JERASH. 25 



begun to fall. After an early lunch we set out to explore 

 tlie ruins, which, are fully described by Mr. Tristram, and 

 in Murray's ' Handbook to Syria.' We went first to the 

 magnificent Temple of the Sun, the remaining columns of 

 which, standing on elevated ground facing the east, are 

 conspicuous in all distant views of the city. Near them, 

 in the side of the hill, is the largest theatre. Returnmg 

 to the great street, we stopped to admire the exquisite 

 carving of a richly-decorated gateway, and then proceeded 

 to the ' Forum,' an oval space surrounded with columns. 

 On the brow above it, near the southern gate of the city, 

 stand another temple and theatre. The latter is wonder- 

 fully little injured by time ; the stage is ahnost perfect, 

 and very tastefully decorated. When will some photo- 

 grapher carry his camera across the Jordan, and reap 

 the rich, and as yet almost untouched, field which 

 awaits him amidst the ruins of Amman, Jerash, and 

 the Hauran ? 



Outside the town, on the top of the ascent from the 

 Jabbok valley, stands a fine though florid triumphal arch, 

 between which and the city is a circus. We went do\\Ti 

 to the banks of the brook in search of game, and then, 

 retracing our steps, found a pretty waterfall, and the 

 remauis of an ancient mill. Having re-entered the town, 

 we crossed to the eastern quarter by a fine bridge of three 

 arches, and explored its comparatively unimportant ruins. 



In the course of the evening we had a visitor. We 

 were engaged in a rubber of whist, when Elias came in 

 and announced that the Sheikh of a neighbouring village 

 requested the honour of an interview. We enquired his 

 name, and simultaneously burst out laughing when told it 

 was the Sheikh of Suf, of whose iniquities we had been 

 reading Mr. Tristram's account not ten minutes before. 

 We declined to see him, but agreed to look over his testi- 



