Our Work in Palestine. (Bentley.)—This very interesting volume gives "an
account of the different expeditions sent out to the Holy Land by the Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund " since 1865, when the fund was established. Au introductory chapter describes what had been done in the way of research and discovery up to that time, and the two that follow give an account, illustrated by a very plain and well-executed little plan, of the modern city. Then comes the "history of Jerusalem," and then a chapter .on its "legends and traditions." The historical evidence is then stated, and then the rival theories about the sites. Thus the way is cleared for an understanding of the excavations. These were commenced by Captain Warren in the early part of 1867, and continued for about three years. The work was limited by the prohibitions of the letter of authority which forbad him to excavate "in the Haram area and sites sacred to Christians and Moslems." The chief discoveries of the excavations related to the sub-structure of the Temple (stones inscribed with Phoenician characters, possibly of Solomon's time, have been found), and to what may be called the citadel of Jerusalem. Nothing is more curious than the multitude of cisterns which are found in the area of the Haram. One of these is 63 feet long, by 57 feet broad, and is supported on piers and pointed arches. Very few valuable articles have been found. A little sea), with the inscription, in Hebrew, "Haggai the Son of Shebaniah," may have belonged to the prophet who encouraged the building of the Second Temple. If it did, it is one of the most curious things in the world. The explorations of places other than Jerusalem are not loss interesting ; Hazor, Caesarea Philippi, the sites of the Sea of Galilee were carefully examined. Besides this, there has been a good deal of work done beyond the borders of Palestine ; the travels, for instance, of Messrs. Palmer and Drake in the Desert of the Exodus, which were spoken of at some length in these columns not long ago. The volume is publishsd under the direction of the Committee to the Fund, for the purpose of attracting fresh support, as well as of giving to those who have already helped an idea of what has been done. We trust that this purpose will be successfully attained. Great results probably yet remain to be achieved in the way of discovery. We are glad to learn that an American society has undertaken the task of a full exploration of the land of Moab.
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