The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-03-29

scarcely required ~pavements. The streets anC
markets had names attached 10 them which
we're generally derived from the shops Of
bazaars within. In Cesarea the sewerage wal
well attended to. and generally nothing thai
could contribute TO comfort or ornament wal
neglected. The supply OF water was derived
either from apueducts. from wells, or fountains
or. most commonly. from %cisterns. A Who'll,
treatise Of the Aiislna deals with municipal
regulations. From these we learn. at least,
what was the theory OF tho Rabbins on
the subject. In tho towns watchmen
were supposed to patrol the streets n,
night. Nevertheless, tho darkness Of tho
streets at night, though comparatively but
little felt where engagements began and ended
with the daylight, rendered 1t unsafe to 20
abroad after sunset, especially If the police
regulations were not strictly enforced. In
general, however. these regulations were strict,
and provided for all possible emergencies. The
larger houses were often occupied by more than
one family. and, still more frequently. two or
more smaller dwellings opened into a common
court. House watchers, like the porters in most
Continental cities, looked after the safety and
attended to the general wants Of such houses.
To obviate occasions of dispute, noighbors
were prevented from opening windows which
looked into the courts or rooms OF others.
Attention was likewise paid to the appear
ance of tho streets, aud proprletors were not
allowed to build beyond the line or to make
any projection on their houses. Not only were
tho inhabitants OF towns guarded from intru-
sion or Inconvenience, but sanitary regulations.
which even outstrip in som respects those OF
our contemporary cities, protected them from
the carelessness. selfshness. or folly of their
fellow citizens. Thus, a certain space had to
intervene between the dwelling OF n neighbor
and what could occasion annoyance to him
while cemeteries, tanneries. and similar places
which might endanger the health or affect the
comfort of the citizens. had to be removed
to a considerable distance from the towns. SO
careful in this matter were the authorities that
bakers or dyers' shops. stables. &c. were not
tolerated under the dwelling of another person.
As to the civic authorities by whom such regu-
lations were enforced. IL Is to be noted that In
those parts of Palestine. where there was a moro
or less influential Gentle population. tho con-
%stitution OF tho towns varied considerably. In
the strictly Jewish territory all civil business
was doubtless in the hands Of the local college
of elders. The position Of these latter authori-
ties must have been greatly affected by tho two
Jewish %revolts; but, even after the total loss Of
national independence. the Jews were. for the
most part, allowed to decide questions of civil
law among themselves. while their courts some
times usurped criminal Jurisdiction also.
The town houses OF Palestine varied IN extent
and splendor with the circumstances of their in
habitants, from the humble cottage to the larger
of the patricians. Tho walls were
built of bricks, OF half bricks. OF dressed and
undressed stones, and oven OF white marble, or
large hewn stones. These stones were cemcnted
together with mortar, gypsum, and even as
phalt. Sometimes they were. besides, riveted
together with iron or lead. but in such a manner
n, . - J.. tn mr. .u~lI.
q kind of whitewash. and palaces were
painted in delicate colors. The woodwork was
generally of sycamor tthe most
common tree in Palestine). sometimes of olive
and almond trees, now and then even Of cedar.
and adorned or inlaid with ivory or gold. Richer
were distinguished by rows of pillars
and other architectural ornaments. The houses
of the better classes consisted generally OF two
or more stories. to which a stair. often costly.
conducted from the outside. From tho various
uses made OF the court, which also served as a
kind Of antechamber to visitors. 1t is clear that
1t was a most important part OF the building. 1t
varied in size with tho circumstances of the ten
ant. being sometimes divided into an outer and
inner court: ut other times It was shared by sew
eral tenants. The inner court, whence the porter
opened to callers on their names being men
often led into a large and splendid recep-
room, from which other apartments led to
The interior of the house. The upper rooms were
not used for common purposes; inner rooms
we're inhabited chiefly in winter. The apart
were often richly decorated. sometimes
or covered with pictures. The reception
room and inner court properly formed together
but one apartment. 1t appears that the inner
court was paved. was surrounded by galleries..
and sometimes had fountains and baths. Tho
although ostensibly fiat, were, In fact.
~-,a - . l~.t- a. -tl-u. ~ --t
into the channels and ciaterns. paved with
'tones or with earth beaten hard, and surrounded
by q protecting balustrade. When great pri-
Vacy was sought. as in prayer, the roof was
lsed. especially when upper rooms were
and. in tho cool OF the even
ng. the roof was the place of chief
'esort. 1t was also employed for domestic
such as drying fruits. &c. The floors
II the rooms were OF gypsum. and even of
the doors were sometimes OF stone, but
more frequently of wood, and moved on hinges
ct into sockets above and below. They were
barred by wooden bolts. which could be with
by check keys from the outside. The din
ng apartment was very spacious. and was often
Employed for assemblies. Instead OF glass panes
he windows had ~gratings or lattices. They
Mostly looked into the streets. and wero distin-
:uished as Tyrian windows. probably large. or
egyptian, which are supposed to have been
mall. sometimes only two feet square. In the
houses of the wealthy the window frames were
as In general was their furniture; the
ables, couches, chairs. lamps, candlesticks, &C..
we're exceedingly costly. Among other articles
luxury may be mentioned soft cushions. des-
ined to be placed under the head or arms.
The different cities of Palestine were con-