Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-10-16
NOTES OF TRAVEL IN PALESTINE.
Written for The National Latelligencer By a Citisea
Of Washington.
THE SEA OF eALILEE.

was in sight All was blanched and barren around for
many miles and there was sign Of life the bleat-
ing of few sheep, and the sad lowing of cames from
the valley. The pathway marked by holes worn in
the rocks by mules and 1t had been travelled
in the way for centuries upon centuries past
AS we out towards the brow of the hill overlooking
the lake there change in the like some
enchanting optical illusion than any thing real There
lay ouspread before in the calm of the evening the
beautiful valley Of Genesareth its green fields and groves
Of olives glisenng, after the morning showers in food
of rich sunshine. The lake placid and clear, and
light clouds were sleeping calmly the tops Of the
tains Bare and desoate those craggy heights yet
rich beyond all the powers Of art in the glow of the even
ing sun. Descending by stony path, at length
tered the valley leaving the left the village of Tell
Hum We stopped while at an old ruin called the
Khan Minyah where we saw few ragged Arabs sitting
out the roof smoking their pipes and listening to the
traditional romances Of old story-teller A few
compliments passed. questions asked and an
swered both sides, when rode through the low
and we-watered plain amid groves of fgrces and olives
The air delicousy soft and bamy fresh scent Of
flowers arose from the EARTH and around there
green slopes of grass and banks Of fragrant herbs and
thick strawberries Of oeander in full bloom Camels
browsed laziy among the bushes herds of sheep
scattered the openings of meadow, and lambs
frsking from passed; the cackng of hens and
the distant barking of dogs about the villages fell plea
sanity the ear; and sometimes crossed little streams
of impid water, lingering like ourselves to catch each
beauty by the waysde yet ourneyng to the of
death. Here and there swarthy Bedoun seat
ed upon the rocks with his pipe in his hand watching the
smoke from his lips cured upward and vanished in
the air. Pecans stood upon the shores of the lake peer
ing into the clear waters in search of prey and the
dapper duck sported about its surface diving out of
sight approached Yusef meantime entertained
with the wonderful history of Hassin the Dragon
telling all about the way in which Hassn ouwtted
the Grand Vizier, and slew the most erocious
headed dragon that existed; how he went off to
court the daughter of the Sultan, cruel Princess who
had palace built Of the skulls Of her lovers and only
wanted one skull to finish it how she set him to
work test the sincerity of his professions by ordering
him to eat at single meal forty cows four hundred
sheep two thousand chickens and thousand baskets of
bread also to drink twenty thirty hogsheads of wne
and empty every well of water within circuit of ten
miles how Hassin, by helping giant out of cobweb
nwhich he 1.-THE giant had become entanged under the
disguise Of fly, upon the regard of that dstin
guished person that he made himself small ord
nary for convenience, and disguised in Hassins
clothes did eat all the sheep, chickens and bread
and drink all the wine and water and then call for MORE
petite how Hassn eventually carried off the Princess
and lived with her in palace Of gold ornamened with
diamonds precious stones and became known through
out the whole world the greatest of Suans and
called Hassin, the Dragon killer.
In due time we emerged from the bushes and came
upon the pebby beach of the lake. not far beyond Ain ct
Tin. We rode at into the clear sparkling water 1t
pure crystal, and calm that the mountains
the other side seemed suspended in the air and the
Election Of the sky rich in quiet beauty the sky
itself The ruined villages along the shores presented
strange and mystic pictures in their inverted shadows
palm trees overhung the deep with all their mirrored
richness Of outlines white ruins of mosques gttered in the
distance the naked and craggy mountains behind were
stepped in atmosphere of purple and the waters and
the mountains wrap in the submty of repose and
the hallowed associations Of the past.
Much Of the pleasure we experienced in viewing these
scenes it must be admitted from the physical COM
fort enjoyed in the genial glow of the evening after
sad experience in crossing the snow-capped heights
Of Jebel esh shek and suffering in the Min of Ma
laha Apart from the scrptua interest so interviewer
with every spot around the of Galee and the graft
fcaon Of finding place upon which to refresh the
eye after days of travel through desert regions Of parch
ed earth and sterile hills there is in reality but little in
the natural scenery about the lake. unaccompanied by
freshenng rains and glowing sky to attract attention
The valley Of Genesareth is certainly charming spot
but the charm is greatly heightened by the predsposi
ton to be enchanted in the eye Of the beholder Around
the shores Of the lake the mountains are much the same
all the mountains throughout Palestine and II is only
in certain conditions Of the atmosphere that they acquire
that beauty which had delighted u.s. This think it
due to the reader to state in order that he may not be
disappointed should he ever visit that region.
Continuing along the shores Of the lake for few miles,
took the road again. and arrived the village
Of Medjdel, a collection of miserable huts pleasantly
situated short distance from the water under the brow
of abrupt cliff Medjde is interesting rs the birth
place Of Mary Magdaene. We had no time to explore
the caves or artificial grottoes in the cliff
Passing rocky and PERCEPTIONS path, along the
shores Of the lake. at length behed the castle and
ruins Of Liberals, the capital Of Gaee.
Tiberias is handsomely situated slope facing the
lake 1t is filthy and dilapdated town, built in the
Saracenc STYLE and is at present in wreched state Of
ruin and decay One two mosques in the upper part
the l-side and few scattering palm trees among
the ruins Of the ancient city, give it something Of an
oriental character The foundations of the old walls and
the remains Of the ruined gateways still standings and
the broken columns and frezes scattered about the out
skirts Of the town bear evidence Of its grandeur in by
gone centuries The first view the approach embraces
the ruined castle on the top of the hill and the immense
gateway and Notifications From these IL would appear
that in the days Of prosperity Tberas must have been
CITY Of considerable Importance. Columns and cornces
Of massive proportions, beautifully cut lie partially inn
bedded In the ground and large blocks Of stone which
evidently occupied in periods prominent place
In the empes and palaces are scattered about for many