DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5295#0200
HOLY LAND, AND CYPRUS. 16?'
ceeded so far, it would have shown too much fear to with-
draw without seeing the object of my visit; accordingly, I
continued in the church, and viewed all that it contained.
The most sacred spots are two grottoes under ground, fitted
up as chapels; these are so damp that water drops from the
walls—very unsuitable for the reception of cattle, much less
for a woman in child-birth. I descended into them by a
small flight of steps. They were lighted with rich silver
lamps, the offerings of France, Spain, Sardinia, and Naples:
one of the grottoes was called the place of birth of our
Saviour; the other that of ablution, where he was taken
when born.
The church is the joint property of the Latins, Greeks,
and Armenians, who have monks residing in the convent for
its service. I accepted refreshments from the Latin priests,
who were resigned to their perilous state.
On leaving the convent I was joined by the chief of the vil-
lage. He told me he was a Christian, and that three parts of
the inhabitants were Christians; the rest Mahometans, under
a sheik: that they lived in great harmony with each other;
and were not subject to much oppression from the Turkish
chiefs of Jerusalem. He was in alliance with Aboo Gosh
of St. Jeremiah; and, when required, could bring a hundred
men armed with musquets into the field: his men were con-
stantly at war with the Christian Arabs of St. Philip, a vil-
ceeded so far, it would have shown too much fear to with-
draw without seeing the object of my visit; accordingly, I
continued in the church, and viewed all that it contained.
The most sacred spots are two grottoes under ground, fitted
up as chapels; these are so damp that water drops from the
walls—very unsuitable for the reception of cattle, much less
for a woman in child-birth. I descended into them by a
small flight of steps. They were lighted with rich silver
lamps, the offerings of France, Spain, Sardinia, and Naples:
one of the grottoes was called the place of birth of our
Saviour; the other that of ablution, where he was taken
when born.
The church is the joint property of the Latins, Greeks,
and Armenians, who have monks residing in the convent for
its service. I accepted refreshments from the Latin priests,
who were resigned to their perilous state.
On leaving the convent I was joined by the chief of the vil-
lage. He told me he was a Christian, and that three parts of
the inhabitants were Christians; the rest Mahometans, under
a sheik: that they lived in great harmony with each other;
and were not subject to much oppression from the Turkish
chiefs of Jerusalem. He was in alliance with Aboo Gosh
of St. Jeremiah; and, when required, could bring a hundred
men armed with musquets into the field: his men were con-
stantly at war with the Christian Arabs of St. Philip, a vil-