DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5295#0239
HOLY LAND, AND CYPRUS. 205
was surrounded by some of the Mahometans; but though
interrupted in my labours by their questions, yet they were
made in a friendly manner; mine were answered civilly.
I was considered Hakeem, a physician, and many offers
were made to induce me to stay amongst them. I was
obliged afterwards to visit the aga, who formed his divan in
an open shed near the gate of the town. After examining
my firman, he bade me welcome, and expressed his surprise
at my travelling alone in a Frank dress: mine was equally
excited by seeing the Syrian inhabitants approach him with
familiarity and looks of regard.
The population of the town may be estimated at a thou-
sand, the greatest part of which are Jews or Christians : these
are increased by numerous pilgrims at Easter, who come to
eat the fish of the lake, and to proceed to the Jordan, there to
purify themselves of their sins by immersion into its waters;
and by patients, who are brought at particular seasons to use
the waters of the hot sulphuric baths, about a mile to the
south of the town on the lake. This has a fine gravelly
bottom, and supplies great quantities of fish, though caught
only in small casting-nets used by fishermen, whom the shal-
lowness of the water enables to wade a considerable distance
from the shore.
As 1 was not induced to accept the offers made me to
remain at Tiberias, I left it early the following morning, the
was surrounded by some of the Mahometans; but though
interrupted in my labours by their questions, yet they were
made in a friendly manner; mine were answered civilly.
I was considered Hakeem, a physician, and many offers
were made to induce me to stay amongst them. I was
obliged afterwards to visit the aga, who formed his divan in
an open shed near the gate of the town. After examining
my firman, he bade me welcome, and expressed his surprise
at my travelling alone in a Frank dress: mine was equally
excited by seeing the Syrian inhabitants approach him with
familiarity and looks of regard.
The population of the town may be estimated at a thou-
sand, the greatest part of which are Jews or Christians : these
are increased by numerous pilgrims at Easter, who come to
eat the fish of the lake, and to proceed to the Jordan, there to
purify themselves of their sins by immersion into its waters;
and by patients, who are brought at particular seasons to use
the waters of the hot sulphuric baths, about a mile to the
south of the town on the lake. This has a fine gravelly
bottom, and supplies great quantities of fish, though caught
only in small casting-nets used by fishermen, whom the shal-
lowness of the water enables to wade a considerable distance
from the shore.
As 1 was not induced to accept the offers made me to
remain at Tiberias, I left it early the following morning, the