Morning journal and courier., 1889-11-19

Solomon - A Ride to Cairo The
Women Of Egypt-A Few Notes From
Egyptian Mosques.
ALEXANDRIA, Egypt, Dot. "a.
To the Editor Of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
Previous to our departure from Jerusalem,
after mailing letter to tie COURIER from
"the Holy City," we visited the famous mar
BILE quarry of King Solomon. 1t is a vast
subterranean vault, being situated immedi-
ately beneath the time honored and sacred
metropolis. Entrance is made outside the
walls near the Damascus gate. Many tour
lists and even some permanent residents are
entirely ignorant of its existence. From
this spot all the marble was taken which was
used in the construction of Solcmon's Tenn
pie.
The cave is of great extent. It extends in
various directions, one corridor leading near
ly half way to the site of Solomon's Tenn
pie, where the Mosque of Omar now stands.
The marble is of great purity and as white
as snow. This justifes the traditional OBJ.
servation attributed to the Queen of Sheba
during her memorable visit to Solomon, as
she maryeled at its silvery whiteness glisten-
ing beneath the brilliant rays of an Oriental
sun. The foundation walls of the temple,
composed of massive blocks of hewn stone,
still stand and are shown to visitors, descent
being made for fifty feet perhaps below the
outer soil, where the debris of centuries con-
ceals the marvellous masonry from the super
fetal observer. They were laid 1000 B. G.
sThe site is the ancient threshing floor pur-
chased by King David for fifty shekels of
silver. Marks of the tools, wedges and 9TH
or implements used in removing the im-
mense blocks of marble are plainly visible
on the walls and roof of the quarry. Even
the lamp-black from the primitive lamps en-
ployed by the workmen, which were inserted
in crevices of the rock, still remain. No one
doubts that the quantity of marble removed
furnished an ample supply for the compile
tion of the world renowned Temple of King
Solomon. Apparently an unlimited quanti
ty of this excellent material still remains,
which may ere long be needed II the modern
buildings shall continue to be erected as dur-
ing recent years.
dence remains to confirm the remarkable
statement that ''the sound OF the axe, ham,
msr or other metal tools was not heard"
when the temple was built. Below the bus
tie of the narrow and crowded streets of Js-
rusalem skillful workmen, like SO many CO.
raj insects beneath the tumult of the ocean,
noiselessly and industriously labored on until
the stupendous supeIstructure was compile
ted.
The days of Turkish misrule, happily, are
nearing the end. Hopslessly bankrupt, una
BILE either to olothe or pay her soldiers-pur-
suing eeaselessly her dog in the manger poli-
cy, the climax cannot be far distant. Who
will secure the prize when the fruit falls, as
fall 1t musta Shall England, France, Ger
many or Russiaa No one can with absolute
safety predict. If native sentiment was a
factor In the solution of the problem Eng
| land would not gain tho coveted land. For
some cause the people of Palestine would
prefer almost any other nation. Russia
| would be their choice If 1t were clearly ex.
pressed. However, the sentiment of mon
grel and semi-barbarous people will be Of
small significance when the clash of arms re-
sounds throughout the Orient, if not in Eu-
rope itself.
| On every hand the influence and work of
Russia can be distinctly traced. New Greek
churches are being completed within and
without the walls, besides extensive blocks
| of modern dwellings, stores and other struc-
| tures The famous and venerable ruin, the
Hospital of the Knights Of st. John, Russia
especially covets. It was presented to Ger
many by the Turkish government. "Name
your price and you shall have the sam, !"
says Russia. "We need it for our church;
you do not. 1t is near the Church of the
Holy Sepulchre, hence almost Indispensable
to u.s." Thus far the blandishments of Rus
sia bave been successfully resisted by the
again be required to cut the Gordian knot.
From Jaffa, after another ramble through
its contracted, camel thronged and donkey
crowded streets, we sail by French steamer
for Egypt. In the gray dawn of an oetober
morning we arrived at Port Said. It pre-
sents a quiet and modern appearance. The
| completion of the Suez canal to this point.
where the waters of the Red Sea and the
blue Mediterranean were united, gave it
some degree of prominence. English names
appear on the public signs, with larger
proportion in the Arabic and Greek lam
guage. Our stay is necessarily brief. EN-
barking on cookie shell of q steamer, we
sail down the famous canal to hmRilia,
where q grand dinner awaits us, besides an
Egyptian railway train to convey US to Cairo
Some conception Of the formidable char
acter of the work performed by De Lesseps
is formed "a we sail on for hours beneath ths
scorching rays of an African sun. Th'
width of the excavation varies from Ont
hundred and twenty to three hundred feet
repair and temporary anchorage of vessel
D on their way to distant lands.
I Hundreds of oamels driven by Arab dri
!, vers were busy at one point conveying load
Of sand in sacks on their backs to the top O.
a steep inclined plain, the object beinl
evidently to widen the canal for some leoa
purpose at that particular spot.
From the steamboat landing at Ismailia t
t the railway depot the roadway is lined witt
n the carob tree. It furnishes the "huaksn fe
to the swine, or pods somewhat resemblin
beans, coveted 30 eagerly by the prodigal so
b in his migrations from the paternal mansion
d Tradition also declares that John the Baptis
\ used it likewise as portion Of his frugs
menu. The tree affords abundant shade an
J at the time of our arrival was laden with th
9 long pods, presenting graceful picture
o Several members Of the party occurred spec