NAZARETH. 171 
almost every traveller, since the trick was first chap. 
•^ IV. 
devised. MaundrelP, and Egmont and Heyman'y ' y. ■/ 
were told, that it was broken by a Pasha, in 
search of hidden treasure, who was struck with 
blindness for his impiety"'. We were assured 
that it separated in this manner when the Angel 
announced to the Virgin the tidings of her con- 
ception*. The monks had placed a rail, to 
prevent persons infected with the plague from 
coming to rub against these pillars : this had 
been for many years their constant practice, 
whenever afflicted with any sickness. The 
reputation of the broken pillar for healing every 
kind of disease prevails all over Galike\ 
It is from extravagances of this kind, con- 
stituting a complete system of low mercenary 
speculation and priestcraft throughout this 
country, that devout, but weak men, unable to 
(l) 5o\irn. horn JlleppoXo Jerusalem, p. 113. O.rf. 1721. 
ifl) Travels through Europe, Asia, &c. vol. II. p. 17. Land. 1759- 
(3) A story of a similar nature is related by Bernardin Surius, who 
was President of the Holy Sepulchre, and Commissary of the Holij 
Land, during four years, about the middle of the 17th century. He 
ascribes the fracture to a Magrebin. " Cefut un de ces Magrehins qui 
at rompre a Nazareth la colomne qui est posie a la place oil estoit la 
S. Vierge lorsqu'elle consent le Fits de Dieu" JjC Pieu.r Pelerin, par 
Le Perc Surius, p. 24G. Brusselles, I666. 
(4) IjuIw i. 28. 
(.■>) Travels through Europe, Asia, &.c. vol. II. p. 17- Lond. 1759. 
M 2 
