Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1849-01-04

DHG DEAD SEA- Although the story of
Ms. Lot and The pillar of salt, related by
Mr.. Lynch. Of The exploring expedition to
the Dead Sea and Ltnce it h rs obtained
tha, appclation. But Lots wife, in fleeing
from the burning Of The doomed cities, must
have been at some distance when she turn
ed round 10 look at he ilames. aud became
IA pillar Of salt Tor her dis, bcGence.
I he Lake Asphalutes, or Dead
Sea. was, 10 doubt, formed from that
volcanic eruption, from the water be ng
SO strongly impregnaed with btu
men OF uaptha The London Morning
Chronicle, though highly approving OF the
motives which led 10 the expedition self,
considers that the report Of Lieut.. Lynch as
a very meagre aud Ieme one, exhibiting no
scienI llic atlainmeuts, and adding nothing
to learning and knowledge. There have
been several expeditions TO the Dead Sea,
and the accounts, from the very nature Of
the sea set, havebeen very unsatsfac'o.
Try in detail. We can imagine no place on
earth SO barren. lake surrounded with
high rocks aud seas o. sand The water
heavy and biter no Vegetation in sight ;
everything bearing blasted, desolote ap.
pcarance; no trees 10 shrubbery no cui.
tivation 10 animals, and but few birds no
huts o. villages. There was, in fact, moth
! Z TO describe, excepting the tide, currents
and general depth and appearance Of the
lake. The expedition was well supplied
with boats and good officers, and we can
not perceive the justice Of the London
Chronicle, in censuring a report which is
full as good as any preceding ii. The ex.
confined TO TIE Dead Sea alone--it would
have been one of great interest 10 the peo-
pie OF this country, had il embraced an ei-
fcient survey Of all Palestine. the ports on
the Mediterranean, and their resources,
for mercantile objects s-thc whole Of Mount
Lebanon, and lis productions and the
character and religion orrs inhabitants
Jerusalem and The surrounding co, ntTy (;
the sources Of the Jordan; The antiquities
Of the city the villages in the neighbor-
hood the cave OF Macphaah, at Hebron F;
the religious positions in ancient times the
ruined cities as far back as Euphrates and
/ Nnevah The expense would have been
! bu, little in addition, but The information
would have been highly valuable, and we
hope one day TO sec it carried through in IA
scientific manner. AT all events, no such
expedition should he made up by few per
sons, on authorities, at lnJ expense OF the
people Had this expedition been in any
manner submitted to public opinion, it
would have beer sanctioned, but with
many Improvements.
FRoM THE CArE OF Coop IIorE--Papers
to the 10th October have been received at Bos
ton. We extract the subjoined items Of intel.
gencc from the Boston Journal The KalIiI
wal has been ended, and Sir Harry Smith wa.
on his return to Cape Town An action was
fought at loom Plaats, IN which the "lebcls
suffered severely Drcyer, one of the leading
Insurgents, had been executed, aud his dcatl
had struck terror to the hearts Of the evil dis
posed. Pretorius, the principal leader of in
surgcnts, was still at large, though it is sale
his influence with the Doors had departed