the visits of the Druses.

_Thursday, May 23rd._--At ten we rode to Djermek, a village two hours
distant, to the farm of Israel Drucker, one of his tenants having a
son who was to be received that day into the covenant of Abraham. Sir
Moses and Lady Montefiore had been invited to act as god-parents to
the child.

On reaching the house Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore were most
respectfully saluted, and the ceremony was immediately performed. We
then sat down for a short time to partake of some refreshment; and,
having offered presents and congratulations to the parents of the
infant, we descended the mountain, to visit the tomb of R. Simeon ben
Yokhai, in Miroon. There we were met by the principal inhabitants of
Safed.

We then visited the tomb of Hillel, celebrated in Jewish history for
his great learning and for his noble character and humility. "One of
the most interesting sights," says Sir Moses, "I have seen in the Holy
Land. There is one cave within the other, a spring of the clearest
water flowing through both; it appears to spring from the spot where
the mortal remains of Hillel repose. In the vicinity of the tomb we
saw a splendid marble portal of a Synagogue now in ruins; the marble
was handsomely carved, and many of the stones adjoining the portal
were still standing, all of them being of great size."

_Friday, May 24th._--Sir Moses was again engaged from nine to six with
the distribution of the money. He also gave special donations to the
heads of schools and colleges, and endeavoured to alleviate the
distress among the poor of all non-Israelitish communities. Sir Moses
found his brethren most anxious to be employed and to earn their own
bread. They appeared to prefer the cultivation of land as the most
likely means to raise them from their present destitute condition.
There were a few Jews who had some interest with Mussulmans in
cultivating some small farms about three or four hours from Safed, but
their means were so limited that they could ill afford to keep a pair
of oxen to till the ground. There was no lack of spirit, and Sir Moses
thought that some trifling assistance from the proper persons in
Europe would speedily restore health and plenty, should such be the
will of Heaven.

On the same day we received the sad tidings of the death of the Rev.
Israel, Chief Rabbi of the German congregation in Jerusalem, which had
taken place at Tiberias on the 22nd inst. It had been his intention to
come to Sir