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called The Precipice. It is the outlet or defile from the 
mountains of Nazareth into the valley of Estrelon. I 
saw here a mountain cut almost perpendicularly from 
the summit to the bottom of the valley. Tradition re» 
lates that it was to this place the Jews conducted Jesus 
Christ, to precipitate him to the bottom, but that he 
rendered himself invisible. At this same precipice, a 
little below the summit, there is an altar hewn in the 
rock, whither the monks go occasionally to say mass. 
All the community, accompanied by the inhabitants, 
go there also once a year to perform a solemn service. 
It is on this account that a path has been cut up the 
middle of the precipice. 
The valley of Estrelon is vast, and contains many 
villages. It was here that the celebrated battle of Naza- 
reth was fought. 
News brought from Jerusalem, announced that the 
ancient moufti, who had retired to the sepulchre of 
David, had assembled the Bedouins, and that he had 
entered the city. It was also added, that he had block- 
aded the citadel, where the new moufti and the gover- 
nor had taken refuge; and that he had attacked at the 
same time the convent of St. Saviour or the holy 
ground, to revenge himself upon the monks, and to put 
them under contribution. 
According to very exact information, I am able to 
give the following account of the Roman Catholic 
monks of the Holy Land. The number in the different 
convents at this period was, 
40 at St. Saviour's, in Jerusalem, of whom 25 were 
Spaniards. 
11 at St. Sepulchre's, of whom 8 were Spaniards. 
10 at St. John's, all Spaniards. 
3 at Ramie or Rama, all Spaniards. 
