The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1883-12-21

hat and slightly aiched in the mid
die, in order that the raiu-water
may more conveniently escape.
The ancient walls are entirely gone,
bus there are some fine ruins still
standing Of the citadel, which
dates from the middle ages.
The population OF Bethlehem is
almest entirely Christian. not a
Jew, strange to say, residing in the
place which was the cradle OF bis
royal race. During the middle ages
1t was forbidden by both Crusader
and Saracen, and now its Christian
associations repel them.
The Bethiehemites 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
from the Dead Sea, which In their
grace and beauty present a strik.
ing contrast to the coarse wooden
utensils made by the monks at Mar
Saba.
| The men of Bethlehem are state
| ly in person, aud wear a costume
which is a sort OF compromise be-
tween that of the city and the
desert. A long colored tuuic. held
together by girdle, covers the
white shirt, while over all Is thrown
the Arabian cloak, generally black
in color. Upon their heads they
wear a turban of such Dimensions
as can be seen in no other place iu
Syria.
The women OF Bethlehem are
widely and justly celebrated for
their beauty. Their physiognomy
is half Jewish and half Egyptian,
their large, dark, expressive eyes
being wonderfully attractive and
beautiful. They wear garment
very like high-necked chemise, u
blue skirt reaching to the ankles,
aud q short sleeveless red tunic-as
picturesque a costume as can well
be devised. But most curious and
, quaint is the diadem-shaped head
dress. Silver and gold CONS are
fastened upon high stuffed cap
from which are suspended long
. rows of silver chains and coius
which reach to tue breast, aud are
y ' finished off by large Maria
!, y Theresa -thaler. Married womel
y wear 10 addition, uuder'their wells
!, a peculiar circlet which gives thi'
= the form Of allow round hat. Th'
2 wells are thrown loosely over the
: = caps, and II is upon these the Beth
= lehenite women lay creates
!, !, stress. They are Of yellow linen
u with borders exquisitely eutbroid
cred, showing alike on either side
u and are often the work of years
i Neither drawing nor execution can
u be criticised.
b The great festival Of the year in
Q Betlnehem is, naturally enough,
}, Christmas. On the 24pb Of Decem
II her, at about two O'Clock in the
I afternoon, the Latin patriarch ol
1 Jerusalem enters Bethlehem with
numerous followers. When ht
r reaches the square in front of the
II Basillca OF Saint Mary, he alights
b from bis horse and ia received IN
Q due state by the clergy Of the
u church.
Q Sourrounding the basiica, which
n which was erected In 327, by st
q Helena, the mother Of Constantine
d are the buildings Of the Greek
Latin and Armenian converts
!. This church, which is undoubtedly
IT the oldest church In the world, and
e which for 1856 years has been unin
D. terruptedly devoted to Christian
4. worship, is the central point OF at
, traction to strangers.
g So shut in is it by the various
convcntual buildings that one II
IS not prepared for the imposing in
le terror. 1t is an oblong square will
d nave 40 feet long and diyidet
Is Into five aisles by four rows OF col
l. umns, said to have been brough
A. from the Temple of Solomon. Th
a. beams in the ceiling are of cedar
N from Lebanon, and on the wall
IN are remalns of mosaics represent
a log Biblical scenes.
Q. The east end OF the church !
Al divided iuto several chapels for th
is different seets. who worship there
u THE Chapel Of the Nativity is i
O. the crypt aud directly under th
], hish altar At the eastern end
T silver star is laid in the marbl
l. floor, surrounded by the inscription
10 Hic de Virgine Maria Jesu
'e Christus natus est1 (HeTe Chris
u was born OF the virgin Maryl.
'f Close by the grotto 10 which |
J. kept a block OF marble which ha
Q been hallowed out to represent th
Q mangcr IN which Christ was laid
J Tie original wooden one is In th
Church OF Santa Maria Maggior
Y In ROME.
= Here Is also tile grotto In whicl
. 81. Jerome lived for more thai
J eighty years, renounclng earthl.
9 flame and honor. Here he llbore,
) and prayed and wrote, working y
/, that noble legacy to the Ohristial
= church, the Latin version OF th'
!, Holy Scriptures, which forms th'
basis OF the VnIgute.
On Christmas eve, after the YES
per service, there was PROGRESSION
j to the numerous saliulunries, whsez
, Iasied Ave hours. The whole chnrI