January 12th.—We left Jerusalem early for the Pools of Solomon, and passing through the Jaffa Gate, proceeded southwards by the Hebron road, if such it could be called, as it is in many places in a semi-chaotic condition, rendering an occcasional excursus into the fields alongside desirable or prudent. Everywhere along our route there were signs of improvement, barren spots being reclaimed and cultivated, fields enclosed and cleared of stones, and olive groves planted on the hill slopes. At length, after a ride which tried the mettle of our little horses, and sometimes the patience of the riders, we reached the brow of the valley in which are situated these remarkable reservoirs.[1] They are supposed to be referred to in Ecclesiastes ii, 6, but though the statement, "I made me pools of water," is a general one, there is little reason to doubt that these pools are included therein. The aqueduct which originally connected these reservoirs with the city has been partially cleared by Colonels Wilson and Warren, and is capable of being again utilised for the purpose. I was informed that the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, some time ago, offered at her own expense to have the water from the Pools re-introduced into Jerusalem, where it would have afforded a permanent and abundant supply of excellent spring water. Permission had, in the first instance, to be obtained from the Pasha, who replied, "Very well, give me the money and I will have the work done." To this her ladyship replied, "Thank you, but I fear if I hand you the money I shall never see either it or the water. If I have the work done, I shall employ English engineers and English workmen to do it, and entrust the supervision to Captain Wilson." This difficulty, however, was ultimately got over; but a fatal obstacle was raised by the Turkish authorities on the question of distribution of the water and the permanent management,[2] so that the desire of this noble-hearted lady to confer a permanent benefit upon the inhabitants of the city, Mohammedans as well as Christians, has been frustrated through Turkish obstinacy! The cost was estimated at thirty thousand pounds sterling.
- ↑ A good account of these pools and the gardens lower down the valley is given by Tristram, "Land of Israel," p. 403. The plan of the conduits is accurately laid down on the maps of the Ordnance Surrey of Jerusalem.
- ↑ Lady Burdett-Coutts desired that the water should be introduced by the high-level aqueduct, which would have entered at the Jaffa Gate and sufficed for the wants of the higlier parts of the city; the Turkish authorities, however, insisted on the low-level aqueduct being used, which would have left a large nortion of the city unbenefited. The existing sources of supply are most impure.
