Rocks-Granite-Trap-Volcanic Remains-Earthquakes and -Cuckoo-Hawk-Little Owl-Cormorant-Great Owl-Swan ENGRAVINGS. MAP of Palestine,......... ......To face the Vignette. VIGNETTE-Part of Jerusalem, with the Church of the Holy Se Sea of Galilee, Town of Tiberias, and Baths of Emmaus, .259 Mount Tabor, ..267 PALESTINE, OR THE HOLY LAND. CHAPTER I. Introductory Observations. Interest attached to the History of Palestine-Remarkable Character of the Hebrew People Their small Beginning and astonishing Increase The Variety of Fortune they underwent-Their constant Attachment to the Promised Land-The Subject presents an interesting Problem to the Historian and Politician-The Connexion with Christianity-Effect of this Religion on the Progress of Society-Importance of the Subject to the pious Reader-Holy Places-Pilgrims-Grounds for believing the ancient Traditions on this Head-Constantine and the Empress Helena-Relics— Natural Scenery-Extent of Canaan-Fertility-Geographical Distribution-Countries Eastward of the Jordan-Galilee-Samaria-Bethlehem-Jericho-The Dead Sea-Tables representing the Possessions of the Twelve Tribes. THE Country to which the name of Palestine is given by the moderns, is that portion of the Turkish empire in Asia which is comprehended within the 31st and 34th degrees of north latitude, and extends from the Mediterranean to the Syrian Desert, eastward of the river Jordan and the Dead Sea. Whether viewed as the A source of our religious faith, or as the most ancient fountain of our historical knowledge, this singular spot of earth has at all times been regarded with feelings of the deepest interest and curiosity. Inhabited for many ages by a people entitled above all others to the distinction of peculiar, it presents a record of events such as have not come to pass in any other land; monuments of a belief denied to all other nations; hopes not elsewhere cherished, but which, nevertheless, are connected with the destiny of the whole human race, and stretch forward to the consummation of all terrestrial things. To the eye of mere philosophy nothing can appear more striking than the effects produced upon the world at large by the opinions and events which originated among the Jewish people. A pastoral family, neither so numerous, so warlike, nor so well instructed in the arts of civilized life as many others in the same quarter of the globe, gradually increased into a powerful community; became distinguished by a system of doctrines and usages different from those of all the surrounding tribes; retaining it, too, amid the numerous changes of fortune to which they were subjected, and finally impressing its leading principles upon the most enlightened nations of Asia and of Europe. At a remote era Abraham crosses the Euphrates, a solitary traveller, not knowing whither he went, but obeying a divine voice, which called him from among idolaters to become the father of a new people and of a purer faith, at a distance from his native country. His grandson, Jacob, a "Syrian ready to perish," goes down into Egypt with a few individuals, where his descendants, although evil entreated and afflicted, became a "nation, great, mighty, and populous," and whence they were delivered by the special interposition of Heaven. In prosperity and adversity they were still the objects of the same vigilant Providence which reserved them for a great purpose to be accomplished in the latter days; while the Israelites themselves, as if conscious that their election was to be crowned with momentous results, still kept their thoughts fixed on Palestine as the theatre of their glory not less than as the possession of their tribes. We accordingly see them at one period in bondage, the victims of a relentless tyranny, and menaced with complete extirpation: but the hope of enjoying the land promised to their fathers never ceased to animate their hearts; for they trusted that God would surely visit them in the house of their affliction, and in his appointed time carry them into the inheritance of peace and rest. At a later epoch we behold them swept away as captives by the hands of idolaters, who used all the motives which spring from fear and from interest to secure their compliance with a foreign worship. But, rejecting all such inducements, they still continued a separate people, steadily resisting the operation of those causes which, in almost every other instance, have been found sufficient to melt down a vanquished horde into the population and habits of their masters. At length they appear as the instruments of a dispensation which embraces the dearest interests of all the sons of Adam; and which, in happier circumstances than ever fell to their own lot, has already modified and greatly exalted the character, the institutions, and the prospects of the most improved portion of mankind in both hemispheres of the globe. Connected with Christianity, indeed, the history of the Hebrews rises before the reflecting mind in a very singular point of view; for, in opposition to their own wishes, they laid the foundations of a religion which has not only superseded their peculiar rites, but is rapidly advancing towards that universal acceptation which they were wont to anticipate in favour of their own ancient law. In spite of themselves they have acted as the little leaven which was destined to leaven the whole lump; and, in performing this office, they have proceeded with nearly the same absence of intention and consciousness as the latent principle of fermentation to which the metaphor bears allusion. They aimed at one thing, and have accomplished another; but while we compare the means with the end, whether in their physical or moral |