tches respecting the Damascus affair. We remained with him
for more than three hours, making notes of all that appeared likely to
serve our cause.

From the following letters _subsequently_ addressed to Sir Moses by
the Rev. Joseph Marshall, Chaplain of H.M.S. _Castor_, Lieutenant
Shadwell of the same ship, and the Rev. Schlientz, of Malta, all
referring to their visit to Damascus on the 16th August, in the year
1840, the reader will be able to gather important information
respecting the accused.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

1840.

AUTHENTIC ACCOUNTS OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES ATTENDING THE ACCUSATIONS
AGAINST THE JEWS--TERRIBLE SUFFERINGS OF THE ACCUSED--EVIDENCE OF
THEIR INNOCENCE--WITNESSES IN THEIR FAVOUR BASTINADOED TO DEATH.

_Copy of a Letter from the Rev. Joseph Marshall, Chaplain of H.M.S.
"Castor."_

Sir,--In reference to the enquiries you make concerning your brethren
in Damascus, I have much pleasure in informing you, that when I
visited that city about the middle of last August, I took considerable
pains in making myself acquainted with the nature of the charge
preferred against them, the evidence on which it rested, the treatment
to which they were exposed. The result of my enquiries I will briefly
submit to you.

That two men, the Padre Tommaso and his servant, are missing, is
beyond dispute. There is not the least reason to believe that the
servant is murdered or dead; there is but little evidence that the
Padre has been murdered, and not the slightest that he was murdered by
Jews; on the contrary, evidence _a priori_ is entirely in their
favour, and that extorted by torture, if fairly considered, is equally
so. However, as some others who have visited Damascus have expressed a
contrary opinion, I think it necessary to state, in a few words, some
of the grounds upon which I establish mine.

I need not allude to their ceremonial and moral law; both are equally
abhorrent of the act imputed to them; but perhaps they were fanatics
influenced by an inward light stronger than their law. Fanaticism is
not usually found among such men as Soloman Murad and Meyer Farki,
with their compeers, the leading men of a highly respectable and
wealthy community, as was evident from the appearance of their
families even in distress. Indeed I was answered by both Moslem and
Franks, that the higher order of Jews at Damascus were less to be
remarked for enthusiasm than coldness in religion. I have the same
authority for beli