These impressions are arranged in three parts, as they bear upon the geography, the history, and the spirit of Syria. They have been corrected and amplified by as wide reading as the short time at my disposal allowed. A few of the books read or consulted are referred to in footnotes, but many others have helped me. To append a list of them to so small a contribution to the subject as this, would be but to remind the reader of the old fable, _Nascetur ridiculus mus_. I must, however, acknowledge with much gratitude my obligation to two volumes above all others--Major (now Colonel) Conder’s _Tent Work in Palestine_, and Professor George Adam Smith’s _Historical Geography of the Holy Land_. To these every chapter is indebted more or less, some chapters very deeply. Among the pleasures which this task has brought with it, none is greater than the intimate acquaintance with these two works which it entailed. With Professor Smith I have a more personal bond of obligation than the invaluable help I have had from his book. Last year we rode and camped together from Hebron to Damascus, back over the eastern spurs of Hermon to the coast, and north by Tyre and Sidon to Beyrout. All who were in that party know, as no words can express, how much insight and suggestion we owed to the leader who interpreted the land for us so brilliantly and with such kindness. For my own part I feel that at times it has been difficult to distinguish between impressions of my own and those which have been unconsciously borrowed from him. If I have borrowed freely, I am sure he will allow me to count that among the many privileges of our long acquaintance, and as a token of my admiration for his genius and gratitude for his friendship. JOHN KELMAN. EDINBURGH, 1902. PUBLISHERS’ NOTE For the purposes of this reissue the author has revised the work and slightly abridged it, but no attempt has been made to describe the changed conditions consequent on the War. _September 1923._ Contents PART I.--THE LAND, pp. 1 to 84 CHAPTER PAGE 1. THE COLOUR OF THE LAND 7 2. THE DESERT 20 3. THE LIFE OF THE LAND 37 4. THE WATERS OF ISRAEL 51 5. BROWN VILLAGES, WHITE TOWNS, AND A GREY CITY 65 PART II.--THE INVADERS, pp. 85 to 172 1. ISRAELITE 88 2. GRÆCO-ROMAN 98 3. CHRISTIAN 115 4. MOSLEM 137 5. CRUSADER 157 PART III.--THE SPIRIT OF SYRIA, pp. 173 to 245