Esdraelon," and often the " Galilean Plain;" in all ages it appears to have been selected as a theatre for local war. The sacred historian records that it was on this spot the hosts of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword before Barak, who came down upon them like a torrent from Mount Tabor, with an overwhelming army. Here the memorable contest took place between the kings of Judah and Egypt t, which occasioned such scenes of national mourning.‡ * The last dreadful conflict here, called by some the battle of Esdraelon, and by others that of Mount Tabor, took place between Buonaparte, under Murat, afterwards king of Naples, in the spring of 1799, with a force of five hundred men, and an army of several thousand Turks and Mamelucks, after which he entered Nazareth, which was occupied, in consequence, about two months. In the course of many travels in Europe, I have walked over Waterloo, Leipsic, Racknitz, Botzun, Vittoria, and other ground, where sanguinary acts of warfare took place; but I am persuaded the great plain of Esdraelon exceeds them in point of extent, which is, of all others, the most advantageous for action, especially between an inferior force of disciplined troops and a numerous army of rabble. Having made a short halt for refreshment, and although little more than two o'clock, I was recommended by an aged Arab to hasten my departure, and cross the Nazareen mountains which separate Galilee from Samaria, before night-fall, as robbers posted themselves in their recesses to plunder travellers. I proceeded with all possible expedition, and in ascending a steep mountain, observed several shepherds, who had formed their habitations in the cliffs and "grottos" of the rock, which accords with Scripture.§ I reached its summit, and prosecuting the route by a narrow passage, became alarmed for my personal safety. In a short time, however, Nazareth, the capital of Galilee, * Judges iv. 15, 14, 15. 2 Chron. xxxv. 23, 24, 25. 2 Kings xxiii. 29. § Isaiah xxii. 16. became visible, finely situated on the brow of a hill, looking down on a long valley direct in front, and inclosed by lofty hills. On arriving at the Latin convent, I was introduced to Father Antonio Salvator, the "Grand Superior," as he is called, of all the convents, who happened to have arrived from Jerusalem, on a visit to the brethren. The patent letter I brought from Rome was again pressed into service, and the highest possible respect was paid to it; in fact, it commanded every thing I could desire. This monk, a native of Malta, was possessed of extensive information, a cultivated understanding, and had more the manners and address of an accomplished gentleman, than any of the same character I had formerly met with. Coffee and liqueurs were handed as usual, and congratulations were offered on my safe arrival, and every assistance offered to facilitate my travel. In the course of conversation I adverted to the treatment I experienced from the outrageous ruler of Samaria, when he told me that his brethren had been uniformly objects of the hatred and revenge of this rebel of the mountains, as he was denominated; and that they now found it impracticable to travel from Nazareth to Jerusalem, by the way of Samaria, in consequence of his violent acts. He added, that twelve of them, in passing through that place, merely because they were objects of hatred from professing the Christian faith, had been laid hold of, and beaten with sticks, and that two of them died of their wounds! This event obliged all the brethren who had formerly taken the route, to proceed on a circuitous one in the direction of Joppa and Ramah, by which he intended to travel in a few days. These wicked acts directed against Christians kindled my indignation to the highest pitch; and on intimating to the Superior a firm resolution to represent the insult I had received, to the power whom the governor most dreaded, with the view of receiving proper satisfaction, and that the violence exercised towards his brethren should make a part of the complaint, the venerable Superior appeared to be absolutely overcome with joy; after lifting up his eyes, with his hands clasped, and uttering some soliloquy, he exclaimed, that, should such an act be accomplished, the most essential service would be rendered to Christians in the Holy Land, and their obligations to the British nation would be increased. I afterwards sat down, and committed to writing, for the information of the governor of Jerusalem, all the particulars of the rude and scandalous treatment I had experienced, and intreated him to enquire into the motives of such unjustifiable conduct, on the part of the governor, and peremptorily demand that all pilgrims indiscriminately, who happened to pass through Samaria, might be protected against the further attacks of this barbarian. The letter was delivered to the soldiers, who having completed their duty in conducting me safe to Nazareth, were going back; I was assured they would acquaint the governor of the circumstances to which they had been eye-witnesses, on presenting his letter of recommendation. After I had remunerated the escort, they returned to Jerusalem, and I intended to take up a residence in this sacred spot during some days. P NAZARETH. WORKSHOP OF JOSEPH.-CHAPEL. WHERE SCRIPTION OF CONVENT AND NAZARETH. -ENDOR. --- -DE VISIT TO NAIN. AUTHOR CHALLENGED BY A MAHOMEDAN FOR WEARING THE WHITE TURBAN. REMARKS. AMONG the places which were honoured with the pre sence of Jesus Christ, and consecrated as the scenes of his benevolence and good will towards men, Nazareth of Zebulon and its neighbourhood, where his incarnation took place, and where also he had spent great part of his youth in subjection to his parents, contain many objects of interest, and have strong claims to attention; and it may be observed that the distance of it from Jerusalem may be calculated at about one hundred miles. It would be tedious to enumerate all that are shewn to a traveller, but the following appear most deserving of notice. The church belonging to the convent, the entrance to which is by a descent of several steps, may be considered as rather elegant, and is erected over the grotto or cave where Mary, who was pronounced "highly favoured*,” took up her abode. It has no other roof than that which is formed of the natural rock, and is in the form of a cross; two granite pillars, at the distance of about a yard from each other, are shewn, as having been erected by Saint Helena, to transmit to posterity the particular place where the angel appeared to deliver glad tidings from heaven †; * Luke i. 28. † Luke i. 26, 27, 28. |