{"character_count": 2688, "word_count": 467, "ccnet_language_score": [0.96670001745224], "ccnet_perplexity": [2137.5], "fasttext_language": ["en"]}
marked by star, embossed on a large


plate of silver. let into a slab OF marble uh-


der an altar. On the walls beneath the


altar are series of silver plates. with the


memorable events relating to our Savlours


birth embossed upon them. From the


chapel of the nativity we descended two


steps to the holy manger, or small chape,


supposed to contain it. 1t is very small


and lined throughout with marble, but the


form of a maDger IS not At all apparent


The pictures, with these two chapels are


enriched, are of the italian and Spanish


schools, and not without merit. The best


are the murder Of the innocents, and Ado


ration of the Magi. From the chapel OF


the nativity. we were conducted TO the &C.


metry of the 1nnocents-thence to the
grotto Of st. Jerome. The Greeks have
also a staircase to these subterranean cha
pels. &c. near the principal altar OF their
church, but are not allowed to perform
mass in any of them (; the Latins enjoying


the exclusive privilege. We ascended to
the terrace. and had a fine view Of the
surrounding country. We were shown
square field, with few olives. surrounded
by stone walls, where the angels appeared


to the shepherds the well Of David, and
the convent of Elias. The face of the
country is here very different from other
parts of Judea; the ledges of the noun
tains are carefully cultivated, and here
and there covered with figs, vines, and
olives. The village of Bethlehem, is situ-
atsd on one hill and the convent occupies
the opposite one. The houses are built OF
stono, and have flat roofs. The inha6i-
tants are a fine well made race OF people,
and almost all Christians. Those of the
Greek and Catholic faith. are nearly equal
in numbers. Among the women, whose
costume is extremely picturesque, we saw
some very handsome. and unusally fair.
The dress OF the men consists OF black
end white striped abbas, with scarlet un-
der garment. and red and white turban.
Their principal occupation is making ro-
saries, chaplets. mother-of-pearl and btu
men crosses. Sc. They appear to have
all some little competency, and are very
comfortable. Ia the garden Of the convent
We were shown tree, said 20 have been
planted by the hand Of st. Jerome, and as
such greatly rerered. Feuds are. unfortu-
nately, constantly arising between the sects
respecting their various rights and privi-
leges, and the Turks, actua.ed az well by
the rcspect they have for the Franks. and
the riches profiered in abundance by the
Greeks, scarcely know how to decide. A
disturbance which tso!s place about three
leurs ago, has entailed upon the convent
The c..pensc of a Turkish guard of fifteen
soldiers, who reside in the establishment.