3-066-000 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches from Palestine: Mount Carmel and the Kishon, 1874. Engraving of a sketch by Lieut. Conder. 'This is a view of the winter aspect of one of the most picturesque places in Palestine. The winding Kishon, after flowing through the narrow gorge of Harosheth, comes out into the flat plains, from which the steep sides of Carmel rise abruptly. It has burst the sand-bar, which in summer closes its mouth; and, at the time of year represented, flows into the sea, an almost unfordable stream. Here, on the sandy dunes near the beach, the palms, rare as they are generally in Palestine, grow in clusters. The dark hill behind is covered with a dusky, rolling underwood, flowing like a stream over the dark red and grey cliffs; and, breaking down the watercourses, runs a thicket of mastic and other dark-leaved shrubs. It is to this soft bushy appearance that Solomon is supposed to refer when he likens the dark hair of his African bride to Carmel. The alluvial plain, of deep red soil, stretches to the reedy banks; coarse, bright-coloured marshy shrubs grow on each side. A long line of herons is generally to be seen watching beside the water, or a dainty white egret stepping along the margin'. From "Illustrated London News", 1874.