New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-08-27

church OF ST. John towers nikn ABOVE tno muo
walls Of the modern village. Riding between olive
orchards and wheat fields Of great richness and
beauty. we passed the remains Of an aqueduct,
and cended the hill. The ruins of the church
occupy the eastern summit. Part Of them have
been converted into mosque, which the Chris
tian foot is not allowed to profane. The church,
which is in the Byzantine style, is apparently Of
the time of the Crusaders. 1t had originally q
central and two side aisles, covered with groined
Gothic vaults. The sanctuary is semi-circular,
with row of small arches, supported by double
pillars. The church rests on the foundations OF
some much more ancient building-Probably a
temple belonging to the Roman city. Behind the
modern village, the hill terminates in along, clip
teal mound, about one-third Of mile in length.
We made the tour of it, and were surprised at find
ing large number of columns, each of single
piece of marble. They had once formed double
colonnade, extending from the church to a gate on
the western side of the summit. Our native guide
said they had been covered with an arch, and
constituted long market or bazaar-a supposi'
ton in which he may be correct. From the gate,
which is still distinctly marked, we overlooked
several deep valleys to the west, and over them
all, the blue horizon of the Mediterranean, south
ofCasarea. On the northern side OF the hill there
are upward Of twenty more pillars standing, be-
sides number hurled down, and the remains OF
a quacrangular colonnade, on the side OF the
hill below. The total number Of pillars on the
summit cannot be less than 100, from II to Is
feet in hight The hill is strewn, even to its
base, with large hewn blocks and fragments OF
sculptured stone. The present name of the city
was given to it by Herod, and it must have been
at that time most stately and beautiful place.
We descended to a valley on the east, climbeda
long ascent, and after crossing the broad shoulder
of mountain beyond, saw below US landscape
even more magnificent than that OF Nablons. 1t
was a great winding valley, its bottom rolling in
waves of " he at and barley, while every hillside,
up to the bare rock, was mantled with groves Of
olive. The very SUBMITS which looked into this
garden of Israel, were green with fragrant plants
wild thyme and sage, graphalium and camo-
mile Away to the west was the sea, and in the
northwest the mountain chain Of Carmel. We
went down to the gardens and pasture-land, and
stopped to rest at the village of Geba. spring
of whitish but delicious water gushed out OF the
soil, in the midst Of a fig orchard. The women
passed us, going back and forth with tall water
Jars on their heads. Some herd-boys brought
down flock of black goats, and they were all
given drink in a large wooden bowl. They were
beautiful animals, with thick curved horns, white
eyes, and ears foot long. 1t was truly Bibli-
cal picture in every feature.
Beyond this valley we passed circular basin,
which has no outlet, so that in winter the bottom
of it must be lake. After winding among the
hills an hour more, we came out upon the town Of
Jenin, at the head Of the great plain of Esdraelen.
1t is supposed to be the ancient Jezreel, where
the ternsgant Jez.bel was pitched out of the win
dow. We encamped in beautiful garden, and, as
the place is in very bad repute, engaged man to
keep guard at night. An English family was
robbed there two or three weeks ago. Our guard
did his duty well, pacing back and forth, and occa
sionaly grounding his musket to keep up his cou-
roge by the sound. In the evening Franc OILS
caught chameleon, droll.ooking little creature.
which changed color in marvellous manner.
Our road next day lay directly across the Plain
of Esdraeon, one of the richest districts m the
world. 1t is now green sea, covered with fields
of wheat and barley, or great grazing tracts, on
which multtudes of sheep and goats are wander
ing. In some respects it reminded me of the Val
ley of San Jose and if were to liken Palestine TO
any other country have seen, it would be Cali
fornia. The climate and succession of the seasons
are the same, the soil is very similar in quality,
and the landscapes present the same general
features. Here, in spring, the plains are covered
with that deluge of floral bloom, which makes
California seem paradise. Here there is the
same picturesque evergreen oak, the same rank
fields of wild oats clothing the mountain sides,
the same wild aromatic herbs impregnating the
air with balm, and above ALL the same blue cloud
less days and dewless nights. While travelling
here, | am constantly reminded Of our new Syria
on the Pacific, and should no doubt find the re-
semblance mere striking, were it the same season
as when visited it.
Toward noon, Mount Tabor separated itself
from the chain Of hills before US, and stood out
singly, at the extremity of the plain. We watered
our horses at spring in a swamp, where some
women were collected, beating with sticks the
'~shss they had gathered to make mats. After
reaching the mountains on the northern side Of
the plain, an ascent of an hour and half through
a narrow glen brought us to Nazareth, which is
situated in cul-de-sac, under the highest peaks
of the range. As we were passing rocky part
of the road Mr.. Harrison's horse fell with him
and severely injured his leg. We were fortunately
near our destination, and on reaching the Latin
Convent, Fra Joachim, to whose surgical abilities
the travellers book bore witness, took him in
charge. Many Others besides ourselves have had
reason to be thankful for the good offices of the
Latin monks in Palestine. have never met with
a class more kind, cordial and genial All the
converts are bound to take in and entertain all
applicants-of whatever creed OF nation-tor the
space Of three days.