Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-06-18
The Sea Of Galilee.


The Sea Of Galilee, the Sea Of Tibe-
rias, or Lake Of Gencsarcth, is a sheet
of water formed by the expansion of
the bed Of Jordan. II 10 about twelve
and a quarter miles long from north
TO south, and at its broadcast part six
and three-quartor miles from east 20
west. But its width is by no means
regular, its shape being that OF u pear
or leg Of mutton, tho broadest part
toward the north, and the more pro.
jecting side toward the west, the cast
ern shore being bycomparison straight,
except near tho lower end. 1t is full
of fish. It's waters, thick and muddy
at tho extreme north, become clear
and bright as they approach It's mar
row end for Jordan, which flows into
it foul stream, leaves the lake pure
and sweet river. The surface is from
six hundred 10 seven hundred feet be-
low the level of the Mediterranean
The climate is genial in winter, and
not excessively hot in summer. With
shores that risc but gently, in most
parts, from the basin, and whose color
Is uniformly brown whcro seen above
tho foliage at their bases, the scenery
would bo tame were 1t not for the fine
hills, including the snowy tops oi
Hermon, which can be seen all round
through tho transparent ether, and
for the innumcrable effects of light
and shade. Shrubs and blossoms add
TO the beauty Of tho coasts, which
vary continually, being sometimes
hacked by broad plains. showing q!
others the opening Of long gorges, and
elsewhere, especially 10 the north, be.
ing broken into many and charming
bays. Volcanic action seems to bo en-
ergeticj thare are hot springs in the
basin Of tho lake, and very seriou.
earthquakes occur. Wild boar are tt
be found on o plain to the northeast
Those who have formed q menta
picture of this sea SO often recurring
in sacred story-as who in chidhoof
has not--havo no doubt imagined {
water covered with ships and boats
resounding with the noisc of sailor
and fishermen, and fankcd by many
proud cities, rich in merchandise an(
glorious to tho sight. Alas, for these
visions! The cities, and the men, ant
the traffic rerc there, but they hav,
now disappeared SO completely thai
the waters Of the lake may be said u
sleep amid solitude. AS for tho ia
nous cities, Of most of them il canno
be said with certainty where they
were, and the survey now in progress
first begins TO give us some reliabl
data for identifying their ruins; on
or two romain, but not as cities small
dirty Arab villages alone rcpresen
those busy towns, wherein were don
''migbty works." such as would hav
overcome the obduracy of Tyre an
Sidon. Tiborius Is there on the ives
coast, rather below the center Of th
lake. It's sea wall, broken columns
towers and acqueducts attest tho glor,
of its ancient estate; but the moder
Tiberias is but a POOR collection Q
houses, chiefly inhabited by Jews VIII
have returned 10 Palestine. Its fit
and yermin have become provort
About four miles north of this, hea
Of ruins, now named Model, mark
the sito Of that Magdala whcro Mar
Magdalcne had her home. North {
this again is the plain of Gencserotl
an area Of great beauty and fertility
along which, cad 20 say, arc setcrI
heaps Of ruiQs, dcnoting probably th
places Of old towns aud silIages where
10 our lord taught Bidckrood's.