190 CATHEDRAL AT TYRE. CHAPTER VIII. TYRE-ITS HISTORY AND LEGENDS. IMMEDIATELY after our entrance we were introduced to a condition of things very nearly resembling a barnyard. We were the objects of not a little curiosity as we wound our way through narrow streets, like those at Sidon, and at last entered the court-yard of a khan. Here we dismounted, and, taking a guide, commenced our examinations. The guide had acquired a few words of French, which he made use of whenever he was unwilling that any around should understand him. After passing the bazaars, we were taken to what is evidently the great relic in the opinion of the present Tyrians, namely, the ruins of the ancient church. These ruins are interesting; and after some difficulty the measurements and plan on the following page were obtained. The nave of the church is almost east and west. The eastern end of the line of one hundred and thirty-five feet, represented in the plan, is 12° departure south from the magnetic direction. If the wall, therefore, of this building in the time of St. Helena was skilfully placed due east and west, then the variation of the compass |