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Jerusnlcm.—Vnrietles.A month ago, I mentioned that the rains had not then comeyand that, in consequence, a great many of the inhabitants were in great distress. 1 am now glad to aaj* that since then we have had some heavy showers. Thesupply, however, is still scanty, very scanty indeed. It is only just enough to enable the inhabitants to go on for the time. All are looking forward with anxiety for a much more copious fall. The neighboring husbandmen have been enabled to till the ground, the showers having been heavy enough to prepare the soil, if I may call it soil. I was astonished anil, not a little amused, a few days ago, when taking a stroll outBide the Jaffa gate, to see the upper part of the Gilion valley. (Wady) turned into fields, and submitting to the implementsof husbandry. They seem-ed to be nothing but mere fields of stone?, and yet there must have been enough of soil underneath and between the myriads of stones that covered the surface toencourage the hopes of the laborers. There was three yokes of oxen busily at work ploughing, and in due time a fair crop, I have no doubt, will be the reward. This is one out of many similar examples that show the wonderful capabilities of the country.Having touched upon the agricultural in-, teresf, I may as well mention that a scheme* is now in progress to induce the Jews to cultivate Palestine. 11 bus originated with Dr.. Barclay, of America, who has lived for some years in Jerusalem and is now Hving.lt;s4Jaffa.A meeting was last week conveneti-’ at the Mediterranean Hotel, for ihepurpcoeof discussing the subject. Dr. Barclay Tend the outlines of the project, and gentlemen from dfferent parts of the world who happened to be in Jerusalem took part in the proceedings. From the preamble, it:appeared that this plan will keep clear of all attempts at converting the Jews to Christianity. It it lobe a scheme* of pure philanthropy, the-object of the Doctor being not conversion but restoration. Whether it will be fairly triectyaad if tried whetherit will succeed, time alone can tell. Perhaps-I ought to add that the doctor isa missionary from America, a roost literal minded man, and a warm advocate of the restoration of the Jews to the possession of the land of their-forefathers.I mentioned in my former communication the Jewish houses which are being built outside the town. I ought to have named two other buildings now in progress inside the city. These are two large and fine synagogues —one belongs to the Cliasidim, andds planned and superintended by the worthy rabbi, who0is son of the ingenius rabbi Israel Back, and possesses the natural gifts of his father. TJiie-synagogue, including its dependent rooms,-, measures 35yarfrom [north to south, and 25 from east to west. Underneath the floor there are two min'c+s, three cisterns to hold» water, and two large storehouse. The first' floor is divided into five rooms— one for lodging strnngersT one for a boys’ school, one for studying the law, the fourth a common room for reading, and the fifth for the shamas to live in. The second floor is for the synagogue itself, which measures 26 yards by 18, and a depth of 35 yards. It is to be topped' with a dome of suitable demensions, whichi will render it one of the finest buildings in. Jerusalem. The community, however,. have • poor hopes of its being completed; their-funds are quite exhausted, and the work i3- at-a staudtstill.The other synagogue belongs to Jerushito^ and is-under the superintendence of rabbi Aricb. This was planned by the architect from Constantinople, and is-about the- samo. dimensions-as the above. It is now roofed, and its stately dome rises its he.ul* above all the surrounding buildings. In facial is quite an ornament, to Jerusalem. But tire com mu-nity to which this-also belongs-can not finish, it for the want of-fun ds.It forget.-at tbis-rooment whether I* mention-.cd mmy former note a plot- of ground, in possession of ;the»Jfcws, on the en*t brow of* Mount Zion. D seems to bo a very, eligible* plot of ground tobuild upon, and if; any one who-has money, to layout were to build upon it he-would receive a good ppr oentnge for his. outlay, os wellias benefiting the Jews. The-rents here have of late become, outrageously bigjv, and are.becominghigher still. I, bavc-been astounded.at the - ppid by manypoor families-for filthy/rudi miserable, rooms. —rooms thatanany oft their Itandon brethren, would be sorry to hiroifor theSr beasts of bur--dea. ...1 am, nay dear sityywirs very truly,Jv Mills,..Jerusaltj Jaiu.19,,1860..
Newspaper Details
Cincinnati Israelite
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
Fri, Apr 06, 1860
Page 5
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
GB 12 Jun 2021
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