First Sentence

"JERUSALEM, built in the heart of Judaea, away from all the great lines of communication which cross the East; separated and protected from the powers lying eastward of it by the Dead Sea, from those at the north and west by almost inaccessible footpaths, and by the Mediterranean Sea, and from those at the south by the broad wastes of desert which stretch away to Egypt; situated on a rocky foundation, destitute of a rich flora, almost without fields, without a river, almost void of springs and any productive soil-has nevertheless gained a place among the great cities of the globe, which, among those of Europe, can only be compared to Rome and Constantinople."