various shrubs, but no where so thickly as to afford much shade.

In the centre of the enclosure is the far-famed Mosque of Omar, so designated from its having been commenced by the great caliph of that name, though finished by his successors.* In form, it is a regular octagon, surmounted by a spherical dome, and crowned with a glittering crescent. It stands upon an elevated platform §, ascended by half a dozen broad and easy steps, and is entered by four spacious doors, facing the cardinal points. Each of these entrances have a porch of light timber work, excepting that on the north, which has a fine portico supported by eight Corinthian pillars of marble. The four plain sides have each seven windows, the four sides of entrance have only five. They are of stained glass. Each face is panelled, the sides of the panels forming plain pilasters at

Its diameter is said to be seventy feet. Its total height ninety.

S The inner inclosure, to which the word Stoa has been applied, is four hundred and fifty feet in length, from north to south, three hundred and ninety-nine from east to west, and sixteen above the lower one.

the angles. The lower part of the exterior walls is faced with white and blue marble, but the area within is entirely paved with white marble. The upper part and frize is ornamented with small glazed tiles of various colours, blue prevailing * amongst which Arabic characters-texts from the Koran-are eminently conspicuous, forming a singular and beautiful mosaick. The roof, which rises gently towards the perpendicular part under the dome, is covered with lead. The sides of its perpendicular parts are faced up with coloured tiles, the same as the upper part of the building. The dome is likewise covered with lead. It is, altogether, a beautiful specimen of Oriental architecture, the character of which being lightness and elegance rather than grandeur, the building contrasts singularly with the severity of the surrounding scenery. This celebrated temple of Mussulman worship, by them called Sakhrat, owes its name and existence to a large irregular mass of stone, occupying the centre of the mosque. It is a portion of the calcareous rock on which the city is

When indistinctly seen the whole building appears to be of a light blue colour.

built, and is in its rough state, as when it came from the quarry. Concerning this stone, many remarkable traditions are current in the East.* Were only a few of them true, the precious relic is entitled to the highest veneration from the followers of the Pseudo-prophet. From its being concealed from the gaze of the unbeliever, it is called Hadjar-elSakhrat, or "Locked-up Stone." Locked-up Stone." Hence the name of the Mosque El-Sakhrat. It is second in sanctity only to that of Mecca, and, until lately, was kept sacred from the approach of Christians.† It belongs especially to the principal and most respected sect, that of the Hanaafites.

The Mosque El-Aksa stands immediately behind the Sakhrat, abutting the southern wall of the enclosure, which is also that of the city. From its comparative distance, we were less able to distinguish its architectural details, but it appears to possess in this respect little worthy of remark. In form, it is a long square, § having a flat roof, with a portico of seven arches in front, and one in depth, supported

* See Appendix, No. 13.

+ See Appendix, No. 14. It is four hundred feet in width, and three hundred in depth.

by square pillars. Its cupola is spherical, and ornamented with arabesque paintings and gildings of great beauty.* It is said to be of great antiquity; and as it occupies a part of the supposed site of the Temple of Solomon, † it is perhaps built with some of the materials of its illustrious predecessor.§ It belongs particularly to the sect Shafei, but all sects pray in it occasionally.** Be

The interior is composed of seven naves supported by pillars and columns, and at the head of the centre nave, is a fine cupola. Two others branch off at right angles to the principal body of the edifice.-On seeing such a prodigious quantity of columns in these several buildings, may we not suppose that they are relics of ancient heathen temples? Is the prophecy concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, to be taken in its figurative or literal sense?

The worst of the heathen shall possess their houses, and the holy places shall be defiled."

The latter was built on "the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, on Mount Moriah." The present building stands precisely upon such an elevation, as would be chosen even by the modern husbandman for such purposes.

*Its pretensions to Mussulman veneration are, first, an enormous octagonal pillar, called the Pillar of Sidi Omar; secondly, a niche called Bab Arrahma or the Gate of Mercy (probably the site of the ancient Seat of Mercy); and, thirdly, two granite columns, dedicated to Fatima, which have replaced the celebrated brazen pillars, Jachin and Boaz. It

tween the two mosques is a handsome marble fountain for ablutions.

We had protracted our visit some time, when the Muezzin appearing on the minaret top, and about to summon the faithful to the evening prayer, apprized us that it was time to retire.—I had previously visited the principal mosques of Egypt, and having satisfied my curiosity with respect to this, I was willing to confess (now that the veil of mystery which so long hung over it was removed, and had revealed nothing but absurdities) that its splendour had been greatly exaggerated, and its interest much over-rated. The greatest gratification I experienced whilst looking down on the site, was passing in review the great events of which from the earliest period, it had been the theatre.*

has some claims to Christian respect, having been, it is said, at one time, the church of the Presentation, or Purification. Beneath it is a vast range of arches, of very high antiquity. See Appendix, No. 15.