DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11789#0151
LADDER OF TYRE.
141
of the rock, several hundred feet above the level of
the sea. At that time the wind was pretty high,
and it was a most interesting sight to look down
upon the swelling angry waves, while scarcely the
slightest sound of their raging ascended to our
ears.* The road here appeared to have been
cut or deeply worn in the rock, as there is in
most parts a barrier or wall, formed partly of the
native rock, and partly of stones placed one upon
another, separating the traveller from the preci-
pice. The pass is about a mile in length, and is
said to have been made by Alexander the Great.
According to some writers, this is the famous
" Ladder of Tyre."f Having reached the foot of
the ladder, we continued our way for a mile or two
along the coast, until we came opposite to an an-
cient ruin, on a steep eminence, a few hundred
yards to the right of our path. We turned aside
* Our " way was on the margin of the land,
O'er the [white] summit of the rooks, whose base
Beats hack the roaring surge, scarce heard so high."
Cowper.
f It may be proper to observe that in many parts of
Palestine, where the road descends a steep declivity, it is
cut into steps, with a view to prevent the horses from slip-
ping. Some traces of steps are said to have been found
in this pass of the White Promontory.
141
of the rock, several hundred feet above the level of
the sea. At that time the wind was pretty high,
and it was a most interesting sight to look down
upon the swelling angry waves, while scarcely the
slightest sound of their raging ascended to our
ears.* The road here appeared to have been
cut or deeply worn in the rock, as there is in
most parts a barrier or wall, formed partly of the
native rock, and partly of stones placed one upon
another, separating the traveller from the preci-
pice. The pass is about a mile in length, and is
said to have been made by Alexander the Great.
According to some writers, this is the famous
" Ladder of Tyre."f Having reached the foot of
the ladder, we continued our way for a mile or two
along the coast, until we came opposite to an an-
cient ruin, on a steep eminence, a few hundred
yards to the right of our path. We turned aside
* Our " way was on the margin of the land,
O'er the [white] summit of the rooks, whose base
Beats hack the roaring surge, scarce heard so high."
Cowper.
f It may be proper to observe that in many parts of
Palestine, where the road descends a steep declivity, it is
cut into steps, with a view to prevent the horses from slip-
ping. Some traces of steps are said to have been found
in this pass of the White Promontory.