FROM ACRE TO NAZARETH. 
261 
and because the custom of repairing thither to dra w water, has 
been continued, among the female inhabitants of Nazareth, 
from the earliest period of its history. Marinas Sanutus, who 
accurately describes its situation, nevertheless confounds it 
with the fountain of Sephoury. He relates the ancient tradi¬ 
tions concerning it, but mingles with his narrative the legenda- 
ry stories characteristic of the age in which he lived.* 
After leaving this fountain, we ascended to the town, and 
were conducted to the house of the principal Christian inhabi- 
iant of Nazareth. The tremendous name of Djezzar had--suc¬ 
ceeded in providing for us, in the midst of poverty, more sump¬ 
tuous fare than is often found in wealthier cities : the convent 
had largely contributed; but we had reason to fear, that many 
poor families had been pinched to supply our board. All we 
could do, therefore, as it was jbroiight with cheerfulness, v 7 as 
to receive it thankfully ; and we took especial care that those 
from whom we obtained it should not go unrewarded. 
Scarcely had we reached the apartment prepared for our re¬ 
ception, when, looking from the window into the court yard be¬ 
longing to the house, vre beheld two women grinding at the 
mill, in a manner most forcibly illustrating the saying of our 
Saviour, before alluded to, in the account given of the ancient 
hand-mills of the island of Cyprus.f They were preparing 
flour to make our bread, as it is always customary in the coun¬ 
try when strangers arrive. The two women, seated upon the 
ground, opposite to each other, held between them two round 
flat stones, such as are seen in Lapland, and such as in Scot¬ 
land are called querns . This was also mentioned in descri¬ 
bing the mode of grinding corn io the villages of Cyprus; but 
the circumstance is so interesting, (our Saviour’s allusion actu¬ 
ally referring to an existing custom in the place of his earliest 
residence,) that a little repetition may perhaps be pardoned* 
In the centre of the upper stone was a cavity for pouring in the 
corn ; and, by the side of this, ao upright -wooden handle, for 
moving the stone. As the operation began, one of the wornen 9 
with her .right hand, pushed this handle to the woman oppo¬ 
site, who again sent it ,.to her companion, Urns communicating 
He often copies Jacobus de Vitriaco, word for word. Marinus Sanutum began 
the Secrefa Fide Hum Crucis in 1306. Jac. de Vitriaco "was bishop of Ftoleraai’s, and 
died in May, 1240. •* De fonte Sephoritano dilect® matri ( Jesus) portaret aquum ; fen's 
dtdera in fine civiiatis cst: ibl dieiturjpuer Jesus semel, vase fictili fracto, aqua® 
portasse in gremio matri suae.” Marin: Sanut. Secret. Fidel Cruc. lib. iil, imps fib 
cap. 2. 
t chap, xi, p. 208, of this 'volume. 
