EGYPT, AND SYRIA. 361 
I muft confefs the firft afpe^l: of Jerufalem did not gratify 
my expedtation. On afcending a hill diftant about three miles, 
this celebrated city arofe to view, feated on an eminence, but 
furrounded by others of greater height ; and its walls, which 
remain tolerably perfect, form the chief objedt in the approach. 
They are conftruded of a reddifh ftone. As the day was ex- 
tremely cold, and fnow began to fall, the profpedt was not fo 
interefting as it might have proved at a more favourable 
feafon. 
It is unneceflary to dwell on the defcrlption of a city trivial 
in innumerable books of travels, but a few mifcellaneous re- 
marks fhall be made as they happen to arife. 
Mendicants perfectly fwarm in the place, allured by the hope 
of alms from the piety of the pilgrims. The religious of 
T'erra Santa retain great power, and there is one manufacture 
that flourifhes in the utmoft vigour, namely that of reliques, 
crucifixes inlaid with mother of pearl, chaplets, and the like. 
Yet the church of the holy fepulchre is fo much negledted, 
that the fnow fell into the middle ; the beams, faid to be cedar, 
are falling, and the whole roof is in a ruinous ftate. 
The Armenian convent is elegant, and fo extenfive as to 
prefent accommodation for no lefs than a thoufand pilgrims. 
During twelve or thirteen days a very deep fnow lay upon 
the ground. The catholic convent has a large fubterraneous 
ciftern, into v^hich the fnow, melting from the roof and other 
3 ^ parts, 
