The Life of David Roberts (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1866 Excerpt: ...traversing the waste, we have only met one or two Arabs, on their way to Egypt. ' Kith.--Leaving Wady Ramleh, or the Sandy Valley, this morning, we sent our camels with our tents and baggage forward, and prepared to ascend the mountain called Jebel Gerabee, on the summit of which Laborde discovered the monumental stones of which he has given engravings. Our way lay in the bed of a mountain-torrent recently dried. Numerous flowers were springing; among others, a species of broom with white blossom, challenged comparison with the beautiful acacia. The naked rocks, riven into fantastic shapes, towered in mighty grandeur over us. After much fatiguing climbing, we reached the summit of the mountain; and, to my amazement, instead of a few stones, we found an Egyptian temple in good preservation, the walls covered with emblematic figures, hieroglyphics, and cartouches of the early Egyptian kings. I made a sketch of this, and felt very much pleased at our discovery. ' 17th.--Mount Sinai burst upon our sight in all its grandeur; and here we met, for the first time, with an Arab encampment, surrounded by flocks of sheep and goats. ' 18th.--Started at 12 for the convent of St. Catherine, winding through a gloomy pass for about three hours. Night closed on us be fore we reached the convent. The effect of the setting sun gilding the o o o high peaks of the pass, while the ravine was a mass of shadow, far surpassed anything I had ever seen. About 7 o'clock we reached the convent. The only entrance is by an opening in the wall at the height of 30 feet, having a strong iron door, which, after considerable reconnoitering on the part of the monks, was unbolted, a light was lowered by a rope, and some faggots were thrown down to burn. These were kindled, and we were drawn up ...