268 THE HOLY LAND. 
CHAP. There is nothino- in the Hohi Land liner than 
VI. ^ -^ 
V— , ' the view of Napohse, from the heights around 
suu^o/the it. As the traveller descends towards it from 
Country. ^^^ J^.^g^ -^ appcars luxuriantly em.bosomed 
in the most delightful and fragrant bowers ; 
half concealed by rich gardens, and by stately 
trees collected into groves, all around the bold 
and beautiful valley in which it stands. Trade 
seems to flourish among its inhabitants. Their 
principal employment is in making soap ; but 
the manufactures of the town supply a very 
widely-extended neighbourhood, and they are 
carried to a great distance, upon camels. In 
tlie morning after our arrival, we met caravans 
detail concerning the diet and accommodations of travellers upon 
their journey. For a similar reason, a few words may be allowed 
concerning the water-melons of Nopolose ; because, although the name 
of that species of fruit be familiar, nothing can be more rare than 
the fruit itself in a state of perfection. Water -melons are found upon 
most of the shores of the M^diierranean ; but no one can be said to 
know any thing of their excellence, who has not tasted them in the 
Holi/ Land. Those of Napolose and of Jaffa attain a degree of 
maturity and flavour so extraordinary, that the water-melons of Egypt, 
Cyprus, Rhode.i, of /4sia Minor, Greece, Italy, and Sicily, do not 
appear to be the same sort of fruit. Something, as yet unnoticed 
in the nature of the soil, is necessary for the favourable growth of 
this plant ; for it is evidently not owing to peculiarity of latitude. Its 
medical property, as a febrifuge, has only been admitted of late 
years. The physicians of Naples have used its fruit with success, 
even in dangerous cases ; but perhaps that which might afford a 
cure in one climate, would, from the diffipient quality of the fruit 
itself, be deleterious in another. 
