In the first place, it was remarkably salubrious.

Its inhabitants died only of old age,--seldom even of that,--or of diseases contracted wholly in other localities.

Measles had indeed been known to break out there once in the sacred person of the President of the village, but had been promptly suppressed; besides, it was universally conceded that being in his second childhood he should be considered liable.

The last epidemic of small-pox even had swept by them harmless.

Only two old and extremely ugly women took it, whereas Bethany and Upper Jordan were decimated.