had desired his secretary to attend to any
request Sir Moses might make in his absence. He added a hope that Sir
Moses would come and settle in that part of the world, as the Jews
were in great need of a chief or leader; they could then take land and
engage in agriculture. Soon after he left, Lady Montefiore received an
invitation from the Governor's wives to come and dine with them,
saying that they had had a lamb killed and prepared for the occasion
by a person specially sent by the Jewish authorities of the place.
Lady Montefiore was anxious to accept the invitation that she might
see the interior of the harem, but it was thought she had better not
go, and an apology was sent, she pleading fatigue from the journey.

The Jews all agree in acknowledging that the present Governor is an
excellent friend to them. The Judge is not friendly to them, but the
Governor prevents him from doing them any mischief.

The representatives of the German and Portuguese congregations, each
attended by about twenty of their members, paid them visits, remaining
for about an hour in earnest conversation. They promised to have
ready, by the next day, statistical accounts of their communities,
which Sir Moses desired to have for his special guidance in the
distribution of the money he had brought for them.

_Wednesday, May 29th._--The heat during the night was most oppressive.
Most of the inhabitants placed their mattresses either on the roofs of
their houses or in the yards, and slept in the open air. In the
morning, before five, we rode on horseback to the hot baths, about
half-an-hour's distance from the town. These are natural hot springs.
Sir Moses did not find them sulphurous, but rather salt. They are
situated close to the lake, but the hot spring has its source in the
mountains. Ibrahim Pasha had erected a handsome building, with some
rooms for the use of bathers. The large bath, which is circular, would
accommodate one hundred persons. There are also two chambers with
handsome marble baths. There is a room, commanding a beautiful view of
the lake and distant mountains, where, after having taken the bath,
one can enjoy an hour's rest, and partake of coffee and sherbet
prepared by the attendants there.

On their return from the bath they visited the tombs of some
distinguished teachers in Israel, whose resting-places were pointed
out by the gentlemen who accompanied them.

In the course of the day the Governor's wives sent to say