and as Saladin felt sure that Ascalon, if besieged, would share the fate of Acre, he determined to raze it to the ground, and concentrate his efforts upon the defence of Jerusalem. The work of demolition was at once commenced, and the city, one of the finest in Palestine, soon became a mass of ruins ; the inhabitants suffered severely by this transaction, for they were obliged to sell their property at ruinous prices, and dispersed themselves over the country, to find a home where best they could. The intermediate fortresses of Lydda, Eamleh, and Natnin were next destroyed, and on the 14th of October the Sultan camped on a high hill near the latter town. A few unimportant engagements had in the meantime taken place between the two armies, in one of which Bichard narrowly escaped being taken prisoner. Negotiations were now reopened between El Melik el 'Adii and King Eichard, and a peace was actually arranged, upon the stipulation that Eichard should give his sister in marriage to El "Adii, and that the husband and wife should occupy the throne of Jerusalem, and jointly rule over the Holy Land. The Grand Masters of the Templars and Hospitallers were to occupy certain villages, but they were not to retain possession of any of their castles. The queen was to have no military attendants in Jerusalem, although a certain number of priests and monks were still to be allowed there. El 'Adii called the principal men of the army around him, El 'Emâd, Sala(lin's secretary, amongst the number, and deputed them to consult the Sultan's wishes upon the subject. The latter agreed to the conditions, and on the 30th of October the messengers returned to King Eichard to inform him of the acceptance of his proposal. The Frank chiefs, however, strongly opposed the match, while the priests poisoned the princess's mind, and induced her to withdraw from the engagement, except on the condition that El 'Adii should embrace the Christian