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

little before shutdown when we came in sight Of
Khan Younes. Before reaching the town we
were met by Guardiano in military uniform,
who turned and preceded us through part Of
| the town, when we turned into small enclosure
made with brush set up after the manner Of
hushing peas, and there we pitched our tent
| We were politely informed that that was the
quarantine ground, and that by remaining there
It would count US one day Of our quarantine
The inhabitants soon began TO gather around us
but kept at most respectful distance, for in the
eve Of the law we were suspected Of having the
plague, and any actual contact would subject the
party to the same length Of quarantine required
OF rs, still they were anxious 10 trade and bro't
various articles to sell. Wishing to buy some
oranges, we were required to throw the money
upon the ground half way between us. Tie
Guerdino then poured water upon it, after which
he picked 1t up, and the oranges were tossed to
us. Such was the beginning of the ridiculous
farce Of quarantine as applied to persons tray
cling through healthy country and they them
selves in the most periec. health. On the fol-
lowing morning we started, preceded by tho
waichful Guurdno, who kept constantly shout
ing to all who came within hearing, not only to
keep themselves, but their cattle and Sheep from
coming in contact with any thing in our train.
Thus escorted we arrived safely at GAIA, and
passed the mex, two days in a very comfortable
quarantine building, at the expiration of which
time the Physician, standing some ten feet from
Us, looked at our tongues, pronounced us in good
health and gave permission for us to proceed on
our Journey. Thus ended the farce of quarau-
tine, and although person might have a choice
as to where the time should DC passed, still two
days is not an unreasonable rest to take after a
fortnight Of camel riding. GAIA is said to con.
tain population of 5000, still there is nothing
interesting about it. and if the gates of the an
cient city were no larger than the present, the
featof Samson in carrying them away could not
have been very wonderful. From GAIA to Ram
leh forty five miles, was over a delightful coun-
try, just undulating enough to make it pleasant,
and resembling very much the great prairies of
the west. \ large proportion of the ground was
under cultivation in wheat, still there was much
wanting 10 make the scene inviting. There
were no fences, or trees, or shrubs no pleasant
farm houses with gardens and fruit trees around
them, where peace and plenty might be presum-
ed to dwell 1t was a broad field, the cutiva-
tors Of which dwelt in villages scattered here
and there at several mics distance, and living in
the most miserable Of mud novels AT Rameh
We lell Our cames. They are a long lived ami
mai and very patient except when their burden
is being placed upon them. They are wei cal.
culated to endure the fatigue aud deprivatlons
OF the desert, rarely drinking when water is a.
bundant, and seeming not TO suffer when without
it for days IN succession. proposal was made
a few years since to import camcls Tor crossing
the western plains to California, but arn salts
fed the experiment would not have proved sue.
cessiul. The rocky and mountainous portions Of
the route would have cut and worn out their feet,
but the greatest obstacle would have been their
feet, being like India rubber they cannot travel
on slippery ground. As patient as the camel is,
the Arab, his driver, is not less So He walks
cheerlully by him during the day, and at night,
wrapped in his blanket, sleeps on the desert sand
by his side From Ramleh we turned east to-
wards Jerusalem, and soon found ourselves fol-
lowing the dry channels of mountain streams.
and passing from summit to summit, until otter
six hours ofhard climbing, we found ourselves at
the Holy City.