CHAPTER XXIX.

RAMLEH.

REINHARD'S HOTEL, RAMLEH, February 21, 1890.

We left Jaffa at 3 P.M., in as fine a landau as you would see in Hyde Park, with three horses and a dragoman, and drove along a splendid macadam road, meeting and constantly passing camels, donkeys, and strange-looking Turks. Soon we came to the Plains of Sharon, perfectly level, and stretching off for ten or twenty miles each way, covered with red, blue, and yellow flowers. They are said to be the "roses of Sharon" mentioned in the Scriptures, but really are a species of poppy. At a distance we saw the high hills and mountains which surround Jerusalem. The scenes were of the most thrilling interest, for Solomon often passed this way, and over the road were transported the cedars of Lebanon of which the great temple was built. It was a cool and bracing day, and we had a delightful trip, arriving at this excellent hotel at 5 P.M., and at once walked to the ruins of a mosque built in 1099 A.D., by Saladin. The tower, an elegant structure, is still standing. We went to the top of this tower, and looked upon a lovely landscape. As far as the eye could see, the plains were covered with almond-trees in full blossom, and other trees and shrubs peculiar to the country, the big cactus plants being used for fences. As we returned we passed a tower, from the top of which a priest was crying aloud for the faithful to pray. Every few miles was a guard-house, and horsemen were often met on the road who acted as police.