The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-26

found ON my late trip through Palestine
L came upon in a most out of the way
place. Deep down in the narrow chasm
hundred miles southeast of Jerusalem
we came upon these ancient buildings
most of which were carved out of the SOL
id rock. The first important building of
this sort which we came upon was what
the natives called Khasneh Pharaun, Pha-
raoh's treasure-house. 1t is cut out of the
solid rock. The facade is of a lovely ro-
seate tint. 1t consists of two stories.
Five of the six columns which were in
front of the porch are still standing.
Description of Treasure House,
Entering the porch we found three
doors. Those on the right and left hand lead
to two chambers. The middle one leads
on three sides of which are again doors
leading to three smaller chambers. These
are unadorned, except by the natural color
of the rock which displays a variety of
the most delicate tints. The top story is
solid. 1t consists of what may be called
three towers. The center one is round
and terminates in a dome surrounded by
a stone urn, which the natives believe
contains Pharaoh's treasures, hence the
name, Pharaoh's treasure house. On the
three towers and between them are beau
tiful sculptures, represe nting winged fe-
male figures. The whole space in front of
the treasure house is covered with oleander
bushes. Turning to the right and fol-
lowing the valley we passed a number of
cave dwellings of various shapes and
sizes. Right opposite these Is the amphi-
theater, which is hewn out of the solid
rock. Thirty-three rows of seats rise one
above another.
Following the valley, which now turns
to the northwest, and passing several ruins
of what must have been temples, we came
to the remains of a triumphal arch. Close
to this is a large building, which the Be
douns call Kasr Phar-aun, Pharaoh's paI-
ace. The walls on three sides are nearly
entire. Near this again are the remains
of a church and the ruins of a castle.
Leaving our horses with the soldiers ard
sheiks, and taking the two villagers, who
accompanied us TO carry the camera, we
assembled a ravine to the northwest. The
rocks here are of variegated colors pur-
pie, black, red, shading off into each other.
AT several places we came to steps cut in
the rock. After half an hours climb
ing and scrambling we reached the top.
Here we found large open space or plat
form, surrounded by high rocks.
Facing the southwest and cut out OF
the solid limestone rock is a large temple
called the DER, or monastery 1t is much
| though not nearly so magnificent as the
Pharaoh treasure house with regard to
coloring and design. II is ISL feet long
by 142 feet high. The facade is ornamented
with columns and inches, but no figures
whatever. There may at one time have
been images or statutes in the inches
but these have entirely disappeared.
On top of the dome, over the middle
niche, Is an urn like the one surrounding
Pharaoh's treasure house. The interior
consists of one large room, 36 feet inches
by 80 feet inches. AT the north end is a
recess for an altar, with two steps on Ell
Their side leading up to it. 1t is IA feet
| wide by feet deep, and is raised four feet
above the level of the floor. We noticed
two holes in each side of the recess in the
angles of the walls above the steps, such
as are made to tie animals to. 1t is posi-
BILE that these were used to secure the ami
mails brought for sacrifice. The doorway
| is 30 feet high and II feet wide