DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.12665#0214
198
INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL.
I could not help recognising the singular good for-
tune which had accompanied me thus far, and con-
gratulating myself upon the accident which had de-
tained me at Bethlehem.
We were soon approaching the walls of Jerusa-
lem, and seemed to be almost at their foot; but we
were on one of the mountains that encompass the
city, and the deep Valley of Jehosaphat was yet
between us and the holy city—the sacred burying-
place of the Jews, the " gathering-place of na-
tions." Crossing this valley, we ascended on the
other side, and in a few moments were on one of
the seven hills on which the city is built, and en-
tering at the Bethlehem gate. It was guarded by
a Turkish soldier, and half a dozen more lay bask-
ing in the sun outside, who raised their heads as I
approached, their long mustaches curling as they
looked at me ; and, though they gave me no greet-
ing, they let me pass without any molestation. On
the right was the citadel ; a soldier was on the
■walls, and a small red flag, the standard of Mo-
hammed, was drooping against its staff. In front
was an open place, irregular, and apparently
formed by clearing away the ruins of fallen houses.
As in all Turkish cities, the stillness was unbro-
ken ; there was no rattling of wheels over the
pavements, nor even the tramp of horses.
We wound around the walls, and dismounted at
the only asylum for strangers, the Latin Convent.
I presented myself to the superior ; and, after re-
ceiving from him a kind and cordial welcome, with
INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL.
I could not help recognising the singular good for-
tune which had accompanied me thus far, and con-
gratulating myself upon the accident which had de-
tained me at Bethlehem.
We were soon approaching the walls of Jerusa-
lem, and seemed to be almost at their foot; but we
were on one of the mountains that encompass the
city, and the deep Valley of Jehosaphat was yet
between us and the holy city—the sacred burying-
place of the Jews, the " gathering-place of na-
tions." Crossing this valley, we ascended on the
other side, and in a few moments were on one of
the seven hills on which the city is built, and en-
tering at the Bethlehem gate. It was guarded by
a Turkish soldier, and half a dozen more lay bask-
ing in the sun outside, who raised their heads as I
approached, their long mustaches curling as they
looked at me ; and, though they gave me no greet-
ing, they let me pass without any molestation. On
the right was the citadel ; a soldier was on the
■walls, and a small red flag, the standard of Mo-
hammed, was drooping against its staff. In front
was an open place, irregular, and apparently
formed by clearing away the ruins of fallen houses.
As in all Turkish cities, the stillness was unbro-
ken ; there was no rattling of wheels over the
pavements, nor even the tramp of horses.
We wound around the walls, and dismounted at
the only asylum for strangers, the Latin Convent.
I presented myself to the superior ; and, after re-
ceiving from him a kind and cordial welcome, with