918 



SYRIA, OR EGYPTIAN ASIA. 



the scene of Jacob's dream, the traveler comes to JYaplous or jYapolose, near the site of the 

 ancient Samaria^ one of the most beautiful and flourishing cities of the Holy Land. It stands 

 in a fertile valley, surrounded by hills, and embosomed in stately groves and rich gardens. 

 Population, about 10,000. A small remnant of the Samaritans still worship on Mount Geri- 

 zim. Tabaria or Tiberias stands on the lake of that name, which was formerly bordered with 

 several large cities. The city was built by Herod the tetrarch, and became the seat of a cele- 

 brated Rabbinical university ; in tliis character its fame was so great, that the Jews account it 

 one of their 4 holy cities, and many of that jieople still reside here. Saphet, Jerusalem, and 

 Hebron, are the other 3 cities dignified with the same title. The country beyond Jordan, or 

 Hauran, partakes of the character of the Arabian desert ; but in the neighborhood of Mount 

 Gilead there are well-walered and fertile tracts ; under the l?oman sway it contained several 

 flourishing cities, among which was Philadelphia^ now Jlmnum-, mentioned in the history 

 of the aposties. 



.Indent Philadciphia, now Amman. 



G. Industry. The eastern part of the country extending to the Euphrates is a vast desert, 

 interspersed with some oases, or fertile and well-watered spots. But although the rest of the 

 country abounds in fertile valleys, and enjoys a mild and delightful climate, the tyranny and 

 lawless violence of man have blasted it, and ignorance, superstition, and barbarism now cover 

 the land long the abode of industry, arts, wealth, learning, and refinement. Agriculture, manufac- 

 tures, and commerce, discouraged by difficulties of communication, and insecurity of property, 

 are in a languishing condition. The natural advantages of this fine country have already been 

 described ; in contrast with these listen to the description of its actual condition by an eye- 

 witness. "Everywhere," says Volney, "I saw only tyranny and misery, robbery and devas- 

 tation ; I found daily on my route abandoned fields, deserted villages, cities in ruins. Frequent 

 ly I discovered antique monuments, remains of temples, of palaces, and of fortresses ; pillars, 

 aqueducts, and tombs ; this spectacle led my mind to meditate on past times, and excited in 

 my heart profound and serious thoughts. I recalled those ancient ages, when 20 famous nations 

 existed in these countries ; I painted to myself the Assyrian on the banks of the Tigris, the 

 Chaldean on the Euphrates, and the Persian reigning from the Indus to the INIediterranean. ] 



