New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-08-21
FROM NETWORK TO NIEEVEH
Xiv.
THE CITY OF CHRIST.

TIE OF CHhloT.
Editorial Correspondence ofthe Ny. Tribune.
JERUSALEM, Monday May 3 1852.
Since travel fast is becoming necessary
part of education, and journey through the East
is no longer attended with personal risk, Jerusa-
lem will soon be familiar a station on the grand
tour as Paris or Naples. The task of describing
it is already next to superiluous, so thoroughly
has the topography Of the city been laid dOwnby
Robinson, Bartlett aud others. There is little
more left for Biblical research. the few places
which can be authenticated are row genera!y as
cepted, and the many doubtful ones must always
be the subjects of speculation and conjecture.
There is no new light which can remove the cloud
ofuncertainties wherein one continually wanders.
Yet, even rejecting all these with the most skep-
teal spirit, there still remains enough to make
the place sacred in the eyes of every follower of
Christ. The city stands on the ancient site
the Mount Of Olives looks down upon it the
foundations Of the Temple of Solomon are on
Mount Aloriah; the Pool Of Sloan has still
cup of water for those who at noontide go down
the Valley OF Jehosaphat the ancient gate yet
loOketh toward Damascus, and of the Palace Of
lIerod, there is a tower which Time and Turk
and Crusader have spared.
Jerusalem is built on the summit ridge OF the
hill country Of Palestine, just where it begins to
slope eastward. Not half mile from the Jafil
Gate the waters run toward the Mediterranean an.
1t is about 9 90 feet above the latter, and 600
above the Dead Sea, to which the descent is much
more abrupt. The hill, or rather group of small
mounts, on which Jerusalem stands slants east
- oC IL.
the Mount of Olives rises opposite, so that from
its sides and summit sees the entire city spread
out like map before him. The Valley of Hinnom.
the bed OF which is on much higher level than
that Of Jehosaphat, skirts the southwestern and
southern part Of the walls, and drops into the lat
ter valley at the foot of Mount Zion, the most
southern of the mounts. The steep slope at the
junction OF the two valleys is the site of the CITY
of the Jebustes, the most ancient part of Jerusa-
lem. II is now covered with garden.terraces, the
present wall crossing from Mount Zion on the
south to Mount Moriah on the east. 4 little glen,
anciently called the Tyropeon divides the mounts.
and winds through to the Damascus Gate, on the
north, though from the hight of the walls and the
position of the city the depression which it causes
IN the mass OF buildings is not very perceptibe,
except from the latter point. Moriah is the low
est of the mounts, and hangs directly over the
Valley Of Jehosaphat. Its summit was built
up by Solomon so "a to form a quadrangular ter
race, 800 yards by 800. The lower courses of the
grand wall, composed of huge blocks of gray con.
slomerate limestone, stu remain, aud there seems
to be no doubt that they are Of the time Of Solo.
mon. Some Of the stones are Of enormous size !;
l noticed several which were fifteen, and one
twenty-five feet in length. The upper part Of the
wall was restored by Sultan Selim, the conqueror
OF Egypt, and the level of the terrace nos sup
ports the great Mosque of Omar, which stands on
the very size Of the temple. Except these foun
dation walls, the Damascus Gate and the Tower
Of Hippicus, there is nothing left of the ancient
city. The length Of the present wall of circum.
ference is about two miles, but the circuit of Je
rusaem in the time Of Herod was probably double
/ thst distance.
The best views Of the city are from the Mount
! Of Olives, and the bill north of IT, whence Tins
directed the seige which resulted in its total de-
struction. The Crusaders under GoGfrey of BopiI.
Ion encamped on the same hill Ny first walk af
terTeacbing here, was to the summit of the Hount
ofOiiyes. Not far from the hotel We came upon the
VIA Dolcrosa,u up which.accordibg to Catholic tradi.
ton, Christ toied with the upon his shoulders
found il utterly impossible to imagine that was
walking in the same path, and preferred doubling
the tradition. In arch is built across the street
at the spot where they say Christ was shown to
tie populace. The passage is steep and rough.
! descending to st. Stephens Gate by the Govern.