Claude and Alice left Jerusalem the next morning, to continue their journey through Samaria and Galilee; and we were not sorry to be alone when we visited the other deeply interesting places in and near Jerusalem.
Sight-seeing in Palestine is, in this respect, perfectly different from sight-seeing in other places; unless there is some communion of heart between you and those who are with you, unless they love the Book and the Name which make every place around you so sacred, their remarks, and indeed the whole tone of their conversation, cannot fail to jar upon you, and to be somewhat trying and irksome to you.
Alter they were gone, we thoroughly enjoyed our daily excursions in the city and its neighbourhood. Although Mr. Stanley was comparatively a stranger, still we had learnt to know him so well in those few weeks that he seemed more like an old and tried friend! He was a wonderful help to us in our exploration of the city, for not only did he know Jerusalem well himself, but he had, during his long stay there, made many friends among the residents in the city, who obtained for us admittance into several places which are closed to ordinary travellers.
One of these, a German gentleman, was most kind in guiding us to several very interesting spots, and, amongst others, to Solomon's Quarry.
"Would you like to see Solomon's Quarry?" said Mr. Stanley to Sir William, one day.
"Solomon's Quarry!" repeated Sir William. "Where may that be, pray?"
"It is underneath the city," said Mr. Stanley, "and is a most curious and interesting place. My friend, who will guide us through it, has been very active in its exploration, and he has made a splendid plan of the whole place; so that he knows every inch of the way."
"But is it really Solomon's Quarry?" said Sir William, incredulously.
"Probably so; for it is evident that stone has been taken out of it for some very great building, and then you remember what is told us of the building of Solomon's Temple:
"'The House, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.'