THE LEBANON: (Mount Souria.) A HISTORY AND A DIARY. 66 BY DAVID URQUHART, AUTHOR OF 66 THE SPIRIT OF THE EAST," THE PILLARS OF HERCULES," THOMAS CAUTLEY NEWBY, 30, WELBECK STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARE. 1860. [The right of translation is reserved.] 246. a. 220.219. DIARY IN THE LEBANON. CHAPTER I. MARONITE CONVENTS. THE day having suddenly brightened, I had time to reach Emir Hydar's residence, and rejoiced to quit the den where I had been confined in darkness and smoke, though not sorry to have gone through it. I had begun to appreciate vividly the inconvenience of winter travelling in the Lebanon ; but so soon as I had emerged into the open air, and looked around on the prospect, the sun glistening on the snowy crests, and on the green tops of the pines, and penetrating to the red earth from which they grew, or rather seemed to stretch themselves, I again forgot the toil and inconveniences, and applauded my resolution; for such fresh sweet air, such bright colours, no other season could produce. We found the population scattered through the thin pine forests, gathering wood and digging out roots. I eyed them now with a haberdasher's eye, and scrutinized each Meintan and Jeleck, knowing the value of each piece of stuff. I found that I |