180 ' THE HOLY LAND. 
certificate, asserting its title to reverence, are 
affixed. We transcribed one of these curious 
documents, and here subjoin it in a Note*. 
There is not an object in all Nazareth so much 
the resort of pilgrims as this stone, — Greeks, 
Catholics, Arabs, and even Turks; the two 
former classes on account of the seven-years* 
indulgence granted to those who visit it; the 
two latter, because they believe that some 
virtue must reside within a stone before which 
all comers are so eager to prostrate themselves. 
As we passed through the streets, we heard 
loud screams, as of a person frantic with rage 
and grief; which drew our attention towards a 
miserable hovel, whence we perceived a woman 
issuing hastily, with a cradle containing an 
infant. Having placed the child upon the area 
(l) While the author was engaged in making the following transcript 
of the Papal Certificate, the Greeks and Cntliolics who were of the party 
busied themselves in breaking off pieces of the stone, as relics. 
Tradictio co7ilinua est, et nunquam interrupta, apud oiiuies nationes 
Orienta/es, haiic petram, diclam Me-sa Christi, il/am ipsam esse 
supra qitam Dominus nostcr Jesus Christus cum suis comedit DiscipuUs, 
ante et post suam rcsurrectionem a tnortuis. 
" Et san:ta Romuna Ecclesia Indulgentiax! concessit septem annorum 
et totidemnuadragenarum, omnibus Chtistijidelilits hunc sanctum locum 
visitantibus, recilando saltern ibi unum Pater, et Ace, dummodo sit in 
statu .araticc." 
