The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-05-07
Citerarp Mlisrellanp.
THE JEWS OF PALESTINE.
From the Crescent and The Cross.

The Jews arc very fond of news, and very
partial to foreigners, particularly to the English.
| introduced myself TO a venerable and noble
looking Hebrew in the street one day, by asking
my way to the Pool of Hezekiah, whittier he ac-
companed me, and afterwards invited me to his
home. We entered by very humble doorway
from the silent street, and passing through dark
gallery of some length, entered large apart
ment which equalled in oriental luxury anything
that | had yet seen. The ceiling was slightly
arched, and crusted with salactites of purple
and gold that appeared to have oozed out from
some rich treasury above. The walls were of
panelled cedar, or some such dark and fragrant
wood, exqusitively carved; and curtains Of Da-
mascus silk were gathered into thick folds be-
tween plasters of CEDAR polished, yet rugged
with rich carving.
The windows were without glass, but the foli-
age of some orange trees soflened the sunshine
into delicious gloom, lending all the effect of
painted glass, with the addition of a quver which
added coolness TO its shade. The furniture was
simple, as is customary in the East, and conss-
ted only OF divans, or wide silken cushions, ran
ged round the walls, but little elevated above the
floor. This was of marble mosaic, wrought in
in floral emblems, such as bells, pomegranates,
&c, with white marble basin of clear water
in the midst. A rich tufted carpet IN which the
foot sank as III meadow, was spread in each
corner of the upper end; and leaving our slip
pers on the marble floor wo took our seat in the
divan.
When seated my host laid his hand upon his
breast and repeated his welcome. He then
clnpped his hands, and pipes--an usual 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 pilgr-
mage had seldom known till then. should have
supposed myself in some Pasha's seragho, but
for the gabardine and dark urban of my host, and
that firm look of lofty determination that is 10 be
seen on every Hebrew brow, undimmed BY the
disasters and degradations oftwo thousand years.
MY entertainer spoke with respect of Bishop
Alexander, and of the other missionaries; but he
said he gave them credit for the best motives,
but II was all in vain TO hope to proseyte his
people. "The Romans,n he added with enthu-
sasm, "coud not condemn ManIus in sight of
the Capitol, and the Hill Of Zion is NOT likely
spot for Jew TO forsake the faith of his fore
fathers" "The Christians do not honor Zion
less" observed, "because they also point 10
NuFHy' lucy ~ WIN you nalld III hand as tar
as regards this worlds sacred history, and far be-
yond you then, into heaven which you had
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 He
brew literally glowed beneath his groy and
shaggy eyebrows, as he raised his arm in vehe-
ment gesllcnlaton that contrasted strangely with
the re.Pose Of the rest Of his draperted figure.
"Engllshman," he exclaimed, in voice that
seemed TO guIgle from bis heart, "yOu know mol
what you say"
Suddenly the door opened, the tapestry that