where, and the spot answers to the biblical description much better than this place (p. 212).

There is no satisfactory evidence as to the origin of the ruins at this place, which is called by the Arabs,

Ramet-el-Khalil.

Constantine erected a magnificent basilica about fifteen stadia north of Hebron, and it is supposed by some that these ruins mark the site. It will be observed that they consist chiefly of the massive foundations of walls, and a few fragments of columns and pavements. In a little over an hour from Râmet-el-Khalîl, Hebron is reached. The journey has been thus graphically described :

"At length our course lay over a stony, dangerous road, a long lane of slippery slabs; and here our thoughts were diverted from camels, and Arabs, and the trifling things which even in the Holy Land engage one's thoughts. We were on the old road to Hebron-perhaps on the oldest road in the world. Along it Abraham passed on that journey of faith to sacrifice his son on Moriah; along it David led his veterans to conquer the stronghold of the Jebusites on Zion; and along it, perhaps, the Saviour was borne in his mother's arms on the way to Egypt. A crowd of thoughts rushed through the mind as we looked around upon the scenes of fertility and desolation. We needed not to have the ruins of convent-walls, or the legends of monks and bookmakers, to impress us with the wonders of the locality. These hills, and roads, and valleys are sacred to the memory of Abraham, the Father of the Faithful and the Friend of God. Here, in the bitterness of his sorrow, after Sarai was buried out of his sight' in the Cave of Machpelah, no doubt he wandered, and looking up at the bright stars in the cloudless sky, which had been

typical to him aforetime of the power and goodness of God in the days of his prosperity, he looked at again through his tearful eyes, and read in them a pledge still of the goodness and faithfulness of the Almighty. Here Isaac, and Jacob, and David, and Solomon walked, revolving in their minds the destiny of that nation which might have been at this day the centre of universal empire; but the scattered tribes are spread through the nations of the world, and for the present take least root in their own native soil."(Hodder.)

HEBRON.

[There is no Hotel at Hebron. Travellers who are not in large parties can be accommodated at one or two Jewish houses in the town, or at the old Lazaretto. If the start has been made, as is frequently the case, from Solomon's Pools in the early morning, it is not too long a day's journey to return there for the night. This is the plan adopted under Messrs. Cook & SON'S arrangements.]

Hebron (Alliance-Friendship) is the oldest town of Palestine, and one of the oldest of the world. Its name in the first instance was Kirjath-Arba, so named from Arba, the father of Anak, the giant (Joshua xx. 1-11, XV. 13, 14). It was 66 built seven years before Zoan" (Num. xiii. 22), i.e., Tanis in Egypt, and when Josephus wrote, it was 2300 years old. In the time of Abraham it took the name of Mamre, doubtless after Mamre the Amorite, the friend and ally of Abraham (Gen. xxxiii. 19, xxxv. 27). It was at that time a walled city, for when Abraham bought the field of Machpelah, it was "in the presence of the children of Heth, before all that went in at the gate of his city" (Gen. xxiii. 10). Damascus was a city at the same period (Eliezer of Damascus

was Abraham's servant-Gen. xv. 2); but whether Hebron or Damascus can claim seniority is not known.

The tourist will probably not care to know every minute detail connected with Hebron, but rather to have before him an epitome of some of the great events which have made the place memorable.

It was here that grand old sheikh lived-the Father of his people, and the Friend of God (p. 212). From this place the lad Joseph went forth to seek his brethren in Shechem. And here came back the sons, bringing the blood-stained garment. "And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days" (Gen. xxxviii. 34).

It has witnessed many fierce struggles, notably when "Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him unto Hebron; and they fought against it; and they took it and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof and all the cities thereof, and all the souls therein; he left none remaining, but destroyed it utterly" (Joshua x. 37). Afterwards, in answer to Caleb's prayer, "Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, Hebron for an inheritance Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb unto this day . because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel" (Joshua xiv. 13, 14). It was, later on, made a city of refuge, unto which the pursued manslayer might flee (Joshua xx. 7).

Another set of associations, equally interesting, attach to Hebron. It was here that David had his residence for seven and a half years, when he reigned over Judah alone (2 Sam. ii. 1). Here Absalom was born; and here Abner was treacherously murdered by Joab, who "took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died and they buried

Abner in Hebron; and King David himself followed the bier. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept. And the king said, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?" (2 Sam. iii. 27—38).

Hither came Absalom, under the pretext of performing a vow, and "he sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say Absalom reigneth in Hebron (2 Sam. xv. 10). The other remaining events of importance are associated with places yet pointed out in Hebron, the Cave of Machpelah, and the Pools (see below).

The modern name of Hebron is el-Khalil, the Friend. It is situated in the narrow Valley of Eshcol, still abounding with vineyards. There are no walls to the town, but one or two somewhat superfluous gates. The streets are dark and dirty; the houses are for the most part substantial, and, being nearly all built of stone, and covered with cupolas or small domies, give a curious and interesting effect. The population has been variously estimated, but it is probable there are about 12,000 inhabitants, many of whom are occupied in the manufacture of rings, bracelets, and many other kinds of glass trinkets. There are no Christians in Hebron, but about 600 Jews, who still attract attention by their pale faces and long ringlets. The Muslims of Hebron are strangely superstitious and fanatical, and travellers should always be upon their guard, so as not to say or do anything which will provoke their animosity.

In the valley there are two Pools of very ancient date, which still supply the town with water. To one of these Pools, probably the southern, a story attaches. Rechab and Baanah, sons of Rimmon, thought to do King David a service by slaying Ishbosheth, the son of Saul, and therefore a

rival. They brought the head of Ishbosheth to Hebron, expecting an expression of his favour, but David said unto them, "As the Lord liveth who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity, when one told me, saying, Behold Saul is dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him and slew him in Ziklag, who thought that I would have given him a reward for his tidings; how much more when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? And David commanded his young men, and they slew them and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron" (2 Sam. iv. 9-12).

The chief interest in Hebron centres in the Cave of Machpelah. It is no longer a cave in the midst of a field, but a mosque-a large building of massive stones, but not of a pleasing appearance. Unfortunately, the traveller can only stand a short way off from the entrance; he dare not enter, the place being guarded with most jealous care by the Muslims. He may walk by the side of the Haram, and the dragoman will point out where he may put his hand into a reft in the wall and touch the rock of the cave (?), or he may ascend to the top of the hill and obtain a better view of parts of the building, but that is all.

However little there may be in Hebron to see, there is much for the mind's eye to dwell upon, and no one can stand beside this spot-sacred alike to Jew, Christian, and Mahomedan—without recalling some of the most touching of Old Testament scenes.

Sarah, the beloved wife of Abraham, "died in KirjathArba, the same is Hebron, in the land of Canaan; and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. And Abraham stood up from before his dead, and spake