NAZARETH. 169 
hangings of the sanctuary, and thus communi- chap. 
v» »■■ ■ 
eating infection to the whole town ; because, 
all who entered, saluted these liangings with 
their lips. Many of those unhappy patients 
believed themselves to be secure, from the 
moment when they w^ere brought within the 
walls of this building, although in the last stage 
of the disorder. As we passed towards the 
church, one of the friars, rapidly conducting 
us, pointed to some invalids who had recently 
exhibited marks of the infection : these men 
were then sitting upon the bare earth, in cells, 
around the court-yard of the Convent, waiting 
for a miraculous recovery. The sight of 
infected persons so near to us rather checked 
our curiosity ; but it was too late to render 
ourselves more secure by retreating. We had 
been told, that if we chose to venture into the 
church, the doors of the Convent would be 
opened ; and therefore had determined to risk 
a little danger, rather than be disappointed; 
particularly as it was said the sick were kept 
apart, in a place expressly allotted to them. 
We now began to be sensible we had acted 
without sufficient caution; and it is well we 
had not good reason afterwards to repent of 
our imprudence. 
VOL. IV. M 
