296 
the sentiment which has always influenced me, and 
guided my pen. It would be easy to meliorate the fate 
of these unhappy victims of religious zeal, without 
making greater sacrifices. 
CHAPTER XIX. 
Journey to Damascus. — Mount Thabor. — Sea of Galilee.— -River Jordan. — Vol- 
canic Country. — Description of Damascus. — Singular Buildings. — Population. 
— Grand Mosque.— 'Bazars or Markets. — Manufactures. 
The state of my health being much improved during 
my stay at Nazareth, I set out for Damascus on Wed- 
nesday the 19th August 1807, at one in the afternoon. 
Myself and servants were all on horseback; we directed 
our course to the north, and at a quarter past two ar- 
rived at a small village, where I took leave of several 
friends who had accompanied me thither. After having 
made several turns in the mountains, we arrived at 
Canaa, celebrated on account of the miraculous change 
of water into wine. This town, situated upon the W. 
S. W. side of a sloping mountain, contains about five 
hundred families; the houses are badly built; there is a 
fine fountain of excellent water. 
We left Canaa, and turning to the N. E. descended 
into a valley in which Mount Thabor is situated, and 
which we left upon the right hand. This mountain, 
celebrated on account of the miracle of the transfigura- 
tion of Christ, is tolerably high, and its summit appears 
to extend itself a little horizontally, when viewed from 
