FROM JERUSALEM TO BET1ILEHKM. 
373 
sink or float in it, according to the proportion of iheir gravity 
to the gravity of the water ;* that its vapours are not more 
insalubrious than those of any oilier lake ;j that innumerable 
Arabs people tiie neighbouring district notwithstanding all 
these facts are now well established, even the latest authors 
by whom it is mentioned, and one among the number, from 
whose writings some of these truths have been .derive*), con¬ 
tinue to Oil their descTiptions with imaginary horrors,§ and 
ideal phantoms,, which, though less substantial than the “black 
perpendicular rocks” around it, “ cast their lengthened sha¬ 
dows over the. waters of the Dead Sea.’’I] The ancients, as 
it is observed by the traveller now alluded 40,** 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 phi¬ 
losophically examined. rf The present age is not that in 
which countries so situated can long continue unexplored* 
The thirst of knowledge, and the love of travel, have attain¬ 
ed to such a pitch, that every portion of the globe will be 
ransacked for their .gratification. lodged, one of the advan¬ 
tages derived from the present perturbed state of nations is 
that of directing the observation of enlightened travellers to 
regions they probably would net otherwise have noticed. 
to dust; the skin only remaining entire,-and ofa beautiful colour. See Hasselqiiist’s 
Trav. p. 288. Lond * 176B. 
* De Chateaubriand’s Travels, vol. I. p. 416. Lond. 1811. This author gives (lb. 
p. 4112 ) the analysis of its waters, being the result of an experiment male in Lon¬ 
don, upon a bottle of it, brought home by Mr, Gordon. Its specific gravity is 1,211. 
It is perfectly -transparent, and contains the following substances, in the undehnefr- 
tioned proportions; 
Muriat of lime . ... . . h.920 
Magnesia ........ 10,24© 
Soda . . . . ... .... 10:360 
Sulphat of lime . „ ,. . ,054 
24,580 in 100. 
j“ The pestilential vapours said to issue from its bosom are reduced to a strong 
smell of sea-water, &c ” De Chateaubriand’s Travel's, vol - L p 416. Lend. 1811. 
£ Ibid. p. 417. 
§ “ A dismal sound proceeded from this lake of death, like the stilled clamoiirs 
•of the people enguiphed in its waters ! ! 1” Ibid. p. 413. 
|j Ibid. p. 407. 
. m ibid. p. 416. 
If The present state of Europe has driven many travellers toward this part of Asia, 
gifted with every endmvment'requisite for the undertaking. Tnose who shall first 
make us acquainted with the natural history and productions of inks extraordinary 
and unfrequented region, will be amply rewarded for their enterprise. Such travel¬ 
lers will of course have learned to derideAhe idle rumours circulated concerning the 
country. Even the danger to be apprehended from the Arabs, may, with proper 
precaution,be avoided. While this is writing, labourers are in the vineyard, and. 
the harvest is begun. A Seetzen and a Durckhardt have explored the country, 
and they will not "return wit hout due proofs of their industry. But let us also trope 
that-some of our own countrymen, from the number of those now travelling in the 
ea>t,' will contribute their portion toward the illustration of regions so little known’ 
io Use geographer and thq philosopher. 
