The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-08-24


neat, and here we saw couple of the.
prettiest barefooted Arab girls, it had
been our lot to meet in the country. A
few moments rest on the divan, and we
were out among the ruins.
We found ourself unexpectedly aston
isbed at the ruins of Rome, but here, we
were struck dumb with amau@en5er1t. They
were not extensive like those Of Rome, for
all of Importance were located within a
radius Of quarter Of a mile or less, but
if we apply the several aljectives, grand,
magnificent, imposing and stupend0us,t they
will all be appropriate. They consist
mainly of temples and citadel, but for
description see Encyclopedias or some
more noted author than ourself, for we
could convey but a feeble idea of their
grandeur. With the exception of the lit
tie Arab village near, they stand solitary
and alone, en- silent aud deserted plain,
in wilderness. By what mind these
structures were conceived, by what hand
executed, or by what power overthrow,
except by the Almighty in his tremend-
Gus earthquakes, is beyond comprehen
sion. There, crumbling by atoms only
they have withstood the ravages of time
for unknown ages, and ages more must
yet elapse, before they will become OBJ
liberated.
Half mile from the ruins, cut out by
the ancients, but never removed from the
quarry, is famous stone, which has been
the wonder OF all civilization for thous
ands Of years. 1t lies inclined at an angle
of 600, is % PAGES long by broad-or
probably 65 to 70 feet long, by Il feet
broad ard 16 to Is feet high, hewn all
around except the under side, of which
but small part has been cut away to de-
tach it from the bed Of the quarry. On
one side are three holes, by inches,and
| s inches deep, evidently for inserting
| bars, on which to buI1d platforms for the
workmen. The upper side has been
chiseled partly across as if with the in,
tention o. cutting the mass in two About
one half the west lower edge is buried in
rubbish, so that it cannot be seen how far
it is cut under. Against the south or up
per end, lies an irregular rock feet high
by wide, evidently rolled from the
quarry above. The northwest corner is
also deeply buried In the rubbish, SO that
we could step on the top of the rock. In
the upper surface are about thirty holes,
similar to those in the side. Other re
markable hewn stones of smaller dimen
sions are to be seen in the same quarry
and also several caves, hewn out of solid
rock for tombs. The rock is not hard or
difficult to cut, being a species Of sand
stone of light color. 1t was a request of
Rev H. G. Hitchcock, before we left
home, that we would write him from this
rock, if we should reach it, we wrote him
pencil note beneath its shadow, in com
pliance with his request. q.
On our returns from the ruins, our
barefooted beauties had prepared asub.
stantial dinner, to which we did ample
Justice, and at 3 p. M, set out on our re-
turn. Seven hours hard riding brought
us again to Stohrer, and glad were we to
reach the station. Supper being des-
patched, seat in the diligence secured,
and we had one welcome hour for rest,
the only undisturbed hour during the en-
tire excursion. Our trip from Stohrer
had cost SO francs land we priced the
trip more than the money. Not beggar
had been encountered on the way, which
was an incident worthy Of remark. Morn
ing brought US to Beirut after an absence
of sixty-two hours, much TO the surprise
of our comrades who had enjoyed their
ease at the luxurious Hotel D Orient, and
did not believe we could make the trip
according to our programme. Ourworthy
Consul General, Hon T. M. johnson, of
Massachusetts, informed us that our trip
was without parallel except in single |
instance. 20 say that we were not
fatigued, would be but a vain boast of
our powers of endurance. Damascus and |
Balbec, were the ne pzus ultra. of our am
bition at this time-this accomplished
we were ready to turn our face home
ward. We had come from the infant
west of America, where objects of hun.