ported by roughly-made, low wooden trestles, a few pieces of European furniture, and a pretty well-stocked bookcase, made the place look cozy and comfortable. The boat from Tantûra arrived safely during the night with our luggage.
The next morning, September 24th, two men from Nazareth came to welcome us, and gave me a fatted lamb. Soon afterward a little party arrived from Shefa 'Amer, with a camel-load of fine water-melons; and a peasant from a neighboring village brought us some goat's milk cheese.
I must explain that these offerings are generally paid for at a rate considerably above the market price.
Saleh Sekhali, our neighbor, a Christian Arab, an intelligent, thoughtful-looking man, took breakfast with us. He told me that my brother was the only Englishman who had ever resided in Haifa, and that I was the first English girl who had ever passed a night within the walls of the town. He said that very strange notions and opinions were held by the Arabs about English women and English society, and a great deal of curiosity was expressed by his friends on the subject. They hoped now to have an opportunity of judging for themselves by personal intercourse with us.
Saleh did not understand any European language, but he was clever and very quick of comprehension, and fond of study. He kindly volunteered to teach me Arabic, and to hear me read every day.
On inquiry I found that the population of Haîfa was, in 1854, computed thus:
In the year 1860 the population was reckoned at about 2,300 souls. We went out and took leave of Mr. Finn, who was on the point of starting for 'Akka. His tents were
