The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1845-03-25
THE JEWISH CHARACTER IN JERUSALEM.

introduced myself to venerable and noble look
ug Hebrew in the street ono day, and asked my way
to the Pool of Hezezah, whittier he courteeusly ac-
companied me, and afterwards invited me his house
We entered by very humble doorway from the 81
lent street, and, passing through dark gallery of
some length, entered large apartment which equal
led in oriental luxury any that have yet seen. The
ceiling was slightly arched and crusted with staac-
titles Of purple and god that seemed to have oozed
out from some rich treasury above. The walls were
Of 'panneled cedar, some such dark and fragrant
wood, exquistely carved and curtains of Damas-
Gus silk we're gathered into thick folds between the
plasters OF cedar, polished, yet rugged with rich
carving. The windows were without glass, but
the foliage Of some orange trees softened the
shine into delicious gloom, lending all the effect
of painted glass, with the addition Of culver,
which added GOODNESS to its shade. The furniture
was simple, as is customary in the East, and con-
sisted only of dvsns, or wide sken cushions,
ranged round the walls, but little elevated above the
floor. This Of marble mosaic, wrought into
floral emblems such as BELLS pomegranates, &c,
with white marble basin Of clear water in the midst
rich tuted carpet, in which the foot sank in a
meadow, spread in each corner of the upper end;
and leaving our slippers on the marble floor took
our seat on the divan. When seated, my host Land
his hand upon bis breast and repeated his welcomes.
He then cspped his hands; and pipesan unusual lux
ury among the Jews-were brought by two little
black slaves with white tunics and scarlet caps
such luxury and calm my troubled pilgrimage had
seldom known till then. ! should have supposed my
self in sons Pashas seraglio, but for the gsbardne
and dark turban Of my host and that firm look Of
lofty determination that is TO be every He
brew brow, undimmed by the di.asters and degrade
tons Of two thousand years. My entertainer spoke
with respect Of Bishop Alexander and Of the other
missionaries he said he gave them credit for The best
motives but that 1t all in vain to hope TO prose
lytise his people The Romans" he added with
enthusiasm, " could not condemn Manlius in sight Of
the Capitol, and the Hill of Zion is not likely spot
for Jew to forsake the faith of his forefathers."
The Christians do not honor Zion less observed,
because they also point 10 Calvary. They go with
you hand in hand as far regard this worlds sacred
history, far beyond you then, into heaven which
you have hoped for from the days of Abraham, and
which you will not receive, because different from
that which you have expected" The dark eyes of
the Hebrew literally glowed between his grey and
shaggy eyebrows he raised his arm in vehement
gesculation, that contrssed strangely with the re-
pose of the rest of his drapered figure " English
mani" he exclaimed, in voice that seemed TO gsr.
gle from bis heart, you know not what you say ~
Suddenly the door opened, the tapestry that hung
it removed aside by BEAUTIFULLY rounded arm
which jewels CLEANED and there stepped forth fe-
male form, which scinated my attention as If it bad
been vision. Imagine Rebecca, in all the chas-
tened pomp of dress and beauty that Sir Waller
Scott has painted with such vivid words--even such
~
best attributes of her pure and noble race. Such
might Eve herself have been, 80 might her daughters
have looked when angels sought their mortal love-
Miriam, Jae, JUDITH and the gentle Ruth, all the
heroic spirits of Judahs line might have been repre-
seoted under that form bot not the Maid Motber)
know not how she dressed scarce know how
she looked but have memory before my eyes
that seems still to confuse as it dazzled then only
remember light gouzy turtan, with glitteriug
fringe falling gracefully the shoulder of
black and shining hair, that made the forehead and
delicately Drowned cheek look as fair as Crcas-
SLAMS if thought of luxury lowered upon the rich
" rosy mouth awed into admiration by the large
dark eyes, fearless yet so modest CHANGING round
az { they read meaning In every thing, and every
where yetcam and self possessed in their conscious
ness Of power She carried little tray on which, ]
believe, we're sweetmests and sherbets, and bent
gracefully forward to Off her refreshments. start
ed to my feet, and addressed to her some words in
Italian, TO which she only replied by shake Of her
head, and laiDt smile she then drew back while
her sister, whom had not noticed until now, came
forward with another tray, containing know not
what. Twas rather bewidred by the whole scene
and felt that was embarrassing, by not accepting
the Inequalities of my fair hostesses while quiet
smile played the features Of my venerable host
need not say was very anxious to make the mos,