ers such as
are commonly seen about Bethlehem for summer residence of the cultivator
and his family during the season of fruit ripening, and which are meant
by the Biblical term of a tower built in the midst of a vineyard, (see
Matthew xxi. 33, and Isaiah v. 2.) It is remarkable how perfectly
circular these are always built, though so small in size. We had also a
receptacle for beehives, and an ancient sepulchre.

The hill rises very steeply, but being as usual formed into ledges or
terraces, upon one of these, in a corner near the wall, the stable was
constructed of a small tent, near a big tree, within the shadow of which,
and of a bank, the horses were picketed.

Upon the other ledges were arranged the tents for sleeping in at night,
and alongside of the cottage a kitchen was made of a wall and a roof made
of branches of trees brought from a distance.

Such was our abode in the pure mountain breezes, with unclouded sunshine,
and plenty of good spring water within reach.

Inside the stone walls of the house we stayed during the heat of the day;
the children learned their lessons there, and I transacted business in
writing, when my presence in Jerusalem was not absolutely required by
those carrying on the current daily affairs; indeed the reason for
resorting to this place was the necessity for obtaining recruitment of
health, after a serious illness brought on by arduous labour. Had not
unforeseen anxieties come upon us, no lot on earth could have been more
perfectly delicious in the quality of enjoyment, both for body and
spirit, than that sojourn upon the wild hill; among ourselves were
innocence and union, consequently peace; time was profitably spent; and
our recreations were, practice in the tonic sol-fa singing lessons, with
sketching and rambling on foot or on horseback over the breezy heights of
Judah.

And whether by evening twilight, or at the rising of the sun out of the
Moab mountains, or earlier still, by summer morning starlight, when
Sirius and Canopus (the latter unseen in England) vied with each other in
sparkling their varied colours to praise their Maker in the firmament,
His handiwork; those rambles were sources of delight that cannot be
expressed in human language; they were, however, not novelties after so
many years' residence in that Asiatic climate, but had become wrought
into our very existence.

Our Sabbaths were happy and conscientiously observed; we kept up the
services of the Ch