CBLEBUATBD TREES. 173 



the village of Bescherai by a patli liewn in the rock, and 

 so deep that it seems inconceivable that men should hazard 

 themselves upon it. Many fatal accidents occur. A stone 

 thrown from the crest we were winding down would fall 

 on the roofs of these villages, which we did not, however, 

 reach iu less than an hour's continued descent. Above 

 the cascade and the snow immense fields of ice undulate 

 like vapours of alternate green and blue; and about a 

 mile to the left, in a sort of semicircular vale, formed by 

 the highest cliffs of Lebanon, we perceive a large black 

 spot on the snow; it is the renowned group of cedars. 

 They crown like a diadem the brow of the mountain, and 

 look down vipou the out-branchings of the numerous large 

 valleys which fall from it : the sea and the sky are their 

 horizon.^ ' These trees,' exclaims Lamartine, ' are the 

 most celebrated natural monuments in the universe. 

 Religion, poeti'y, and history, have equally consecrated 

 them.' fie follows with an eloquent passage, continuing, 

 later on ; — ' This is the only spot on the chain of Lebanon 

 where they grow, and here they take root far above the 

 region where all considerable vegetation ceases. . . . But 

 alas ! Bassan languishes, Carmel and the flowers of 

 Lebanon are fading. These trees are diminished every 

 age. Travellers formerly counted thirty or forty, after- 

 wards seventeen, and at a later date but twelve. There 

 are not more than seven, which, from their massiveness, 

 can be pronounced contemporaries of the biblical era. 

 Around these aged witnesses of times past — who know 

 the history of the earth better than history herself, who 



