i 4 g TRAVELS TO THE EAS^ 
lehera was entirely laid waRe, its Olive-trees euf 
down, and the Rumps of them yet Ihewn in woeful 
remembrance of thofe diftenfions. I he Bethlehe- 
mites fcarce ever go to Jerufalem, at lead they take 
care not to come within its gates, at a time they are 
at difference with the Regency or inhabitants of it; 
for thefe laft would foon find means to revenge 
themfelves of an enemy within their walls: and on 
the contrary, thofe of Jerufalem muR take heed 
not to venture too far out into the fields, towards 
the fide of Bethlehem, in unpeaceable times; efpe- 
cialiy as, on fuch occaiions, to be an inhabitant of Je- 
rufalem, is fufficient to make a perfon unhappy, who 
hath not at all deferred it. Thefe people have 
likewife conRant diftenfions amongft themfelves, 
not for the fake of religion, which in other places 
is the fource of many evils. The Bethlehemites 
have not narrow confcienccs in this matter. Here 
live Chriflians and Mahometans, one with the 
other, without ever quarrelling for the fake of re- 
ligion ; but they have other reafons for quarrelling = 
for example, their right to provide Pilgrims with 
horfes ; to take caffar from the travellers, of which 
one party is in poflefiion, and the other would wit' 
lingly be fo. Befides this, the Bethlehemites, like 
all other inhabitants of Palreftine, both C.hriftians 
and Mahometans, are divided into two parties, which 
are called the white and red enfigns, and who only 
Rudy to fupprefs one another. The Turks take 
advantage of this; and with a handful of men keep 
in fubjeftion a country, whole inhabitants are at va- 
riance, which would coR them much trouble if they 
were united. But none fuffer more from them 
Wicked Bethlehemites, than the Monks, their neigh' 
hours. Thefe would be happy, if they were W c 
by being Run up within the walls of their Convent , 
