Observations on Jerusalem. 19 
usually serene, the air mild and balmy, and the face of nature, 
after seasons of ordinary rain, still green and pleasant to the 
eye. Showers occur occasionally, but they are mild and re- 
freshing. On the 1st of May we experienced showers in the 
city ; and at the evening there was thunder and lightning 
(which are frequent in winter), with pleasant and reviving 
rain. The 6th of May was also remarkable for thunder, and 
for several showers, some of which were quite heavy. The 
rains of both these days extended far to the north, and over- 
took our missionary friends who were returning from Jerusa- 
lem to Beiriit; but the occurrence of rain so late in the sea- 
son was regarded as a very unusual circumstance. Morning 
mists, however, are occasionally seen at a later period. 
In ordinary seasons, from the cessation of the showers in 
spring until their commencement in October or November, 
rain never falls, and the sky is usually serene. If during the 
winter there has been a sufficiency of rain, the husbandman 
is certain of his crop ; and is also perfectly sure of fine weather 
for the ingathering of the harvest.* The high elevation of 
Jerusalem secures it the privilege of a pure atmosphere ; nor 
does the heat of summerever become oppressive, except during 
the occasional prevalence of the south wind, or Sirocco.t 
During our sojourn from April 14. to May 6., the thermometer 
ranged at sunrise from 44° to 64° F., and at two p.m. from 
60° to 79° F. This last degree of heat was felt during a Si- 
rocco, April 30. From the 10th to the 13th of June at Jeru- 
salem, we had at sunrise a range from 56° to 74°; and at two 
p. mu. once 86°, with a strong NW. wind. Yetthe air was fine, 
and the heat not burdensome. The nights are uniformly 
cool, often with a heavy dew; and our friends had never had 
occasion to dispense with a coverlet upon their beds during 
summer. Yet the total absence of rain soon destroys the ver- 
dure of the fields; and gives to the whole landscape the as- 
% © Snow in summer and rain in harvest” were things incomprehensible 
to a Hebrew ; Proy. xxvi: 1. Rain in wheat harvest occurred only by a mi- 
racle ; 1.Sam. xii. 17 ; compare Amos, iy. 7, and Jerome’s Commentary upon 
the passage. 
+ Luke, xii. 55. “And when ye see the south wind blow ye say, There 
will be heat; and it cometh to pass.” 
