Explorations in Bible lands during the 19th century - H. V. Hilprecht

588 EXPLORATIONS IN BIBLE LANDS
so minutely that with their hook as a guide one imagines he
could here and there find his way without the aid of chart
or compass. Wherever possible they took angle-measurements
of the more important localities; their measuring
rod was constantly in their hand ; and, whether they examined
the walls ot Jerusalem, or inspected a house, or saw
a pool or well, everything was measured in the most exact
manner. They were the first to crawl through the Siloam
conduit (see below), which they did with great difficulty,
part of the way sliding on their stomachs in the water.
More
important still than the number of new observations is the
circumstance that everything which was observed and described
had been thoroughly and reliably investigated.
Thus was laid the foundation upon which, without fear or
doubt, the further researches could rest.
As an historical topographer Titus Tobler perhaps accomplished
still more than Robinson. He made his first journey
to Palestine in
his early years merely as an amateur, and
soon after he had begun the practice of medicine in the
mountains of the Canton of Appenzell.
But this pleasure
trip, while it served to excite his interest and to afford him
instruction, did not satisfy his thorough-going spirit of investigation.
Hence when he had reached home he at once
began the study ot Palestinian literature, at the same time
unceasinglv and indefatigably collecting, reading, and excerpting
whatever accounts of pilgrimages and travels he
was able to obtain. In a manner hitherto unattained, he
mastered the literature that in
his dav dealt with the sphere
which he had chosen for himself. This sphere had in
course of time become somewhat restricted.
After studying
Robinson's epoch-making work, he concentrated his labor
mainlv upon Judea ;
for he soon recognized that here even
after Robinson's researches, as far as the history and topography
of sacred places were concerned, there remained still
enough to be done.