ROUTE 36. DAMASCUS TO BEYROUT DIRECT,

ROUTE 36.(pages 552-554)

DAMASCUS TO BEYROUT DIRECT,

Damascus to Dummar .. .. 1 15
Dimas ….. 2 30
Mejdel’Anjar .. .. .. . 4 30
El-Merjy .. ..  1 20
Mekseh .. .. ..  1 20
Summit of Lebanon.. .. .. 1 20
Beyrout .. .. .. 6 30
| Total .. .. 18 45

Fast, without baggage.

This route passes only one spot of any interest, the site of Chalcis. The rest of it is dreary; the path none of the best; and except when pressed for time no traveller should think of following it.

ROUTE 38. BA’ALBEK TO BEYROUT DIRECT.

ROUTE 38.  BA’ALBEK TO BEYROUT DIRECT.

Ba’albek to Mu’allakah.. 6 OU
Junction of Damascus road .. 2 0
Beyrout (see Rte. 36) 7 50
Total (fast) .. .. 15 50

This road has little to recommend it except its shortness. Rte. 40 will, of course, be selected instead so soon as the snow on Lebanon will permit us to pass over to the Cedars; and should the traveller be obliged to abandon the Cedars, then I recommend Rte. 39.

Mount Gerizim - 1898

The slopes of Mt. Gerizim afford a beautiful view of Nâbulus.  By the highest row of gardens we turn to the left (E.), and follow a terrace skirting the rocky slope. The large caverns here were probably once quarries. From the terrace we at length reach a platform, from which projects a triangular piece of rock, about 10 ft. in diameter. This spot accords better than any other with the narrative of Judges ix. 7-21, while the passage Joshua viii. 30-3S applies best to the amphitheatrical bays of Ebal and Gerizim to the E. of Nâbulus.

Joseph’s Tomb - 1858

Joseph’s Tomb.—In the very centre of the valley's mouth, a short distance N. of the well, is a little square area enclosed by a high white wall, and having a common Muslem tomb placed diagonally across the floor—this is the traditional tomb of Joseph. There is nothing about it to interest one, or to give evidence of antiquity; yet it is most probably genuine. Joseph on his death-bed “took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence.” (Gen. 1.

Mount Ebal - 1858

Mount Ebal lies on the N. side of the vale of Nâbulus, opposite Gerizim, and is nearly equal to it in altitude. Its sides are somewhat more rugged, and its general outline perhaps bolder than Gerizim. The ascent is not difficult, a goat-path leading up from the town past a little wely. On the summit is a broad stony platform, with a few unimportant ruins; but no traces of what might probably be the altar built by Joshua on which the Law was inscribed. (Josh. viii. 30-35.) The view is wide and interesting, resembling that from Gerizim. About 2m. to the N.E.

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