and bad, that some of them burst every time they are fired. Its defence on the land side is merely a garden-wall without a ditch. The possession of Acre is, however, of great importance, as it keeps the inhabitants of the country in a state of subjection. It is the sole avenue by which the rice, which is the staple food of the people, can enter; so that the ruler of Acre may, if he please, dry up the resources of Syria, and cause a famine to ravage that whole region. It also commands entirely, the great plain of Esdraelon, which is the richest territory of Syria. It may be called the key of the Holy Land. Ships anchor with most security in that part of the bay which lies to the north of mount Carmel; but the harbour is exposed to the northwest wind, which rages along the coast. The town was originally surrounded by triple walls, and a fossé cut out of the rock, from which, at present, it is a mile distant. At the south and west sides it was washed by the sea; it had a small bay to the east, which is now almost filled up; and Pococke is of opinion, that the river Belus was brought through the fossé which ran along the ramparts on the north-thus making the city an island. The houses are built of cut stone; and they are flat-roofed, with terraces. The remains of a considerable edifice are observable on the left of the mosque, towards the north side of the city. In its style of architecture it was Gothic, on which account it was, perhaps, called by Englishmen, "King Richard's palace." Some pointed arches, and a part of the cornice, remained when Dr. Clarke visited the place; but at the time of Mr. Buckingham's visit they were razed to the ground. The rest of the ruins, according to Dr. Clarke, were those of the arsenal, the college of the knights, the palace and chapel of the grand master, and ten or twelve other churches. These, also, says Mr. Buckingham, are altogether gone. Three of the churches were originally dedicated to St. Saba, St. Thomas, and St. Nicholas. In the garden of Djezzar Pacha's palace, there are some pillars of yellow variegated marble, of exquisite beauty, which have been brought from the ruins. of Cæsarea. Close to the entrance of the palace is a beautiful fountain of white marble, which, together with almost all the marble used in the decorations of his sumptuous mosque, are constructed from the same rich quarry of materials. The principal bath of Acre is considered as the finest of any in the Turkish dominions. This city also contains two bazaars, or market places; three khans, or inns, for the reception of goods, and the accommodation of travellers; and several coffee-houses.

The country about Acre is exceedingly fertile, abounding in cattle, corn, olives, and linseed. In the time of Djezzar, a great quantity of cotton was exported thence. In the light sandy soil which lies near the town, Dr. Clarke observed plantations of water melons, pumpkins, and a little corn. The air of Acre is superior to that of Cyprus; a remark, which applies generally to all the coast of Syria

1 Vide page 152, ante.

and Palestine, and is verified by the absence of noxious reptiles, and of venomous insects, such as toads and mosquitoes, which always pervade an insalubrious region.1

Accho was considered as heathen land by the Jews, and all beyond it, northwards. There was a bath of Venus, of considerable antiquity here; and, as the Rabbins thought, prior to the reference of it to the goddess.

The town of Acre will long be famous for the repulse here given to Bonaparte and the French army, by the English under Sir Sidney Smith, in 1799, which terminated the Syrian expedition of the Emperor of France.

The annexed view, from the sea, represents the city of Acre as it appeared after the siege. The first important object on the left, is the palace of Djezzar Pacha, distinguishable by the flatness of its roof; below it, nearer the fore-ground, are some black stones, the remains of the ancient Ptolemaïs. A little to the right of the palace, are the ruins of "King Richard's palace." The large building with a cupola, in the centre of the town, is the governor's mosque, to the right and left of which, appear the minarets of smaller mosques. To the right of the grand mosque, and nearer to the sea, are some square bastions, forming a part of the ancient enceinte. A little farther to the right is the south-west entrance gate. To the right of this, is the harbour, formed by an old mole; and still further to the right, is a new bastion, built since the retreat of the French army. Further to the right, are the light-house and its battery; and beyond this again, is the burial-ground, with a small mosque, having a white cupola.

Since the time of its siege, Accho has been much strengthened, and considerably beautified and improved.

[To be continued.]

1 Clarke's Travels, vol. iv. p. 84. 8vo. edit.; Buckingham's Travels, p. 71. 4to. edition; Ency. Metrop. vol. xvii. p. 93.

Scripture Encyclopædia:

EXHIBITING, IN EIGHT PRINCIPAL DIVISIONS, A SYNOPTICAL VIEW OF THE GENERAL SUBJECTS AND SCIENCE, IN THE SACRED WRITINGS.

[Continued from page 294.]
PART VII.

THE SCIENCES.

„D7D "’DI, MDɔn ba phon — Skilful in all Wisdom, and understanding Science. DAN. i. 4.

INTRODUCTION.

Science.] KNOWLEDGE, or theory as contradistinguished from practice, is the idea usually attached to the term Science. And this is its application in most, if not all languages. It is particularly true, as it regards the English word; the medo 1 of Dan. i. 4; and the gnoseos

of 1 Tim. vi. 20.

2

Classes of Science. The arranging of science into certain classes or divisions, has been recommended by some writers of considerable repute 3; but it would be quite needless in the present cursory

notice.

Philosophy. The origin of the term Philosophy or Philosopher, is well known by every reader. Of philosophers, we read in Acts xvii. 18; and in Col. ii. 8, the Apostle has cautioned us against a certain kind of philosophy. The language of the Hebrews and Greeks, here employed, is not unworthy of philological consideration. 5

Importance of Scripture.] - Every person must approve the remark of a celebrated writer. "The doctrine of the Scriptures is to be well

1, a particle in Heb. "wherefore;" but a noun in Chald., "knowledge, science, understanding."-Buxtorf's Chald. and Syr. Lex. p. 225.

2 Tywow from yvos, respondit Heb. r in vers. Alex. It has no fewer than eight acceptations.-Schleusner, i. p. 384, 385.

3 Mr. Locke says, all that can fall within the compass of human understanding is, either the nature of things, their relations, and manner of operation; or, that which man ought himself to do as a voluntary and rational agent, for the attainment of any end; or the ways and means whereby the knowledge of both of these is attained and communicated. Whereupon science may be properly divided into these three sorts.-Chambers' Cyclopædia, vol. iv.

4 First modestly assumed by Pythagoras, when on a visit at Phlius in the Peloponnesus.-Enfield's Hist. of Philos. i. p. 24.

The Gr. ooopia has been transfused into the Syr. E, philosophotha. -Gutbir's Syr. Test. p. 471.

6 Locke on Education, quoted in Edwards' "Excellency and Perfection of the Holy Scriptures," vol. iii. p. 185.