266 
on the right hand I passed a hermitage, consecrated to 
the prophet Jonas. 
I stopped to breakfast near the fine spring of water at 
the alcassaba already mentioned. I afterwards bent my 
course towards Bethlem, where I arrived at half past 
ten in the morning, and after resting an instant I went 
straight to the convent of the Christians, where they 
revere the birth-place of Christ. 
This convent, in consequence of its construction and 
the strength of its walls, resembles a fortress; the only 
door which serves for entrance is so low, that it is re« 
quisite to bend the body nearly double in order to pass 
in by it. This building contains about twenty monks. 
The Europeans are Roman Catholics, the remainder 
are Greeks and Armenians. Almost the whole of the 
inhabitants of Bethlem profess the Christian religion. I 
omitted to state that this city is situated upon a moun- 
tain entirelv covered with olive trees, and contains about 
500 families. 
The inhabitants, who continually mistrust the Mus- 
sulmen, seeing us arrive with arms and horses, became 
suspicious, and several among them hasted to run to 
the door of the convent, which was shut; but being un- 
deceived by our quiet demeanour, they themselves 
knocked at the door, which after several parleys in a 
loud tone of voice, and occasional whispers with those 
within, was at length opened. 
I entered into a small dark vestibule, and found there 
several men, well appointed and armed, who had the 
appearance of a guard. 
Ail the holy places belonging to the Christians have 
been so often described, that I intended to have passed 
them over in silence; however I shall give such an idea 
