The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-03-22
THE JEWISH CHARACTER IN JERUSALEM

THE JEWISH CHARACTER IN JERUSALEM.
introduced myself to a venerable and noble look
ing Hebrew in the street one day. and asked my way
to the Pool Of Hezeziah, whittier he courteously
companied me, and afterwards invited me his house
We entered by a very humble doorway from the ST.
lent street, and, passing through dark gallery Of
some length, entered large apartment which equal
led Ia oriental luxury any that have yet seen The
ceiling slightly arched, and orusted with stalac
titles Of purple and gold that seemed to have oozed
out from some rich treasury above. The walls acre
OF pannelled cedar, some such dark and fragrant
wood, exquisitely carved and curtains OF Damas-
Gus silk gathered into thick folds between the
pilasters OF cedar polished, yet rugged with rich
carving. The windows without glass, but
the foliage OF some orange trees soltened the sun
shine into delicious gloom lending all the effect
Of painted glass, with the addition Of a quiyer
which added GOODNESS TO its shade. The furniture
was simple, as is customary 10 the East, and con
sisted only Of diyans, or wide silken cushions,
ranged round the walls but little elevated above the
aoor This was Of marble mosaic, wrought into
floral embsms, such as bells, pomegranates, sc +,
with white marble basin OF clear water In the midst
rich, tuited carpet, IN which the foot sank in
meadow, was spread in each corner of the upper end
and leaving slippers the marble hJor, we took
our seat on the divan. When seated, my host land
his hand upon his breast, and repeated his welcomes
He then clapped his hands; and plpes-an unusual lux
ury 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 pilgrimage had
seldom known till then. should have supposed my
self in some Pashas serago, but for the gabardiDe
and dark turban of my host, and that firm look Of
lofty determnat on that is to be seen on every He
brew brow, undimmed by the disasters and degrade
tons of two thousand years. My entertainer spoke
with respect of Bishop Alexander, and Of the other
missionaries be said ne gave them credit for The best
motives, but that It was III in vain TO hope to prose.
lytise his people 4" The Romans" he added with
enthusiasm, " could not condemn Manlus in sight Of
the Capitol, and the Hill Of Zion is not a likely spot
for Jew to forsake the faith of his forefathers."-
The Christians do not honor Zion less,' observed,
because they also point to Calvary. They go with
you hand in hand 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, as he raised his arm in vehement
gesticuation that contrasted strangely with the re-
pose of the rest of his drapered figure. English
man!' he exclaimed, in voice that seemed to gHr-
gle from his heart, "you know not what you say
Suddenly the door opened the tapestry that hung
il was removed aside by BEAUTIFULLY rounded arm on
which jewels CLEANED, and there stepped forth fe-
male form, which facDated my attention as if il had
tened pomp of dress and beauty, that Sir Walter
Scott has painted with such vivid words-even such
she stood before me, glorious Embodiment Of all the
best attributes of her pure and noble race. Such
might Eve herself have been, might her daughters
have looked when angels sought their mortal love-
Miriam, Jael, Judith, and the gentle Ruth, all the
heroic spirits of Judah line might have been repre-
scented under that form but not the Maid Mother
know not how she was dressed I scarce know how
she looked; but have memory before my eyes
that seems still to confuse as it dazzled then. only
remember light gauzy turbaD, with a gltterng
fringe falling gracefully over the shoulder OF
black and shining hair that made the forehead and
deiicatey Drowned cheek look fair as Crcas-
SLAMS; if thought of luxury lowered upon the rich
y rosy mouth 1T 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 every
where, yet calm and sefpossessed in their conscious
Of power She carried little tray, on which, |
believe, were sweetmeats 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 lant smile she then drew back, while
her sister, whom had not noticed until now, came
forward with another tray, containing know not
what. / was rather bewiIdred by the whole scene
and felt that was embarrassing, by not accepting
the Inequalities Of my fair hostessess while quiet
smile played the features of my venerable host
need not say was very anxious to make the most
of this opportunity Of seeing the daughters of Is
rae in their own home yet | confess expert, need
sensation Of relief when the Jewish madens retired
and was left again alone with my entertainer Con-
troversy was now out Of the question. We avoided
the subject by mutual consent; and, feeling the
Eastern restraint which prevented me from audIpg
to the subject then uppermost in my mind, only
asked whether he considered that there was per.
ceptible increase in the number Of his people at pre-
sent in jerusalem. He replied, that the time was
not yet arrived" But | must ask you to ex.
cuse my taking leave of you unless you would wish
to accompany me to synagogue, whittier am nov
obliged to go" We passed out through the dark
passage and the gate, into the dirty street, and
afterwards, when ! sought that house again. could
not identify II among the squalld dwellings with
which it was surrounded Nor did | ever see my
host after parted from him the door Of the syna
gogue The Crescent and The Cross