Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-09-23

indicate that the land must have been peopled
to degree now nowhere known. The first
blowing we had seen for many weeks was a
striking sight TO US; a mere scratching of the
soil at the foot of the hills: but close by lay a
heap OF building stones, the remains of town
or village. Presently we saw rude pillow,
with single camel at work; and at hand
was long foundation wall. laid at a far dis
iant century. On the height farther Oh were
the remains Of large ancient building, with
two broken pillars standing. marking the site
o. the Aroer of Scripture. Then, though
there were water-courses about every hill,
wells began TO abound; substantial, deep
wells, built with run with holes in ii, 10 re-
ceiye the covering stone; such wells as tell of
a settlement beside them. We stopped early
this day--parly because it was Sunday, aud
tartly because our Arab guards, who Know
nothing OF our Sunday, found convenient
place among the hills, somewhat sheltered
from the cold wind; and here very few
miles from the boundary, the gentlemen ofthe
party discovered that we had sat down IN the
midst OF what was once large town, though
the place appeared mere stony tract, like ma
nv that we had passed. In the morning early
| went out TO see for myself, and was aston
/ ished at the extent of the runs which SHOULD
not have observed while merely riding by. |
could trace the lines of foundation walls for
half mile; and building stones, overgrown
with grass. lay in hllocks for a considerable
distance round. The many caverns in the
| limestone rocks, now used as beds Tor The
goats, were found TO be the vaults OF buildings
now gone 10 ruin. In few minutes we ira
ced three temples, or other such buildings, by
their overthrow pillars. Our eyes now be-
ing opened. we this day saw more and more
remains, till we were convinced that all The
way from the boundary TO Hebron, the land
was thick set with towns, and swarmino
with inhabitants in the days OF its glory--the
days when the Teacher went up and down in
il, meditaling the changes which must make
II what | have seen it now. Its hills and
streams, IFS skies and flowers, are to-day what
they were before His eyes but where He saw
towns on every height, and villages in every
nook, there is now hardly left one stone upon
another. A group OF black Bedouin tents on
a hill side, camel or two browsing here, and
flock Of goats there, are all that relieve the
dyer solitude where there was then an innu-
merable lhrong OF men.
As we advanced, on the Monday, the soil
became richer, and field was joined TO field, so
that we began TO look for the land marks which
are here used, instead of fences, to bound field
property. We entered upon thickets and
strawberries, where white roses, the cyclamen,
convolvulus, and fragi herbs abounded.-
Soon after noon new scene opened upon us.
On our left hand lay wide deep basin among
the hills, 'ull OF vineyards and olive-grounds,
where the stones from the soil were built up
INTO fences, and IN almost every plot rose a
garden-house. ms was sure sign that we
were near town; and as we rounded the
NIL on our flght, we came IN SIGHT OF The TWO
eminenees on which Hebron IS bull'. There
stood the town where John the Baptist was
oofn anu mere were inc scenes which ne
must many une nave TAXED OF with MS
cousin, ther ooylsh meetings al Jerusalem
Tor the ieasts. heoron, 100, Is only twenty
miles from bethlehem; only twenty-slx rom
jerusalem; and IN those days, when large
amount OF yearly travelling was solemn rell-
glous duty incumbent upon every family, II
Is scarcely possible but that relatives must
have often visited each other, and that Jesus
and his parents must have come TO Hebron.
The cave Of Machpelah IS there; and the
burial place oil Abraham aad his family was a
sacred locality, and an object Of pilgrimage TO
Jews oil all ages. AS we inquired Tor II, and
walked round the enclosure, which the Mo
hommedans now permit no CHRISTIAN 10 enter,
| could not but think who might have been
before us IN the same quest.
!
U-BETUI .EIIEM-ZION-JE EN-.
AS sal on inc 'ono IN me lnrkish ceme-
terry the next morning (March 5o) watching
the preparations LOT our departure, Amos!
dreaded Tie interest whieh every DAY would
now bring, alter the calm and quiet weeks we
spent IN the Desert Our encampment look
ed much the same as II had done every morn
ing Tor month past; ,ne Arao servants busy
IN taking down ana packing the tents, and a
NOISY quarrel gong on IN me midst-Uhis
morning about a pistol having been stolen
from one OF me tents :)-ahd The differences
were only mat there were spectators Standing
by, ana ,hat our eameis had gwen place 10
horses ana asses; put instead OF inc focRs
and sands OF the desert, Hebron was before
our eyes, ana me mus where Abraham spread
ms ilocks' ana the spot WheFe ne ana nus
FANNY ray Duried. ana before night should
see me place where David was born and iived
ms ms shephera me- ana wnere Jesus was born.
we had only twenty mics 10 trasei TINS DAY
10 nethiehenn; put II was qul'e enough, lot
we we,e Eager ,S aoou, every o'u nee, anu Well
ana n, n,iEoP. ne sntuos grew hher' ana 'he
wild MOWERS more abundant, the whole way !;
uiouSh 'he mus VI 'uuah were WIG ana $40
ny III Pal's' ano no longer ut 'or pastur'ns
sucn 'locks as covered mem when abraham
HVtu among OF WNfn the Hebrews