The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1845-07-25
THE JEWS OF PALESTINE.

looking Hebrew in the street one day, by asking
my way to the pool of HeZekiah, whittier he ac-
companied me, and afterwards invited me to his
house. We entered by very humble doorway
from the silent street, and passing through dark
gallery of some length entered large apartment
which equalled in oriental luxury anything that
had yet seen. The ceiling was slightly arched,
and crusted with stalactites of purple and gold,
that appeared to have ooZed out from some rich
treasury above. The walls were of panelled ce-
dar, or some such dark and fragrant wood. ex-
quisitely carved the curtains of Damascus silk
were gathered into thick folds between pilasters
of cedar, polished, yet rugged with rich carving
The windows were without glass, but the foil
age of some orange trees softened the sunshine
into delicious gloom, lending all the effect of
painted glass ; with the addition of a culver,
which added GOODNESS to its shade The furniture
was simple, as is customary in the East, and con-
sisted only Of divans, or wide silken cushions.
ranged round the walls, but little elevated above
the floor. This was of marble mosaic, wrought
into floral emblems, such as bells, pomegranates,
Sc, with white marble basin of clear water in
the midst. rich tufted carpet, in which the
foot sank as in meadow, was spread in each cor.
ner OF the upper end and, leaving our slippers
on the marble floor, we took our seat on the d.
van.
When seated, my host laid his hand upon his
breast and repeated his welcome. He then clap
ped his hands, and pipes-an unusual luxury
among the Jews-were brought by two little
black slaves, with white tunics and scarlet caps
They retired, and we smoked the pipe of repose
in such luxury and calm, as my troubled pilgrim
age had seldom known till then. | should have
supposed myself in some Pasha's seraglio, but for
the gabardine and dark turban of nv host, and
that firm look lofty determination that is to be
seen on every Hebrew brow, undlmmed by the
disasters and degradations of two thousand years.
ok0.ko IL
Alexander, and of the other missionaries he said
he gave them credit for the best motives, but it
was all in vain to hope to proselyte his people,
The Romans" he added with enthusiasm
&c could not condemn Manlius in sight of the Cap
to; and the hill of Zion is not as likely to for
sake the faith of his forefathers." esThe Chris
tians do not honor Zion less,'' | observed, 81 be-
cause they also point to Calvary. They go with
you hand in hand, as far as regards this worlds
sacred history, and far beyond you them into
heaven which you chad hoped for from the days
of Abraham, and which you will not receive,
because different from that which you expected"
The dark eye OF the Jew, literally glOwed be-
meath his griy and shaggy eye brows, as he raised
his arm in vehement gesticulation, that contrast
ed strangely with the repose of the rest of his
draperied figure. Englishman,' he exclaimed,
in voice that seemed to gurgle from his heart,
you know not what you say
Suddenly the door opened the tapestey that
hung over it moved aside by beautifully
rounded arm which jewels cleaned, and there
stepped forth a female form which fascinated my
attention as if it had been vision. Imagine
Rebecca in all the chastened pomp of dress and
beauty that Sir Walter Scott has painted with such
vivid words--even such as she stood before, glo-
rious embodiment of all the best attributes of her
pure and noble race. Such might Eve herself
have been so might her daughters have looked
when angels sought their mortal love. Miriam,
Jael, Judith, and the gentle Ruth-all the heroic
spirits of Judah's line, might have been repre-
sented under that form, (but not the mother) |
know not how she was dressed; | scarce know
how she looked but | have her memory before
my eyes that seems still to confuse, as it dazzled
then.
only remember light gauzy turban, with
glittering fringe falling gracefully over the
shoulder; masses of black and shining hair that
made the forehead and delicately Drowned cheek
looked as fair Circassian's; if thought of
luxury lowered upon the rich rosy mouth, it was
awed into admiration by the large dark eyes, so
fearless, yet so modest, glancng round as if they
read meaning in every thing and everywhere,
yet calm and self possessed in their consciousness
of power. She carried little tray, on which l
believe were sweetmeas and sherbets, and bent
gracefully forward to offer her refreshments
started to my feet, and addressed her some
words in Italian, to which she only replied with
shake OF her head and faint smile she then drew
back, while her sister, whom | had not noticed
until now, came forward with another tray, con-
tanning know not what. | was rather bewilder-
ed by the whole scene, and felt that | was en-
barrassing by not accepting the hospitality of my
fair hostess, while quiet smile played over the
features OF my venerable host
need not say was very anxious to make the
most of this rare opportunity of seeing the daugh-
tiers OF Israel in their own home yet confess |
experienced sensation of relief when the Jewish
maidens retired, and was left again alone with
my entertainer Controversy was now out ofthe
question. We avoided the subject by mutual
consent; and, feeling the Eastern restraint which
prevented me from abiding to the subject then
uppermost in my mind, | only asked whether he
considered that there was a perceptible increase
in the number of his people at present in Jerusa-
lem. He replied that the time was not vet ar
rived Many have their eyes now fixed on III
on" he continued, and very slight matter that
we know not of, might direct multtudes to this
spot AT present, we are not more than 1000 in
Jerusalem; but if our Rabbis were to speak, ten
times that number would arrive here before the
next passover. There is barely means of subsis-
tence at present for the numbers in the CITY. and
the poverty and Turkish oppression prevent our
country round from being brought into cultiva
ton" AS he spoke of poverty, glanced round