Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-10-23
NOTES OF TRAVEL IN PALESTINE.
Written for the National LateRigencer By a Citizen
of Washington.
NAZARETH.

NAZARETH
Leaving Mount Tabor several hours on the left, We
passed through the village of Remeh and descended into
the valley beyond On again ascending we came in view
of Nazareth Apart from its scriptural associations
there is little about Nazareth attract attention 1t is
village of square hat-roofed houses situated
the side of HILL with a mosque and some large build
ngs occupied by the monks in the lower part The val
ley is wellwooded with olive trees, which extend up be-
yond the houses towards the top of the hill few palm
trees present picturesque outline the mosque.
The general appearance of the valley Of Nazareth is
similar to that Of most of the valleys through which
passes in Syria Before reaching the town came to
square plat of ground enclosed by a wall within
which stands convent We met at the door by a
Greek priest who invited to This convent is
said to the spot in which the Virgin Mary born
We took off hats and went in. Places of this kind
turned into catchpenny shows and there is
evidence of their being the identical places referred
in the scriptures other than the traditional testimony
Of the monks. The converts built upon them are sus-
tanned chiefly by the contributions Of pilgrims and tra-
veers and these contributions depend of upon
the skill Of the monks in maintaining their authenticity
That the position of Nazareth is well established be-
eve admits of doubt but further than that, is
certain The spot upon which it is said the Virgin
born in sort of vault in the back part of the chapel
it is covered with square marble slab, which is
erected canopy There is well Of fine water under
meath, from which drank. While we were looking on
several priests entered with lighted candles and went
through various ceremonies; kneeng and kissing re-
peatedly the marble slab. poor old woman, covered
with rags forced herself in through the crowd and fell
groaning upon the floor kissing the cold stones and the
robes of the priests with frantic eagerness She seemed
to be under the influence of religious excitement and
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when turned depart bounced up with activity, and
headed off before reached the door, begging voci
ferousy for am The change in the expression of her
countenance was quite miraculous. She no longer
the grooming devotee; it plain enough to that
there was method in her madness. We gave her few
piasters, and also rfe to the worthy priest who
equally assiduous in his attentions. Both of them wish
ed us a happy Journey and we wished them contnu-
ance of their profits
We stopped the house up in Nazareth built by the
Latin monks for the accommodation Of pilgrims very
clean and convenient stone building, with that
seemed grand after the wretched places we had slept in
since leaving Damascus. 1t long time before the
keys came but they at last very much salts
faction 1t was too late to any thing that evening
promising ourselves pleasant trip to Mount Tabor
morning turned in after dinner and slept sound
~ through the night.
The monks of the Latin convent treated very kind
ly We visited by several of them and found them
friendly and oblging Of course paid well for every
thing had but got the value, besides pleasant
smiles and kind words
In the travellers register saw the names of several
acquaintance, among others that of excellent Minis
Constantinople Mr.. MARSH, and his family and
some tourists from Kentucky Mr. Marsh taken i'll
here few months before his from Egypt He
bears testimony the kind treatment which himself and
family received from the monks during his stay in Naza
reth We also the name of an American gentleman
who appeared to be most indaagable traveller in the
East and throughout Europe Very few registers that
any where without his signature l it on
the ruins of Baabek, and various other ruins and
met with minister, consul, traveller, dragoman
guide who not acquainted with him personally by
reputation Among the Arabs he was generally known
my Lord Wioughby, mistake that doubtss orgnat-
ed in the passion for titles displayed by his dragoman,
Emanuel Balthus / also frequently met with the name
of much-esteemed travelling companion from Boston,
who doubtless from the remembered
throughout the East as the Prince Of Wales Not only
do believe that this will be news both of these gen.
temen but caution all travellers who may after
through that land Of metaphor not misconstrue the
fact in any way should they find it reported that Gen.
Sir John Cruzer of the City of Magnificent Distances,
by the Prince of Wilmington and Lord Captain
Bulfnch had just passed but to attribute it all
dragoan whose passion for display in matters of this
kind is perfectly incorrgibe.
1t is recorded in the register Of the Latin convent by
Mr. Awyn Of Quebec, six eight months ago, that
he was robbed and cruelty beaten by the Arabs
Djenin. had heard Of the affair in Smyrna, and
read it in his handwriting Ii appeared that he
travelling through Palestine accompanied only by his
dragoman Three miles from Denin he attacked by
four Arabs who dragged him from his horse and beat
him with stones and clubs till they thought he dead
The dragoman made his escape, and it supposed he
was an accomplice Of the robbers. Mr.. Alwyn found
upon coming his senses that his skull was fractured in
several places and he lay for hours unable to
AT length travelling Arabs passing that way took
him to Djenin. The Sheik refused to let him have
horse to take him Nazareth, without Of
forty pasters which he had promise the prospect
of obtaining it from the Latin monks, as he had been
pundered of all his money On his arrival in Nazareth
he was kindly and Hospitality received by the monks
who paid for his horse dressed his wounds fed him. and
took good Of him for three months, when he
sufficiently recovered to proceed his journey Our
companion the English Captain chief officer of the
steamer in which he took passage and bore testimony to
the truth Of the narrative.
On the day after our arrival in Nazareth the weather
was so unpromisng that we reluctantly forced TO
abandon our visit TO Mount Tabor 1t is only ride Of
three hours but thought rainy day could be better
spent on our way to jerusalem especially there
every prospect Of the weather setting in for the
winter.
First, however, we went to take look at the sights
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