The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-06-09
CoRREsPoND DENCE.
Letter from Rev. DR.. Hoge.
BEIRUT, May 1st, 1880.

BEIRUT, May lsG, lOOO.
MeSSrS. .EoStorS,-If in my last letter
omitted to tell you of our visit to Cana
of Galilee and Nazareth, l cannot now
afford the time to give you any account
of our stay at these memorable places.
Through Phoenicia.
From Nazareth we struck directly
across the country that we might go to
Beirut through Phenicia, along what was
once the great route for the armies of
Egypt when they advanced to their north
ern conquests, and of the hosts of Assyria,
Persia, and Greece on their southern pred
atory excursions. l was exceedingly anx-
inhabitants excelled all others of antiquity
in enterprise, and whose maritime expe-
ditions extended not only to India and
Africa, but to the shores of Britain and
of Northern Europe, and whose narrow
territory is now strewed with ruins which
testify to the wealth and magnifcence of
their ancient cities.
1t was with sensation of relief that
we left the dry and desolate hills of Pal
estine and crossed the high, sandy ridge
on the western border, from the top of
which we saw the Mediterranean once
more, and then turning southwark, can
tered along the smooth beach against
which a splendid surf was breaking, until
we reached Hagta, where we found our
tents pitched and ready for our reception.
The KSShosa, that ancient river" is
crossed before reaching Haifa and the
plain beyond its southern bank is made
attractive by long line of feathery
palms. One of our company quoted from
Bishop Heber's missionary hymn,
From many an ancient river,
From many palmy plain
and remarked that here by singular CO.
incidence, we had the two together, the
ancient river" and the palmy plain" in
immediate contact
Mt. Carmel.
1t was still so early in the afternoon
when we arrived at Haifa that we had
time to ascend Mt Carmel, at whose base
the town is planted The road which
leads to the summit is so steep and rocky,
that we dismounted and led our horses to
the top, but we were repaid for our toll
by the glorious prospect which the west
ern extremity of the mountain commands.
Few things are more refreshing than to
look down upon the sea from great
height, especially when that sea is the
Mediterranean all of whose shores seem
to present every combination of natural
beauty which curving bays, and bold
head-lands, and shining beaches can af-
ford. Mt. Carmel pushes far out into
the sea, the white surf at the base form
ing silver fringe to the dark fouDda-
tlons OF the mountain which rises so
abruptly out OF the water to it's magnif-
cent height. 1t is not the western end
however, but the eastern extremity of the
mountain which is thereputed place of the
sacrifice of Elijah and Of his victory over
the priests of Baal. From thence one
has charming view of the hills of Naza-
reth, of Mt. Tabor, and of the little and
great Hermon, and, of course, Jezreel is
full In sight,-Jezreel to which the pro-
phet ran before the chariot of king Ahab
when the heavens were black with clouds
and wind at the breaking up of the great
drought. One excellency of Carmel"
is its howery top" At this season of
the year the crest Of the mountain is all
a8low with flowers; nor do they consti-
tute its only beauty, for the ridge is
clothed with pines, wild almonds, oaks.
and pear trees.
The little town Of Haifa, at the base of
MT. Carmel is a German colony. The
streets are wide and clean, the houses
stand apart, each having a garden, and
over the door Of nearly every one Is q
text Of Scripture engraved on a stone in
seIVeo IN the wall above the Intel These
coionlsts cultivate farm in common. and
lar up the slopes of Carmel are their ter
raced rae vineyards, reminding one how fruit
-uI Falestlne once was when the hills
Ill