In April we visited Nazareth and its neighborhood with Mr. J. Lewis Farley, who has given an account of the trip in his work on Syria.
In July we went up to Esfia, a Druse village in the Carmel Range. I remained there for a short time, to enjoy the cool, fresh, mountain air, and was very kindly entertained by the people. I had excellent opportunities of becoming acquainted with their peculiarities and modes of life; but I hope to speak of these villages minutely on some future occasion, in connection with their coreligionists in the Lebanon and in the Haurân.
In August my brother went to Jerusalem, expecting to return in about a week, but he was detained on official business. I remained alone in Hâifa, and, as he had always allowed me to understand his pursuits and the principles which guided him in all his proceedings, I had the pleasure of being able, during his absence, to act as his agent in most of his affairs. Responsibility and plenty of work prevented me from feeling either dull, lonely, or timid. I am glad to be able to testify to the respectful kindness and good feeling shown to me by the Arabs, both Christian and Moslem, and to the courtesy and friendliness of the Europeans, while I was thus alone.
In November I went up to Jerusalem, and spent the Winter season there, at the English Hotel. It was a sad season for us; the Rev. J. Nicolayson was dead, Miss Creasy had been cruelly murdered, my friends at the Consulate were hopelessly watching over a suffering child, whose death they had to mourn before the close of the year. My brother was attacked by an alarming and dangerous fever, and in his delirium he was constantly taking leave of me, telling me that he was "dead," and could not rest till he knew that I was safe at home in England. But these dreadful days and nights passed away, and, thanks to the untiring attention and careful treatment of Dr. Edward Atkinson, the fever was subdued, and the new year commenced auspiciously for us.
