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


Ny DrAR Sm:-Jerusalem has long been the
centre Of attraction both for Jews and Geutles.
To the Hebrews, it has been a rallying point ev-
vr since the days when Solomon's Temple was
the most magnificent building in the world, and
through long succession Of ages the Moslem
has gone there to worship at the Mosque Omar
and Christian Pilgrims by tens Of thousands an
nually pay their devotons at the Holy SePnlchre
of their Divine Lord. Fro it, celebrity ad-
nit had expected to see something OF oriental
splendor there, something. though FAINT OF its an
cient magnfcence something ut least that
would indicate it as ihe place whore snch mag
nifcence had once existed, but all such expec
,n,ions vanished ike the dew, aud have but to
give YOU an UNFINISHED account Of Jerusalem
and Palestine as have seen them. Jerusalem
is walled city, though the walls would be OF
little account as defence in our present system
of warfare The gates answer very well as toll
bars for the collection of revenue and for espl-
onage of those passing in and ont. 1t is estl-
mated to contain sixteen thouaand inhabitants, a
great proportion of whom are ragged and dirty and
seem sunk in abect poverty. The buildings are
of stone, the roofs are formed of circular domes
of the same materal-a single house often hav-
ing four or five, giving it a novel appearance,
and looking far better ihnn the fat roofs so com
mon in other places The streets are extremely
filthy and very narrow not usually more than
eight or ten feet wide, md having gutter oftwo
or three feet in width running through the mid
die to carry Off the water and serving as a path
for horses 70 travel in. On either side Of that is
a foot path bordered BY shops and bazaars, pre-
sentng a beggarly account of small stores. ! he
question naturally arises IN the mind of an A.
mericau, on seeing such streets, Where IS the
carriage way: The answer IS simply, they hay @
no carriages or carriage ways. In all Palestine
there is not carriage OF any kind nothing that
moves on wheels, not oven whenlbauow have
| seen since leaving Carlo. There Is not a street
in Jerusalem, nor a road within ten miles Of the
city, over which a cnrriage could by any means be
driven. TO the general wretchcd appearance Of
the city there are a few exceptions. The Armc-
man Convent at the South west corner Of the
city has an air of nentncss and comfort about 1t
not seen in any other par, Of the city. It's funds
are reported to be ample and they are making
large additions to their buildings, which are prln-
cipally designed for the accommodation Of the
thousands Of Pilgrims who annually visit the
city. The English mission have lately erected
small but very neat church, where services are
performed in the English and Arabian language.
They have also enclosed Just outside of the walls
large space and laid out cemetery with much
good taste. The English government: seem We
nv DESTROYS TO secure good ioothod IN this city.
The Mosque Of Omar and its surrounding grounds
occupy the ancient site of Solomon's Temple
and none but Mahomedons are permitted to en-
ter within its precincts, but from the surrounding
wall very good view is obtained of the enclos-
ure. The building is octagonal, It's exterior Is
the most commanding building in the city. The
western wall enclosing the grounds Is supposed
to be composed in part Of stones taken from the
ancient Temple after It's destruction, aud many
Jews 90 on Fridays by narrow lane TO the ex-
terror of this wall and there offer prayers for the
restoration OF the Jewish Nation, and the place
is usually designated as " the walllng place o
the Jews" The church Of the Holy SepuchrC
is very large building, having central DONE
at present much dilapidated and several smaller
ones. 1t contains numerous chupels, and many
Of the places considered as most sacred by The
Catholic Church. They show the spot where th'
cross was erected the rock that was rent wheI
Christ yielded up the ghost; the spot where th'
body was Amounted for burial and the sepulchr'
in which lie was laid by Joseph OF Arlnathea
and many other sacred places. These place.
have been recognized as such by the Catholic
Church for the last fifteen hundred years, still
Protestants, am sorry TO say, are disposed t
treat with ,evity all those places held so sacre
by others, without designating any others 70
themselves. That seems to me much like takin
from christian his creed without offering hlr
any substitute Great jealousy exists amongs
the Greek, Latin and Armenian Churches, VIII
have each separate ehapels within the building
in reference to the custody Of these and man
other sacred places, and not unffequently Their
is much strife; but a, the present time, by SOM
compromise they each take charge Of these pla
ces on successive days With the exception
tha, this is Jerusalem, and the mountain at tn
east is the Mount of Olives, there are few pla
ces in this vicinity, IN reference 10 the locaiio
of which the christian world is agreed. 1t ]
10, here, and 10. there, and the person, who's
faith is not well established from reading tn
word, must never expect to have it from comm
here. If turn from the squalid poverty with
the city TO the scene ithout, find no Improve
ment Jerusalem stands on very high and rug
ged ground, and Is approached IN all direction
by climbing steep mountains or following Ia
dry channels Of mountain streams. Ofthe iou
principal roads leading to Jerusalem over whIcl
have passed, neither was as good as ascending
Mt Washington. They deserve not the nam
of roads, they are mere birdie paths, where hors
es and donkeys can by climbing follow each 9th
er; but what is most remarkable, ] could dis
cover no indications that there ever were an
other or better roads. have travelled oven ma
ny rough and muddy road IN America, but
never knew any thing Of the steep and rock
mountains man might ride over until came I
Palestine. Turn Onion River for six month