such distinguished scenes of national mourning. * The last dreadful conflict here, according to my information, took place between Buonaparte, under Murat, in the spring of 1799, with a force of five hundred men, and an army of several thousand Turks and Mamelucks, after which he entered Nazareth, which was occupied, in consequence, about a couple of months. In the course of many travels in Europe, I have walked over Waterloo, Leipsic, Racknitz, Botzun, and other distinguished ground, where sanguinary acts of warfare had taken place; but I am persuaded the great plain of Esdraelon exceeds these in point of extent, and, of all others, is the most advantageous for action, especially between an inferior force of disciplined troops and numerous army of rabble. he had seen him. And his servants carried him in a chariot dead to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre.”2 Kings xxiii. 29. *"And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away, for I am sore wounded. "His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers: and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. "And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah; and all the singing men and women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the Lamentations." 2 Chron. xxxv. 23, 24, 25. Having made a short halt for refreshment, and although little more than two o'clock, I was recommended by an aged Arab to hasten a departure, and cross the Nazareen mountains before night-fall, as robbers posted themselves in their recesses to plunder travellers. I proceeded with all possible expedition, and in ascending a steep mountain, observed several shepherds, who had taken up their abode in the cliffs and "grottos" of the rock. I reached its summit, and prosecuting the route by a narrow passage, became alarmed for personal safety. In a short time, however, Nazareth, the capital of Galilee, came into view, finely situated on the brow of a hill, looking down on a long valley direct in front, and inclosed by lofty hills. On arriving at the Latin Convent, I was introduced to the " Grand Superior," as he is called, of all the convents, who happened to have arrived from Jerusalem, on a visit to the brethren. The patent letter I brought from Rome was again pressed into service, to which the highest possible respect was paid; and, in fact, commanded every thing I could desire. This Monk, a native of Malta, was possessed of extensive information, a cultivated understanding, and had more the manners and address of an accom * See pages 177 and 217. plished gentleman, than any in that character I formerly met with. Coffee and liqueurs were handed as usual, and congratulations offered on my safe arrival. In the course of conversation I adverted to the treatment experienced from the governor, when he told me that his brethren had been uniformly objects of the hatred and revenge of this rebel of the mountains, as he was denominated; and now found it impracticable to travel from Nazareth to Jerusalem, by way of Samaria, in consequence of his outrageous acts. He added, that twelve of them, in passing through that place some time previous, had been laid hold of, and cruelly beaten with sticks, two of whom died of their wounds! * This event, in consequence, obliged all the brethren, who had formerly taken the rout, to proceed on a circuitous one in the direction of Joppa and Ramah, by which he intended to proceed in a few days. These wicked acts against the Christians kindled my warmth and indignation to the highest pitch; and on intimating to the Superior a firm resolution to represent the insult received, to that particular power whom the governor most dreaded, in the view of receiving proper satisfaction, and that the violence exercised towards his brethren should make a strong part of such com Done in spite The great Creator, but their spite still serves |