Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1818-12-01

same way.
The absolution given by the Greek re.
ligion to pilgrims, is 80 ample, that DC
catalogue OF sins is without its price.
My Greek servant wished 10 take advan.
tase OF this, obtained money in my name,
on false pretences, from the treasurer Of
the Latin convent, and bought himself a
full pardon. / thought this trait justified
my sending him back to Damietta, whence
| had taken him.
The number Of Latin monks for the
service of the Holy Land, was much re-
duced at the time was there; they were
from all parts of Europe, but the greatest
number Spaniards; the superior always
an Italian, the treasurer a Spaniard.-
Some had fled from Europe TO avoid the
yoke OF Bonaparte; others had come from
devotion, and we're heartily tired Of their
situation; others again had reconcied
themselves to it, obtained appointments,
and had remained in The country from
choice, for many years, without desire to
return to Europe; some are lay-brothers,
others priests-all the former are employ
ed in the interior economy Of the con-
vents, as stewards, surgeons, warehouse
keepers, &C.; the latter rise to spiritual
dignities. They are divided amongst the
Hospital, or auxiliary converts of Naza-
reth, Rama, Bethlehem, Damascus, Jaffa
aud Acre-that of st. John, in the desert,
near Jericho, had been lately abandoned.
| witnessed the utter contempt, held by
the Mahometans, of all in the dress of
Europeans, having been spit at and boot
ed by some Of the lower orders, even when
| was mounted on the aga's horse, and
attended by jannissary, who did not ex-
press surprise or indignation at what hap
pened.
None of the sects can enter the church
of the sepulchre, but by payment. The
keys are kept by the Turks, whose per-
quisites are immense. Each pilgrim pays,
on his first entrance, sum nearly equal
to l5s. The converts pay about Is. Cd.
for each time they have it opened; and
every ceremony costs certain sum, in
proportion to its duration. The church
contains cells for twelve monks of each Of
three principal sects, who remain con.
stantly there, and are supplied with food
from their converts. The Copts are SO
very poor, that they scarcely have any
competition and / could not learn wha
number of monks they kept for the ser
vice Of their chapel.
There are few or no European Roman
Catholic pilgrims. Those coming from
the East are chiefly Maronites, who &C.
knowledge the Pope. The other sects
have numerous bands of pilgrims, whose
morals are not benefited by their visiting
Jerusalem. Such has been the effect,
fear, of pilgrimage, 10 all times and coun-
tries. The towns Of Italy we're said for
merIy to abound with prostitutes from
France and England, and chiefly the lat
ter, on their return from the shrine OF
ST. Peter.
The Jews have many synagogues, but
very small, and more filthy than those l
have seen in other parts Of the East. AL
though they are oppressed aud treated
with more contempt at Jerusalem than
they still flock to it. To sleep
10 Abraham's bosom is the wish of the
old; the young visit, in the hope Of the
coming Of the Messiah; some are con
tent to remain for the commerce they car
ry on,
They pay heavy tax to the Turkish
governor at Jerusalem. The sums to the
Aga of Jaffa when they land, and to the
chief of St. Jeremiah for safe conduct,
produce large revenue to both. The
Jewish quarter, as IN all Eastern towns
is separate from the rest. / found men
from all nations except England.
The government Of jerusalem rests 10
the Aga, appointed by the Pacha of Da-
mascus; and Multi, appointed by the
Porte, who unites the two offices of Cadi
and Chief Of the religion in one. The
emoluments arising from his office are SC
great, that he only remains year, when
he is succeeded by another. The con-
vents contribute largely to the support o.
these offices. Besides the sums advanced
10 the Aga and Mufti, the converts are
obliged to make the Pacha of Damascu:
an annual present, on the arrival of his
army, on its way to Mecca. The amount
depends on his pleasure, and is announced
on the first visit of ceremony paid by the
treasurer on his arrival.
was witness TO the distress occasioned
to the Latin convent, at the demand made
by the Pacha's representative, which il
was totally unable to satisfy. The power
ty of this convent had been for some time
pretty well known, or demur in the
payment would have caused the immediate
Imprisonment of the superior. and per
haps the whole convent.
Whilst the army from Damascus is here