362 THE HOLY LAND. 
CHAP, would any one despair of success, who should 
VIII. 
■ -,- ' be told that the genius of our Northern Minstrel, 
or the pencil of a W^est, was exercised in the 
undertaking. 
Lake As- The vicw of Jerusalem from this eminence is 
PHALTITES. 
from tast to west. Towards the south appears 
the Lake Asphaltites, a noble expanse of water, 
seeming to be within a short ride from the 
city; but the real distance is much greater; 
and the journey thither was at this time at- 
tended with such imminent danger from the 
Arabs, that it was no longer attempted '. Lofty 
mountains inclose it with prodigious grandeur, 
and resemble, by their position, the shores of 
the Lake of Geneva, opposite to Vevay and 
Appear- Lausamie. To the north of the lake are seen 
jadia. the verdant and fertile pastures of the Plain of 
(l) Mr. Seetzen, a most enterprising German traveller, who is now 
exploring the interior of Africa to the south of Abyssinia, has since 
succeeded in traversing the eastern borders of the Dead Sea. The in- 
trepid Burckhardt, communicating this intelligence to his friend the 
author, in a Letter from Syria, adds the following judicious remarks : 
It has become a conviction with me, that travels in these countries, if 
extended beyond the great caravan roads, admit only two modes to 
ensure the traveller's safety. He must either travel with a Pasha's retinue, 
to ensure his safety by an imposing appearance, and by never-ceasing 
presents ; or else he must throw himself, as an object of compassion, 
upon the mercy and good-natured disposition of the natives. Any half 
measures cannot fail to expose him to embarrassment and danger." 
