Page 465 - Travels in Arabis (Vol I)

42(5 NAKAB EL HAJAR. [CH.

singular that we could not trace any indica­
tion of gates. The southern entrance has
fallen much to decay, but the northern re­

mains in almost a perfect state. The sketch
on the map will illustrate its appearance and

dimensions better than any verbal description.
Within the entrance, at an elevation of
ten feet from the platform, we found the in­

scriptions. They are executed with ex­
treme care, in two horizontal lines on the

smooth face of the stones of the building, the
letters being eight inches long. Attempts have
been made, though without success, to obli­

terate them. From the conspicuous situation
which they occupy, there can be but little

doubt, but that when deciphered, they will
be found to contain the name of the founder
of the building, as well as the date, and pur­

port of its erection. The whole of the wall,
the towers, and some of the edifices within,

are built of the same material, viz., a com­
pact greyish-coloured marble, streaked with

thin dark veins and speckles, and hewn to the
required shape with the utmost nicety. The

dimensions of the slabs at the base of the
walls and towers were from five to six and