CAVE OF THE SCHOOL OF THE PROPHETS.

This is situated in the declivity of Mount Carmel, above the road to Cesarea; it is lofty, and appears to be a natural excavation, and not hewn out by human labour. Through its arched doorway comes the only light, which is insufficient for the spacious interior. During the Easter season, a lamp is suspended from the roof. Even were no hallowed remembrances attached to this spot, its aspect and situation would repay a visit. Turks are often found here, as full of veneration as the Christian; and the pilgrim, from his distant country of Spain, Italy, or Austria, who makes the round of all the saintly places with a stock of faith that is never exhausted: pale, wearied, yet excited, he gazes wistfully on the dim masses of rock, on which the lamp casts a funereal glare. The cave is more like a sepulchre than a place of abode and instruction. The Latin, the Greek, and the Armenian also come here from Jerusalem, as the adjacent convent offers hospitality for a night. Indeed, there is hardly in Palestine a monastic retreat so tempting to the traveller and pilgrim as this of Carmel, where a few days may be memorably spent. The mountain offers many a splendid view from its summit, and many a secluded and romantic scene in its bosom: deep and verdant precipices, descending into lonely glens, through which a rivulet is seen dashing wildly; a shepherd and his flock on the long grassy slopes, that afford at present as rich pasture ground as in the days when Nabal fed his herds in Carmel. While barrenness is on every side, and the curse of the withered soil is felt on hill, valley, and shore, this beautiful mountain seems to retain its ancient "excellency" of flowers, trees, and a perpetual verdure. Immediately around this cave are grey rocks, with a sprinkling of vegetation: beneath, is the sea, with many a sail on its bosom; passengers, merchants, and traders are in the path between the mountain and the sea, journeying to Jaffa. It is beautiful to stand at the door of the cave, and gaze on this scene; and then turn within, and call up the images and memories of the time when Elias made this his resting-place. To Carmel he loved to come more than to any other scene: bordering on the sea, and remote from the capitals of Israel and Judah, it offered an undisturbed place of retirement and contemplation. Perhaps its security and remoteness might also recommend this cavern in times of persecution, as a suitable retreat for the sons of the prophets. What a scene for a painter !—the little band of the faithful witnesses in Israel, gathered together in this cave, lamenting the falling away of the people from God, the altars cast down, and their fathers slain; and waiting anxiously the arrival of the mighty Prophet, their Instructor and Friend.

The air of this region is remarkably healthful, and favourable to the old age of the recluses who have since often inhabited this place, though not so well lodged as the present Carmelites. There are fragments of walls still visible, where a monastery formerly stood. It was an impressive exile, to which no fascinations of the world could