The Times of Saturday last gives a most interesting account
of the work of reopening the ancient supply of water to Jerusalem which has at last been undertaken by the Turks, the occasion being a great scarcity of water in the city. The ancient reservoirs af Solomon are still in existence and still hold a supply of clear emerald-green water. The conduits are also there, though in ruin, and so is the sealed fountain and its most ancient stonework which supplies the reservoirs. Apparently the new work consists, not in repairing the old stone conduits, but in laying a 10c. pipe direct from "the sealed fountain," which is a natural spring in the limestone rock ; but the pipe will follow the course of the old conduit. The present Governor, Mohammed Djevad Pasha, is said to take a great deal of interest in the scheme, and to contemplate bringing water also from Beeroth, "the place of wells," to the north side of the city.
Previous page
