SUIHS OF BALBEC. 
to the tradition of the nativesj by Solomon. 
'' >, *5 as follows. 
531 
His 
St distant from Damascus, towards the north, 
Kffj "y miles, and on the southern side is watered by 
;Ses ‘■ivulets, brought thither, no doubt, to fill the 
k it was to have been surrounded for defence, 
Nf ' , not completed. It is situated on thelofty sum- 
r.‘lia approaching which die fa9ade of the castle is 
JticQ two towers at its angles, between which is a great 
11 ^ Ve ’^‘^’^'tibling the mouth of a vast cave, and provided 
k ®^tong walls. That on the right hand, by which 
'Co is attached to the tower, from the west to the 
Composed of four stones only, the fifth, which was 
'\li '^“tnpleted the fabric, being deficient. The length 
Jt stones is not less than sixty-two feet, and 
V*Slit t and height thirteen. They are so artfully 
,,'*niy *°gcther, without any cement, that they appear to 
solid block. The remainder of the wall to the 
f stones, well cemented with quick lime, the 
*«^‘ght ® length, and 4 feet 6 inches 
• there are many which are upwards of 15 
). gth, but the height of all of them is the same. 
I^lluj, ‘tig entered the cavern by the grand portico, the 
A In obscurity to the distance of eighteen 
tbg h® at length perceives a ray of light proceeding 
pP®ttnre of the door which conducts to the centre, 
the sides, and within this grand portico, is a flight 
which leads to the subterraneous prisons, 
ar^^'^t is horrid, and tliey are dangerous, inasmuch as 
C I’® frequented by banditties of robbers, who 
V'*®titl*^*^l wretched travellers as are 
; vjlt, l^y tlieir curiosity to penetrate, and risk the 
by t| being well escorted. Following the road 
V “f a cavern, to the extent of fifty paces, an ample 
* .“Plicricai figure presents itself, surrounded by 
tj.'^tefv p 'tins of granite, some of them of a single piece. 
■ -Ml 
formed’ 
s'tri •* hi 
tliSn 
of two pieces, the whole of them of so 
^ ision, that two men can with difficulty girt 
j^y ^re of the Ionic order of architecture, and ;*re 
of flic same stone, at such distances from 
% jjj a coach and six might commodiously turn 
They support a fl^t tower or roof, which 
