between them. They support a flat tower or roof, which projects a cornice wrought with figures of matchless workmanship: these rise above the capitals with so nice an union, that the eye, however perfect it may be, cannot distinguish the part in which they are joined. 9. At the present time, the greater part of this colonnade is destroyed, the western part alone remaining perfect and upright. This fabric has an elevation of 500 feet, and is 400 feet in length. In its exterior, and behind, it is flanked by two other towers similar to those of the first facade, the whole projecting from the wall, which withinside is provided with two loopholes, to keep off the enemy, in case of necessity, by the means of stones, fire, &c. 10. It also surrounds the colonnade, more particularly in the part which looks towards the east. At the left flank Prises a temple which, tradition says, was the hall of audience of Solomon, in height at least 80 feet, and long and large in proportion. Its stories are all sculptured in basreliefs similar to those which ornament Trajan's column at Rome, representing many triumphs and naval engagements. 11. Several of these bas-reliefs have been defaced by the Saracens, who are the decided enemies of all sculptures. Withoutside this grand hall is an avenue of the same size and breadth, where the traveller admires a large portal, constructed with three stones only, attached to which, in the middle part, serving as an architrave, is seen, in a garland of laurel interwoven with flowers, a large eagle, admirably sculptured in bas-relief. 12. At the sides of the portal are placed two columns, in one of which, although formed of a single stone, is a winding staircase by which to ascend to the architrave: the passage is, however, very narrow. There is in the vicinity another temple of an octangular shape, with a portico of superb architecture, and having three windows on the side opposite to the former. 13. On a large stone are inscribed these words in Latin: Diviso Mosei, on which Father Leander confesses he knows not, what interpretation to bestow. Thrice he returned to visit this splendid vestige of antiquity and on the last of these occasions, being well escorted, he proceeded to the distance of about a mile, to the foot of the mountains of Damascus, whence the stones, employed in its construction, were brought. 14. He measured the stone which remained there, and which has been already noticed as having been intended for the fifth in the construction of the wall: it had been hewn out on all sides, was lying on the ground, and was simply attached to the rock at the inferior part. 15. Its length and dimensions were such, that he could not conceive how it would have been possible to detach it, and still less with what machines to move, transport, and raise it to the height at which the others are placed, more especially as the sites, the roads, and the masses of rock, are such as to exceed in asperity whatever the imagination can picture to itself. In the vicinity of the cave whence these stones were drawn, is a very beautiful sepulchre supported by columns of porphyry, over which is a dome of the finest symmetry. Note. Palmyra was an ancient and magnificent city of Asia, in 33° north latitude.-Damascus, now called Sham, was a city of Syria, situated on the river Barida, in 340 North latitude. This city is supposed to contain 80,000 inhabitants, principally Arabs and Turks. It is the great rendezvous of pilgrims from the north of Asia. BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL 1. On the morning of the 17th of June, 1775, the Americans had made a show of returning the fire of their enemies, by throwing a few shot from their light field-pieces, as if in mockery of the tremendous cannonade which they sustained. But as the moment of severest trial approached, the same awful stillness which had settled upon the deserted streets of Charlestown hovered around the redoubt. 2. On the meadows, to its left, the recently arrived bands hastily threw the rails of two fences into one, and covering the whole with the mown grass that surrounded them, they posted themselves along the frail defence, which answered no better purpose than to conceal their weakness from their adversaries. Behind this characteristic rampart, several bodies of husbandmen from the neighbouring provinces of New Hampshire and Connecticut lay on their arms in sullen expectation.. 3. Their line extended from the shore to the base of the ridge, where it terminated several hundred feet behind the works; leaving a wide opening in a diagonal direction, between the fence and an earthen breast work, which ran a short distance down the declivity of the hill, from the northeastern angle of the redoubt. 4. A few hundred yards in the rear of this rude disposition, the naked crest of Bunker-hill rose unoccupied and undefended, and the streams of the Charles and Mystic sweeping around its base, approached so near each other as to blend the sounds of their rippling. It was across this low and narrow isthmus, that the royal frigates poured a stream of fire that never ceased, while around it hovered the numerous parties of the undisciplined Americans, hesitating to attempt the dangerous passage. 5. In this manner Gage had in a great degree surrounded the peninsula with his power; and the bold men who had so daringly planted themselves under the muzzles of his cannon were left unsupported, without nourishment, and with weapons from their own gun hooks, singly, to maintain the honour of their nation. 6. Including men of all ages and conditions, there might have been two thousand of them, but as the day advanced, small bodies of their countrymen, taking counsel of their feelings, and animated by the example of the old Partisan of the Woods who crossed and recrossed the neck, loudly scoffing at the danger, broke through the fire of the shipping in time to join in the closing and bloody business of the hour. 7. On the other hand, Howe led more than an equal number of the chosen troops of his Prince; and as boats continued to ply between the two peninsulas throughout the afternoon, the relative disparity continued undiminished to the end of the struggle. It was at this point in our narrative that, deeming himself sufficiently strong to force the defences of his despised foes, the arrangements immediately preparatory to such an undertaking were made in full view of the excited spectators. 8. Notwithstanding the security with which the English general marshalled his warriors, he felt that the approaching contest would be a battle of no common incidents. The eyes of tens of thousands were fastened on his movements, and the occasion demanded the richest display of the pageantry of war. The troops formed with beautiful accuracy, and the columns moved steadily along the shore, and took their assigned stations under cover of the brow of the eminence. 9. Their force was in some measure divided; one moiety attempting the toilsome ascent of the hill, and the other moving along the beach, or in the orchards of the more level ground, towards the husbandmen on the meadows. The latter soon disappeared behind some fruit trees and several brick kilns near the field of battle. 10. The advance of the royal columns up the ascent was slow and measured, giving time for their field guns to add their efforts to the uproar of the cannonade, which broke with new fury as the battalions prepared to march. When each column arrived at the allotted point it spread the gallant array of its glittering warriors under a bright sun. 11. The advance of the British line so beautiful and slow resembled rather the ordered steadiness of a drill than the approach to a deadly struggle. Their standards fluttered proudly above them, and there were moments when the wild music of their bands was heard rising on the air, and tempering the ruder sounds of the artillery. 12. The young and thoughtless turned their faces backward, and smiled exultingly as they beheld steeples, roofs, masts, and heights, teeming with their thousands of eyes, bent on the show of their bright array. As the British lines moved in open view of the little redoubt, and began slowly to gather around its different faces, gun after gun became silent, and the curious artillerist, or tired seaman, lay extended on his heated piece, gazing in mute wonder at the spectacle. 13. There was just then a moment when the roar of the cannonade seemed passing away like the rumbling of distant thunder. They will not fight," said the animated leader, "the military front of Howe has chilled the hearts of the knaves, and our victory will be bloodless!" These words were barely uttered, when platoon after platoon, among the British, delivered its fire, the blaze of musketry flashing swiftly around the brow of the hill, and was immediately followed by heavy volleys that ascended from the orchard. 14. Still no answering sound was heard from the Americans, and the royal troops were soon lost to the eye as they slowly marched into the white cloud which their own fire had created. At that instant a sheet of flame glanced through the smoke, like lightning playing in a cloud, while at one report a thousand muskets were added to the uproar. 15. The bright red lines of the royal troops were seen issuing from the smoke, waving and recoiling before the still vivid fire of their enemies. The smoky veil which clung around the brow of the eminence, was lifted by the air, and sailed heavily away to the south-west, leaving the scene of the bloody struggle again in view. 16. At this instant, an officer from the field held an earnest communication with the two leaders, when, having delivered his orders, he hastened back to his boat, like one who felt himself engaged in matters of life and death. "It shall be done, sir," repeated Clinton, as the other departed, his own honest brow sternly knit under high martial excitement." The artillery have their orders, and the work will be accomplished without delay." 17. "This," cried his more sophisticated companion, "this is one of the trying duties of the soldier! To fight, to bleed, or even to die for his prince, is his happy privilege; but it is sometimes his unfortunate lot to become the instrument of vengeance." The flaming balls were soon seen taking their wide circuit in the air, and carrying their desolation among the close and inflammable roofs of the opposite town. 18. In a very few minutes a dense black smoke arose from the deserted buildings, and forked flames played actively along the heated shingles, as though rioting in their unmolested possession of the place. In scenes like these we are attempting to describe, hours appear to be minutes, and time flies as imperceptibly as life slides from beneath the feet of age. 19. The disordered ranks of the British had been arrested at the base of the hill, and were again forming under the eyes of their leaders, with admirable discipline, and extraordinary care. Fresh battalions, from Boston, marched with high military pride into the line, and every thing betokened that a second assault was at hand. 20. When the moment of stupid amazement which sucseeded the retreat of the royal troops had passed, the troops |