FIVE YEARS IN DAMASCUS:

INCLUDING AN ACCOUNT

OF THE

HISTORY, TOPOGRAPHY, AND ANTIQUITIES
OF THAT CITY.

WITH

TRAVELS AND RESEARCHES IN PALMYRA, LEBANON,
AND THE HAURAN.

By REV. J. L. PORTER, A.M., F.R.S.L.

IN TWO VOLUMES.-VOL. II.

With Maps and Illustrations.

LONDON:

JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET.

1855.

The right of Translation is reserved.

Off 3663.3 (2)

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

LIBRARY

JUL 18 1980

LONDON: PRINTED BY W. CLOWES & SONS, STAMFORD STREET,

AND CHARING CROSS.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.

CHAPTER X.

JOURNEY ALONG THE BORDERS OF THE DESERT TO THE

JEBEL HAURAN.

Objects of the tour

legislation

PHARPAR

Difficulties - Druze war —

-

A battle Turkish

- A caravan - Singular mirage The valley of the 'Awaj,

Scenery of the desert

-

-

A night march and adventure

Deserted town of Burâk. - Remarkable stone houses- Exciting tale of

border warfare

-

-

Wild scenery of the Lejah, Trachonitis - Moonlight

numbers of deserted towns Buildings of Hît - - Their antiquity

Singular features of the Lejah - Vast

Visit to Bathanyeh, Batanæa

The province of Batanca identified

Deserted towns

Druze horsemanship- Visit to Shuka, the ancient Saccaa

-

of Săfă- Wady Liwa - Visit to Shuhba Causes of the Druze war

and tyranny of Turkish rulers Ruins of theatre, temples, &c.

Extinct crater Identification of site-

-

- Princes of Shehab

Terraced

Ruins of

hills Mourning for the slain in battle Ancient towns

Suleim identified with Neapolis - Beautiful mountain scenery - Visit to

Kunawat, KENATH Splendid ruins A Druze schoolmaster -

Character of the Bedawîn Description of Kunawât