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Solomon at Balbec and Palmyra are of the most perfect forms, such as no succeeding age has ever improved upon. Nor is it at all unreasonable to believe that the Hebrews, among whom originated so fine a code of laws, the purest moral maxims, and whose poetry is admitted to excel that of all other nations, should likewise have excelled all others in the beauty and grandeur of their architectural forms. How their celebrated king came into possession of his various and unequalled accomplishments, is clearly and particularly set forth in different parts of his beautiful treatise on the duties of kings: "God has granted me to speak as I would, and to conceive as is meet for the things that are to be spoken of, because it is he that leadeth unto wisdom, and directeth the wise. For in his hand are both we and our words; all wisdom also, and knowledge of the things that are, namely, to know how the world was made, and the operation of the elements; the beginning, ending, and midst of the times, the alterations of the turning of the sun, and the change of seasons; the circuit of years, and the position of stars; and all such things as are either secret or manifest, them I know. For Wisdom, which is the worker of all things, taught me."

MOUNT CARMEL, LOOKING TOWARDS THE SEA.

Harissa is a

This spot is supposed to be the one from whence Elijah's servant discovered the approach of the cloud: the surface of the mountain is here very rocky, wild, and sterile, although the monks have contrived to establish a little garden behind the convent. The small town of Caipha beneath, affords only a miserable lodging to the traveller, who gladly makes his way to the monastery, which, though less extensive than several of the convents of Lebanon, is equal in comfort to almost any of them. That of Harissa, belonging, like this of Carmel, to the Catholic mission of Terra Santa, is a beautiful and spacious edifice, and is distant two hours from that of Antoura. delightful retreat, where the stranger is heartily and hospitably entertained; its extensive interior is peopled by but a few ecclesiastics: it contains above thirty rooms, besides the church, refectory, kitchen, and some other apartments. It is finely situated, with a view of the sea and coast, and has a pure refreshing air. The convent of Y-b-zumar, also in Lebanon, is the residence of the Armenian patriarch. In this noble establishment he entertains the traveller handsomely, and does the honours of his table with much taste in proof of the excellence of his vintage, he has different kinds of wine, several of them of the choicest flavour, brought in succession. This is rather a theological seminary than a convent; about twenty young men are here pursuing studies preparatory to the ministry. There is no convent in Syria or Palestine so good or so neat as this of Y-b-zumar; nor in any of the monastic establishments are there men of equal talents or acquisitions; they are agreeable, enterprising, and persevering. The convent of Ain-el-Warka, about four hours from Beirout, is a Maronite establishment, where the Maronites are taught Syrian, and prepared for the priesthood. Here are above twenty pupils, one of whom is the young Assemanni,

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great-nephew of the celebrated Joseph, author of the "Bibliotheca Orientalis," who was the pope's legate in the national council of the Maronites in 1736. This man, Joseph Assemanni, left in youth the retreats of Lebanon, fired with an ambition to explore the treasures of learning at their fountain-head. He was a young Syrian, of obscure birth; and it was said, that as a shepherd he had watched the flocks on the mountain pastures. The few books which he could borrow from the neighbouring monastery, he read while tending his sheep. In the wilds of Lebanon, so calculated to nourish solitary genius, he prepared for the future triumphs of the Vatican. On his arrival at Rome, he was received at the Maronite college, which was a favourite seminary of Clement, the pontiff: the Syrian was soon noticed by him, and acquired his patronage by his simplicity and opening talents: he was first made a canon of Saint Peter. Assemanni buried himself in the learned retreats of the Vatican, scarcely allowing time for the performance of sacerdotal duties, or attendance at the ceremonies of St. Peter's. His life was blameless, as the lives of most book-worms are; and his very soul banqueted, day and night, with an insatiable appetite, upon the hundreds and thousands of volumes, amidst which he walked, sat, and slept. Not the cedars of Lebanon, nor her orange and cypress groves, were half as glorious in his eyes as those forests of books, which seemed to overshadow him at noon-day, and to afford him shelter from the blasts and storms of life. So rapid and extensive were his acquisitions, that he was promoted to be guardian and librarian of these vast collections of literature. His fame went forth from the ancient walls into many lands, whose institutions were proud to enrol his name among them. And now the sovereign pontiff named him to be his legate in Syria, and sent him there with powers and authority to heal all dissensions, to suppress error, and to punish the recusants.

On his arrival in Lebanon, he passed some days with his aged parents, whose pride and exultation were very great, while his ancient friends and relatives crowded about him, perfectly conscious that he now held the keys of preferment. He bore his honours meekly; the darling ambition of his heart was accomplished. The habits and tastes of the student were more powerful than the love of his native scenes. When wandering there, where his simpler days were passed-the shepherd's pipe, the cottage, the mountain wilds—what a contrast to his present illustrious state! to the solemn halls left behind, and their precious volumes and manuscripts! Assemanni returned to his literary career in Rome, which was unbroken by care or misfortune. His old age was one of honour and esteem; and when his end drew nigh, he desired not, like Barzillai, "to be buried by the grave of his father and his mother," but was laid in the cemetery in Rome, sorrowing as much to part from the treasures of the Vatican as from his decaying life.

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