from Bethlehem to Jerusalem, constructed by the monks of Mâr Eliâs, which is the first of the kind in Palestine, since the construction of a similar road by the French, running from Beîrut to Damascus. The wind had increased to a tornado as we swept by the Plain of Rephaim. It was the last object of Biblical interest to heighten the joy of a long and interesting tour. Stretching from the rocky brow of Hinnom to the Convent of Elias, it gradually declines to the narrow Valley of Roses. A mile in length, it is one of the richest plains in the Holy Land. It is remarkable in sacred history as the camp of the Philistines in the days of Saul, and as containing a mulberry-grove, now gone, in the tops of the trees, of which David heard a “sound of a going,”[374] which to him was the signal of war and the pæan of victory. CHAPTER IX. Land of the Philistines. ―― Its Limits. ―― Fell to the Lot of Simeon and Dan. ―― Origin of the Philistines. ―― The meaning of the Name. ―― Their royal Cities. ―― Their God and Goddess. ―― Journey thither. ―― Valley of Roses. ―― Baptism of the Eunuch. ―― Home of John the Baptist. ―― Slaughter of the Jews in the City of Bether. ―― Site of Bethshemesh. ―― Home of Samson. ―― Village of Zorah. ―― Field where the Angel appeared. ―― Town of Timnath. ―― Lair of the Lion. ―― Home of Delilah. ―― Oriental Weddings. ―― Valley of Shochoh. ―― Scene of the Conflict between David and Goliath. ―― Correspondence between Scripture and the natural Features of the Place. ―― The Valley. ―― The Brook. ―― The smooth Stones. ―― The Sling. ―― The Mountains. ―― The Champions. ―― The Victory. ―― Home of Goliath. ―― Gath. ―― David’s feigned Insanity. ―― Road to Eleutheropolis. ―― Its Location. ―― Great Caves. ―― Site of Lachish. ―― Its great Battle-field. ―― Sennacherib and Hezekiah. ―― Byron’s Hebrew Melody. ―― Gaza. ―― Palm-groves. ―― Direction of the Road. ―― Site of the City. ―― Modern City. ―― Ancient Ruins. ―― Christian Church. ―― Home of Giants. ―― Gates that Samson carried away. ―― His Prison. ―― The great Feast. ―― Samson called. ―― His Presence alarms the Multitude. ―― Feats of Strength. ―― Death Scene. ―― He is a Failure. ―― Alexander the Great wounded at Gaza. ―― A Moslem City. ―― Ascalon. ―― Route thither. ―― Stood near the Sea. ―― Ruins. ―― Desolation. ―― History. ―― Adorned by Herod. ―― Captured by the Crusaders. ―― Road to Ashdod. ―― Beautiful Gardens. ―― No Ruins. ―― Dagon and the Ark. ―― Road to Joppa. ―― Villages. ―― Joppa on the Sea. ―― Its Antiquity. ―― Floats of Pine and Cedar. ―― House of Simon. ―― Substantial Structure. ―― Peter’s Vision. ―― Appearance of the Town. ―― Gate of the City. ―― Population. ―― Jews. ―― Nubian Magician. ―― Magnificent Orange-groves. ―― Ramleh. ―― Franciscans. ―― Traditions. ―― Antiquities. ―― Tower. ―― View. ―― Ludd. ―― Eneas cured