th,) the bishop of
Beyroot was at the next house, and I went to salute him.

"He said to me, 'I understand _you_ have become English, too. You
_reason on the subject of religion_.'

"But," said I, "is every one English, if he _reasons_ on that subject?"

_Bishop._--"But you read in the Bibles of the English."

_Phares._--"Yes, and from whom is the Bible? is it from the English, or
from God?"

_B._--"But it is _printed_ by the English."

_P._--"Well, is it altered in any place?"

_B._--"See, now you have begun again to argue on the subject of
religion. I tell you, young man, cease this heretical habit, or you are
excommunicated."

Phares informed us of three or four Bibles and New Testaments, that we
had given at different times to individuals in Hadet, which had lately
been destroyed by order of the bishop. This news, together with a
discovery we yesterday made in the neighbouring house, of two covers of
the New Testament, whose contents had long ago been torn out, shews us
anew, if new evidence were wanting, that if the Gospel is ever
introduced again in its power and purity into this country, it will be
with a desperate struggle.

Two brothers of Phares, Mansoor and Galeb, came to converse with him
anew. We saw them seated together on the ground, at a little distance
from the house, but afterwards saw them no more. It is singular that
Phares should have left without coming either to take his cloak, or bid
us farewell.[J]

28. Having heard nothing particular directly from Asaad since he left,
especially since the affair of the books, I yesterday sent him a line,
and to-day received the following reply:

_Letter from Asaad to Mr. Bird._

"Dear Sir,--After expressing imperfectly the love I
bear you, and the desire I have to see you in all
health, I have to say, that in due time your letter
came to hand, and I read and understood it. You ask
respecting our health. I answer, I am in a state of
anxiety, but not so great as some days ago.

"On Thursday last, having come home from a visit to
the emir Sulman, I found the remnants of the Holy
Scriptures, torn in pieces, as there is reason to
believe, by order of the bishop. When I was told,
that my brother Mansoor had done this mischief, I
returned to the emir, and informed him of the
affair. He sent to call Mansoor, while I returned
again to our house. I now learned, that my brother
Phares had go