ΤΟ ROBERT B. MINTURN. MY DEAR FRIEND, To whom with so great propriety as to yourself can I inscribe this volume? The excursion which it aims to narrate I should not in all probability have undertaken but for you. I shall ever recall with the liveliest satisfaction the pleasure I enjoyed, and the instruction I received, from thus visiting the scenes of events interesting above all others to the Christian; and assured that you also look back upon the days of our pilgrimage in the Land of Promise with like feelings, I beg you to accept this imperfect memorial of them. With sincere affection and respect, I am, your Friend, JONA. M. WAINWRIGHT. PREFACE. A FLOOD of light has been thrown upon the Holy Land by modern research; and its past history, physical appearance, and present condition, are now familiar to many readers. The present work makes no pretension to grapple with learned discussions which have engaged the research of Robinson, Williams, Wilson, and other modern travellers, well qualified for the task; for, even had its author been prepared to take part in them, his limited time would have precluded the attempt. He visited the Holy Land with different views : he went to see, to feel, and to believe; yielding to doubt only when compelled by common sense and his measure of information. To him, no description was ever unattractive of that land— "Over whose acres walked those blessed feet Which, eighteen hundred years ago, were nailed, Not a book upon Palestine was ever thrown |