NAZARETH. 165 
the horrors of the plague. Thus it seemed chap. 
destined to maintain its antieilt reputation ; ' y * 
for the Nathanael of his day might have inquired 
of a native of Bethsaida ^ whether " any good 
thing could come out of Nazareth F A party 
of Djezzars troops, encamped in tents about the 
place, were waiting to seize even the semblance 
of a harvest which could be collected from 
all the neiehbourins: district. In the valley Fountain 
appeared one of those fountains which, from virgin, 
time immemorial, have been the halting-place 
of caravans, and sometimes the scene of con- 
tention and bloodshed. The women o^ Nazareth 
were passing to and from the town, with 
pitchers upon their heads. We stopped to 
view the group of camels, with their drivers, 
w^ho were there reposing; and, calling to mind 
the manners of the most remote ages, we 
renewed the solicitation of Abrahams servant 
unto Rebecca, by the Well of Nahor '\ In the 
waitings of early pilgrims and travellers, this 
spring is denominated "the fountaix of the 
Virgin Mary;" and certainly, if there be a 
spot, throughout the Holy Land, that was un- 
doubtedly honoured by her presence, we may 
(2) John, ch. i. 
(S) Gen, ch.xxiv. 17. 
