Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Bent, James" to "Bibirine" by Various

translation was edited by R.H. Major for the Hakluyt Society (London, 1872). See also CANARY ISLANDS, for the controversy as to the relations between Bethencourt and La Salle. BETHESDA (i.e. "House of Mercy," John v. 2), better perhaps BETHZATHA or BETHSAIDA, a pool or public bath in Jerusalem, where miraculous cures were believed to be performed. The following identifications have been suggested: _Birket Isra'il_, near St Stephen's gate; a large cistern, near St Anne's church; the "Twin Pools," north of the Haram (the ancient Temple area); the _Hammam esh-Shifa'_ or pool of healing, west of the Haram; the Virgin's fountain, south of the Haram; and the "Pool of Siloam." Which, if any, of these identifications is correct, it is impossible to say. BETHESDA, an urban district of Carnarvonshire, N. Wales, 5 m. from Bangor, by a branch of the London & North-Western railway. Pop. (1901)