Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-05-12

mi-tfaulo anu oeUTdOco n"TolnH logtWtl III VIZ
lagos, where they are constantly seen sitting on
the ground BY the side Of the wall smoking their
pipes They are, believe, strictly temperate
making no use Of intoxicating liquors Of any
kind. but will smoke and sip their coffee from
, morn ill night
To visit the Dead Sea and Jordan, twenty
miles eastward, j, is necessary TO apply TO the
shcick or Chief Of the tribe living in that Vi
cinity for PERMISSION which he grants on payment
of satisfactory tribute and furnishes an escort
to guarantee protection. Under such an escort
/ I left Jerusalem passing by the garden Of Gc'h
sonane and over the Mount Of Olives. upon the
summit Of which stands the church Of the As
cension, from the tower Of which obtained my
first view Of the Dead Sea. The rays OF the
morning sun were reelected duly from its sur
face. which seemed scarce two miles dislant
such was the optical illusion. Passing from
the Mount IN a south east direction, at mile
distant, came to Bethany. Hence the whole
distance, to the plain Of Jericho, is over rugged
mountainous country, making descent Of near
1000 feet Soon after entering the plain we
pitched our tent for the night near Esika, siaa
village Standing on the site Of ancient Jericho.
While pitching our tent about twenty females
came ont of the village with songs and shout
! ings and passed near US. Afler an absence OF
half an hour they returned IN the same manner
accompanied by a large number Of the men of
the tribe who were returning from Jerusalem, and
whom we had seen several times during the
day Though their songs we're rude, it must
have been gratifying to those returning home to
/ be greeted with cheerful song, and they ac-
/ knowlcdged the compliment by firing their guns
and in savage shouts. The females having es-
corted their companions within the village, came
forth second time when they halted before our
tent, and two of the most active having relieved
their feet Of heavy shoes, performed for our a.
musement the shawl dance the whole company
joining in thesiuriur. After performing various
fcets of agility for half an hour, we paid them
their backsheis7 and they retired, but the re-
joicngs were continued in the village until after
midnight Nothing remains but heaps Of rub
Dish to dasgnote the site Of the ancient city Of
Jericho. The plain Of Jericho on Which the
city stood Is about twenty-five miles long by iva
broad, and was considered the gardcn of Pal
Iest,ne iu the dav of It's glory. but now, with a
small execution is desert waste.
The mex, morning rode to the Pilgrims ford
nm the Jordan. about five miles distant. The
river is there rapid muddy stream, about the
siz, of Onion River. It's banks of aluva soil
,r, co,or.d with w,lloy,s and otbor trees. though
,,s he'd is Of nebble stones. PASSING south for
,onr milo. over allnvial soil enerns,ed with salt.
I c,r,, IN ,be Dosd Sos There Is nothing m
~, a,,oooruco or that ut the snrronnd,n,, n,o,,n.
t,ins 10 DISTINGUISH il from one of onr fresh wa
fer l,ses Tho water is very clear but extreme.
/ ~ sal, IN the t,s,e and punoen, 10 the tongue
and when apnlied 10 ,bo skin leayos the surfico
very sticky Soon aflor leaving the sea shore
,o,,,neoc.l tho nscen, If the rnoun,ains. over
,yb,c, roda in tine bnrning ravs of the sun for
Gan. Lo,rs ,,i,boo, sccino a hab,,a,iou ar sign OF
cultivation when Preached the Gree, Convent
If Mar s,h,. bnilt upon the side of a deem Gal.
To- whore slammed for the nioh,. II has thirty
inmates most If whom are pursninr their stud.
los LIVING abs,om,ously on vegetable diet and
doipo their own work. rs bythe ra)cs of the con