342 
but unfortunately it does not possess any river or stream, 
so that the inhabitants have no other water than that of 
wells and cisterns. 
There are many vestiges of ancient monuments to 
be seen in all these villages, and I presume that the 
great number of cisterns which exist, are of the same 
date. At every step are to be found fragments of cor- 
nices and other architectural ornaments, mingled with 
rough stones, which now serve for enclosures to the 
lands, as also fragments of columns, which are used to 
cover the wells. It is thus that the hand of time, always 
more powerful than the vain efforts of man, returns to 
nature that which art had raised up from it. 
Sunday, 27th September. 
I set out towards the west at half past five in the 
morning, and quitting the great plain about six, enter- 
ed a very fine cultivated valley. The hills on each side 
were crowned with olive trees. 
I had to traverse a difficult defile about seven o'clock, 
and after ascending and descending hills, entered at 
nine upon a wide valley, in which the town Armaria is 
situated. We halted an hour afterwards near a fountain 
at the side of a garden, the water of which is excellent. 
These mountains of barren rocks have exactly the same 
aspect as those of Jerusalem. 
Whilst we were at breakfast, six young girls pre- 
sented themselves in the inside of the inclosure of the 
garden. It might have been said that they were the 
chosen of the country, they were so very handsome* 
Their faces, angelically fair, were embellished by the 
finest eyes in the world. The hedge of thorns which 
separated them from us, appeared to render them more 
bold, for they uncovered and covered their faces at 
