CHAPTER XL. 
NAZARETH. 
Leaving Mount Tabor several hours on the left, we passed 
through the village of Remeh, and descended into the valley 
beyond. On again ascending we came in view of Nazareth. 
Apart from its scriptural associations, there is little about 
Nazareth to attract attention. It is a mere village of square, 
flat-roofed houses, situated on the side of a hill, with a mosque 
and some large buildings, occupied by the monks, in the lower 
part. The valley is well-wooded with olive trees, which ex¬ 
tend up beyond the houses toward the top of the hill. A few 
palm trees present a picturesque outline near the mosque. 
The general appearance of the valley of Nazareth is similar 
to that of most of the valleys through which one passes in 
Syria. Before reaching the town we came to a square plat 
of ground, inclosed by a stone wall, within which stands a 
convent. We were met at the door by a Greek priest, who 
invited us to enter. This convent is said to cover the spot on 
which the Virgin Mary was born. We took off our hats and 
went in. Places of this kind are turned into mere catch¬ 
penny shows, and there is no evidence of their being the 
identical places referred to in the Scriptures, other than the 
traditional testimony of the monks. The convents built upon 
them are sustained chiefly by the contributions of pilgrims 
and .travelers, and these contributions depend of course upon 
the skill of the monks in maintaining the authenticity of the 
localities. That the position of Nazareth is well established, 
I believe admits of no doubt; but farther than that is uncer¬ 
tain. The spot upon which it is said the Virgin was born is 
in a sort of vault in the back part of the chapel; it is covered 
