It will do you good every time you read it. We hope, in a little while to be in heaven. Let us strive to live a heavenly life on earth, and to do all in our power, to excite others to seek that heavenly rest. Endeavor by your letters, your visits, your prayers, and your example, to win some souls to Christ."

The population of Tyre is variously estimated at from 1,000 to 3,000, and that of Sidon from 4,000 to 6,000. Dependence cannot be made upon the accuracy of such estimates. From the latter place Mr. Fisk went on the 10th to Beyroot, where the American mission is established-the first Protestant mission commenced in Syria. Of the advantages of this station he thus speaks.

"Beyroot seems to me to possess many important advantages as a missionary station. It is situated at the foot of Mount Lebanon, and a missionary might very profitably spend the hot months of the summer among the convents and villages of the mountains, many of which are within a few hours ride of the town. Occasional visits might be made to Damascus, which is only three days off. On the other hand, it is only one or two days sail to Cyprus. On the coast south of Beyroot you reach Sidon in one day, and Tyre in two; and to the west, in two or three days, you arrive at Tripoli, where I understand there are many Greeks. It would be easy to maintain correspondence with all these places, and to supply them with books. In Beyroot itself a missionary who could preach in Italian might, I think, collect a small congregation immediately; and if he were disposed to open a school, there are probably few places in Syria that would be so promising. Another circumstance which, though not perhaps very important in itself, will yet weigh something in the mind of a missionary, is, that here he will find, oftener than any where else in Syria, opportunities to receive and forward communications. Here too

he will enjoy the protection of an English consul, and the society and friendship of several other consuls and their families. I think a missionary family would be more comfortably situated at Beyroot, than at any other place which I have seen in Syria."

The population of Beyroot is estimated at from 3,000 or 4,000 to 14,000, the least number, in the opinion of Mr. Fisk is nearest the truth. "It is pleasantly situated," says Mr. Goodell, "on the western side of a large bay, in 33° 49′ north latitude, and 35° 50′ east longitude. It is the great emporium of all that dwell upon the mountains."

In order to find a cool and healthy residence Mr. Fisk and his associate went to Mount Lebanon. The place was considered favorable also for pursuing the study of Arabic, and for prosecuting missionary labors and researches. He made an early visit to the Emeer Besheer, the governor of the territory, whom he saw in Egypt.

"July 16. We left Beyroot for the residence of the prince, near Der el Kamer. We set out on asses, at six o'clock. For about two hours our road was nearly level, across the plain of Beyroot,-direction a little east of south. We passed a large grove of pines, which were planted to promote the healthiness of the place, and then extensive fields of mulberry trees, which are cultivated for the silk worm. Turning a little more easterly, we began to ascend the mountain, and continued ascending nearly three hours, which brought us to the summit of the first range of Mount Lebanon. We descended in two hours to a small river, where we rested half an hour, and dined on bread and a watermelon. At half past one we resumed our journey, and at three reached the summit of the second range. A half hour more brought us to Der el Kamer, which is considered as the capital town on the mountains. It is, I believe, the only place on Mount Lebanon where either Turks or Jews live. It has a mosque, but I was

told, only five or six Turkish inhabitants. There are also a few families of Jews. The population was estimated at three or four thousand men, capable of bearing arms. One hour's ride carried us from the town across the second valley, and up to the palace of the emeer; which stands on a projection of the third range of hills. Mount Lebanon is not in its whole length regularly formed into different ranges of hills, and intervening valleys, as it seems to be in this place. It is rather a promiscuous jumble of rocky, precipitous hills, forming irregular basons and deep ravines. The direction of the hills and vallies between Beyroot and Der el Kamer is nearly north-east and south-west; and the streams find their way into the sea in the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon. The residence of the emeer is called Btedin sometimes pronounced Ebtedin. His palace is a large building, or rather a collection of buildings, containing apartments for the emeer and his family and court, together with a guard of soldiers. He has also a private chapel and a domestic chaplain. He is descended from a Mussulman family, who, I believe, trace their pedigree to Fatima, the daughter of Mahommed. They wear the green turban, which is allowed only to the descendants of Mahommed. I have once been told, that this family do not claim to be the descendants of the Prophet, but a kindred family, which were known as princes long before Mahommed's time. The present emeer is the first reigning prince who has professed the Christian religion, though some branches of the family have for a long time been Christian."

TO ONE OF HIS BROTHERS.

Palace of the Emeer Besheer, July 17, 1823. "I slept, last night, for the first time on the lofty, rugged, and rocky mountains of Lebanon. We

came yesterday from Beyroot to this place, riding ten hours on jack-asses over mountains and rugged roads. We came here to visit Emeer Besheer, the prince of the Druses and Christians, who inhabit these mountains. He is almost a king, though he is subject to the grand signor, and also under the pasha of Acre. The family were formerly Mahommedans, but they have embraced Christianity; though they still keep up the appearance of Mussulmans when among the Turks. We have had an interview with him to-day, and he has given us a letter to visit the different places in the mountains, and reside, to learn Arabic, wherever we choose. We intend to spend the summer in these parts.

"Mr. King is with me. We occupy a room in the palace of the prince, who has sent us word, since we saw him, that we are at liberty to remain in his palace, if the place suits us, for ten or fifteen days, or as long as we like. The palace stands on a high hill, by the side of one of the deepest vallies I ever saw. When you stand in the valley, the mountains seem to rise on both sides almost to the clouds. When you stand on the hill, on either side, and look down, the valley seems like a frightful precipice.

"The greater part of the inhabitants of the mountains are Maronite Christians. A large proportion, however, are Druses. There are very few Mussulmans. Travelling is very tedious on account of the badness of the roads. The people never take pains to make them good. Large rocks and loose stones render it in many places almost impossible to ride. The mountains are not covered with forests. Now and then you see a few tall pine trees only. There being very few Turks here, and in most of the villages none at all, the people enjoy a great degree of liberty. The men are stout and active, and more civilized than in other parts of Turkey. We anticipate the time when they will be instructed' in true Christianity; and when it shall please God to

pour out his Spirit upon them, they will be a happy people."

"18. Between six and seven o'clock, A. M. having travelled all night to avoid the heat of the day, we arrived at Beyroot. The mountains which we crossed are composed of rock with but little earth. Yet on the sides even of steep hills, the inhabitants have built walls and collected earth, so that you see a succession of wide stairs, rising like the seats of an amphitheatre. On these steps grow vines, and olive, fig and mulberry trees. Many spots are extremely fertile. The inhabitants have the appearance and manners of free, high spirited mountaineers.

"The women in these parts wear an ornament of a different kind from any thing I ever saw elsewhere. It is of a conical form, and worn on the forehead. They call it tantoor. The tantoors are generally of silver, though sometimes of wood or leather. Each tantoor is about a foot long and three or four inches in diameter at the base, and half that at the top. The silver ones descend from generation to generation, and are highly esteemed. They are sometimes worn by females whose dress and employments indicate great poverty. The tantoor is usually covered with a veil, nearly as large as a sheet, which covers almost the whole body. This is drawn over the face, or removed from it, at pleasure. The country which we passed through is inhabited by a mixed population of Christians and Druses. Der el Kamer is about an equal distance from Beyrout and Sidon; southeast of the former, and north-east of the latter.

"19. Left Beyroot to visit the Rev. Mr. Way at Antoura. The building which he occupies was formerly a Jesuits' college."

At this place Mr. Fisk took up his summer residence, and his associate Mr. King went to Der el Kamer. On the 24th, he visited the convent of Mar Hannah Shooair. On his way to it he had to ascend