ruins are the theatre and gymnasium; the former, on the side of the hill at the eastern extremity, is in the most perfect state of preservation, and the seats, the vaulted entrances, said to be thirteen in number, and great part of the front, perfect . . . 6 "The spacious chambers and massy walls of the gymnasium show the importance attached to these buildings by the ancients' "The huge vaults of the roof strike the visitor with horror,' being stones of an incredible magnitude and weight, which by force of engines being carried aloft, are there closely cemented, without the help of timber, and what is more, of arched work, and are joined so artificially, that unto this day they remain immovable either by time or earthquakes.' But the wonder which surpasses all this, and spreads a sort of magical illusion over the whole scene, will always be the extraordinary phenomena produced by the hot waters. They were anciently renowned for this species of transformation. It is related, that they changed so easily, that, being conducted about the vineyards and gardens, the channels became long fences, each a single stone. The road up to the ruins, at the eastern end, which appeared as a high and wide causeway, is a petrifaction, and overlooks many green spots, once vineyards and gardens, separated by partitions of the same material.. "We sat a short time on the brow of the hill in front of the gymnasium, to enjoy a nearer view of the 'marvellous slope, a description of which,' says Dr. Chandler, 'to bear a faint resemblance, ought to appear romantic. It resembled the wavy surface of immense masses of the purest snow, over which a wide stream of the hot water rushed down with a loud noise; other masses were, to all appearance, large flat tables of transparent ice!' The intolerable heat of the sun, and the plunging the hand into the tepid stream, were really necessary to destroy the illusion. These waters still retain, no doubt, the medicinal virtues for which they were once so cele brated; but they flow disregarded, if not despised, by the Turcoman, as unfit for the more common uses of life. Once there existed on the self-same spot a lifegiving stream; but Epaphras and his successors, who said to the then countless multitudes of Hierapolis, 'Whosoever will, may come and take of the water of life freely,' have, ages ago, been silent in the grave; the spring is become dry, and the fountains dried; and the poor man who should seek for water in the doctrines of the Mahomedan impostor, would experience the same disappointment as the weary and thirsty traveller, who, descrying afar off the supposed streams of Hierapolis, and hastening his speed to enjoy the refreshing draught, finds at length his expectations mocked with stone instead of water."-ARUNDELL'S Visit to the Seven Churches. 66. I cannot describe how much I was struck with Hierapolis: there are three objects, all of which cannot fail to arrest attention. One is, the superb situation of the city. It is placed on the slope of Mount Messogis, which rises behind to a considerable elevation. In front, is the vast plain of the Mæander: beyond are stupendous mountains, covered half down their sides with brilliant snow. The second object which excites amazement is the frozen cascades; by this name I denote the four or five cataracts which have been petrified in their course, and which display the whiteness of the purest snow. I question if the world elsewhere exhibits so surprising an instance of this phenomenon. The appearance is precisely that of roaring cascades having been metamorphosed in an instant into Parian marble; the size too of these snow-white waterfalls is such, that they are visible at an immense distance. The third subject of surprise is, the ruins of the city; we see the most magnificent remains of antiquity covering an extent of three or four miles in circumference, we wander among massy walls, we are surrounded by inscriptions, statuary, and columns,-we pass under stupendous arches,-we repose on marble seats of the theatre. The theatre is certainly the most striking relic of the ancient Hierapolis. Such a spectacle speaks in powerful language the transient nature of earthly grandeur. See what manner of stones, and what buildings are these!' and yet a ruin little less than that of Jerusalem has befallen them; neither the beauty of its situation, nor the salubrity of its waters, nor the strength of its buildings, has preserved Hierapolis from utter destruction. May we, then, ever set our affections on that heavenly residence which is the only true Hierapolis! May we be denizens of that city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God!' 6 "The works of God remain, though the labours of man have gone to decay. The waters, for which Hierapolis was famous, still retain their quality; we found them hot, even at some distance from their fountain, and, having had our faces inflamed by the burning rays of the sun, it was refreshing and beneficial to bathe them in the tepid stream. To a Christian, Hierapolis is interesting, from the mention which is made of it in the sacred writings. In the Epistle to the Colossians, St. Paul bears record to Epaphras, that he had great zeal for them in Hierapolis. Its vicinity to Laodicea and Colosse would naturally lead to the conclusion that it enjoyed the privilege of the labours of Epaphras, at the same time with those two cities. It deserves also to be noticed, that the remains of two churches are still visible. It is delightful then to reflect, that amidst these ruins of idolatry and pleasure, is reposing the earthly part of many faithful Christians; and that the last trumpet will call forth, from beneath the incrustations of Pambouk-Kalesi, many a glorified body to heavenly mansions. At present no Christian resides in the vicinity: there is only a miserable Turkish village, situated beneath the most eastern of the cascades."-HARTLEY'S Researches. "PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, to the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."-Col. i. 1, 2. "Khonas is situated most picturesquely under the immense range of Mount Cadmus, which rises to a very lofty and perpendicular height behind the village; in some parts clothed with pines, in others bare of soil, with immense chasms and caverns. Immediately at the back of Khonas, there is a very narrow and almost perpendicular chasm in the mountain, affording an outlet for a wide mountain torrent, the bed of which was now nearly dry; and on the summit of the rock, forming the left side of this chasm or ravine, stand the ruins of an old castle. The approach to Khonas, as well as the village itself, is beautiful, abounding with tall trees, from which are suspended vines of the most luxuriant growth. On entering the village, and afterwards passing through it. . . we passed several dry but wide and deep water-courses, worn by the torrents from Mount Cadmus, which in a rainy season must be terrific... "We first ascended the rock on which the castle stands, an almost inaccessible steep of enormous height; on the summit are several fragments of old walls, but none of very ancient date. Descending, we passed through the village on the eastern side, and found it to be of considerable extent; the multitude of fragments of marble pillars upon almost every terraced roof, used there as rollers, proved the existence of some considerable ancient town in the neighbourhood. . . We now turned to the west under the village. . . After walking a considerable time, our guide brought us to a place where a number of large squared stones lay about, and there showed us what seemed to have been a small church, which had been lately excavated, having been completely under the surface of the soil. It was long and narrow, and semicircular at the east end. Passing through several fields, in which were many more stones, I remarked one which had an imperfect inscription. Not far from hence we saw a few vaults, and were told by a Greek that some walls not far off were the remains of two churches. Beyond this we came to a level space, elevated by a perpendicular brow, of considerable height, above the fields below. Here were several vestiges of an ancient city-arches, vaults, &c.; and the whole of this and the adjoining grounds strewed with broken pottery. From thence we went much farther. . . and coming to a green ridge, full of rocks, which seemed to have been cut either as a quarry or for other purposes, we observed under |