Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-06-28
A VISIT TO JERUSALEM.

a VISIT TO JERUSALEM.
The 4ApuaI Caraoaa Of PRgrims-- Fashions Of
MOderR Trdpelers-S Scenes and Incidents.
JERUSALEM, May 10, lSGi.-rhe crowd of
pilgrims who come yearly to the "lloly City"
having departed, after paying their homage to |
the soriptural localities marked out by the Greek
and Latin churches, the aspect nt the place re- |
hpses into its former dullnCss. The caravan OF
''pigrims" by the steamers from Marseles, Ma
pies and Messina, this year was far smaller than
usual, though sufficiently large TO fill all the ho-
tells and lodging houses of Jerusalem for the two
or three weeks of the season of Easter. These
caravans are composed chiefly Of pilgrims from
France aud Italy, who are enabled to accomplish
the journey at n reasonable rate through an
agency established in Marseiles.
This agency agrees TO ply all their expenses
of lodging, the fare on ilo Mediterranean steam
ers hotel aud conven. bills, aud all such
able expenses The hiring Of the necessary
horses aud mules for the land service between
Jaiil and Jerusalem. The agent, who takes
charge Of them for sixty days lodges them when
he can at Il convent. which is much cheaper
The fixed price for this and several seasons past
has been EGO, equal to $500 in United States
gold. These pilgrims who may be always known
by small Cross that each one wears attached by
piece of blue ribbon TO his coat, are seen going
the rounds of the "sights' of the 'tHoly City, in
knots of twelve and fifteen, conducted by local
/ pIltstY dlu bflhCluB HFtht ltkfuH nncH cuumu
the most sacred places.
Among the pilgrims, and also with the Eng
lish Travellers there has been this year great
desire TO carry away some of the water Of the
jordan, and shop IN Jerusalem does large
trade in small tin bottles, each holding about u
quart. But after the two days jolting journey
back to Jerusalem, some Of the travellers have
found, upon opening their saddle-bags, that
dent or knock has removed the solder, and no
Jordan water remained. l witnessed great
ouiburst OF rage on the part of an E0glish clergy
man. who had made the bottle of Jordan water
an important consideration of his trip. Since it
was known that The infant Prince of Wales was
to be christened by water brought from the Jor-
dan, there has been great "run" upon the
sacred river.
The English Consul at Jerusalem was charged
with the service Of securing supply aud send
ing it safely to England for use ut the princely
baptism. There il nothing peculiar in the taste
or appearance Of the water hut II the traveller
neglecs 10 have it boiled upon his return to
Jerusalem, he will find that his souvenir within
ten days afterwards will emit such an odor when
uncorked TINT he will take good care that ii no
longer forms any part Of his luggage. The cns-
tom house officials, who are so active in their
search for otto OF roses, would learn that it was
unnecessary to smell a second time in order to
ascertain whether the cherished souvenir was
, taxable under the Turkish tariff
5
accidents that have occurred the past few years.
, there are no longer bathers in large numbers in
its waters. Dragomans having persons in charge
will not take the responsibility Of the risk at
tending the desired pleasure. The only safe
!, method is q line thrown ncrosH from bank to
. bank, which is sometimes done by largo parties
n of pilgrims.
= = The English travellers in the Orient this season
n have not devoted all their energies to the secur-
L ing of supplies of Jordan water they have fallen
to adopting the tattooing that is peculiar to Arab
. women. 1t is the fashion to have "Jerusalem,
!. dead Sea" "Jordan," "Damascus," the Jeru-
salem cross or the name of some nolCd place Of
"a Palestine, India-inked into the arm. | have
"a made no special investigation, but as nearly as
n | eau learn tho female travellers thus disfgurC
4 their arm just above the part usually yaecinsled
a. learn also that an entsrprising young man il
!, the ''Na Dolorosa," Jerusalem, deyutes hmse
s entirely to the "prOlessOn, aud it would not bt
"a surprising il next lie puts out his shingl
a, after this fashion, "IattOOinG done here in goot
10 barbarian style.
= My curiosity on the subject was awakened b,
le hearing this conversation ut the table dhote -;
= "Good evening""
, "Good evening, sir"
"llave you made the round of some of til
vo sights to-day"
il eyes" an English lady traveller replied, "w
he visited the Garden of Gethsemane this morning
NJ and this afternoon had my arm marked"
pd The inquirer, not exactly comprehending
ds having heard little Of this new evidence of Eng
la lsh civilization the beauties of the tattoo sys
teln were eaborately descanted upon by the ne'
nj victim, and in conclusion the question venturec
=, ait is an odd idea, is it nOt?n Upon which th
T. other was SO cruel as to reply that he thought
10, "odd enough to be exclusively and rghtfully th
a custom Of barbarians, as it always had been"
mr. This folly seems likely to be the fashion ne'
season.
of There are one or two features of modern Je
inn rusalem that bring up to the visitor very vivid
ts the life and miracles Of Christ. Along the wa.
al side, Just outside the Jatla gate sit u number
ha lepers, suffering oil the horrors of the loathsOn
as. disease. As the traveller passes he is implor'
~, by lpprous hands out-streched toward him
to give something, and the tone of voice in viii
it is asked is most sckening evidence of the il
roads of the disease their voices, which SOU
q alike, are nearly gone the only Ineligible wor
90 being, "Ilowadji," or traveller. Sometimes til
MI call out "laJji," the Eastern word for "p
NO grim" They live in Jerusalem, just by one
'as the gates, and are Stunned by the other inha
as- tants.
) 10 The history of wealthy French physci'
who came to Jerusalem some years ago with
'ere purpose of healing these hopeessly atliic
one creatures, is no doubt fresh in the memory
'nc many readers lie supposed that he had d
GU covered an iHfallibe remedy, aud at once co
'lng to the UHoy City, to test it, He was not, ht
lhe ever, successful in helping the poor victims,
NY not taking sufficient care he within three mon
reH became himself contaminated, and died of
LOT disease in its worst form. This Jealous ply
tae M clan was Latin Catholic, and hequeathed
tue bulk of his large fortune various convent
W. nas Palestine.
adly