of ordinary men, and of
immense strength; and there was, nevertheless, an ease and
lightness in his carriage which showed that he was no less active
than strong. His face was leonine in expression. His long hair fell
back from his forehead, his eyebrows were heavy, his eyes were gray
and clear; with a fierce and savage expression when his brows met
in a frown, and his lips were firmly set; but at other times frank,
open, and straightforward in their look. The mouth was set and
determined, without being hard; and a pleasant smile, at times, lit
up his features. He was a man capable of strong affections, and
generous impulses.

He was cruel, at times; but it was an age of cruelty; and Titus
himself, who is held up as a magnanimous general, was guilty of far
more hideous cruelties than any committed by Simon. Had the latter
been master of Jerusalem from the first, and had not the granaries
been destroyed in the civil war, the legions of Titus would never
have achieved the conquest of the city.

Ascending the steep slope of the valley, they passed through the
gate in the first wall and, turning to the right, entered the
Palace of Herod, which was at once a royal dwelling, and a fortress
of tremendous strength. Much as John's thoughts were otherwise
occupied, he could not help being struck by the magnificence and
splendor of this noble building; but he said nothing as Simon
strode along through the forum, passed out beyond the palace
itself, entered the strong and lofty tower of Phasaelus, and
ascended to its summit.

An involuntary exclamation burst from John, as he gained the
platform. From the point on which he stood, he commanded a view of
the whole city, and of the country round. Far below, at his feet,
lay the crowded streets of the inner town; between which and the
outer wall the ground was thickly occupied by houses of the better
class, standing half-embowered in trees. Close beside him rose the
stately towers of Hippicus and Mariamne. Behind him was the Palace
of Herod, standing on the ground once occupied by the Castle of
David. On the east the Palace of Agrippa partly obscured the view
of the Temple; but a portion of the building could be seen,
standing on its platform on the summit of Mount Moriah. To its
left, and connected with it by two lines of cloisters, was the
castle of Antonia while, still further along, was the fort known as
Acra. Behind the Palace of Herod, and its superb gardens, were
scattered