TIBERIAS. 21S 
corn ; of millet, which was still green ; of melons, 
pumpkins, and cucumbers. The harvest of ivheat 
and barley ended in June ; bat the oats were still 
standina-. From Batti to Tiberias is nine miles: 
two of these consist of the descent from the 
elevated plain towards the lake. 
As we entered the gate of the town, the Tiberus. 
Turkish guards were playing at chess. They 
conducted us to the residence of the Governor, 
Having made as rapid a disposition as possible 
of our baggage, for the purpose of passing the 
night in a large room of the Castle, which 
reminded us of antient apartments in old 
castellated buildings yet remaining in England, 
we hastened towards the lake ; every individual 
of our party being eager to bathe his feverish 
limbs in its cool and consecrated waters. 
Proceeding towards the shore, we saw a very 
antient church, of an oblong square form, to which 
we descended by steps, as into the Church of 
St. Sophia at Constantinople and some other 
early Christian sanctuaries, where the entrance 
resembles that of a cellar; day-light being 
rarely admitted. There is reason to believe 
that this was the first place of Christian worship 
erected in Tiberias, and that it was constructed 
