CAPITAL OF THE CRIMEA. 
189 
inspire holy meditation. It is a beautiful grove, 
filling a chasm of the mountains, which is ren- 
dered gloomy by the shade of lofty trees and 
overhanging rocks. A winding path conducts 
through this solemn scene. Several tombs of 
white marble present a fine contrast to the deep 
green of the foliage ; and female figures, in 
white veils, are constantly seen offering their 
pious lamentations over the graves. An evening 
or a morning visit to the sepulchres of then- 
departed friends constitutes, perhaps, all the 
exercise of the Jewish women, as they seldom 
leave their houses : in this respect, their cus- 
toms are similar to those of Tahtars and Turks 1 . 
If the belief which these nations entertain, that 
the souls of the dead hover about their earthly 
tabernacles, and hold communion with the 
living, were admitted by the followers of Christ, 
it would be difficult to direct the human mind 
to any duty more consolatory, or more sub- 
limely affecting. It is not possible to behold 
either Moslems or Jews so circumstanced, without 
feeling something very like a wish to share 
with them, at least, this article of their faith. 
CHAP. 
IV. 
(1) “ This little valley of Jehosaphat is so highly valued hy the Jews, 
that, whenever the anient Khans wished to extort from them a present, 
or to raise a voluntary contribution, it was sufficient to threaten them 
with the extirpation of those sacred trees, under the plausible pretence 
of wanting fuel or timber,” Pallas' ^Travels, vol. II. p, 35. 
