GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE. 279 CHAPTER XXIX. JERUSALEM.-WALK VII. GETHSEMANE. THE ENCLOSURE OF THE TEMPLE. Gethsemane.-Pool of Bethesda.-Enclosure of the Temple.-Peep at the Interior.-View from Governor's House.-Mr. Catherwood's Account.Difficulty of Gaining Admittance.-Stratagem.-Danger.-Rescue.-Entrance.-Platform of the Mosque.-The Mosque of Omar.-Natural Rock under the Dome.-The Noble Cave.-The Well of Souls.-Pilgrims.Mosque El-Aksa.-Vaults.-Identity of Site of the Ancient Temple.-Dimensions of Area.-Conclusions. PASSING again out of the Jaffa Gate, we rambled down the Valley of Gihon, around the base of Zion, to the Pool of Siloam. At this point my companions left me, and I continued my walk alone up the Valley of Jehoshaphat, not displeased with the opportunity of a solitary wandering among the tombs, and of standing alone upon the sacred soil of Gethsemane. Again and again had I passed by the enclosure, but could not bring myself to enter it now, however, I was alone, and soon to depart from the Holy City, and my feelings had been softened by a walk among the tombs. At the foot of Mount Olivet, just opposite St. Stephen's Gate, a rude stone wall encloses about a quarter of an acre of ground, in which stand eight ancient olive-trees, some of them very large. There is little doubt that this enclosure was the spot of our Saviour's sufferings on that fearful night when he was betrayed. Musing on the affecting narrative of the Evangelist, I approached, climbed over the tottering wall, and sat down at the foot of a gnarled and shattered olive, that seemed, to my excited imagination, as if it might have stood there and heard the Saviour's cry, Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.” 66 280 POOL OF BETHESDA, The stillness of the place was oppressive. The Temple wall almost overhangs the spot, but no hum of life comes upon the breeze over its gloomy battlements. My heart sunk deeper in sadness as I heard the croak of a raven that flew over the apparently deserted city. All that remains of Gethsemane harmonizes with the sad associations of the place. No one can walk under its venerable olives, and think of the meek Sufferer who once poured out upon its soil "great drops of sweat and blood," and yet, in his agony, cried, "Father, not my will, but thine be done," without a deeper love for the Redeemer, and a stronger "fellowship of his sufferings." Mine eyes were constrained to attest the power of the place over the heart, and, as I arose to depart, I involuntarily exclaimed, "I must go hence, and never again shall I see thee, O Gethsemane! But I shall see the Lord of Life and of Glory coming the second time without sin unto salvation; and be it my sole endeavour so to live as to hail him, on the morning of the Resurrection, with the exclamation, " Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!" POOL OF BETHESDA. I ascended directly from Gethsemane to St. Stephen's Gate, just within which, on the left, adjoining the Temple area, is a trench of vast dimensions, commonly called the Pool of Bethesda. Dr. Robinson gives its length at 360 feet, its breadth at 130, and its depth at 75, besides the rubbish which has been accumulating in it for ages-dimensions so enormous as at once to suggest a doubt whether they could ever have belonged to a mere pool or reservoir. At the western extremity, two lofty arches, of unequal height, extend under some buildings no one knows how far. Pococke suggested that this res INTERIOR OF THE HARAM. 281 ervoir was part of a fosse which separated Moriah from Bezetha, and this hypothesis is adopted, in substance, by Drs. Robinson and Olin, who consider that the part of the fosse immediately north of the Tower of Antonia must have been filled up by the Romans, under Titus, when they constructed their embankments or mounds for the siege of the Temple. It is true that the present walls of the reservoir are lined with cement; but this does not bear against the above hypothesis, as the work does not bear the marks of great antiquity. INTERIOR OF THE HARAM. Between the trench and the city wall is a narrow passage leading to the gate at the northeast corner of the area of the Haram. No Jew or Christian is permitted to enter the enclosure; but I ventured to go a few steps within the gate, and stood long enough to get a good, though distant view of the vast area, with its magnificent buildings, walks, and fountains. The best view, however, is to be obtained from the top of the Governor's House, on the site of the ancient Tower of Antonia, at the northwest corner of the sacred enclosure. This elevation commands the whole platform perfectly; the accompanying plate is a copy of Bartlett's beautiful view, taken from the spot. In the foreground appear a number of fountains, and small, neat buildings with domes, which are oratories or places of prayer. Scattered over the area are a number of trees, generally cypress, olive, and palm; and under the shade of these the faithful enjoy a cool and delightful promenade. On the right is a long range of buildings occupied as public schools and the colleges of the Dervishes. In the centre is the magnificent Mosque of Omar, built upon an elevated platform, which is paved |