Beyrout (out of Quarantine), Wednesday, May 21.

The handsome Greek, Diamanti, one of the proprietors of the “Hotel de Belle Vue,” was on hand bright and early yesterday morning, to welcome us out of Quarantine.  The gates were thrown wide, and forth we issued between two files of soldiers, rejoicing in our purification.  We walked through mulberry orchards to the town, and through its steep and crooked streets to the hotel, which stands beyond, near the extremity of the Cape, or Ras Beyrout.  The town is small, but has an active population, and a larger commerce than any other port in Syria.  The anchorage, however, is an open road, and in stormy weather it is impossible for a boat to land.  There are two picturesque old castles on some rocks near the shore, but they were almost destroyed by the English bombardment in 1841.  I noticed two or three granite columns, now used as the lintels of some of the arched ways in the streets, and other fragments of old masonry, the only remains of the ancient Berytus.

Our time, since our release, has been occupied by preparations for the journey to Jerusalem.  We have taken Francois as dragoman, and our mukkairee, or muleteers, are engaged to be in readiness to-morrow morning.  I learn that the Druses are in revolt in Djebel Hauaran and parts of the Anti-Lebanon, which will prevent my forming any settled plan for the tour through Palestine and Syria.  Up to this time, the country has been considered quite safe, the only robbery this winter having been that of the party of Mr. Degen, of New York, which was plundered near Tiberias.  Dr. Robinson left here two weeks ago for Jerusalem, in company with Dr. Eli Smith, of the American Mission at this place.

Chapter II.

The Coast of Palestine.

The Pilgrimage Commences—­The Muleteers—­The Mules—­The Donkey—­Journey to Sidon—­The Foot of Lebanon—­Pictures—­The Ruins of Tyre—­A Wild Morning—­The Tyrian Surges—­Climbing the Ladder of Tyre—­Panorama of the Bay of Acre—­The Plain of Esdraelon—­Camp in a Garden—­Acre—­the Shore of the Bay—­Haifa—­Mount Carmel and its Monastery—­A Deserted Coast—­The Ruins of Caesarea—­The Scenery of Palestine—­We become Robbers—­El Haram—­Wrecks—­the Harbor and Town of Jaffa.

  “Along the line of foam, the jewelled chain,
  The largesse of the ever-giving main.”

  R. H. Stoddard.

Ramleh, April 27, 1852.

We left Beyrout on the morning of the 22d.  Our caravan consisted of three horses, three mules, and a donkey, in charge of two men—­Dervish, an erect, black-bearded, and most impassive Mussulman, and Mustapha, who is the very picture of patience and good-nature.  He was born with a smile on his face, and has never been able to change the expression.  They are both masters of their art, and can load a mule with a speed and skill which I would defy any