FRONT OF AN EASTERN SUMMER-HOUSE.
"This harbor is mentioned several times in Scripture," said Doctor Bronson, while the boatmen were waiting the proper moment to enter. "It was here that Hiram, King of Tyre, sent ships laden with wood from Lebanon for the use of King Solomon in building his temple at Jerusalem, and some of the apostles, when they went out to preach the gospel through the world, sailed away from Jaffa or Joppa, as it was then called. According to tradition, the prophet Jonah sailed from Joppa just before he was swallowed by the whale. And there is another tradition that Andromeda was chained to the rocks at the entrance of the harbor, in order that a sea-monster might devour her. The correctness of this latter tradition was maintained until the sixteenth century by the exhibition of the chains and rings by which she was held."
ONE OF THE DRAGOMEN.
Doctor Bronson saved himself a wrangle with the boatmen by putting his party in the care of the commissionnaire of the hotel where he was going, and asking him to arrange everything. This plan is advisable for all travellers arriving at Jaffa, and they are also recommended to pay no attention to the dragomen that crowd around them on the ship, and desire to make contracts for accompanying the strangers to Jerusalem. Wait till you get on shore, and don't make a bargain in a hurry.
The commissionnaire attended to the baggage of the party, paid the customary fees to the boatmen and the officials of the Custom-house, and then escorted the strangers to the Jerusalem Hotel, which is, or was at that time, the best hotel in the place. It is a short distance out of the town, and in the German colony; its proprietor, a German, was the vice-consul of the United States of America, and his official position enabled him to be of service to travellers from beyond the Atlantic. Through his recommendation our friends were joined by three other Americans who wished to make the tour of the Holy Land, and the rate for a party of six would be less for each person than if it consisted of half that number, or even four or five.
Negotiations were begun immediately. Several contractors wished to be engaged, and the choice fell on a Syrian named Ali Solomon, or Solyman, who was strongly recommended both by the consul and by those who had previously employed him. After considerable bargaining the following terms were agreed upon: