thirteen. They say John Bull carries his country about with him; certainly the French do not come behind in this: here, in Tarsus, this family lived in the same style in which they would have done in Paris; but Madame G. confessed that they were at a sad loss for articles of the cuisine, and that, without the most watchful and incessant exertions, they should have fallen short in many essential points. The guest was tempted to think they must have conjured up the fricassees and entremets by magic. M. Gillet was

a most pleasant man, perfectly polite, cheerful, and full of anecdote; he had seen a good deal of service, and was in the Russian campaign. The guest took a reluctant leave of his kind host, who begged him, in parting, "de rappeller quelquefois les pauvres exiles de Tarsus."

ANCIENT BUILDINGS IN ACRE.

This is a very large, oblong structure, apparently of the time of the crusaders; the doorway of immense thickness and strength, the pillars still firm, the apartments small and dim-a formidable hold in that fierce age. It is near the convent, surrounds an open court, and is supported upon gothic arcades: its deep double gateways and portcullis tell of the period when each house was a fortalice, and the city of Acre rife with Christian animosity and envy. It seems not to be appropriated to any purpose of business or lodging; it would make an excellent khan; and, did it stand in the wilderness, it would be an admirable home for the benighted traveller and merchant, but its lofty corridors are generally empty and silent. The convent in Acre is the only roof that shelters the stranger; its two or three poor monks wander about their large building with a dejected air; and are very glad to receive guests, whose arrival is an excitement to their dull life. "One of the friars," observes the artist, "was an Italian, and expressed his regret at lacking a pair of suitable shoes, the only drawback to his satisfaction in his shooting excursions in the neighbourhood: he was supplied by one of our party. Kept awake all night by the tenants of conventual beds-in general, hour after hour passed watching. How startling, in the dead of night, was the chant of the Muezzin, alone disturbing its stillness and repose:

""Twas musical, but sadly sweet,

Such as when winds and harp-strings meet,

And take a long unmeasured tone

To mortal minstrelsy unknown."

INTERIOR OF THE GREAT TEMPLE-BALBEC.

The situation of Balbec was remarkably fine, and its air heathful; its territory, which is extensive, and abundantly watered by rivulets, extends twelve hours through the plain of the Bekaa, and fourteen hours from Homs, where the Anti-Libanus terminates. Each village has its spring, and the soil is extremely fertile. About thirty years ago, the