Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1858-07-06
Recent Explorations in Jerusalem.

Ancient Jerusalem is for the most uar,
buried city. its ruins lie In some places
from twenty to forty feet below the level
of the present streets and buildings. Ac-
cording to Josephns, it was perforated
with passages In various directions, and
marvellous stories are still curren, among
the inhabitants In respect 10 suhterranean
galleries and hall beneath their feet
That such passages exist there can be no
doubt, and when the time for making ex-
eavations without danger from the Moslem
authorizes shall arrive, we shall have new
light shed upon the topography of the
Holy City. Meantime we mus, be con-
ftent with such distributions as eager ex-
plorers under present unfavorable eircam-
stances are able to make. The most re-
cent OF these, In some respects the most
remarkab BILE, are by DIR. Barclay, mission
ary physician, resident between three
and four years In the city of Jerusalem.
In his beautifully printed volume, entitled,
The City of the Great King" recently
issued, he has communicated an amour,
of accurate information which can hardly
be too highly valued
Ever since the crusaders lost possession
of Palestine, Mount Morlah, the sacred
elevation or area on which the teapl..
once stood, has been forbidden TO Chris
tians. Regarded by the Mohamlnedans
as the mos; sacred spot in the whole world
next to Mecca, it is jealously guarded
against the intrusions of Europeans, and
no Christian, except by stealth or by speci-
al favor, has been allowed TO planf his
foot within the enclosure where the Saw.
iour of the world once stood and TAUGHT.
AJr
+ hazard of his life, succeeded in eludinc
the vigilance of the guards, and gave a
more particular description of the area
and the building than we possessed be-
/ fore. A few others, also, by special IA
vor, have been admitted, but their oppor-
tunites for observation were extremely
! limited
/ Ii was the good fortune of Dr. Barclay.
IN return for medical services 10 the oh
itect of the Sultain, appointed to make
certain repairs within the enclosure. 10
/ be invited TO accompany him as an assist
ant. In this capacity he examined every
part of the area, and took accurate meas
urements, and the result is an a recount of
this interesting part of the Holy City more
full and reliable than any previous de-
scripiion.
The enclosure itself is platform con-
tanning thirty-six acres, on which stand
mosques and other buildings, while MN
arets, trees and fountains diversity the
scene. The most beautiful of the build
lngs is the mosque of Omar, with its ma
lestic dome, beneath which, risiag some
five feet above The marble floor, is the re-
markable rock, sixty feet long by fifty
FIVE feet broad, which is supposed 10 mark
the site of the Holy of Holes in the Jew
ish temple. 1t is no doubt portion of
the original surface of the hall. But the
most important of DIR. BARCLAYS observa-
tlons relate to The superstructures under
the southeast corner of the enclosure.-
Centuries since, as far back probably as
when the Jewish temple was built the
area of Mount Moriah was enlarged by
running up OH It's south eastern side a high
wall from the valley of Jehosapha To
secure the needed level by filing uo the
space would have required an Immense
| quantity of earth. Instead of taking this
course the superstructure above was sup
ported by lofty pillars, between which,
running from east to west aud from north
TO south are galleries, some of which are
inore than three hundred feet long. OF
these DR.. Barclay has given full and ac-
cur&tc measurements.
It has been long supposed that quarry
exists beneath the northeast quarter of
Jerusalem. Hitherto all attempts to dis
coFer an entrance have failed. Abou,
couple of years since dog. attracted bY
the smell of some animal, scratched open
hole beneath the wall jus, outside of the
/ Damascus gate, which proved to be the
long sought entrance. Dr. Barclay and
his party with some difficulty, succeeded
IN crawling through, and soon came 70 an
immense cave. upwards OF three thousand
feet IN circumference, the vauited roof of
which is supported by great numbers Of
huge natural pillars.
Here it was, no doubt, that the huge
stones which formed the temple wall
were ouarried. Being dressed on the
sp"t, as the heaps Of clippings which lie
about show, the temple might be easily
built, as the account in the Scriptures
states that it was, with no noise of ham
mar, axe or tool of iron.
Other subtcrranean passages are known
to exist. some OF which are described ia
DIR. Barclays book, but several remain
YET TO be explored Bat the work has be-
gun, and will no doubt be followed up aa
opportunity permits.