inland; entirely locking up from our view the Vale of Sharon, which lies to the south of it. In the horizon on the left, the sun was rising over the milder mountain scenery, which lies on the road to Nazareth.

Here, though already three days within the confines of Palestine, I first felt myself on holy ground. We were leaving the glory of Lebanon; and, before us, was the excellency of Carmel. As I descended the mountain and entered on the plain, I was often constrained to give utterance to my feelings, in singing a favourite air, of which the words are Emitte Spiritum tuum-et creabuntur-et renovabis faciem terra! It was the anniversary of my first landing in Malta: eight years have I now been on the Mediterranean Mission; and I can truly say, Hitherto the Lord hath helped me, and preserved my going-out and my coming-in. Then, I and my family were alone in the Mediterranean: since that time, more than Twenty Missionaries have entered on the field; of whom the greater part yet continue in it.

ACRE.

After a most pleasant ride, we reached the gate of the city; and, in about a quarter-of-an-hour, our names having been carried to the palace, we were admitted, and took our way to the house of the English Vice-Consul, Mr. Mac Michael: who hospitably entertained us four days.

In the evening, after various conversations on our objects and plans, we proposed to perform Divine Service, the next day, to such as could be brought together. The notice was inevitably short; but it was given out immediately.

Sunday, Nov. 2, 1823--This morning, in the Consul's room, we held Divine Service, with a congregation of ten souls-as promiscuous an assembly as could well be expected within the compass of so small a number. The individuals who composed it were, a British Consul-his Dragoman, a native of the country-a Maronite Priest-a Roman Physician— one Greek-one Jew-an English Captain of a Merchant vessel then in port-my Servant, who is under French protection--an American Brother-Missionary—and myself, of the Church of England. Mr. Fisk conducted the Prayers; and I afterward preached from 2 Cor. v. 17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new. The whole Service was in Italian. Toward the close of my Sermon, quoting the verses following the Text, 1 dwelt briefly on the importance of the right exercise of the Christian Ministry; pointing out, "THAT,

TILL THE WORK OF PREACHING IS REVIVED, THERE IS NO HOPE THAT THESE COUNTRIES WILL BE RAISED FROM THEIR PRESENT DEGRADATION AND MISERY; AND THAT THIS IS MANIFESTLY THE CALLING AND OFFICE OF THE ORDAINED MINISTERS OF THE COUNTRY."

This was particularly intended for the ear of the Maronite Priest, Don Giuseppe; and it was well taken, I believe, by him: he remained after the Service, and conversed very affably. He bears a very respectable character; and has had a superior education to many, having spent several years in early life in study in the College at Rome. He appears now to be nearly fifty years old. He has under his

pastoral care all the Maronite houses in Acre; but they are not numerous.

SCENE IN THE KHAN AT ACRE.

Monday, Nov. 3, 1823-Looking out of our window upon the large open Quadrangular Court of the Khan, we behold very much such a scene as would illustrate the "Arabian Nights' Entertainments." In the centre, is a spacious fountain, or reservoirthe first care of every builder of great houses or cities in the East. On one side, is a row of camels, each tied by the slenderest cord to a long string; to which a small bell is appended, so that by the slightest motion they keep up one another's attention, and the attention also of all the inmates of the khan, that of weary travellers especially, by a constant jingle. On another side, horses and mules are waiting for orders; while asses breaking loose, biting one another, and throwing up their heels, give variety to the scene. Goats, geese, poultry, &c. are on free quarters. In the midst of all these sights and sounds, the groom, the muleteer, the merchant, the pedlar, the passers-by, and the by-standers, most of them wretchedly dressed, though in coats of many colours, all looking like idlers whatever they may have to do, contrive to make themselves audible; generally lifting up their voices to the pitch of high debate, and very often much higher.

Noise, indeed, at all times seems to be the proper element of the people of these countries: their throats are formed for it-their ears are used to itneither the men nor the females, grown-up persons nor children, the rich nor the poor, seem to have

any exclusive privilege in making it—and, what is very annoying to a Frank Traveller, the party with whom he is treating, and who wishes most probably to impose on him, will turn round to make an appeal to all the by-standers, who are no less ready with one voice to strike in with their opinion on all matters that come before them.

The bustle has been increased this morning, by the departure of the wives of the Governor of Jaffa. They set off in two coaches, of a curious construction, common in this country: the body of the coach was raised on two parallel poles; somewhat similar to those used for sedan-chairs, only that in these the poles were attached to the lower part of the coach-throwing, consequently, the centre of gravity much higher; and apparently exposing the vehicle, with its veiled tenant, to an easy overthrow, or at the least to a very active jolt. Between the poles, strong mules were harnessed, one before and one behind; who, if they should prove capricious, or have very uneven and mountainous ground to pass, would render the situation of the ladies still more critical. But there is nothing to which use may not reconcile us; and they who can be brought to endure the trot of the camel, may consider themselves as franked for every other kind of conveyance.

The immense Khan, of which the Consul's rooms form a small part, is inhabited by a great variety of families. It is three stories high; and in so dilapidated a state, that it seems to me to wait only for a gentle shock of an earthquake-no improbable event -to bring it all down. In one part reside the Roman-Catholic Missionaries from Europe, under

the "Terra Santa;" four or five in number, at present: but, of these Establishments, the more I see, the less pleasant I feel it to make mention.

On Mount Carmel was a beautiful Latin Convent, under French protection; but, a short time since, the Pacha of Acre razed it to the ground, under the plea of its being calculated to give advantage to the Greeks if they should land. The insult occasioned a rupture between the Pacha and the French Consul; who not receiving satisfaction, struck his flag, and retired to Saide, where he is now living. The houseless Friars came to Acre.

PROPHETICAL PICTURE OF THE HOLY LAND.

In the course of this day, we began to sell the Arabic Sacred Scriptures; with more success than we had experienced at Saide and Sour, which encouraged us to stop a little longer. I also wrote many Letters; from one of which, as it expressed exactly the feelings which the state of these countries is calculated to excite, I make no apology for giving the following extract

I feel myself in this country so much affected with the two Prophecies of Isaiah and Jeremiah, and I have so long in this and all my former journeys felt them come to my very inmost soul, that I cannot but think that there would be a peculiar advantage in printing them, in Arabic, in Greek, and in Italian, for distribution, in a separate form, from the rest of the Old Testament. The Prophecy of Jeremiah describes, with a minuteness of fidelity, surpassing all human power of description, the real state, both as to principles and facts, of the fallen Christian Churches; and, generally, of the whole population of these regions, at the present moment: while the Prophecy of Isaiah pourtrays, under the most animating figures, chiefly drawn from the natural scenery of this very