NARRATIVE OF A JOURNEY THROUGH SYRIA AND PALESTINE IN 1851 AND 1852 BY C. W. M. VAN DE VELDE LATE LIEUTENANT DUTCH R.N., CHEVALIER OF THE LEGION OF HONOUR. TRANSLATED UNDER THE AUTHOR'S SUPERINTENDENCE. IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. II. We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS M.DCCC.LIV. CONTENTS OF VOLUME II. TOUR TO THE DEAD SEA, AND THROUGH THE Unexpected help.-The way to Bethlehem.-Convent of Elijah.-Beit- douïns of a Hostile Tribe.-Ruins in this Region.-Ramath.-Lehi.— Beit-Jebrîn (Eleuthropolis).-Antiquities.-Discoveries of Dr Smith and Dr Robinson.-Journey to 'Akir (Ekron).-Hadj-Tahir.-Kudna.— Deir-Dubbâ'n: Great Cavern with Inscriptions (Adullam).—Tell-es- Safieh.-View of the Sephala.-Villages between Tell-es-Safieh and 'Akir.-Moslem hospitality and other virtues.-The Principles of the Doctrine of Mohammed compared with those of the Doctrine of Jesus Christ. Thoughts upon the neglect of Preaching the Gospel among the Turks.-Ekron: Ancient Wells; Clay Houses.-The Idols of the Philistines a snare unto Israïl and a destruction to themselves.—Ful- filled Prophecies.-Road to Esdûd (Ashdod).—Picturesque situation of this village.-Extraordinary heat; a Sirocco; Illness in consequence of the fatigue of my journey.-Present state of the Philistian Plain.— Difference between the Judgments upon Israïl and those upon the Philistines. Villages of Hamameh, Medjdel (Migdal-Gad), and Ascalon (Askelân).-Ruins.-Travel on as far as Gaza.-The Governor of Gaza.-Remains of Gerar.-El-Montar (Samson's Hill).-Recollections of Samson.-Gaza's Harbour.—Importance of Gaza.—Return to Jeru- salem.—Lachis, Eglon, and other Ancient Sites.-Forced by illness to take refuge in a Bedouïn Camp.-Hospitality and kindness of these Bedouïns.-Back at Beit-Jebrîn.-Lose our way.-Tell-and Kefr- The last acts of the Pilgrims.-Change of travelling attendants.--The |