Page:Palestine Exploration Fund - Quarterly Statement for 1894.djvu/195

Rh He reports a meeting of tourists and others taking an interest in Jerusalem topography, which was held in one of the hotels of the city, at which Mr. Bliss gave an address on the projected excavations.

We regret to hear of the decease of a well-known Jerusalem archæologist, the Russian Archimandrite Antoine, Spiritual Head of the Russian Establishment there.

Herr von Schick has completed new models of the Haram es Sherif, one showing the ancient temples, and the other the buildings of Hadrian, and of the Crusading and the Mohammedan periods, including those now existing.

The German Palestine Society have sent out Dr. Blankenberg, of Eriangen, to study the geology of the Holy Land. He has visited Hebron, Usdum, Engedi, Jericho, and other places.

On Saturday, May 19th, the officers of the Fund were entertained at dinner by the Maccabean Society at St. James's Hall. Mr. Walter Morrison, the treasurer, Major-General Sir Charles Wilson, R. E., Major Conder, R. E., Colonel Watson, R. E., and Mr. George Armstrong were the guests of the evening. Letters of apology were read from Sir George Grove, Messrs. William Simpson, Walter Besant, and Professor W. M. Flinders Petrie, who regretted their inability to attend the gathering.

In an article on the above subject the "Jewish Chronicle" remarked:—

"The Palestine explorers have done wonderful work in the past 30 years. and they are about to embark in a fresh and interesting scheme of further investigation. Hence, when honour is shown to some of the most prominent members of the band of officers and scholars who have restored to the modern world so much knowledge of the topography of Palestine, the honour is a compound reward for favours past and to come. It is no small thing to have given us a chart of Palestine as full in details and as accurate in its identifications as the maps which ordinarily do duty as representations even of European countries to-day.

"Immediate steps are to be taken to begin the excavations at Jerusalem 'graciously permitted' by the Ottoman Government, and it is hoped that some of the problems having reference to Ancient Jerusalem will be set at rest. The old walls, the old buildings, the old sites may have left beneath the sacred soil records well worthy of being brought to the light of day. Who shall say what two years' excavations, systematic and unimpeded, may produce? But Jerusalem, moreover, is an inhabited city, and excavation can only be conducted in the parts less densely populated, on the outskirts rather than in the body of the city. But it must not be forgotten that it is on the outskirts that the chief hope of important results may be expected.

"These difficulties will only arouse enthusiastic vigour in the explorers if they feel that their work is being appreciated by the public. Money is required