same purpose.

The following day, being the anniversary of Sir Moses and Lady
Montefiore's wedding, they gave a special feast to all their
attendants, which prompted the janissaries, guides, and moukaries to
sing praises of the devout pilgrims, and invoke heavenly blessings on
their benefactors.

CHAPTER XXII.

1839.

THE TOMB OF DAVID--SPREAD OF THE PLAGUE--MUSSULMAN
FANATICISM--SUSPICIOUS CONDUCT OF THE GOVERNOR OF JERUSALEM--NAYANI,
BETH DAGON, JAFFA, EM-KHALET, AND TANTURA.

_Tuesday, June 11th._--We rode before breakfast through the valley of
Jehoshaphat, then to the tomb of King David. The keeper of the place
produced an order from Ibrahim Pasha, which prohibited the entrance of
Europeans to the tomb. We addressed a letter to the Governor,
informing him that the keeper would not admit us. A short time
afterwards the Governor arrived. He approved of the conduct of the
keeper, but thought, nevertheless, that the Pasha's order did not
refer to a gentleman who, like Sir Moses, was the bearer of letters of
introduction from the highest authorities in the land, and, leading
the way, he invited us all to follow him to the tomb. It was a
spacious vaulted chamber, supported in the centre by a column. At the
further end we saw a trellised window, on the right of which was an
arched folding door. Being led to the spot, we beheld through the
lattice the tomb, covered with richly embroidered carpets. In the
centre was an Arabic inscription, "This is the tomb of our Lord
David," on either side of which were the double triangles known by the
name of "the shield of David." On one corner of the tomb hung a rich
silk sash and a pistol, the offerings of Ibrahim Pasha. The Governor,
addressing Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, said, "I will now leave you
to your religious devotions," and then left the place. We recited
several psalms, and went away much gratified with the opportunity
which we had had of visiting the sacred spot.

On our return we visited the cave of Jeremiah and the tombs of the
Kings. In the evening a number of people came up to pass the night on
the Mount of Olives, so as to be ready in the morning to join the
procession which had been arranged for our entry into the city. Many
of our brethren from Hebron, including the spiritual heads and
representatives of their congregations, came to offer us their
congratulations, and to accompany us the next day to the Synagogue. In
the evening a large number of