of their pilgrims, who are very numerous, pay some money.  This solemnity appears rather a comedy or a farce than a church-ceremony, and is very unbecoming in a place so sacred as the holy Sepulchre.  After we had finished our service, which was about eight in the morning, they, extinguished all their lamps and those of the holy Sepulchre, and then they commenced their folly, running round the holy Sepulchre, like mad people, crying, howling, et faisans un bruit de diables; it was charming to see them running one after another, kicking and striking one another with cords; many of them together held men in their arms, and going round the holy Sepulchre, let them fall, and then raised horrible shouts of laughter, while they who had fallen ran after the others to avenge themselves:  it seemed that both old and young were downright mad.  From time to time they raised their eyes, and stretched their hands, full of taper, to heaven, crying all together eleison, as if they were wearied at the delay of the holy fire.  This scene continued till towards three in the evening, when two Greek archbishops and two bishops habited as patriarchs, for the patriarch was not then at Jerusalem, left their choir with all their clergy, and began the procession round the holy Sepulchre:  they were joined by the Armenians, four of whom wore mitres:  then came a Coptic bishop, with all his clergy and people.  After they had walked three times round the holy Sepulchre, a Greek priest came out of the chapel of the Angel, which is close to that of the holy Sepulchre, and gave notice to him who represented the Patriarch, that the holy fire had descended from heaven:  the latter then entered into the holy Sepulchre, followed by the representatives of the Armenian patriarch and of the Coptic bishop.  After they had remained there a short time, we saw the Greek archbishop in an amusing posture, bending down his head, and bearing in each hand a quantity of lighted tapers.  No sooner had he appeared, than all rushed one upon another to light their tapers from those of the archbishop; as that is considered the best fire, which is first lighted.  The Janissaries however, who were stationed near the door of the chapel of the Angel, did not stand with their arms folded, but made the calpacs and turbans of the Greeks fly from one end of the church to the other, striking around on all sides with their sticks, to make way for the poor archbishop, who also as we may suppose did all in his power to save himself.  He then mounted in haste a stone-altar opposite the entrance of the holy Sepulchre, where he was immediately surrounded by the people:  those also who had lighted their tapers endeavouring to save themselves were overwhelmed by the others:  the confusion was horrible, and blows were not unfrequent.  After the Greek archbishop has come out, the Armenian appears, and saves himself from the crowd in the church of the Armenians, and the Copt in that of the Copts.  Every one was