haps those of a serious frame of mind, may be surprised at the strong language I find myself impelled, almost irresistibly, to employ, in order to convey an idea of those delightful sensations experienced in surveying places connected with those objects and events which must ever be regarded by believers, as the most grand and interesting. To guard, however, against misapprehension, I take the liberty to remark, that I wish not to lose sight of considerations adapted to check presumption on the one hand, and to prevent the wildness of superstition on the other. Those delightful feelings, which occupied my mind in the situations referred to, I do by no means hold inseparably connected with the view of such places: there, indeed, arises a natural connection, from what is called, the association of ideas; but it must be remembered, to the disgrace and humiliation of human nature, that many have been witnesses, not only of the country, but of the great and Divine appearances and transactions referred to, under no feelings at all, but those of deplorable stupidity and wickedness.

I hope, however, that I may be permitted, without the charge of arrogance and vanity, to acknowledge it as a favour on the part of Divine Providence, not unaccompanied, I trust, with the influence of grace, that I was elevated in

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the manner I have narrated, while passing over this sacred ground. It is still farther to be considered, that those christians who have never set their eyes on this sacred spot of the earth, though it is, at present, by the righteous judgment of God, fearfully laid waste, may, by the lively exercise of faith, connected with the word and institutions of the Gospel, rise to the most exalted and powerful views of the glorious objects of their confidence, and sources of supreme delight, and thus experience the fulfilment of those expressions of the true and faithful witness, "Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

I mounted the mule, and proceeding with my little cavalcade, gazing stedfastly on the city and surrounding country, entered Jerusalem at one of the great gates, named the port of Damascus, but no exactions, as anticipated, were made; and I was conducted by my guide to the convent of Franciscans, repeating an expression of Scripture which had occurred at the moment of alighting from my mule. * A huge door, formed partly of wood and iron, was opened, and instantly shut on my dismounting, when I was kindly received by the friars in a body, who conducted me to a narrow cell, in a long gallery,

*Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O! Jerusalem." Psalm cxxii. 2.

with a window, consisting of four panes of glass, and without a chimney, where I found only an antiquated table and chair, with the frame of a bed, on which I threw my couch, and, almost worn out with the labours of the day, enjoyed a comfortable repose during night.

Next morning I was waited upon by several of the friars, to convey the congratulations of the Grand Superior of the convent, as he was called, on my arrival, when they offered to render me any assistance; and I shewed them the letter I had received from Rome, to which the highest possible respect was paid, and taken to the Superior for his perusal. The Dragoman and Janissary, with a guide, afterwards entered, offering their services, explaining the objects to be pointed out, and addressing me sometimes by the title of "Your Highness," at another, " My Lord Cavalier," and often by "Your Excellency." By the officiousness of one old brother, I was particularly annoyed, who remained constantly sitting in my apartment tendering his services, putting a thousand questions; and it was with extreme difficulty I could secure a quiet moment, to write down a few notes of my journey from Joppa to the city.

SKETCH. FRANCISCAN CONVENT. WALK ROUND THE WALLS OF THE CITY. — VISIT TO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES. SHAPE OF THE FOOT OF CHRIST ON ITS SUMMIT.— GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. OTHER SACRED PLACES.

THE whole of Palestine, in general, may be considered as a rocky country. This fact appears to be strongly confirmed by revelation; since we find that Moses, in travelling through the wilderness, called upon the children of Israel to mark the contrast between the low or flat country they had abandoned, and that on which they were then about to enter. *

The description of Jerusalem, which God himself had so specially set apart for his seat, has been so much exhausted by travellers, that it may be almost considered presumption, on my part, to offer one syllable respecting it.

Though long stripped of all its antient beauty, it is still a considerable city, and the capital of Palestine. It is situated on a rocky eminence,

"For the land thou goest in to possess it, is not as the land of Egypt, from whence ye came out, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot, as a garden of herbs. But the land whither ye go to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, and drinketh water of the rain of heaven." Deut. xi. 10, 11.