the
fatigue and excitement of the journey. The house stood very high, in
the midst of a beautiful garden. It was about three quarters of an
hour's ride from the town, and commanded beautiful views of the sea,
the adjacent country, and the mountains of Lebanon. The gardens in the
neighbourhood were mostly filled with mulberry trees (white) for the
cultivation of silk-worms, and, at a short distance, we noticed
several sand hills. These hills move progressively, and destroy the
country in their course by burning the land and trees. Of many fig
trees only the tops remain visible. In the evening several visitors
belonging to the Hebrew community arrived, and joined in divine
service for the Sabbath.

_July 6th._--The Austrian steamer from Jaffa arrived, bringing reports
that Russia had chartered 400 transports to convey 25,000 troops from
Odessa to Constantinople.

_July 7th._--Many visitors came to offer their congratulations on our
safe return from the journey; among others, Mr Moore, the British
Consul, who told us that English, French, and Austrian steamers were
expected with further information respecting the political state of
Egypt, Turkey, and Syria.

CHAPTER XXIV.

1839.

ON BOARD THE _ACHERON_--SIR MOSES' PLANS ON BEHALF OF THE JEWS IN
PALESTINE--INTERVIEW WITH BOGHOZ BEY--PROPOSED JOINT STOCK BANKS IN
THE EAST.

_Monday, July 8th._--We sent the greater part of our luggage on board
the _Acheron_, under the command of Captain Kennedy, and prepared to
start at a moment's notice. Sir Moses occupied himself with writing
letters to Mr Young, the British Consul at Jerusalem, to whom he sent
money for distribution among the indigent Christians of the Holy City,
as well as for their burial ground. To Mr Joseph Amsaleg he sent L500
for the poor of the Hebrew communities, and to the Rev. Mr Thomson he
sent a donation for the Christian poor of Beyrout, as well as a
souvenir for himself, in consideration of the accommodation afforded
to Sir Moses in his house. To the poor of Safed he gave, through R.
Moses Schmerling, 53,500 piastres, and to those of Hebron he gave,
through Nissan Drucker, 11,770 piastres, being the amount he had
promised for these two Holy Cities.

The following day Sir Moses concluded his arrangements with the
representatives of the Hebrew community in Beyrout, respecting the
distribution of his gifts for their Synagogue and poor. This being
accomplished, his work for the day was over.