DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.10357#0414
378
PICTURESQUE PALESTINE.
ancient Rabbath of the children of Amnion), and at Gerash (the ancient Ramoth Gilead) vie
with those at Palmyra and Baalbek in the splendour and beauty of their ruins.
From Deir el 'Ashair (see page 379) to Damascus the distance was formerly about six
hours ; but now, on the fine French road, which is not far away, and which we reach at a
station called Khan Meiselun, it can be accomplished in much less time. The old trail led
MEDALLION ON THE TEMPLE AT RUKHLEH.
> itside the south wall, near the east corner ; it is five feet in diameter. The upper part has been destroyed by gunpowder. The neighbouring
village is inhabited by Druses.
over barren ridges and across some small and exceedingly desolate upland plains before it
brought the traveller to the banks of the Btirada, whose welcome stream clothes the desert
with greenness and beauty. This ancient river, the Abana of Scripture history, just before
issuing upon the plain, has carved out from the limestone ridge one of the wildest and most
picturesque of its many deep and sublime gorges (see page 380). But after plunging, a mad
torrent, along the bed of its narrow chasm, it becomes quiet and harmless at last, and devotes
PICTURESQUE PALESTINE.
ancient Rabbath of the children of Amnion), and at Gerash (the ancient Ramoth Gilead) vie
with those at Palmyra and Baalbek in the splendour and beauty of their ruins.
From Deir el 'Ashair (see page 379) to Damascus the distance was formerly about six
hours ; but now, on the fine French road, which is not far away, and which we reach at a
station called Khan Meiselun, it can be accomplished in much less time. The old trail led
MEDALLION ON THE TEMPLE AT RUKHLEH.
> itside the south wall, near the east corner ; it is five feet in diameter. The upper part has been destroyed by gunpowder. The neighbouring
village is inhabited by Druses.
over barren ridges and across some small and exceedingly desolate upland plains before it
brought the traveller to the banks of the Btirada, whose welcome stream clothes the desert
with greenness and beauty. This ancient river, the Abana of Scripture history, just before
issuing upon the plain, has carved out from the limestone ridge one of the wildest and most
picturesque of its many deep and sublime gorges (see page 380). But after plunging, a mad
torrent, along the bed of its narrow chasm, it becomes quiet and harmless at last, and devotes