402 THE HOLY LAND. 
cjiAV. amone- the number, from whose writuigi^ some 
IX 
. of these truths have been derived, continue to 
fill their descriptions with imaginary horrors ' 
and ideal phantoms, which, although less sub- 
stantial than the " black perpendicular rocks" 
around it, " cast their lengthened shadows 
over the waters of the Dead Sea^.'' The 
jintients, as it is observed by the traveller now 
alluded to^ were much better acquainted with 
it than are the Moderns : and, it may be added, 
the time is near at hand when it will be more 
philosophically examined * . The present age 
is not that in which countries so situate can 
(1) "a dismal sound proceeded from this lake of death, like the 
stifled clamours of the people engulpbed in its waters .'.'.'" [De Ckdtemi- 
briand's Travels, vol. I. p. 413. 
(2) Ibid. p. 407. (3) Ibid. p. 4l6. 
(4) The present state of Europe has driven many travellers towards 
this part of Asia, gifted with every qualification requisite for the 
undertaking. Those who shall first make us acquainted with the 
natural history and jjroductions of this extraordinary and unfrequented 
region, will be amply rewarded for their enterprise. Such travellers 
will of course have learned to deride the idle rumours circulated 
concerning the country. Even the danger to be apprehended front 
the j4rahs, may, with proper precaution, be avoided. While this is 
writing, labourers are in the vineyard, and the harvest is begun. 
A Seetzen and a Burckhardt have explored the country*, and they 
will not return without due proofs of their industry. But let us also 
hope that some of our own countrymen, from the number of those 
now travelling in the East, will contribute their portion towards the 
illustration of regions so little known to the geographer and the 
philosopher. 
* See pp. 219, Note (5); 250, Note; 362, Note. 
