THE JEW AND THE MOSLEM.

193

are as staunch in their faith as in the devotion they pay at shrines and other sacred edifices. The chief difference is, that the formula of their mode of worship is of the simplest kind, unassociated with tangible matter or objects intended to strike. the mind by a revivification of things long eclipsed by time. The Moslems in such particulars as regard religious institutions are a people distinct from all mankind: like the Jew himself, but without that unsocial feeling which the latter imbibes chiefly through the Oral Law, and which is confirmed by the wrongs he has suffered from other nations. can be conceived indeed, that those thorns were planted in the sides of his people by the iniquity of man rather than the decree of God to punish a race warned of their disobedience, their claim to universal sympathy would be irresistible.

If it

He was no partizan of either of these people, Jew or Moslem, who in commenting upon the distinction between their respective educations and feelings, affirmed that the latter, loving mankind fraternally, and believing he had a good

thing in the Koran, wished in obedience to his law, to make his unbelieving brother a participator in that good; however, through that zeal, he might err in the way of doing so. On the other hand the Jew, imbibing, through a narrowed view, a law preached from the text, hates his fellow man with a more direful hatred than in other ages; and believing still in the good thing which has escaped his possession, and still claiming it exclusively as his own, anathematizes with scornful reproach all who should claim to share it, and would, but for lack of power, exterminate them with the sword.

The degree of supineness and indifference which is so conspicuous among the Orientals, can be no other way explained in matters of antiquity, sacred or other, than by describing that the feeling which prevails among these people, so far from being inclined to the investigation of things hallowed by associations, approaches nearer to an abhorrence at the sight of any collection of objects of a reputed sanctity. Their indifference to the improvement of the land may proceed, as I have no doubt it

WASTE OF WATER IN PALESTINE. 195

does, from scruples which ought to be traced to a religious origin. In a country where all is more or less sacred in their estimation, any disturbance of the ground is viewed by them in the light of a sacrilegious infringement upon the sanctity of the soil. Hence it may be inferred that, not without reason, the local government feels some scruples, and opposes some difficulties in the way of investigations, should they have a tendency to disturb that class of monuments to which religious feelings are attached.

But as regards the waters, whether pool, cistern, or running stream, and I might include the supply of rain, the apathy which is equally manifest in this regard, seems less reconcileable to any plausible reason that could be adduced for neglecting the immense advantage that would be derived by storing up the element. This might be done by a little labour and expense; the surplus of the falls of rain occurring in winter, instead of being allowed to run to waste, as in the case of the superabundance which causes the overflowing of the Beer-Job, in the valley of Jehoshaphat, might be collected in a reservoir,

in the valley, and this would serve to irrigate a great extent of that soil which now lies uncul

tivated and parched by the continual drought of

summer.

CHAPTER XII.

Bethlehem-Its Monastery-Scenery in the Neighbourhood-The Church of the Nativity-The Manger-Costume of the Inhabitants of Bethlehem-Gibel Frange-The Fortress of Herodium-The Road to Herodium.

BETHLEHEM is an unwalled village, situated on an elevated ground, about five or six miles distant from Jerusalem. Its northern approaches exhibit a very imposing aspect, and the exterior of the buildings in general corresponds with the pleasing character of a landscape, whose scenery is not devoid of richness. But this is the most that can be said; the illusion is at an end