serve as buttresses for its support, but like hostile fortresses, that wished to keep in range of each other's guns. My guide spoke with evident bitterness of the way in which "the Greeks" had usurped control. He said they would not allow the Latins even to celebrate Mass at the altar over the birthplace, which he seemed to consider a great privation, even though the Latins had the altar over the manger! Indeed for a long time the Latins were excluded entirely. The question of the "holy places" was one of the causes of the embittered feeling between France and Russia, which led to the Crimean War, and it was finally owing to the determined position of Louis Napoleon, that the Latins obtained the rights which they now enjoy, apparently in equal degree with the Greeks.
Such exhibitions of religious jealousy, not to say animosity, produce a painful feeling, and it is hard to keep alive the associations of the birthplace of Christ, in the presence of a temper so little like that of our Master, Some are so grieved by this unchristian spirit, that they retire in a mood very far from that of devotion. And yet the bitterness which shows only human infirmity, cannot drag down to its own level that which is Divine; nor can the gross superstitions which have gathered round the place, destroy the sacred reality.
Walking slowly down the aisle to the side door which opened into the Latin Convent, the good monk courteously took his leave, while I lingered yet a little while within the walls that wakened such venerable associations. Turning again, I retraced my steps towards the end of the church, and once more descended into the Grotto of the Nativity. It was the same scene as before — the pilgrims were kneeling, the prayers were ascending. Withdrawing a little from the altar not to disturb the worshippers, I gave myself up to some quiet thoughts
