Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 1.djvu/206

 88 A History of Art in Sardinia and Jud.v.a. of Messrs. Warren, Wilson, Condor and others, had not the English people come to the rescue. But, after all, how much more do we know of the pre-exillic Jerusalem than we did before these explorations took place ? What do they amount to ? Those that bear undeniable characteristics of being ancient are : the two rock-cut canals, the rock-hewn structures, some cisterns in the sanctuary, particularly in the Sakhra ; and doubtful, but possibly Solomonian may be the voussoirs of the first bridge over the Tyropœon, as well as the twin jambs of the Golden Gate. This digression, which may have appeared abnormally long and dreary, and altogether outside the question, was rendered im- perative in order to expose De Saulcy's theory — a theory all the more mischievous that it was supported by talents of no mean order, and a degree of assurance which, at one time, obtained for it the favour of the unwary. We know better now than to trust a scholar who deliberately adds on the trifle of eight or nine centuries to all the older monuments of Jerusalem. When we come to treat of the diffusion of Greek art in that part of the world, it will not be difficult to expose the fallacy of De Saulcy, which makes him ascribe the Golden Gate to Herod, whilst architecture and ornament are sufficient indications of its Byzantine origin. 1 On the other hand, this discussion will not have been in vain, if thereby we have gained a clear understanding of the propor- tions of the temples on Moriah, and noted the significant fact that when the sacrificial altar was demolished, no other took its place, the temple itself being superseded by the synagogue, in which scriptures were read and prayers offered. Their ruins might be sought under the ashes that covered them, but atonements could no longer be made. 2 The exact site of the haram, around which so many memories have gathered, modern science, with no less ardour than mediaeval Crusader or believing Jew, has striven to discover ; and though unable to define it with absolute certainty, it is sufficiently near the mark to satisfy the most exacting. 3 1 Consult De Vogué, Le Temple, pp. 65-68. 2 Read the narrative of Kemal-ed-Din, reproduced by De Vogué, Le Temple, P- 73- 3 According to the rabbinical account, the sanctuary did not occupy the centre of the area ; but was somewhat more to the north, and nearer the west face. The