of
the Governor of Beyrout and the janissary from Mr Moore, the English
Consul, behaved admirably; they struck right and left with all their
might, and the entrance gate was soon closed. We remained inside, and
following the Governor, attempted to enter the Mosque, but we were for
some time prevented by the cries of the people, which were greatly
increased by a dervish, who threw himself before the door, shrieking
in a most frightful manner, and calling on the people not to allow us
to enter. Sir Moses, however, drew Lady Montefiore along past him, and
we made good our entrance; but, perceiving that we were in great
danger, the Mosque being filled with at least five hundred persons,
many of whom were armed with sticks, Sir Moses did not deem it prudent
to remain. We therefore immediately passed through the opposite door,
and left the Mosque by a different gate to the one through which we
had entered. The only objects we saw in the passage deserving notice
were two large stones in the wall; they were similar to those in the
Western Wall at Jerusalem, at least nine yards long and one yard
broad. We also saw an iron gate which, we thought, might perhaps lead
to the cave, but Sir Moses felt certain that they were determined we
should not enter to see any part of it. The Governor appeared in great
alarm, and had not the least influence with the people. "To say the
truth," Sir Moses remarked, "I did not see him make any exertions for
our safety." He accompanied us to our tents, making many apologies for
the unhappy result of our visit; but Sir Moses would not speak to him,
as he (the Governor) was bound in honour and duty not to have
subjected us to such an insult.

We were scarcely in our tents before many people came running to us
from the Jews' quarter, saying that the Mussulmans were beating them
most unmercifully, and they were fearful of being murdered. Sir Moses
received letters from the representatives of the community, one of
whom had been so severely beaten that he was obliged to write from his
bed. Several others called who had also been very much ill-used. We
feared that perhaps we should also be attacked as soon as it was dark,
although Sir Moses felt no serious apprehension, should such an event
take place, as we had seventeen people with us, many of them well
armed. Nevertheless, as we strongly recommended it, he wrote a letter
to the Governor of Jerusalem, acquainting him with what had occurred,
and requesti