d returned of his own accord.

6. Went again to confer with the consul with regard to Asaad. When we
mentioned the fact, that Asaad was under a sort of oath of obedience to
the patriarch, an agreement which all make who are educated from the
funds of the Ain Warka college, he seemed to think differently of the
case, because, though an oath to bind the conscience, as in this case,
can never be binding, and is neither acknowledged by Turks or English,
yet, in the opinion of all Maronites, it justifies what the patriarch
has done. This English protection, they would say, is of no avail, since
he was under a previous engagement to serve the patriarch. The consul
thinks the case, if presented to the chief emir, would be rejected
without consideration, on the ground, that it was ecclesiastical, and
not civil; and if presented to the pasha, he would exact fines from many
innocent convents, and other wise oppress them, without perhaps, after
all, procuring the release of the prisoner. He would prefer some secret
mode of effecting the object.

Priest Bernardus, of Gzir, already mentioned was on a visit to the
family below, and sent up to beg the favour of a sight at Shidiak's
statement. I at first refused, but on a second application, and being
assured that the priest was a friend of Shidiak, I consented, and
invited the man to come and take with me a cup of coffee, which he did.
It will be observed, that this Bernardus was one of those, who wished
Shidiak to say that his faith was like that of the Roman catholic
church, although it should be a falsehood, saying that the patriarch
would bestow on him a pardon for the lie. The priest acknowledged to the
family below, that Shidiak's statement of that affair was correct.

14. Received a line from the friendly Maronite bishop, to whom I had
written, (April 8,) who says that he has been assured, probably afresh,
that Shidiak is in prison, and suffers beating.

15. The emir A. came and conversed a length of time on the case of
Shidiak. I offered to reward him well for his trouble, if he would
procure his release, which he has promised to attempt.

21. J. came to say, that he had never seen the emir A. who had
endeavoured to persuade his uncle to write to the patriarch. The uncle,
however, refused, but added, "_You_ may write in my name, and say, that
it is my pleasure, that Shidiak should be liberated." The messenger has,
therefore, gone with such a letter.

22. This morning, ca