Thomas, Joseph: Travels in Egypt and Palestine (Philadelphia, 1853)

LETTER VII.

VISIT TO BETHLETIE31—CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY—MESHULLAM'S
MISSIONARY SETTLEMENT—POOLS OE SOLOMON—CHURCH OF
THE HOLY SEPULCHRE—RELICS AND TOMB OP GODFREY OF
BOUILLON—-MOUNT OF OLIVES—GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE.

On the following day we made a visit to Bethle-
hem, passing in our way several places of more or
less interest from their connection with Scripture
history, among which I may mention the tomb of
Rachel, the well of Jesse, and the supposed site of
his house. The tomb of Rachel was built and is
kept in repair by the Mussulmen, who seem, indeed,
to entertain as true and deep a veneration for the
ancient Hebrew patriarchs, prophets, and matrons,
as the Jews themselves can do. A ride of perhaps
two hours brought us to Bethlehem, which is pret-
tily situated on the top of a hill, but in cleanliness,
and in the character of the houses, it is about on a
par with most of the other small towns of Palestine;
this, in truth, is saying very little in the way of
praise. The principal object of our curiosity was
the Church of the Nativity, which marks the spot
where our Saviour is supposed to have been born.