MEMOIR OF BURCKHARDT. 59 



thus forming a concert which it is difficult for any 

 but a zealous Hebrew to hear with gravity." 



Not far from the town there are hot-baths, much 

 resorted to from all parts of Syria, being reckoned 

 very efficacious for rheumatism and constitutional 

 debility. The water of the lake rises, during the 

 rainy season, three or four feet above its ordinary 

 level ; owing, perhaps, to the great number of win- 

 ter torrents which empty themselves into it. It was 

 around its borders, or upon its surface, that many 

 miracles of the Messiah were wrought ; the fishery, 

 which afforded the means of livelihood to several of 

 the Apostles, is now totally neglected, and can 

 scarcely yield employment for a single boat. 



A few hours' journey to the westward of the 

 town is Mount Tor, or Tabor, the scene of the trans- 

 figuration ; although the exact spot is disputed be- 

 tween the Greek and Latin Christians, who have 

 each their own chapel, wherein the sacred event is 

 commemorated. It is nearly insulated, of a conical 

 shape, and overtops all the neighbouring summits. 

 The top is flat and of considerable circuit, the sides, 

 except towards the south, are covered with a forest 

 of oak and wild pistachio trees. The view from the 

 hill is exceedingly beautiful, and has been admired 

 by all travellers. On one side the expanse of the 

 Mediterranean is seen in the distance; nearer are 

 Carmel, the mountains of Gilboa, and Nazareth, the 

 hills of Samaria on the south ; the sea of Tiberias 

 on the east, the mount of Beatitude towards the 

 north, and farther in the same direction, Mount 



