NAZARETH. 175 
place of the parents of Jesus Christ existed chap. 
at a very early period ; because the dmrch, ^ 
built over it, is mentioned by writers of 
the seventh century*; and in being conducted 
to a cave rudely fashioned in the natural 
rock, there is nothing repugnant to the no- 
tions usually entertained either of the antient 
customs of the country, or the history of 
the persons to whom allusion is made*^; but 
when the surreptitious aid of architectural pil- 
lars, with all the garniture of a Roman-catholic 
church, above, below, and on every side of it, has 
disguised its original simphcity; and when we 
finally call to mind the insane reverie concerning 
the transmigration of the said habitation, in 
a less-substantial form of brick and mortar, 
across the Mediterranean to Loretto in Italyiy 
maintained upon authority very similar to that 
which identifies the authenticity of this relic; 
(1) " The great church, built over the house of Joseph, is mentioned 
by the writers of the seventh and twelfth century." Pococke's De- 
scription of the East, vol. II. part I. p. 6.?. Lend. 1745. 
(2) " Pietro delaValle, in the 13th Letter of his Travels, is of 
opinion, that the subterraneous chapel of Nazareth was part of the 
vault of the Church of the Holy Virgin; and afterwards turned, by the 
Christians, into a chapel, in oider to preserve a remembrance of the 
place." Egmont and Heynutn' s Travels, vol, II, p. 20. 
