SKETCHES OF PALESTINE. 361 



ses, and that of Asphaltites (the Dead Sea), which it forms by its 

 discharge, divides Palestine completely from north to south. In 

 the western division, between the Mediterranean and the lake of 

 Tiberias, lie the two Galilees. The plain of Esdraelon, which oc- 

 cupies the greater part of this tract, being two day's journey, or 

 nearly fifty miles in length and twenty in breadth, is described by 

 Dr. Clarke as one vast meadow, covered with the richest pasture. 

 This plain is enclosed on all sides by the mountains, and riot a 

 house or a tree is to be discovered in it. Jt is completely com- 

 manded by Acre, so that the possessor of that port is the lord of one 

 of the richest territories in the Holy Land. To the south of Galilee 

 lies the district of ancient Samaria, now chiefly included in the dis- 

 trict of Nablous: it is mountainous, but well cultivated, and forms 

 at present the most flourishing part of the Holy Land. Judea Pro- 

 per comprises the territory extending from the Dead Sea to the 

 Mediterranean, and is composed of a range of limestone hills, ris- 

 ing by stages from the level of the coast, and becoming more rug- 

 ged and rocky as you approach Jerusalem from Jafia. .Between 

 Jaffa and Gaza, westward of the mountains of Judea, lies the tract 

 distinguished as the plain of the Mediterranean Sea, the ancient ter- 

 ritory of the Philistines, including the rive cities of Gaza, Askelon, 

 Ashdod, Gath and Ekron. This district still bears the name of 

 Phalastin, and forms a separate pashalic : it may be distinguished as 

 Palestine Proper. 



JERUSALEM. 



The approach to Jerusalem from Jaffa is not the direction in 

 which to see the city to the best effect. Dr. Clarke entered it by the 

 Damascus gate, and he describes the view of Jerusalem, when first 

 descried from the summit of a hill, at about an hour's distance, as 

 most impressive. He confesses, at the same time, that there is no 

 other point of view in which it is seen to so much advantage, in 

 the celebrated prospect from the Mount of Olives, the city ties too 

 low, is too near the eye, and has too much the character ol a bird's- 

 eye view, with the formality of a topographical plan. ' We had not 

 been prepared,' says this lively traveller, * tor the grandeur of the 

 spectacle which the city alone exhibited. Instead of a wretched 

 and ruined town, by some described as the desolated remnant of 

 Jerusalem, we beheld, as it were, a flourising and stately metropolis, 

 presenting a magnificent assemblage of domes, towers, palaces, 

 churches, and monasteries ; all of which glittering in the suu's rays, 

 shone with inconceivable splendor. As we drew nearer, our whole 

 attention was engrossed by its noble and interesting appearance. 

 The lofty hills surrounding it, give the city itself an appearance of 

 elevation less than it really has.' Dr. Clarke was loitunate in 

 catching this first view of Jerusalem under the illusion of a brilliant 

 evening sunshine ; but his description is decidedly overcharged. 

 M. Chateaubriand, Mr. Buckingham, Mr. Brown, Mr. Jollitte, Sir 

 32 



