selves under the shade of mulberry trees till the intense meridian heats were passed, and then journeyed on to Samaria, through a fertile country, down a valley of about two miles in width and five in length.

As they passed through the valley they overtook a large company, who were, like themselves, going to Jerusalem, and being importuned to join them, out of courtesy they complied.

It was usual then, and still is, in the east, to travel en-masse, both for the sake of protection and society. But Caphtor and Sephora preferred a quieter path, and had left their city a day before the troop from thence set out, to avoid the bustle of a multitude. They felt no fear, for God was their protector; they wished for no company, for themselves were society.

Samaria was situated upon a long mount of an oval form, having first a fruitful dale and then a ring of hills running round it. On the left hand of this dale, as you descend towards Jerusalem, stood a receptacle for travellers. It was a square cloistered build

ing, erected round an open court, that served as an inclosure for cattle. Pine, olive, and cedar trees shaded its massy walls; and a clear spring, that gushed from the side of a neighbouring hill, was conducted into a large cistern that stood in the middle of the court, and brought a constant supply of pure fresh water. This inn was raised by the Samaritans for the accommodation of the Jews, and stood as a monument of their kindness towards a people who despised them.

Near the cloistered building, and almost as if growing out of the hill, stood an humble dwelling, where abode a shepherd and his family, who were ready to deal out refreshments to the weary. They had heard at a distance the confused din of many voices, and the trampling of hoofs, and when the pilgrims began to descend the winding path that conducted them to this asylum in the dale, the whole household were busily employed in preparing for their reception.

Two women were sitting opposite to each other before the door of the shepherd's hut, grinding corn between two large mill-stones,

and, as they turned the upper one round, beguiled the labour by singing one of those simple melodies which nature herself seems almost to inspire, to sweeten the rough toil of some of the lowliest of her children.

At a little distance from these women, in a cool recess in the rock, a boy and girl were churning butter. Three poles were fixed in the earth at some distance from each other, with their tops drawn together in the form of a cone. A goat-skin filled with milk was suspended to them, and the children were pulling it backwards and forwards with great swiftness and alacrity.

Notability reigned within the tent as well as without its threshold. The shepherd was entering it with two kids, which had been newly slain; while his wife was already busily employed in kneading thin cakes and baking them in a tajan, or shallow earthen vessel, that was placed upon blazing thorns.

The bustle of the dale was soon increased by the travellers preparing to take up their abode in it for the night. Some unpacked their stores and erected their tents; some

spread their couches in the cloistered building, and others were actively employed in unlading their mules and camels, and giving them rest and provender. But when this first confusion of arrangement was over, they were all glad to sit down to the fare the shepherd had provided for them; and cheerfully requited him for his kindness, both with money and thanks.

On the morrow, at that uncertain hour that belongs neither to night nor day, they resumed their journey. They wound through the dale of Samaria without entering its gates, and passing between the hills that inclosed it, entered the road that leads towards Jerusalem. They went through some villages which the light scarcely allowed them to discern; and, about the time of the morning watch, entered the narrow valley of Sychem, so thickly set with monuments of ancient date. A direction post, marked REFUGE, stood at its entrance, that the unfortunate might never be at a loss which way to fly from the rage of the persecutor. It lay east and west, and was watered by a

fine rivulet. They pursued their way through its fragrant and refreshing dews, and journeyed on for about an hour, till they arrived at the town of Sychem, which was situated about the middle of the valley, on the south side, and was built close under Mount Gerizem, which hung over it and screened it from the heats. It was on the brow of this mountain that Joshua gave his last solemn charge to the Israelites, who were convened in the valley below, and the stone was yet standing which witnessed their promise never to forget their God.

Mount Ebal stood immediately opposite to Mount Gerizem, and formed the other barrier of the valley; which, in this place, was not more than a furlong broad.

The pilgrims kept on their way without entering the town, and travelled along a narrow path that lay parallel to it, under Mount Ebal.

A reverential silence prevailed through the host as they passed with slow and pondering steps by the rocky sepulchre of Machpelah. Some took off their sandals from their feet,