Page:Domestic Life in Palestine.pdf/62

Rh with their shadows. One moment a hill was crowned with sunlight, the next it was all in shade. The flocks of goats browsing on the hill-sides, and peasant women making their way to the city, laden with vegetables, bowls of milk, and baskets of fowls, animated the landscape. L. and the children returned with me to the convent, where I spent the whole day, drawing delightedly some of the curious mosaic pictures. (I will refer those who take an interest in early Christian art to No. 878 of the Builder, published December 3, 1859, in which some examples of these are given from my sketch-book.) Considering that these buildings were deserted and left in ruins for two or three centuries, it is surprising that so much of the ancient work remains in good preservation. We were led to a cavern under the altar, and the identical spot where the sacred tree grew was pointed out to us in a damp and dark recess. We saw some workmen destroying an ancient Georgian MS. They were using the parchment to make bags for their dry powdered colors, and willingly gave me a few sheets. The garden terrace of the convent is roofed with trellis-work covered with vines, and the rich fruit hung above us in heavy clusters. We strolled home on foot, gathering bright-blue borage, wild pinks, and geraniums.

A red, cloudy sunset was followed by a calm moonlight night, only disturbed by prowling jackals, noisy hyenas, and wild dogs without, and buzzing musketoes within. In the morning I found the tent curtains saturated with dew, and the garments which had been hanging there during the night were too damp to be put on with safety.