The history of Hebron, or El-Kalleel (the Friend of God), is particularly interesting. It is one of the oldest cities in the world, having been built seven years before Zoan or Memphis in Egypt (Num. xiii. 22). “Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar to the Lord” (Gen. xiii. 18). Later on Joshua smote it with the edge of the sword and destroyed it utterly; afterwards he gave it to Caleb for an inheritance, “because that he wholly followed the Lord God of Israel.” David reigned here seven years and a half. The murderers of Ishbosheth were hanged by the pool, which is still in existence. Rebellious Absalom made the city his headquarters. Centuries later it was taken from the Edomites by Judas Maccabees, but since 1187 it has been in the hands of the Moslems. To-day it is a picturesque stone town, the centre of commerce for the southern Arabs, who bring their wool and camels’ hair to the market. They also trade extensively in glass beads and leathern water-buckets. We were sorry when our two days had expired, but alas! we had to say good-bye to our hospitable English friends, for time pressed; so waving a last farewell to the groups of deaconesses and servants, who had gathered at the door of the mission house, we turned our faces again towards Jerusalem. A couple of days in David’s city followed and then to Jericho, where we bathed in the mysterious Dead Sea, and in consequence were covered with salt crystals. Starting before sunrise, we were back again in Jerusalem at 9 A.M., and late in the same afternoon our little cavalcade, comprising Ameen, Bon Jour, Elizabeth and myself, rode out of the city on our way north.