The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1883-12-28

"Ao1Nf auA COhctSt usually VI Ouc
story ' ith basement; the roofs are
Hat AID slightly arched in the mid
die, In order that the rain-water
may more conveniently escape.
The ancient walls are entirely gone,
but there are some hne ruins still
standing OF the citadel, which
dates from the middle ages.
The population OF Bethlehem is
almest entirely Christian, not
jew, strange TO say, residing in the
place which was the cradle OF his
royal race. During the middle ages
1t was forbidden by both Crusader
and Saracen, and now its Christian
associations repel them.
The Bethlehemites are an ener-
getic race, inventive and artistic in
taste. There are various branches
Of industry established there,
but most especially celebrated is
the manufacture Of ornaments of
mother OF pearl and Of black stone
trom the Dead Sea, which in their
grace aud beauty present n strik-
ing contrast to the coarse wooden
utensils made by, 1.-The monks at Mar
Saba.
The men Of Bethlehem are state.
~ In person, and wear q costume
which Is u sort OF compromise be-
tween that Of the city and the
desert. A long colored tunic. held
together by a grille, covers the
white shirt, while over all Is thrown
the Arabian cloak, generally black
in color. Upon their heads they
wear turban of such Dimensions
as can be seen in no other place in
Syria.
Tho women of Bethlehem are
widely aud justly celebrated for
their beauty. Their physiognomy
is half Jewish aud halt Egyptian,
their large, dark, expressive eyes
being wonderfully attractive aud
beautiful. They wear q garment
very like q high-necked chemise, 4
blue skirt reaching to the ankles,
and a short sleeveless red tunic-as
picturesque q costume as can we'll
be devised. But most curious and
quaint is the dladem shaped head.
dress. Silver and gold colus are
fastened upon \ high stuffed cap,
from whici arc suspended long
rows Of silver chains and coius,
which reach to the breast, and are
finished of by q largo Maria
Theresa thaler. Married women
wear In addition, uuder their wells,
u peculiar circlet which gives this
the form OF u low round hat. The
wells are thrown loosely over the
caps, and it is npon these the Beth
lehemitc women lay greatest
stress. They arc of yellow linen,
with borders exquisitely embroid.
cred, showing alike on either side,
and are often the work of years.
Neither drawing nor execution can
be criticised.
The great festival of the year in
Bethlehem Is, naturally enough,
Christmas. On the Oath of Dccem.
her, at about two o'clock in the
afternoon, the Latin patriarch OF
Jerusalem enters Bethlehem with
numerous followers. When he
reaches the square IN front of the
Basillca OF Saint Mary, he alights
from his horse and is received in
due state by the clergy of the
church.
Sourrounding the basilica, which
which was erected in 327, by st.
Helena, the mother of Constantine,
are the buildings of the Greek,
Latin and Armenian converts.
This church, which is undoubtedly
the Oldest church In the world, and
which for 1866 years has been unin.
terruptedly devoted to Christian
worship, is the central point OF at
traction to strangers.
so shut in is it by the various
buildings that one is
not prepared for the imposing in.
terror. 1t is an obloug square with
a nave ITO feet long and divided
iuto FIVE aisles by four rows of col.
umns, said to have been brought
from the Temple of Solomon. The
beams in the ceiling are of ccdars
from Lebanon, aud GU tho wallis
are remains of mosaics represent.
ing Biblical scenes.
The east end of the church is.
divided into several chapels for l.
different sects who worship the
The Chapel Of the Nativity Is
the crypt and directly undes
high altar. At the eastern
silver star is laid IN the
floor, surrounded by thRi,S
" Hic dc Virgine
Christus natus estn y
was born of the vire
Close by the grot
kept a block Of ms
been hallowed OF
IN whjQ
Tie original
Church of 81
In Rome.
st. Jerome,
eighty yea
fame and
aud .praye
that hobl@
Holy Sc
basis Of