New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-12-30

photographs and inscriptions already referred to,
measurements have been taken Of numerous temples,
Christian churches public buildings, heaters, reser-
voirs baths castles and the like, which have never
before been measured or described. These partlcu-
lars will appear in detail 10 the report of the Pales-
| tine Exploration Society.
| As have referred TO graveyards may state that
/ have found several interesting Greek and Latin
inscriptions still doing service monuments at the
head of Arabs graves But inscriptions on tho Lead
stones Of Arab graves especially In the cities east OF
the Jordan, are really the exception. The stone on
the head is, however generally different from those
used a. q curbing to the grave ITSELF sometimes
piece Of marble small section of tuted column
or fragment asculptured stone serves instead Oh
an inscription. l saw in one place men digging
grave for body which was buried before left. IL
was an old grave which they had dug open, and the
headstOne which they had removed lay there WIN
Cutie inscription upon it. l suppose they thought
that the Cutie gentleman could not possibly need MS
grave any longer. The Arabs DO not bury their dead
very deep because the ground in most places is rocky
or fall of stones and they have adopted the custom
of using graves more than once or many tines II
necessary At Banas there were. near some oiive
trees some graves that had recently been aug over
and in rayine close by was pile OF bones that hao
been removed and which the present inhabitants
probably thought could now be put aside, althongh
they were those of their ancestors OF friends lhlS
custom appears odd when one recalls the wiid ana
boisterons expressions of grief made at the death
and burial of Moslem chief 1t is but fair to state,
however, that the graves of prominent persons are
often marked with appropriate inscriptions ana
sometimes with rude sculptures Of various kinds.
In all the cities If tho Iiauran one Is constantly
SURPRISED al the great number of Christian churches
that once hourished there, and which still exist
partly or entirely in ruins. In the early CHRISTIAN
ages this region denscly populated. and the III
habitants were intelligent, enterprisng, and prosper
ous These Christian churches stand often side by
side with heather temple. Tie heather temples
were magnificent, possessing columns, gates, and
poIticos, al of which excite the admiration OF the
beholder But, as a rule, the space within was
small. They were not built to accommodate num-
bers Christian churches, on the other hand, while
not so vast splendid in exterior appearance were
designed for the use Of the people. Congregations,
and not the priests Alone gathered IN them To w0r-
ship In some cases Old heather temples have been
enlarged and converted into churches. At Gerdsh
there are near tie center of the city the ruins OF
Christian church which must have been an elegant
and costly structure of great unusual size saw,
also the ruins of three four churches in different
Iarts OF the city. At one time a. many as 81 D'si-
ODDS were subject TO the primate Of Bostra Tor Boz
rab) Beth Gamul is remarkable for its remains OF
the Christian period. MANY other places also which
have visited were also prominent as ccnters OF re-
ligious influence.