convent, and our fare precisely the same as that of the friars themselves. On meat-days it is tolerable, but this being a day of abstinence, (Saturday) and the weather being too warm to admit of fish being sent from the coast, we were reduced to eat salted tunny. If such humble fare should not suit the epicurean palates of some travellers less inured than ourselves, it may be well to apprize them of a fact (which we became acquainted with 'too late), viz. that strangers are allowed the faculty of cooking in their own apartments, and good materials are always at hand, and in great abundance. The white wine given to strangers is execrable; it has a sulphureous taste, and it is besides very strong. Travellers who have it in their power, would do well to come provided with a little French brandy; when largely diluted with water, it is deemed a wholesome beverage in hot countries; giving a stimulus to the stomach, and consequently vigour to the whole frame, which is often debilitated by too copious perspiration. The great kitchen of the establishment, where meals are prepared for so many internes and externes (the poor come in for their daily share), is well worth seeing. Contrary to our ex

pectations, we found the cooks and their utensils remarkably clean.

The winter evenings spent in Jerusalem must necessarily be very dull, from the total absence of any thing like society within its walls. At this fine season of the year, we are enabled, on returning from our afternoon walk, to sit out upon the terrace, over our apartment, which commands a view of the whole town. Sometimes we are visited by the Superiors of the convent. The Secretary, Padre Augustino,* is very conversational, and free from the prejudices of his class. He lately made a trip to Paris, on an eleemosynary tour, but without much success. He says that the French government are quite willing to continue their nominal protection to the Terra Santa convents, but are little disposed to assist them with money, which they stand so much in need of, being only supported by voluntary contributions.

CHAPTER VIII.

Topography of Jerusalem concluded-Brook Kedron Garden of Gethsemane-Tomb of the Blessed VirginMount of Olives-Panoramic View of the City-Church of the Ascension-Valley of Jehosaphat - Tombs of the Modern Jews-Tombs of the Patriarchs - Mount of Offence-Village of Siloam-Pool of Siloam-A Night spent in the Holy Sepulchre-Chamber of Antiquities.

AUG. 22.-Going out of the eastern gate, which is that of St. Stephen's, anciently called the "Gate of Flocks," we descended by a rapid and rugged path to the brook Kedron.* At this moment it is waterless, but in winter after snows and heavy rains, it would appear from its wide stony bed, to be a mischievous torrent. It is crossed by a bridge of one

Sometimes written Cedron, a Hebrew word, signifying "darkness, or sorrow."

arch, leading to the garden of Gethsemane,* an appellation still given to a small plantation of olive trees occupying the flat space which intervenes between the brook and the Mount of Olives, and hedged round with a dry stone fence. The trees here spoken of are about seven or eight in number, and have a very venerable appearance. The soil between them is bare, without flower, vegetable, or verdure of any kind growing on it. A footpath intersects the space in an oblique direction. It is walled off from the rest, and looked upon as ac cursed, being that, it is said, in which Judas walked, when he betrayed his Divine Master with a kiss. At the upper end of the garden is a naked ledge of rocks, where Peter, James, and John slept. The exact limits of this, the most interesting and hallowed of all gardens, are not known, nor is it necessary to know them, but as we read that "Christ went forth with his disciples over the book Kedron, where there was a garden" (John xviii. 1,) and that this garden was on the "Mount of Olives," we felt satisfied that we stood on ground, whereon the Saviour