the
:" fountain Of Elisha" which the prophet mi-
raculousIy changed from bitter to sweet. It
now yields as delicious water as any in all
Palestine, and in sufficient quantities to irri-
gate the surrounding country for some dis
lance. We could neither see nor hear any
thing of the ruins Of Gilgai, which was situat-
ed near to Jericho.
Our course lay due north up the valley of
the Jordan. The river was on our right a
few miles distant, and the mountains on our
left. The valley is about six or eight miles
wide, between the two ranges of mountains
which bound It on the east and west. Those
on the west are the highest Of all the noun
tains in Palestine, and il is among them that
the desert is TO be seen where our Saviour
tasted forty days; and one of its highest
peaks, overlooking great part of the Holy
Land, was the mountain of Temptation.-
There is small chapel on its summit, and
we would have ascended to il, had not the ex-
cessive heat Of the weather prevented us.
We repenishcd our water bottles (bags) at
Il II 4 4 Z n
that we should find no more until afternoon.
At this spot we left all signs of cultivation;
the plain was afterwards one entire desert
during the whole days ride Of twenty-five
miles. The soil was compact gravel, or, as
geologists call it, 'hard pam partially CO.
yered with short dry grass, the result of the
winter rains, which withers up the moment
their influence is past. Not single object
or incident occurred during this most tedious
and painful day oil all my life. This was the
first time since we left Beyrout that we had
suffered for want Of iraier. BY nine o'clock
the intense heat Of the sun made the water in
our leather bottles so warm that we could not
drink it. Extreme thirst obliged us to use it
merely to moisten our parched tongues. Our
caravan was far behind US, and we could get
no wine or lemon syrup; finally the water all
evaporated through the bottles, and left US to
suffer the most excruciating fortunes. We
now had to roget having left behind US at Bey-
route our water casks made in Egypt for de-
sert travelling,
During the morning the rays Of the sun.
were reflected against us from the rocky sides
of the mountain on our left and it seemed as
il the heat proceeded from fiery furnace.
By noon, the suns rays were reverberated
upon us from both mountains at once and
the arid soil beneath us sent up into our faces
such an overpowering heat, that we were IN
clined to believe that the mythe Of the vale OF
:. 1ophet" had its origin in this region OF
Tame.
Our thermometers were packed up IN our
baggage, and with our caravan behind, or we
should have ascertained the degree OF heat
| which, if it was so intoerable on the Sd day
Of June. how much more insupportable must
il be in August II We would have gone to
the Jordan but our guard would not consent
to it, as the country whereabouts was infested
with rrowling banditti, who hang about the
outskirts of Turkish rule.
At one time we deserted at distance
copse Of woods; and under the supposltlon
that we there might find pool of standing
water, we urged our horses at desperate rate
| towards it but we were doomed to dlsap-
pointrnent; for though the half-dried mud Of
The water swamp indicated the late presence
Of water, none was now to be found, even for
| our suffering animals.
Had we fel, any desire to eat we could not
| have done it, for want Of drink we therefore
pushed forward, at rapid rate, towards
strip of verdant groves, which we deserted
many miles in advance Of US, reaching from
the mountains to the Jordan; indicating that
a stream Of water flowed through them
The gentlemen, ever prepared for the most
| Iarnnrnin cases Of accident. or need, as they