TO BETHLEHE M. 147 
had got amongft the Monks in Bethlehem, which 
■Would have been Itrange to me, if I had not made 
ttyfelf acquainted with it in the North. The Scurvy, 
which I had never feen in Egypt, or the Levant, 
had taken root in the Convent. The Monks, who 
Were conftantly ihut up within their walls, for fear 
of the Arabs, were obliged to eat fait fifh on their 
rail; days, being at a diftance from the fea, and thus 
brought this ficknefs upon themfelves. They were 
n °t ignorant of the virtues of Cochlearia (Scurvy 
Grafs) which is the greateft remedy, in this difeafe, 
of any Art hath yet difcovered; but it was not to 
oe found. I therefore advifed them to try another 
Plant of the lame tribe, which has been found of 
ervice in that diflemper ; this was the Nafturtium 
a 9 u aticum (Water Creffes) which I faw growing in 
threat quantities, in the moift places, near the wells 
ol Solomon. I defired the Monks afflifted with the 
ocurvy, to prefs out the juice of this plant, and drink it 
^Wh milk, which they did, and found themfelves re- 
f eved by it, as I was afterwards informed in Cyprus. 
Bethlehem is by legacy left to Mecca, and therefore 
/ not under the Governor of Jerufalem’s command; 
, u Gs under him who governs Jaffa, which likewife 
t e l°ngs to Mecca. This certainly contributes much 
° )he licentious life the Bethlehemites lead, and 
^ lc h hath rifen to a height, fcarce to be equalled 
j. % an y nation. They are almoft in conftant quar- 
0 f j w^h the Hierofolymites, or with the inhabitants 
Pei k r0n ’ or ^ ome ot l ler the neighbouring vil- 
an ^ r * ;ie ' r differences are feldom adjufted 
c K l0uc the effulion of blood, which fometimes is 
« iderable. Five or fix years ago, the inhabitants 
as , ^hlehem and Hebron carried on fuch a war, 
of eftr oyed the greateft parr of the bell; inhabitants 
°th villages ; and the neighbourhood of Beth- 
L 2 lehem 
