Star.
London, England, 1826-12-22 00:00:00

CHRISTMAS DAY.

• • BRTIILEHI 11.
.-(Fresn the Travels of WILLIAM Hu Wawa, Bag. F.A.t. In the
Holy Land.)
• • It was new my wish to visit BethleheM, one of the
most interesting places in 'the land of Judea, which is
six miles to the south-east of Jerusalem.
I set. out from the city accordingly, and by the gate,
called Bab-El Halteel,jor Well Beloved, passed the val.
ley of Jehoshaphat, the Brook Cedron, and crossed the
...geld of Blocs I," so called to this day," having been
purchased with the pieces of silver received by Judas
for betraying our LORD. I entered Bethlehem, the very
cr idle of the Christian world. and under feelings alto-
gether overpowering. One thing struck me forcibly.
At coming. to the archway or gateoliere wete some
antique wells. These brought to recollection that af-
fecting part of the Holy Writ respecting the u ish of
David to drink of the waters of Bethlehem, at this spot.
I therefore held it to be highly probable, nay, I may say
it amounts to a certainty, that some of these contained
that very water which he had so anxiously longed after.
'On arriving at. this village, I would here ask how it
is possible to describe all those emotions with which I
was affected, and particularly in approaching that spot,
where the REDEglittit of our world was born in help-
lessness; clothed withnuntal nature; laden with infir.
:pities, and undertaking to bear the burden of thesins of
a guilty world ? I can only say, my mind was filled
with awful reverence, accompanied with a holy joy.—
At this moment there reigned a glorious solemnity
amidst the stillness of the day, in Unison with that train
of reflection which the view of such interesting scenes
raised, to a high degree of excitement. I was conducted
by the Monks to the different sacred places in the
Church. This edifice may shortly be described, as of,
considerable magnitude, and at one period held to bi
unrivalled in point of beauty and magnificence. haat
bui't by Constantine, and his mother. St. Helena, is in
the form of a cross; and the roof is. of the cedar of Le-
banon. It is nobly supported by fifty lofty Columns of
marble. Baldwin the First, was crowned here King of
Jerusalem. I visited the cave of the Nativity. This is
under ground. In front of the altar are several.massy
silver lamps of great value', which are kept constantly in'
an illuminated state. They.are, the gifts of Princes who
professed the Catholic Faith. The place where our
Loan had endured the penalties o 1 human guilt, is
mailed with a star formed of costly white marble, inlaid
with jasper, and surrounded with a radiance or glory.
Oser.this it is said the planet stood, which had led the
Magi to the village. On this there is an inscription
enencled-4, Hic de Virgine Jams Cnetsr Natus Est."
Tp the right is shown where the manger stood. This
appeeri.to be cut out of the natural rock ; it is lined
with marble. Lamps also of silver ate always kept
builiing before it. According to a practice observed
by Pilgrims, I saluted on my knees the place of the
nativity, although certainly no kind of ceremony was
reqUistte to enhance that sublime sense I entertained at
this moment, of those eternal obligations which, in cern-
mon with the whore race of mankind, I was under to
that Glorious BEING, who here began his career of suf.
feting. humiliation, and submission; that terminated on
Mount Calvary, at the moment where, stretched upon'
the cross a spectacle of woe, he Meekly said, 46 It is fie
niched 1 bowed his head. and gave up the Ghost r
'lt may be observed, that many of the habitations in
fletblehemat this hoar, ore formed out of grallas. and
several of the stables ate in excavations of the earth.
and.roeks; so that them is no room for the objection
which may arise as far as respects the place of zativity,
being ender ground; but on the contrary, it receives,
strong confirmation from being so similar to the stables
ordinarily in use in that country.
Kohlehem stands on a summit extending from east
to west. The soil is chalky ; the air pore and salubri-
ous. The view Irons the top of the Convent is subliiines
This valley underneath is highly interesting, from being,
the, place where the glorious intelligence of the With of
Custer was im; ..-ted by the Heavenly Host to the
shepherds, when watching their flocks. On departing
. from the Convent, the Friars were engaged in their
prayers in Chapel. On this occasion. the organ, an in-
strensent employed from ,the earliest ages, and so emi-
nently calculated to elevate our affection towards the
SPlionssa BEING, and keep alive.true devotion, sounded
ittaaered notes, accompanied with the chaunts of a ju-
. tee* choir, and occasioning a solemn echo within its
venerable nalls. These, combined with the exalted si-
inatisio, that my feet were treading on that ground
urban mchild was born whose name.was—ig Wonderful.
Casinsellor, the Prince of Peace," and whom the Ar..
etteimev.liad from his throne, commanded all the An-
view worship, was most affecting, and cannot fail to
Wilke. the heart of every believer in the Gospel, who
visits this humble, yet sacred village, and produce feel-
ingi Of-the most profound awe and high veneration.
It is in contemplation to establish a horse patrol on-
the roads in thevicinity of Bristol, during the winter.
Loge Errafes.—We have just been informed of a
dreadful inundation which has occurred in Closeburn,
ovvingsto the bursting of Loch Ettrick, in which, al.
though the people within its course happily escaped
with their lives, many houses were flooded, some cattle
lost;Ond damage to the anfount of nut less than 5004
sustainesl.—Dumfries and Gallowa_y Courier.-
BIRSICIt, OCT. 21.—The new Council appointed by
the Colonial Department have, much to their credit,
evinced a desire to meet the views both of his Majesty's
Government and the two houses of ?atliament. They
[spree:tended the beneficial provisions far beyond those
of the Court of Policy of Demerara, particularly in
moat of compulsory manumission. By the Berbice
Code, a slave is entitled, on a due appraisement of his
value by impartial arbitrators, to purchase his Mann•
mission invita.sloatisto.
A forged check for 400/. was tendered at the counter
of Messrs. Smith, Payne, and Co. the bailers on. Wed-
nesday. afternoon. It was immediately detected, mid the
boy who presented it detained for examination befit,.
the Lord Mayor.
Monday a pugilistic encounter took place in the Five
Fields, Chelsea, between G. Thompson and Jones,
labourers, in the employ of Mr. Smith, a builder, in,
Chelsea. About five rounds were fought,when'Thomps
son struck his antagonist direct in the eye, and he fell.
and it was discovered that his left leg was broken jest
above the ancle. A Surgeon was immediately sent fur,
and Jones was conveyed to St.. George's Hospital in the
greatest agony. and Thotopson taken into custody.
. Anthappy• convict 'White 'continues in a 'state of
litiledcttlte most distressing. He etnnot bear for one ma
imenateeCoosider death inevitable, and is cont-equsintly
pabspeliiiihelowest state of dejection, or patioxisms lit-
tle Hdr wife, te- whom he has been
baraieviiiiibdiimaisied his-mother,, and 4-ntither, are wittehien
every.

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