Page:History of Art in Sardinia, Judæa, Syria and Asia Minor Vol 1.djvu/170

L52 A HlSTORV OF ART IN SARDINIA AND JuD.KA. and that the viaduct about Wilson's Arch consisted of a series of arches, some still in situ, the largest of which has a diameter of 13 m. 80 c. (Fig. 108), and shows traces of having been repaired by the Byzantines. 1 The lower sides of the valley around these bridges were occupied by artisans (tanners ?), who found in the brook running at the bottom of the ravine a supply of water to carry on their trade. This rill even now silently percolates through the rubbish which half chokes up the ravine ; its spring, however, which may be at some distance, could not be traced by the explorers, albeit its presence was everywhere visible in their trenches, often obliging them to desist from their work. 2 The canal below Robinson's Arch had a tank scooped into the rock, vaulted over with five or six arch stones (Fig. 107). Here and there the aqueduct widened, and more capacious cisterns were found ; in the roof of one was a hole for the hand to pass through to draw water. The rill followed nearly the direction of the west sanctuary wall, sometimes disappearing under masonry. 3 To reconstruct the physiognomy of Jerusalem, whose picturesque squares and streets so often formed the background of her seers, we should bring to mind cities likewise seated in the hills. True the houses of ancient Palestine differed from those of the present day, when the walls were slight and the roofs flat ; but for these exceptions the same charming irregularity prevails. As of yore edifices overhang deep ravines ; progress is impeded by perpetual ascending and descending, save where a bridge has been thrown athwart the gully. From the causeway the eye travels down upon roofs, terraces, courtyards, and narrow lanes, which winter rains turn into rushing torrents. The main buildings, such as consulates, churches, and convents, occupy as a rule, the summits of hills ; hence their whole contour is sharply outlined against the sky, and their aspect enhanced to the utmost. It is a feature not to be found in the cities of the plain, where the base of structures is lost to view amidst surrounding streets. Were I required to furnish a parallel to ancient Jerusalem, I should name Genoa, Perugia, and Siena. § 2. — Description of Mount Moriah. The broad outlines of the topography and configuration of Jerusalem having been obtained, we will turn our attention to 1 Recovery of Jerusale?n, pp. 16, 76, 94. 2 Ibid., pp. 76, 77. 3 Ibid., 104-107.