n from him, he was subjected to other
insupportable tortures, which at length compelled him to declare that
the bottle was at home in a chest of drawers. Upon this the Governor
ordered him to be carried on the shoulders of four men (for he could
not walk), that he might open the bureau. This was opened, but nothing
was found in it, except a quantity of money which the Governor seized,
asking at the same time where the blood was. Whereupon Abulafia
replied that he made the statement in order that the Governor should
see the money in the bureau, trusting by this means to escape. Upon
this the tortures were again repeated, and Abulafia, to save himself,
embraced the Mohammedan religion.

"In this manner they treated all the prisoners who have been for one
month in this misery. In Beyrout and in Damascus the Jews are not
permitted to go out.

"After this an individual came forward, and stated that by means of
astrology he had discovered and ascertained that the seven individuals
above named assassinated the priest, and that the servant was killed
by Raphael Farkhi, Nathan and Aaron Levy, Mordecai Farkhi, and Asher
of Lisbon. The two first were immediately arrested, the others, it
appears, sought safety in flight.

"You will judge from this--the Elders of Damascus say--what sort of
justice is administered by means of astrology, and how such justice is
exercised. And there is no one who is moved to compassion in favour of
the unfortunate victims. Even Bekhor Negri, the Governor's banker,
unable to bear these afflictions, became a Mussulman.

"Read this, dearest friends,--they continue,--to Messrs Camondo,
Hatteni, and Carmona, in order that they may co-operate for the safety
of our unfortunate and calumniated brethren, with such persons as they
may deem most fitting.

"The Jews of Rhodes describe their state of misery to the elders of
the congregation in Constantinople in the following statement:--

"A Greek boy, about ten years old, son of an inhabitant of the
country, is said to have been lost, and the Christians have
calumniated us by saying that we have killed him. All the European
Consuls came forward to demand an elucidation of the affair. They went
in a body, with the exception of the Austrian Consul, to the Pasha,
and requested that he would entrust to them the conduct of the
business, which request the Pasha granted. They then summoned before
them two Greek women who dwelt near the city, who stated that on
Tu