124 TRAVELS TO THE EAST. 
fuperftition, than any other nation of the Eaft, hath 
by pilgrimages put this their fpiritual dwelling in 
Jerufalem into fo rcfpecfable a condition. There is 
not a year paiTes but more than 1000 Pilgrims ar- 
rive from Armenia, Perfia, and Turkey, who never 
Leave it without giving confiderable alms. The cha- 
pel which they have here in the convent is the hand- 
fomeft of all the private chapels in Jerufalem ; the 
whole is adorned with rich hangings, fine painting?, 
and an innumerable quantity of valuable filver 
lamps, fome gilt, and almoft all made by eminent 
mailers. Going home, I paffed by David’s caftle, 
which at this time is the name of a Turkilh fort, 
and the only one with which they think themfelves 
able to defend Jerufalem. This is almoft totally 
deftroyed, as are all the fortreffes belonging to the 
Sultan. On a platform lay a dozen of cannon, 
which rnuft be caft over again before they can be 
ufed. This fort lies on a low ground, and is not 
fituated fo as to command the town. It ferves only 
to give fignals by firing fome cannon on the feftivals 
of the Turks. Jerufalem has amongft its inha- 
bitants about 20,000 Jews. The Jew women go 
here with their faces uncovered; this i he Turks 
have ordered, that they may be known from their 
own women. The greateft part of the Jews here 
are poor, as they have no opportunity of trafficking; 
for without it they cannot thrive in any part of the 
world. They have no other income here than 
what they can get from the Pilgrims of their na- 
tion, who come far and wide from all places to pay 
their refpecis to the feat of their forefathers. Their 
Rabbi has large revenues from his brethren through- 
out the whole world, of which the Turks draw the 
greateft part; for Jews as well as Chriftians mult 
conftantly bring offerings to their altar?, if they will 
kifs their holy places in peace. 
