fields cutting and bringing in their barley.  They reap with the hook as we do.  They seem to carry in at the same time upon camels.  No vines in Eshcol now, no pomegranates, but some green fig-trees.  Crossed the brook Sorek—­dry.  Spent the mid-day under the embowering shade of a fig-tree; tasted the apricots of the good land.  Same evening we came to Doulis, which we take to be Eshtaol, where Samson was born. 6.—­We went due east, and, after a mountain pass, saw the hills of Judah,—­an immense plain intervening, all studded with little towns.  From their names, we found out many Bible spots.  This valley or plain is the very vale Zephatha, of which you read in II Chron. 14., ‘In the plain of Sephela.’  Before night we entered among the hills of Judah,—­very like our own Highlands,—­and slept all night among the mountains, at a deserted village called Latroon. 7.—­One of the most privileged days of our life.  We broke up our tents by moonlight; soon the sun was up; we entered a defile of the most romantic character; wild rocks and verdant hills; wild-flowers of every color and fragrance scented our path.  Sometimes we came upon a clump of beautiful olive-trees, then wild again.  The turtle’s voice was heard in the land, and singing birds of sweetest note.  Our camels carried us up this pass for four hours; and our turbaned Bedouins added by their strange figures to the scene.  The terracing of all the hills is the most remarkable feature of Judean scenery.  Every foot of the rockiest mountains may in this way be covered with vines.  We thought of Isaiah wandering here, and David and Solomon.  Still all was wilderness.  The hand of man had been actively employed upon every mountain, but where were these laborers now?  Judah is gone into captivity before the enemy.  There are few men left in the land; not a vine is there.  ’The vine languisheth.’  We came down upon Garieh, a village embosomed in figs and pomegranates.  Ascending again, we came down into the valley of Elah, where David slew Goliath.  Another long and steep ascent of a most rugged hill brought us into a strange scene—­a desert of sunburnt rocks.  I had read of this, and knew that Jerusalem was near.  I left my camel and went before, hurrying over the burning rocks.  In about half an hour Jerusalem came in sight.  ‘How doth the city sit solitary that was full of people!’ Is this the perfection of beauty?  ’How hath the Lord covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger!’ It is, indeed, very desolate.  Read the two first chapters of Lamentations, and you have a vivid picture of our first sight of Jerusalem.  We lighted off our camels within the Jaffa gate.  Among those that crowded round us, we observed several Jews.  I think I had better not attempt to tell you about Jerusalem.  There is so much to describe, and I know not where to begin.  The Consul, Mr. Young, received us most kindly, provided us a house where we might spread our mats, and helped us in every way.  Mr. Nicolayson called