PREFACE. I HAD often for amusement taken notes of my lengthy wanderings in Syria, Palestine, and Asia Minor; and these, through a lapse of years, still increased, though I not unfrequently lost far more valuable portions of my baggage. When, however, a friend sought information regarding any of the routes I had taken, or the towns in which I had sojourned, an extract from my note-book furnished him an itinerary, at least more satisfactory than a map. Collected in another form, they are now given to the public, and I trust may prove useful to travellers of every class in the East; while the sketches introduced of Eastern society, with which my long residence rendered me familiar, may, I hope, afford some entertainment to that larger circle of wanderers, who visit other lands only in books. F. A. N. CONTENTS Turkish pic-nics - Harem recreations · Anecdotes of a The forbidden delicacy-Perilous adventure of a gourmand -The sanitary cordon-A fracas-Hebron-Tomb of Abraham and Sarah-Touching devotion of Jewish pilgrims-Ramlah-A sporting exploit-Monastic luxury Jaffa-An unpleasant lodging-An Oriental cook-The cauldron of soup-Shipping grain-The convent— Sufferers from plague-The soup vendor-Simon the The Temple of Solomon-The Holy Sepulchre-Armenian superstition-Celestial fire-Priestly imposition-Pilate's Judgment Hall-Greek women-Story of a treacherous husband-Protestant Cathedral-The English Consul- Caipha-The rising town-Character of the population— Struggle for lighters-Ludicrous situation of an English |