The women in the neighbourhood believe that if they feel unwell during the time they are nursing their children, they have merely to scrape some of the sand from the rocks in this grotto, and to take it as a powder, to regain their health.
Half a mile from this grotto we were shown the field in which the angel appeared to announce the birth of the Redeemer to the shepherds.

But our newly-arrived friends were not able to visit this spot.

They were fain to content themselves with a distant view, as it was high time to think of our return.
ST.

JOHN'S.
On the 4th of June I rode out, accompanied by a guide, to the birth- place of St.John the Baptist, distant about four miles from Jerusalem.

The way to this convent lies through the Bethlehem Gate, opposite the convent of the "Holy Cross," a building supposed to stand on the site where the wood was felled for our Saviour's cross! Not far off, the place was pointed out to me where a battle was fought between the Israelites and the Philistines, and where David slew Goliath.
Situated in a rocky valley, the convent of St.John is, like all the monasteries in these lands, surrounded by very strong walls.