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412 When I inquired, "Why has the Russian Government gone to the expense of building a jetty and a hospice here and another hospice at Nazareth?" Russian employés and seemingly-satisfied Turks invariably answered, "It is for the benefit of Greek pilgrims, who come every year in great numbers to visit the holy places." But there were Europeans who shrugged their shoulders suspiciously, and said, "Perhaps this jetty is only built for the devotees of the Greek Church, but it would certainly, nevertheless, facilitate the landing of troops. Perhaps the hospices are only erected to shelter pilgrims, but they would, for all that, make excellent barracks." The generality of the Arabs were quite satisfied, and said, "God is bountiful!" and, "The Franjîs have long purses." Others said, "God knows what these things portend!" and then they silently smoked their pipes.

Russian influence was increasing every-where. A line of Government steamers had been established on the coast of Syria, and they called at Hâifa twice a week. We thus frequently came into contact with Russian captains and officers, and found them agreeable, well-educated, and liberal-minded men. Throughout the country Russia was well represented, and the consuls are almost invariably excellent linguists and independent of native interpreters. They thus avoid all those disputes and misunderstandings which arise out of the intrigues or the blunders of consular dragomen.

The Emperor of Russia had agents at work, eagerly investigating the ancient literary stores of Syria. For him the monasteries have been ransacked, and early manuscripts of the Gospels and of the Epistles have been brought to light. Through private Russian enterprise the Samaritans have been induced to part with some valựable MS. copies of the Pentateuch. Of one of these MSS. a fâc-simile has been made, and it is now—1861—being multiplied by means of lithography at Jerusalem, by Dr. Levisohn, who has devoted himself for some time to the study of Samar-