GREAT DISCOVERIES IN JERUSALEM.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 187, 6 March 1868, Page 3

GREAT DISCOVERIES IN JERUSALEM.

The London Times publishes an interesting letter in regard to the discoveries in progress at Jerusalem, from which wo select the following:— The colossal foundations of the temple walls, which are " stones of ten cubits and stones of eight cubits," laid by Solomon or his successors to the throne, are now being laid bare at the enormous depth of ninety feet and more beneath the present surface. The bridge that once spanned the ravino betwween the palace on Zion

and the temple on Moriah, is now proved to have been upwards of one hundred and fifty feet high. If this bo as it seems, the ascent to the house of tlio Lord which Solomon showed to the Queen of Sheba, we cannot wonder that on seeing it there was no more spirit in her. The pinnacle of the temple, on which the tempter placed the Savior, has just been discovered to have an elevation of 130 feet. The statement of Josephus is therefore no exaggeration. "If any one looked from the battlements into the valley he would be giddy, while his sight could not reach to such an immense depth." Sections of the ancient wall of Ophel have been exhumed, showing that, as Josephus says, it was joined to the south-east angle of the Temple. Aqueducts, cisterns, rock-hewnchannels and passages, have also been discovered within and around the harem, throwing light on the buildings, the arrangements, and the services of the temple. The great work of a complete exploration of ancient Jerusalem is thus fairly and auspiciously commenced. The opportune visit of the Sultan and Grand Vizier to this country, and the representations made to the latter by the Archbishop of York, followed up as they have been by the energy, the wisdom and tact of Lieutenent Warren and his admirable staff, have smoothed down Moslem predice, removed local opposition, and thus brought about opportunities for excavation and exploration such as never occurred before and besides, large numbers of Arab laborers have been trained to the work and are eager to be employd ; and the exact points for successful exploration are now well-known.