The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1849-12-08

We ascended on foot, and on the top found
large grassy meadow, charmingly shad-
ed with oak trees. 1t was lovely retreat,
and more fitting place for the sacred
transaction which here transpired, could
not be imagined. On the extreme summit
were ruins Of extensive Notifications, which
appeared to have had their origin in the
middle ages. After further ride Of three
hours over highly cultivated country, we
suddenly came in view of Nazareth, situat-
ed among palm trees on the opposite hill
side. 1t was lovely sight, and as we
approached, the gentle breeze waited to
our ears the silvery tones of the convent
bell, the first of such sounds we had heard
in Palestine.
The convent claims to be built over the
very dwelling ofthe parents ofour Saviour,
and we were soon knocking at its door fer
admission. A Monk appeared and usher
ed sinto handsome chapel, in the centre
of which broad flight of steps conducted
down to little apartment, whose hoary
walls certainly bespoke great antiquity
This, we we were told, was the ancient
room where the annunciation was made
to the Virgin Mary. A pillar was shown,
by the side of which the Virgin was sitting
when the Angel appeared. 1t once sup
ported the roof, but had beeen broken
transversely by the Turks, and nearly half
of it carried off to Constantinople as
memorial of the spot The room was Or
namented with fine altar, images, cruci-
fixes, paintings, and burning candles
Wewere also taken into little adjoining
apartment, called the Virgins sleeping
room 1t was without furniture, but con-
tanned one or two paintings and an altar
Both of these rooms were considerably
below the present surface of the ground,
and undeniably were very ancient.
We were next conducted to another
part of the town, to the ancient carpenter
shop of Joseph. A part only of the origi-
nal building remains-an enclosure of
burr stone walls about four feet wide and
eight in length. 1t also contained Cath
olic altar We had little faith in these To-
calities. This. however, mattered not
1t was enough for us to know that we were
4 on a spot where the worlds Redeemer
passed his sinless childhood and youth,
and were reading soil once familiar with
his stainless feet. Nazareth is built of
hewn stone, and is the prettiest village |
have seen in Palestine. Its inhabitants
are fine-looking, and well clad, and are
proud to call themselves Christians. But
the fact that we were obliged to hire an
armed soldier to guard, during the night,
our tent, which was pitched at the edge of
the town, and that all travellers are subject
to similar necessity, is no very hattering
testimonial Of their honesty.
Early the next morning we were again
mounted. We deviated from the usual
route to jerusalem in order to visit Mount
Carmel, and engaged the soldier as guide,
| thus increasing the number of our retain
ers to six. We proceeded directly west,
over level and finely cultivated region,
and in the afternoon reached the shore
of the Mediterranean. We pitched our
tent near the small town Of Caifa, and just
under the mountain so closely identified
with the life Of the prophet Elijah. Mount
Carmel is the abrupt termination of long
range of hills; and it rises eighteen hun
dred feet above the sea. which washes its
base. Its sides are destitute of trees, and
presented tame and unpicturesque ap-
pearance, which much disappointed us.
On the top Of the mountain is the celebrat.
ed Convent OF the Cannelites, built from
moneys obtained from the faithful in all
parts of the Old World, by the untiring
exertions of the Italian Monk, Jean Bap.
tiste. 1t is a large stone building, sur.
rounded by a strong wall to defend it from
the Bedouins and wild beasts Over it
foated the banner of France, whose pro-
lection it receives. -r,.s.
We rode up to the convent by a good
road cut in the hill side, and were receiv-
ed with great courtesy by monk, wear
ing a leather scapulary, and coarse
cowl girded by a rope, and heavy shoes
without stockings. He first took US into
the pharmacy, and gave us specimen Of
the wine of the mountain, and also es.
sences and perfumery manufactured by
the community. We were then conduct
ed into large splendid chapel, ornament-
ed with many fine paintings, which were
presented by princes and mobiles in Europe.
We descended short flight of steps be.
low the altar, and stood in what is called
the ancient grotto of Elijah. 1t was
rocky cavity some seven feet square, with
regular sides, smoothed by art to perfect
syenness. It contained q waxen image
of the prophet, and, like all the holy places
in Palestine, an altar and burning candles.
We afterwards assembled to the fat roof
Of the convent. and gratifGieea ourselves
with a fine prospect. Eastward, stretched
tar away>in the distance, the lovely plain
OF Sharon, waving with fertility West.
ward, the purple waves of the Mediterra.
mean heayed with ocean majesty; and lust
northward lay the bay of Acre, sweep;nu
INTO the continent with a bold broad curve.
Vn the opposite side ofthe bayarose. fairer
and rx,,ori d.,