Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-07-23

He CISTERNS OF SOLOMON.-NcNIS Itcu
the cisterns of Solomon, at Ras-el-ain which,
tradition says, he erected in return for the
assistance afforded by Hiram in building the
temple. There are two sets of these cisterns;
the first we came to were small and in ruins,
and are evidently of later date than the Sec
ond. Their dccayed state allowed us to
examine the mode in which they were con-
structcd, in order to raise the body of water
to the required level. This water now finds
its way direct to the sea, turning mill in
its course. No doubt can exist, think, but
that both these and the larger ones are nat
ural springs, which, by being enclosed in
these water proof walls. raised the water TO
the height necessary for conducting it to the
city. TO suppose them, as has been assert
ed, supplied by river having higher
source in the diacent mountains, is unrcas-
enable for had such been the case, why not
conduct it from the highest point at once,
instead of bringing it into valley, in which
both these cisterns are situated. The larger
csterns are about half a mile further on to
the south the ground which ntervenes be-
tween them and the lesser ones is highly fer
tile, and was covered with green corn and
large groves of mulbury trees silk still for
ming considerable article of commerce
here. These fountains are three in number
and are about thirty feet high: they are stu
ated in small valley, about quarter of a
mile from the sea; and though they arc much
broken and neglected, yet they retain suf1i-
cient magnificcnce to attest their antiquity
and former beauty. The largest is an oc,a-
gon, and is about a hundred yards nearer to
the sea than the others, to which it is Joined
by some very beautiful arches. A row
of steps leads othe top, which is surrounded
by walk eight feet broad. Either it was
originally archcd over, or the lining is much
worn away, as the top projects like cor
nice. The aperture is twenty-five ards &C.
ross, and on fa,homing it, found the dep.f
not more than eleven yards in the centre
and about two at the edges but its depth has
probably been diminished by rubbish, &C.,
which from time to time ii must have recei-
we'd. Indeed, one only wonders how these
cisterns have all stood amidst the many des-
olations that have visited this unhappy coun-
try. They are always full, and an immense
body of water flows from them, which also
turns several miles in its course. mcasur-
ed the thickness of the wall of the smallest
fountain, and found 1t to be twenty three
feet. 1t was formed in this way two
walls of hewn stones, each from five to six
feet long, inclosed space which was filled
up with cement, consisting of lime, broken
stones, and gravel. On the inner wall was
a lining of mortar, studded with small stones
similar to that on the fountains of Solomon
near Bethlehem, and to that on the pool Of
Bethesda, at Jerusalem. The water ha,
been drawn from the aqueduct to supply the
mills, and lbraEim Basha was then erecting
Tabouch mandatory nigh to the cisterns
Besides the large quantity of water constant
ly passing off in the regular stream il flow.
over the side of the cistern in one place, ant
forms handsome cascade. Stalactites, like
those on the arches in the plain, are seer
here in immense masses and some Dori
capitals have been lately dug up in this pac,
and an aqueduct runs from it in southwark
direction, which was used probably for TIM
purpose Of irrigation. The main aquc
duct is continued northward to the rock, O
F. citadel, and is supported by arches at ont
place only. On the morning of our visit
S some Arab women were baking their bread
> made by pouring batter uponthe heated pan
t il practice referred to in the book of Samuel
S The existence Of these fountains prior to tn
0 time of Alexander, has been called in ques
!. ton by learned writer; but no stronge
!, proof is needed of their having been con
y structed previous to the building of Ursula
S Tyre, than that which is furnished by tn
4 aqueduct running direct to the rock, an
afterwards turning back towards the island
t to which it could have been brought in hal
the distance, and with much less obstruction
. from the irregularities Of the ground. BE
d You'd these fountains is an extensive and fer
: tile plain, bounded by the lower range {
;, Lebanon.-JTiHe's N0rrafire