tors in the management of the Jewish Plantation, and Mr. Meshullam and his family, united in publicly testifying their sense of his kindness, by inviting the principal Israelitish Christians living in Jerusalem to spend Thursday, July 24th, at Urtâs, to meet him and his friends, among whom we were included.
By this time my readers know the road to the pleasant gardens of Urtâs. The scenery was slightly changed, for the corn was all reaped, and green millet was growing on the plains.
We reached the valley at an early hour. The little stone house could not accommodate one-half of the party, so we were conducted by Mr. Meshullam to a guest-chamber made ready for the occasion. It was the joint work of nature and art. Three sides of it were formed of the steep rugged rocks, like seaside cliffs; a fourth wall had been built up of hewn stone, and was furnished with a wide door, for this place was ordinarily used as a stable for cows, horses, and camels. It is about fifty feet by thirty. Two large fig-trees grew in the middle, and their leafy branches made an appropriate roof. Divans, cushions, and carpets had been spread on the ground, and over these, boughs and leaves of sweet lemon and citron were strewn. On the ledges of the brown and yellow rocks a few wild flowers grew, and one tall wild hollyhock stood proudly in a corner, covered with pink blossoms. Wild honeysuckles crept from the slope above, and festooned the rude walls. A table was arranged in the center, and breakfast was spread.
There were twenty-three Christian Israelites present, besides Mr. Graham and about a dozen of his friends, with Mr. and Mrs. Finn, and the Rev. J. Nicolayson. The latter, after breakfast, stood in the shade of a rock, and addressed the company present with affectionate and earnest gravity. The Rev. Mr. Hefter, an Israelite, then rose and spoke to his brethren, "and when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue, they kept the more silence." Mr.
