Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-07-10
Special Correspondsnoeo of the Nashville Union ard
American.

American.
but a true follower of the Prophet is al
lowed 10 see the bona fide tomb of David;
but in order not to be hard with unbeliev-
ers, a representation of this tomb is shown.
This saw, and admired quite as much as
/ would have the real one. The Jews
seem to believe in the one concealed, for
for they kiss the walls between which it
it is placed. Imagine a greater piece of
presumption than that of the Arabs not
allowing the Jews to come in sight of the
tomb of their best beloved King. A
room adjoining the tomb of David is the
scene of the Last Supper, and contains the
seat on which the Saviour sat Here, also,
is the house Of Ca;aphas.
The streets of Jerusalem are narrew,
well paved and filthy, but better than
might be expected, considering the small
quantity Of rain and the absence of sew
ers. The houses are of stone, and quite
well built hotels few in number and
poor in quality. The establishment of
England has q nice church, in which l
wOrshipped on Sunday, and saw priest
ordained. The Bishop of Jerusalem
is appointed alternately by the
governments of England and Prussia.
The Bishop at present is a German, but
speaks good English. He would not al
low noted London preacher to oficiate
IN his church, that preacher being a Dis
seater The trade of Jerusalem is small
Different objects made of olive wood are
the principle articles of commerce. There
are three different classes of inhabitants,
Mohammedans, including Arabs and
Turks-the latter are soldiers and Off
cials-Jews and Christians. Stretching a
great ways under the city is an immense
cave from which stone for the templeand
other buildings was obtained. The quar-
ries are still good and abundant The
pool of Bethesda is inside of the walls
near the mosque of Omar. 1t is consid-
ersbly filed up with trash and filth from
the city. Jdst across the brook Kedron,
which is not brook now il water be re-
quired to make one, are the tombs of
Absalom, st. James and others, also the
garden of Gethsemane. The tomb of
Absalom is partially covered with small
stones thrown on it by passing Jews to
show their hatred for so bad son to so
good father The truth of the tomb
being what it is called is generally re-
ceived. The structure is a singular one.
The base is square and of an immense
stone, hewn from the mass where it stands,
crowned with bell-shaped stone reach
ing to considerable height.
The Garden of Gethsemane is small
spot Enclosed by high wall. A monk
lives in the Enclosure and shows it when a
few pennies are in prospect The spot is
still garden and quite pretty. There
are several venerable olive trees in it, said
to have sprung up from those cut down
by Titus. l was no little interested in
this place until learned that the Greeks
have set up an opposition one near by.
A cave close by called that of the Virgin
is the spot where the Saviour shed drops
of bloody sweat, as is indicated by
notice in Latin to that effect Here be-
gins the ascent to one of the most inter-
estipg places around Jerusalem, viz Mt
of Olives. The ascent is gradual-the
road now as of old when the Saviour with
his disciples went up it for the last time
together.
The view is magnificent and affords
good opportunit 'es for studying the city
and the surrounding country. There is a
church on it called the Church Of the As
cension, built or being finished by a veal
thy Catholic lady. There is a mosque, also,
and any number of lazy, lounging Arabs,
who clamOr for backsheesh without hav-
ing done a cents worth for you. They
hate the christians religion but love his
money, and seem TO think the best earthly
use he can put it to is to give it to them.
Upon this point your correspondent failed
TO see the keen. From Mount OlivCt a
good view of the Dead Sea and the
Valley of the Jordan is had, so that
should any one dislike the idea Of risking
the "going down to Jericho and the
Jordan part of them can, at the least,
be seen without great trouble when once
at Jerusalem. Behind the Noun. of
Olives is Bethany, dilapidated, we'll
scented but not wintry village. 1t must
be different from what it once was, else
l have a small opinion of the family
that once lived there. The tomb of
Lazarus is shown, but rather too far down
in the earth to harmonic with the Scrip
tUre account of it. However | did it.
1t does not pay TO come so far and omit
everything, however fair or foul The fig
trees are quite advanced in bloom around
Bethany. The excursion to Bethlehem is
q pleasant one Going by the Jaffa gate,
then down a steep decline, the Hill of
Evil Council is crossed and the road winds
through green fields until the convent,
built near the spot where Elias was ween-
cd and was fed by angels is passed. Soon
our object was reached, possessing for
t6s writer unusual interest. II is the
tolnb of Rachel. The correctness of it is |
agreed to by Jew, Christian and Moham-
medan, and corresponds with the Scrip
iure mention of the burial Of Jacobs
best beloved. There is nothing striking
about the place. A house is built over
the tomb. Jacob did well in burying
her where he Iabored for so long hard by
The road where future generations could