of the first objects which strike the eye and the ear of Travellers in Syria: their power, their numbers, the secrecy of their Sect, the peculiarity of their customs, and a few characteristic rumours in circulation concerning them—all conspire to stimulate curiosity. Yet probably no information is to be had of their real state, much beyond what has long existed in print: or if there be further stores, similar to those already half-revealed, it may possibly be better that they should remain unknown. Should the unhealthy appetite still crave for further acquaintance with Man's many inventions in these far-famed recesses of Mount Lebanon, it may, moreover, be doubted whether this singular race would ever admit a foreigner to the mysteries of the Order; or, finally, were this practicable, what Missionary would be justified in purchasing such knowledge at the expense of Druse-fraternization?

The wisest of men was taught by his own experience, that in much wisdom is much grief: and the great Apostle under the Gospel Dispensation desired to have his converts simple concerning evil; determining, for his part, to know nothing among them but Jesus Christ and him crucified! It might seem, therefore, that, after having investigated much the sentiments of erring men, it were a wise resolution to relinquish such studies-never to revert to them but from a motive of necessity-and gladly to seize the opportune moment for abandoning them.

To be wholly ignorant of the opinions of men in Syria may be the happy lot of private Christians in our own country: but it is otherwise with the duty of a Missionary. His is the painful task to read, not only his own evil heart, but the Volume like

wise of other men's experience; that he may know whom he has to encounter, what he has to refute, and where it is wisest to be silent and to stop. Happy for him, also, when he finds that period.

For these reasons, while the private reader may pardon, the Missionary Student may probably be grateful to the Writer for this Introductory View. And may all, who shall have scanned these wearying pages, be excited to a livelier sense of pity for the benighted and deluded wanderers, whose characters and sentiments have been thus variously depicted! How should our hearts glow at the thought of the bringing-in of a better hope! That Hope the Christian finds in his Bible: to this unerring Volume he turns his exhausted, aching eyes, and is revived! Most truly can the Author testify, that, after revolving for hours the ponderous tomes of the Acts of the Councils, the Researches of Assemann, and many other voluminous Works, on suddenly casting a glance upon that ONE BOOK, never to be removed from his table, often has he experienced such a lively transition of feeling, as cannot be better described than by the well-known simile of our sacred PoetAs when a scout,

Through dark and desert ways with peril gone
All night, at last, by break of cheerful dawn,
Obtains the brow of some high-climbing hill,
Which to his eye discovers unaware
The goodly prospect of some foreign land
First seen, or some renown'd metropolis
With glist'ring spires and pinnacles adorn'd,
Which now the rising sun gilds with his beams!-

(Paradise Lost: Book III.)

1

JOURNAL

OF A

Visit to Syria and the Holy Land,

IN THE YEAR

1823.

(65)

JOURNAL,

Tuesday, Sept. 9, 1823-We set sail from Alexandria to Beirout.

Saturday Evening, Sept. 13- Standing off the Coast of Saide and Beirout, we had a brilliant view of the illuminations which take place on the Mountains on the eve of the Festival of the Holy Cross. From north to south, there was a kind of semiamphitheatrical exhibition of lights; which increased in brilliancy, as the darkness of evening came on. Some of them rose to a very considerable height above the horizon, marking the great elevation of the Mountains. I counted fifty. These large fires were lighted by the Monasteries and Churches; and, throughout the whole of Mount Lebanon, from Tripoli to Sour, and in various other parts, this ceremony would take place. Considering that our view was partial, we may calculate, that not fewer perhaps than 500 such fires were lighted: the statement of numbers, however, whether calculated, or reported by those who ought to know, is not implicitly to be depended upon. In subsequent remarks on the number of Monasteries, or of different Sects and Denominations, or of the Population of towns, I would prepare every person not to expect, what it is next to impossible to attain, perfect accuracy.

BEIROUT.

Monday, Sept. 15-I landed at Beirout; and was kindly received by the English Consul, Peter Abbot, Esq. He informs me, that Mr. Lewis is occupying the College at Antoura, purchased by Mr.

F