'( 15 1 > 
way, by the help of the Stars, which now bended mor^ 
to the North than formerly. As foon as it was light- 
enough to look about us, we found our felves in a wild 
open De(art, the Ground, in fome places, covered with 
a fort of Healii, and in others quite bare. Nor had we 
travelled long after the Sun was up, before, by the help 
of a rifing-Ground, we difcovered Arfoffa^ the Place 
whither we were tending, which gave us hopes we 
fliould quickly be there ; but having a dry tirefom Plain 
to traverft, and the hot Sun caufing our Mules a little 
to flacken their pace, 't;was after ten a clock before we 
reach'd it : And which was more vexatious ftill, finding 
no Water any where near, we were neceffitated to pro- 
ceed forward for the River Euphrates^ which we found 
four hours diftant from hence. Arfoffa^ or (as the Arah^ 
call it) Arfoffa Emir^ feems to be the Remains of a Mo-^ 
naftery, having no Town nor Village near it, and being 
one continued Pile of Building of an oblong figure^ 
ftretching long-ways Eafl: and Weft, and enclofing a 
very capacious Area : At a diftance ic makes a glittering 
fcew, being built of Gypfine St one ^ or Rock-Wng^glafi, 
refembling Alabafter, but not fb hard ; feveral Quarries 
of which we paft by in our way to it. When the Sun 
fliines upon it, it refleds the B^ams fo fl^rong, that theyr 
dazle the Eyes of the Spectators. Art or Accuracy ia 
the Workmaofliip we found none • and but very little 
Carved Work, and that mean enough;, nay, the very 
Cement they madeufe of, is but little better than Dirt : 
fothat it's no great wonder to fee it in Ruines, though it 
has npt the appearance of any great Antiquity. Round 
about were the little Appartments or Chambers for tha 
Monks, built Arch-wife, only one Story above ground y 
but underneath are feveral Cells or Vaults, larger thaa 
the Chambers, which perhaps might ferve for theis: 
Schools, or Working-houfes. In the midit of the Area 
Hand the Ruines of feveral Buildings, fome of which fecm 
to 
