FROM KAPOLOSE TO JERUSALEM. '325 , 
A plentiful supper was served, in a large room called the 
Pilgrim’s Chamber. Almost all the monks, together with their 
Superior, were present. These men did not eat with us ; 
having their meals private. After we had supped, and re¬ 
tired to the dormitory, one of the friars, an Italian, in the 
dress worn by the Franciscans, came into our apartment, and, 
giving us a wink, took some bottles of Noyau from his bosom, 
desiring us to taste it: he said that he could supply os with 
any quantity, br quality, of the best liqueurs , either for our 
consumption while we staid, or for our journey. We asked 
him whence it was obtained ; and he informed us, that he 
had made it; explaining the nature of his situation in the 
monastery, by saying, that he was a confectioner; that the 
monks employed him in works of ornament suited to his pro¬ 
fession ; but that his principal employment was the manufac¬ 
ture of liqueurs.* A large part of this convent, surrounding 
an elevated open court or terrace, is appropriated to the re¬ 
ception of pilgrims; for whose maintenance the monks have 
considerable funds, the result of donations from Catholics of 
all ranks, but especially from Catholic princes. These con¬ 
tributions are sometimes made in cash, and often in effect's, m 
merchandize, and stores for the convent. To mention, by 
way of example, one article, equally rare and grateful to 
weary English travellers in the Levant; namely, lea. Of 
tins they had an immense provision, and of the finest quality. 
Knowing, from long habit in waiting upon pilgrims, the taste 
of different nations, they most hospitably entertain their comers 
according to the notions they have thus acquired. If a table 
be provided for Englishmen or for Dutchmen, they supply it 
copiously with tea. This pleasing and refreshing beverage 
was served every morning and evening w hile we remained, ire 
large bowls, arid we drank it out of pewter porringers. Fos 
this salutary'gift the monks positively refused to accept out 
oilers of compensation, at a time w hen a few drachms of any 
kind of tea could with difficulty be procured from the English 
ships is the Mediterranean, at the most enormous prices. 
Persons who have not travelled in these latitudes will perhaps 
not readily conceive the importance of such au acquisition. 
The exhausted traveller, reduced by continual fever, and 
worn by incessant toil, without a hope of any comfortable re¬ 
pose, experience in this infusion the most cooling and balsamic 
^ Perhaps for sale among the Mahometans; who will make any sacrifice to ohtai* 
drains of this nature. 
2 II 
