Smyrna times., 1895-04-10

to the several beliefs.
On ascending some steps near here,
to get glimpse of the Mt. of Olives
from the city wall, we notice protrud-
ing section of column built into the
wall, horizontally. This column can
be seen also from the outside; and to
it, according to Mohommedan tradition
rope fine and slender like hair of
steel wire, will be fastened at the last
day, stretching over the valley of
Jehoshapat from the Mt. of Olives. On
this weak bridge, the souls of the good
from the tombs or the side of the
mount will cross over safely to enter
paradise. We passed out through St.
Stephens gate, passing by the Golden
Gate Ia walled up gate which they say
will be opened for Christ to enter Jeru-
salemn on his final Visitation), and
selected our donkeys or horses for the
ascent of the Mount of Olives.
The Mount presents very pretty
sight from the city. We descended into
the valley of Jehoshaphat and then be-
gan our climb upward. 1t is hard
hours climb, having the camera with
me could not ride so had to walk all the
way. 1 was amply repaid however, on
my arrival at the summit. A beauti.
ful panorama opened before US. Look
ing toward the city is very pretty, but
not to be compared to the scene on the
opposite side. Looking eastward we
see the broad valley of the Jordan; the
river itself nearly hid under its skirting
woods, the grand scene being bounded
on this side by the Mountains of Moab,
which change color with every passing
cloup and then melt into a steelish
gray. At their feet, cleaning here and
there between the intervening noun.
tain tops, the clear blue water of the
Dead Sea can be seen. Toward the
south we can see Bethlehem.
On our descent we crossed over the
little ridge that separates the Mount o.
Olives and the Mt. of Zion, and ther
we went down in the garden of Geth
semane. 1t is now enclosed in high
ugly walls, and kept in a formal man
ner. The Tree of Agony is the princi
pal object of interest. The Roman
Catholics have the largest part of thi!
garden under their control. Further
on in our descent we noticed peculiar
structure and were informed that i
was the pillar of Absalom. This monu
ment is based on a cube, about twent,
feet high, hewn out of the rock, having
hewn passage eight or nine feet wild
dividing it from the surroun ling cliff
A square superstructure of large stone
rests upon this solid foundation, an
above that is low circular tower, car
! ped with a curiously shaped spir,
which curves to blunt end, instead {
tapering to point in right lines; tn
) whole height of the monument bein
about fifty feet. In memory of Al
salom's disobedience to his fathe
! David, 1t is customary with the Jew
) to pelt his monument with stones 9
f they pass it; in consequence of whic
i. there is roughly circular hole in th
8 side against the pathway. We wake
down in the valley and around the cit
, to Yafa gate. We made direct for th
| hotel where a hearty dinner awaite
Q US.
About 1.30 p. m, we all embarked i
8 carriages for Bethlehem. The roa
r leading to Bethlehem is very pretty ir
5 deed. The first object of interest o
5 our way was Rachel's tomb. 1t is
5 small tomb and is nearly in the cente
of the field of peas. A little farther o
= and we enter Bethlehem.
The streets are very crooked an
dirty. We alight at the Church of th
Nativity. This great complex Churc
" Which covers the cave-stable in whic
Jesus was born and cradled, forms, wit
the three mOnasteries, all under th
same roof; a solid fortress like edific,
and has survived many vicissitudes, il
Guiding several seiges. 1t is regarde
as the very oldest specimen of Chri
tian architecture extant. The hig
3 privilege of guardianship is divided, {
equally as may be, among the religion
bodies of Greeks, Armenians and La
7 ins. We notice two or three Turks
r soldiers apparently doing sentry dut
), over one of the altars. On inquirin
what it was for, we learn that it is fl
: the purpose of peace amongst the di
ferent factions, The question as
/ which party should regulate the opeI
' ing and shutting of q door, has con
q near plunging the whole of Europe
;, war. 1t is stated, on good authorit
!, that the Crimean war, really originate
9 in some such miserable squabble amor
i the Christian guardians of the brit
t place of Christianity.
Q We pass several busts and descer
u in.o the Chapel of Nativity. Fiftet
y golden lamps perpetually illumine tn
place. The aoor is rich marble and q
ls overhead and on the sides of the rock
u grotte there is rich tapestry, After lea
. ing the chapel, we all went to some {
. the curio stores and bought some trii
! ing memento from Bethlehem. "
'' again entered the carriages and dro'
. back to the hotel. We all retire
2 early. March 10th, Wednesday. lie
q Jerusalem about SIG and arrived G
2 board about l.30 p. m.
> Those who never read the advertis
y ments in their newspapers miss mo
% than they presume. Jonathan KenisC