On the Desert - Recent Events in Egypt/Preface
PREFACE.
The Peninsula of Sinai has been a favorite ground of Biblical explorers. In their zeal to visit scenes made dear by connection with sacred history, they have sought to follow the track of the children of Israel from the time of their departure out of Egypt; to trace their marches on the desert; and to fix the place of their encampments, not only around the base of Sinai, but even when wandering and almost lost in the Great and Terrible Wilderness. The fruit of these researches is a Library of Exploration, which forms a most valuable addition to our Biblical Literature, not only for the knowledge it gives of sacred geography, but of the whole religious, social, and political economy of the Hebrews.
While these great works, the monuments of so much learning, occupy the attention of scholars, other readers may be interested in turning over a Portfolio of Sketches, which claims only to present a few Pictures of the Desert. The Peninsula is as unique in its scenery as in its history — combining the three great features of the desert, the mountains and the sea; the sands, the cliffs, and the rolling waters — all which have a peculiar fascination when seen in a pure, transparent atmosphere, with the lights and shadows of sunrisings and sunsettings. Passing through such a country, not as an explorer, but only as a traveller, the writer has been content to accept what came within his personal observation, and to describe only what he could see with his own eyes. The notes which are here written out were all taken on the spot, often in the most difficult circumstances — in the tent at the close of day, when wearied with a long march; or at noon, resting under a cliff, in "the shadow of a great rock in a weary land"; on the shore of the sea, or on the tops of mountains. Sometimes, as he passed over a point of view which commanded a wide sweep of the horizon, he could only rein in his camel, and sketch the scene from the saddle. Pictures thus taken, if they have no other merit, may have that of a literal fidelity, and imperfect as they are, may perhaps impart a little of the glow of enthusiasm which the scenes themselves enkindled in him who attempts to describe them, and thus lead some to follow in his steps; while to others he would hope that these lighter sketches may serve as an introduction to those great works, which are not only of absorbing interest, but rich in learning and instruction.
Once only in the following pages is the simple narrative — the detail of incidents of tent-life, of the camp and the march, or the description of scenes on the mountain and the desert — interrupted to introduce a defence of the Hebrew Law. This may be thought quite unnecessary. But it has become such a fashion of the day to question, not only the inspiration of Moses, but his wisdom as a Lawgiver, and even his humanity, that one who was loyal to that great name could hardly refrain from some reflections which naturally arose under the cliffs of Sinai.