INTERIOR OF THE CHAPEL OF ST. CATHERINE. 
“This View,” says the Artist, “represents the interior of probably the oldest and 
the richest of all the Eastern churches; its remote and sacred situation, its strength 
of structure and position, and the deep veneration in which it is held by Mahometans 
as well as Christians, have favoured its preservation, and secured it in the possession 
of its riches and relics. From its foundation in the sixth century, down to our day, 
it has been protected from plunder, though the country in which it is situated has 
been invaded by lawless conquerors, and it has always been surrounded by tribes 
of marauders. Its wealth is very great in all that belongs to its Chapel, which is 
guarded with much jealousy. This, probably, was the reason why so many difficulties 
were thrown in my way when I attempted to make a sketch of the interior of the 
Chapel. The brotherhood, though kind in the extreme, and though they allowed me 
to draw in every other part of the Convent, and themselves sat for sketches and 
studies, yet always found some excuse, whenever I proposed to make a drawing of 
the Chapel; they had mislaid the key, or some such frivolous reason. At length, 
I fairly took out my sketch-book during service; they could not interrupt me while 
engaged in their sacred duties; and I thus effected my object.” 
The present Convent was built in the sixth century by the Emperor Justinian, 
and some of the enrichments and decorations are of that period. Like other Greek 
churches, it possesses a rich and gilded screen, and contains pictures of the saints of the 
Greek calendar. Moses and Aaron, of course, hold conspicuous places in a spot made 
sacred by the eventful history of the great Lawgiver. The Screen separates the Altar 
from the congregation, and conceals the Patriarch from the people when he reads the 
service to which they respond. Its separation may be intended to represent that of 
the Jewish Holy Place. Though the pictures of saints and Scriptural subjects are 
profuse, there are no images, as in the Latin churches. The floor of the Chapel 
is beautifully inlaid with variegated marble; and on the right is seen a magnificent 
throne for the Patriarch, or Bishop. The Altar is inlaid with ebony and mother- 
of-pearl, of the most elaborate and beautiful designs, and is probably, as well as many 
of the pictures, the work of Byzantine artists. It is covered with costly and ancient 
votive offerings, most of them enriched with precious stones. Yet the riches of this 
Altar sink into insignificance when compared with those of the Chapel behind it, 
raised on the spot on which it is believed that Moses saw the burning bush. “ Through 
this sacred place we were hurried, after we had been requested to uncover our feet, 
£ for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.’ We were, therefore, not allowed 
leisure for the examination of the Altar; but the walls, and even the roof, were 
covered with the gifts and offerings of Emperors, Kings, and Princes, from the period 
of its foundation. The floor was covered with the richest and most .costly Persian 
