The Nevada Democrat., 1858-05-12
Recent Explorations in Jerusalem.


Ancient Jerusalem is for the most part a.
buried city. It, ruins lie in some places from
twenty to forty feet below the level Of the pres
ent streets aud buildings. According to jose
phus twas perforated with passages 10 various
directions, aud marvellous stories are still cur
rent among the inhab tants in re 'pect to su6ter-
ranean galleries and halls beneath their feet.
That such passages exist there can be no doubt,
and when the time for making excavations WIN.
out danger from the Moslem authorities shall
arrive, we shall probably have new light shed
upon the top graphy Of the Holy City. Mean
lime we must be coutent with such contribute
tions as eager explorers, under the present M
favorable circumstances, are able to make Inc
most recent of these, aud in some Respects tue
most remarkable, are by DR. Barclay, mssl0n-
AIRY physician, resident between three and four
years in the city of Jerusalem. In his beauti-
fully printed volume. enstled "The City OF the
Great King" recently issued, he has communi-
Gated an amount Of accurate information which
can hardly be too highly valued.
Ever since the Crusaders lost possession OF
Palestine, Mount Moriah. the sacred elevation
or area on which the temple once stood, has
been' forbidden to Christians. Regarded by the
Mahommedans a. the most sacred spot IN the
whole world next to Mecca, it is J"alously
guarded against the intrusion Of Europeans. and
no Christian, except by stealth or as special
favor, has been allowed to plant his foot Within
the enclosure where the Savior of the werld
once stood aud taught Some years since, Mr..
Catherweod at the hazard of his life, succeed
ed in elud ny the vigilance Of the euards' and
gave more particular description OF The area
ID the build ng than we possessed before. A
few others, also by special favor, have been ad-
mitted, but their opportunities for observation
were extremely limited
1t was the good fortune Of DR.. Barclay, in re-
tnrn for medical services To the architect OF Inc
Sultan. appointed to make certain repairs with
in the enclosure, TO he invited to accompany
him as an assistant. In this capacity he exam
ined every part Of the area. and took accurate
measurements, and the result is an account of
this interesting part of the Holy City more full
and reliable than any previous description.
The enclosure itself is platform containing
thirty-six acres, on which stand Mosques and
other buildings. while minarrts, trees, aud foun-
taips diversity the scene. The most beautiful
Of these buildings is the Mosque of Omar, with
its graceful dome. benrah which, rising some
| five feet above the marble floor. Is the remarka-
ble rock, sixty feet long by ifty-dye feet broad.
which is supposed by many to mark the site OF
Holy of Holes in the Jewish temple. II is no
doubt portion OF the original surface Of the
hill But the most important Of DR.. Barclays
observations relate TO The substructions und r
]
ries siace, as far back probably as the Jewish
temple was built the area of Mount M0riah was
enlarged by runuing up OH its southeastern sde
high wall from the valley Of Jehosaphat. To
secure the neeocd level by filling up the space
would have required an immense quantity Of
earh. Instead of taking this course the super
structure abON G was supported by lofty pillars.
between which, running from east to west aud
| from north to south, are galleries. some ofwhlct
are mere than three haudred feet long Oi
these DR.. Barclay has given full aud accurate
measurements. ...-
1t has been long suspected that quarry ex
| lists beneath the northeast quarter OF Jerusalem
Hitherto all attempts 10 discover an entrance
have failed. About a couple Of years since, 9
dog attracted by the smell of some animal
! scratched open hole beneath the wall just cut
side the Damascus gate, which proved 10 be the
| long-sOugbt entrance. DR.. Barclay aud bis par.
ty, with some difficulty, succeeded in crawling
| through, and soon came To an immense cave,
| upwards of three thousand feet in circumference
the yaulted roof of which is supported by great
numbers OF rnde natural pillars. Here |, war
no doubt. that the huge stones which formed the
temple wall were quarried. Being dress Oh
the spot, as the heaps Of clippings which lie
about show, the temple might be easily built
rs the account in the Scriptures states that II
was, with no noise of hammer, axe or any
! tool OF iron.
Other subtcrrancan passages are known tt
exist, some Of hich are described in DR.. Bar
clay's book, but several remain yet to be ex
plured. But the work has been begun. and vii
no doubt be followed upas opportunity permits