150 EARL DE GREY'S ADDRESS. [May 28, 1860. 



for tho skill they have evinced in producing this fine specimen of 

 topography. 



On the coast of Syria Commander Mansell, in H. M. S. Firefly, 

 with his assistants Lieutenant Brooker and Messrs. Skead and 

 Millard, have completed the drawings of the Gulf of Iskanderiin, 

 and made plans of Ay as, Latakiyah, and Beirut, all of which are in 

 the hands of the engraver and the plans about to be published. 

 While on the subject of Syria and Palestine, a country in which all 

 must feel a special interest, I trust that I shall not be considered 

 tedious if I say a few words as to the opportunity afforded by the 

 naiitical survey of the coasts now proceeding under the orders of 

 the Admiralty for correcting the topography of the interior, for 

 fixing the position of some of the most remarkable places, for mea- 

 suring the heights of some of the principal mountains, and for the 

 identification of places of Scripture interest. 



How, too, is that admirable work the 'Dictionary of the Bible' 

 (the first volume of which, ably edited by Dr. Smith, has recently 

 appeared) to be completed, unless we, as geographers, contribute 

 our share towards its perfection ? 



Many of our countrymen annually visit the Holy Land, and have 

 a vague impression that there are numerous points of interest to 

 clear up, but the very number appals them, and they do little or 

 nothing. But if one or two special points were placed before them, 

 according to the part of the coast they might start from, it is not 

 improbable that they would fix their attention on those points and 

 aid materially towards clearing away the difficulties that may attach 

 to them. 



The subject appears to divide itself into the following heads : — 



1. The accurate determination of the position of important 



cities, mountains, &c. 



2. The production of exact topographical plans of places of 

 interest. 



3. The identification of sites with Biblical history. 



4. The examination of sites with reference to some special 

 object, as the deciding between two conflicting traditions. 



5. Points connected with the manners and customs of the natives 

 which would elucidate Bible history. 



6. Natural productions of any special parts of the Holy Land 

 which would illustrate Biblical description. 



