Page 96 - Travels in Arabia (Vol 2)_Neat

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V.] SHERM TO SINAI. 77

CHAPTER V.
Hints to Travellers-Water and Water-skins—Inscriptions—
Arab Places of Sepulture—Jebel Subeiyah—Arrival at the Mo­
nastery—Difficulty of Admission—Reception—The Convent
Cook—Monastic Fare—The Travellers' Room—Comfortable
Quarters — Monastic Album—The Missionary Wolff—Disci­
pline and Habits of the Monks—Dress—Diet—Fasts—Scruples
respecting Animal Food— Use of Spirits—Anecdote of British
Sailors—The Superior—Position of the Monastery—General
Appearance—Interior of the Churchy Chapels, §c.—Splendid
Screen—Skeleton Hand—William dc Bauldersell—Sarcopha­
gus of Catherine of Russia—The “ Burning Bush”—Ascent of
the Mount—Description of the summit—Reflections.

January 11 th. On preparing to leave this

morning, the Bedowins found our water-skins
frozen; yet, so pure is the air in these ele­
vated regions, that most of our party slept in
the open air without experiencing any ill
effects. Some few hints suggest themselves
here to me which may prove of service to
those who may hereafter traverse these or the
neighbouring regions. Let them on no ac­
count encumber themselves with a tent, for