Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 1.djvu/188

 i;o A History of Art in Sardinia and Jud.va. to unfinished work is proved by the courses immediately above being finely chiselled all over, and with every indication of be- longing to the same period. The peculiarity is more likely to have arisen from the fact that such blocks were intended as foundation stones, part of which was sunk to give additional strength to the wall and prevent the rubbish accumulated at its base invading it, for it is never seen except near the rock. It is not necessary to point out that this difference of cut does not destroy the general aspect of the surface ; this is secured throughout by the great size and sunken face of the stones. One metre square blocks of fine joint and polish, with more accentuated batter than that of the preceding courses, but without boss or groove, are seen on the west and south fronts, at the Golden Gate, and part of the south face, and notably at the south-east angle (Figs. 116 and 118). 1 The stones above these, which we have named "second method," do not call for special mention, save that they are smaller, laid with cement, exhibiting, in places, huge bossed blocks. This of itself does not imply that they belong to the first period ; they may be no older than the Middle Ages, for they are met with in the fortresses left by the crusaders throughout Syria. A cursory examination of the gates will next follow ; but we will confine ourselves to singling out differences of material and date thereby implied. Those who may wish for an exhaustive description of this portion of the haram, will find it in De Vogue's beautiful work. 2 The sanctuary was entered on the south front by stairs or ramps, now disappeared. To-day its only means of access is on the west façade, where the adjacent soil, being much higher than formerly, the gates in use open in the wall over the ancient portals, for the most part walled up. The sill of these doorways is level with the old surface, and that of the causeways which from the temple led to the town, and about 6 m. below the platform. 3 The opening in best preservation on this side is variously called West Gate or Barclay's Gate. It stands as nearly as possible under Bab-el-Maghâribe. 1 A marginal groove is a simple motif, says De Vogué ; strictly speaking, a rusticated face is a rapid, economical means for building a wall, the edges alone being dressed, whilst the surface of the stone is left rough. 2 De Vogué, Temple de Jerusalem, pp. 7, 12.
 * 1 The West Gate is not open to the general public; but, for a consideration,

a guide will take the visitor through it by private houses, and even to the platform of the haram.