CONVENT OF MOUNT SINAI. 2J7 



twenty or thirty. They have a president or prior ; 

 but the economos or steward is the true head of the 

 community, and manages all its affairs. The su- 

 perior of the whole order is the archbishop or rets, 

 who is chosen by a council of delegates, and for- 

 mally confirmed by the Greek patriarch of Jerusa- 

 lem. In ancient times he resided in the convent ; 

 but since its affairs have been on the decline it has 

 been found expedient that he should live abroad ; the 

 Bedouins considering his presence as entitling them 

 to exact very high fees, especially on his entering 

 the establishment. On this occasion 10,000 dollars 

 (2156) weresometimes demanded; hence the monks, 

 rather than purchase this honour so dearly, shut up 

 the gate, and have dispensed with the arch bishop's pre- 

 sence since the middle of the last century. Their dis- 

 cipline with regard to food and prayer is very severe. 

 They all employ themselves in some profession ; and 

 their little fraternity can boast of a cook, a distiller, 

 a baker, a shoemaker, a tailor, a carpenter, a candle- 

 maker, a mason, and other handicrafts, each of whom 

 has his workshop, with a stock of rusty utensils, 

 which still indicate traces of the former industry of 

 the establishment. Brandy made from dates is the 

 chief solace these recluses enjoy ; and they are per- 

 mitted, even during their fasts, to indulge in this 

 domestic beverage. They have a library which con- 

 tains about 1500 Greek volumes and 700 Arabic 

 manuscripts ; but of this they make little use, as they 

 can read or write no language except their ver- 

 nacular tongue. Notwithstanding their ignorance 

 they are fond of seeing strangers in their wilder- 

 ness, and always receive them with hospitality and 

 kindness. As the gate has been long walled up, 

 visiters and provisions are hoisted up by a windlass 



