DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5504#0091
In 1817 and 1818. 179
confound his remains with those of the object of his deep sor-
rows, of his agonizing pangs. In a little time a reddish cloud
came from the east: the fury of the storm made a chaos of
this tranquil desert: waves of sand came in conflict; the
loftiest of the date-trees were deracinated; and a few minutes
sufficed to heap up a valley. Amid this fearful destruction
Ismayl disappeared. Ah! He towards whom the prayer of
the afflicted heart ascends still quicker than the incense of the
tabernacles,—He who judges the most secret thoughts of men,
without doubt wished to reunite these two noble and pure
souls in the region of holy, eternal, and ineffable joys !
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
General view of Jerusalem.
The drawing from which this subject has been engraved, was taken
at the midway of the ascent of the Djebel Tor, in the valley of Jeho-
sophat, beyond the torrent of Cedron. This spot was selected by Count
Forbin because it appeared to him to be the one from which the cir-
cumference of Jerusalem, the surrounding monuments, and the grand
effect of the hills Acra and Moria, were to be best judged. The tradi-
tion has handed down that at this particular spot our Saviour wept
over the misfortunes of Jerusalem.
View of the river Jordan.
The spot at which the drawing of this subject was made, is, accord-
ing to tradition, highly venerable. The Christians of Syria believe it
to have been here that Jesus Christ was baptized by Saint John.
View of the sea of Galilee, or Dead Sea.
The draughtsman has been too studious and particular in the forms
he has given to the ruins heaped up in the fore ground. Beneath and
behind these vestiges are to be seen portions of wall half concealed be-
neath the waters of the dead Sea.
View of Bethelem.
In the fore ground are seen the ruins of a gate by which the enclo-
sure, or court, of the convent was shut in.
Ruins of Ascalun.
Count Forbin remarks that he might have spent a month in making
sketches amid these ruins, so picturesque, and producing such sublime
emotions. Both the thickness and circumference of the walls of Asca-
lon, and the depth of the moats, are proofs, among many others, that
this was one of the most important points of Syria. If an European
colony were to settle at this spot, it would find a city ready to receive
it, a fertile plain, a delightful climate, and all the means essential to
the establishment of a considerable port.
Interior of the Church of Bethelem.
This plate represents a lateral nave of the church which belongs to
confound his remains with those of the object of his deep sor-
rows, of his agonizing pangs. In a little time a reddish cloud
came from the east: the fury of the storm made a chaos of
this tranquil desert: waves of sand came in conflict; the
loftiest of the date-trees were deracinated; and a few minutes
sufficed to heap up a valley. Amid this fearful destruction
Ismayl disappeared. Ah! He towards whom the prayer of
the afflicted heart ascends still quicker than the incense of the
tabernacles,—He who judges the most secret thoughts of men,
without doubt wished to reunite these two noble and pure
souls in the region of holy, eternal, and ineffable joys !
EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES.
General view of Jerusalem.
The drawing from which this subject has been engraved, was taken
at the midway of the ascent of the Djebel Tor, in the valley of Jeho-
sophat, beyond the torrent of Cedron. This spot was selected by Count
Forbin because it appeared to him to be the one from which the cir-
cumference of Jerusalem, the surrounding monuments, and the grand
effect of the hills Acra and Moria, were to be best judged. The tradi-
tion has handed down that at this particular spot our Saviour wept
over the misfortunes of Jerusalem.
View of the river Jordan.
The spot at which the drawing of this subject was made, is, accord-
ing to tradition, highly venerable. The Christians of Syria believe it
to have been here that Jesus Christ was baptized by Saint John.
View of the sea of Galilee, or Dead Sea.
The draughtsman has been too studious and particular in the forms
he has given to the ruins heaped up in the fore ground. Beneath and
behind these vestiges are to be seen portions of wall half concealed be-
neath the waters of the dead Sea.
View of Bethelem.
In the fore ground are seen the ruins of a gate by which the enclo-
sure, or court, of the convent was shut in.
Ruins of Ascalun.
Count Forbin remarks that he might have spent a month in making
sketches amid these ruins, so picturesque, and producing such sublime
emotions. Both the thickness and circumference of the walls of Asca-
lon, and the depth of the moats, are proofs, among many others, that
this was one of the most important points of Syria. If an European
colony were to settle at this spot, it would find a city ready to receive
it, a fertile plain, a delightful climate, and all the means essential to
the establishment of a considerable port.
Interior of the Church of Bethelem.
This plate represents a lateral nave of the church which belongs to