SZALKHAT.
100
as between Zahouet and Oerman, is black; and, notwithstanding
the abundant rains, the ground was intersected in every direction -
by large fissures caused by the summer heat. The castle of
Szalkhat is situated upon a hill at the southern foot of the Szfeikh.
The town, which occupies the south and west foot of the castle hill,
is now uninhabited ; but fifteen years since a few Druse and
Christian families were established here, as well as at Oerman:
the latter retired to Khabeb, where I afterwards saw them, and
where they are still called Szalkhalie. The town contains upwards -
of eight hundred houses, but presents nothing worthy of
observation except a large mosque, with a handsome Madene or
Minaret ; the mosque was built in the year 620 of the Hedjra,
or A. D. 1224, as appears from an inscription upon it ; the Minaret ¬
is only two hundred years old. But even the mosque seems to
have been nothing more than a repaired temple or church, as there
are several well wrought niches in its outer walls; and the interior -
is vaulted, with arches supported by low pillars similar to
those which have been before described. Several stones are lying
about, with Greek inscriptions ; but all so much defaced as to be
no longer legible. Within the mosque lies a large stone with a
fleur-de-lis cut upon it. In the court-yards of the houses of the
town are a great number of fig and pomegranate trees ; the former ¬
were covered with ripe fruit, and as we had tasted nothing
this day but dry flour, we made a hearty dinner of the figs.
There is no spring either in the castle or town of Szalkhat, but
every house has a deep cistern lined with stone ; there is also a
large Birket.
The castle stands upon the very summit of the hill, and forms a
complete circle ; it is a very commanding position, and of the first
importance as a defence of the Haouran against the Arabs. It is
surrounded by a deep ditch, which separates the top of the hill
