elevated a little above the level of the floor. It stands in the centre of the great rotunda, and directly under the dome of the church. The Sepulchre is covered by a small structure of yellow and white marble, twenty-six feet long, and eighteen feet broad; a small dome in the form of a crown surmounts the top. The house of the Sepulchre is profusely ornamented. The whole exterior is nearly covered with pictures, crucifixes, and images, and hung round with gold and silver lamps. There are also standing by its sides several wax candles, nearly as large as a man's body, and about ten feet high. A low, narrow opening in the wall, only large enough to admit one person at a time, leads to a chamber about twelve feet square. This is the outer room or vestibule of the tomb, and is called "The Chapel of the Angel." At the western side of this room is a low, narrow opening, barely large enough to admit a medium-sized person, and such only can effect an entrance by bending very low and crawling through. The Sepulchre is a room six feet one way by seven the other, and is covered by a dome roof, which is supported by marble pillars. Forty-two lamps of gold and silver, richly wrought, are suspended around the sides of this grotto, and kept continually burning. A small platform of stone, about two feet high, stands on the right side of the entrance; on which is a plain marble slab, bearing evidence of great antiquity. Such slabs were used for the reception of the dead, and on this, it is believed, the Saviour was laid.

Among the few genuine antiquities found in this

church are the tombs of Godfrey de Bouillon, and Baldwin his brother, who were buried near the cross for which they fought so valiantly; and in the Latin sacristy the sword and spurs of Godfrey are preserved. The Superior of the Franciscans, called the Reverendissimo, uses the sword in conferring the order of Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, an order instituted by Godfrey himself.

BETHANY-THE PLACE OF ASCENSION.

This place is called by the Arabs LAAZRIYEH, and is situated on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives, and near its base. It is now a small Arab village, containing about twenty houses, all of which have the appearance of being ancient and time-worn.

This is the place where Mary and Martha, with their brother Lazarus, had their home, and to which Jesus was wont to return at night from Jerusalem for refreshment and rest. This is also the place of the Ascension. "And he led them out as far as to Bethany; and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried heaven." (St. Luke xxiv. 50, 51.)

up into