NAZARETH. 177 
true Image of Jesus CniiisT, sent to king chap. 
Ahgcirus\'' v_ -V— ■■^ 
The other objects of superstition in Nazareth, 
at every one of which indulgences are sold to 
travellers, are : I. The TVorkshop of Joseph^ which 
(l) "Vera Imago Salvatoris Nostri Domini Jesu Christi, ad 
Regem Abgarum missa," {£gvwnt and Heyman's Travels, vol. II. 
p. 19.) I do not recollect seeing this picture, although I have seen 
copies of it. There is an expression of countenance, and a set of 
features, common to almost all the representations of our Saviour, 
with which every one is acquainted, although we know not whence 
they were derived : nor would the subject have been mentioned, but 
to state, further, that the famous picture by Carlo Dolci bears no 
resemblance to these features ; nor to the ordinary appearance pre- 
sented by the natives of Syria. Carlo Dolci seems to have borrowed 
his notions for that picture from the spurious Letter of Puhliiis 
JLentulus to the Roman Senate : which is so interesting, that, while 
we believe it to be false, we perhaps v.ish that it were true: — 
" There appeared in these our days, a man of great virtue, named 
Jesus Christ, who is yet living among us ; and of the Gentiles is 
.accepted for a Prophet of Truth ; but his own Disciples call him the 
Son of God. He raiseth the dead, and cureth all manner of diseases. 
A man of stature, somewhat tall and comely, with a very reverend 
countenance, such as the beholders may both lo^ e and fear ; bis hair, the 
colour of a filbert, full ripe, to his ears, whence downwards it is more 
orient of colour, somewhat curling or waving about his shoulders ; in the 
midst of his head is a seam, or partition of his hair, after the manner of the 
Nazarites; his forehead plain and delicate ; his face without spotor wrin- 
kle, beautified with a comely red ; his nose and mouth exactly formed ; 
his beard thick, the colour of his hair, not of any great length, but 
forked; his look innocent; his eyes grey, clear and quick; in 
reproving, awful; in admonishing, courteous; in speaking, very modest 
and wise ; in proportion of body, well shaped. None have ever seen 
bim laugh, but many have seen him weep. A man, for his beauty, 
surpassing the children of men." 
