nd by that time Sir Moses hoped to
be at Damascus.

_August 14th._--Sir Moses called on Colonel Hodges, who gave him Mr
Werry's reply to the enquiries respecting the unfortunate Jews at
Damascus; the Colonel also showed him a letter from Beyrout, dated the
8th inst., from which it appeared that the insurrection in Syria had
not been entirely put down; and he advised Sir Moses not to venture
just then to Damascus, as our situation there might be very perilous,
in the event of the Pasha's not agreeing to the Ultimatum of the
Powers.

In the evening we attended the European Synagogue, which was
beautifully illuminated, while the floor was thickly strewn with
flowers. The building was crowded, and the utmost decorum prevailed
during the service. Subsequently the representatives of the community
were invited to join our dinner party, on which occasion many
excellent speeches, in various Oriental and European languages, were
made, referring principally to the object of our Mission.

_August 15th._--We selected the Synagogue of the natives for attending
divine service on this day. The heat there was very great and
oppressive, but the devotion of the congregation and the mode of
chanting the prayers afforded us much satisfaction.

Between two and three Sir Moses called on Colonel Hodges to express
his extreme regret that Mr Werry had done so little towards improving
the condition of the unhappy men at Damascus, and to request him to
write to the Consul, which the Colonel promised to do. The Sabbath did
not prevent Sir Moses from attending to the object of his Mission, as
in a case like this, where life and death are at stake, exertion and
work are considered permissible. Colonel Hodges said that the Pasha
would give us no answer till the political question was settled.
Monsieur de Wagner, the Prussian Consul-General, was present and
confirmed this. Both advised Sir Moses not to venture on a journey to
Damascus while affairs were in such a serious state. Syria was in open
rebellion, and in Damascus he would only be looked upon as a Jew
coming to screen the guilt of his brethren, while the fanaticism of
the Christian populace of that place was so great, that he would
certainly be murdered. Both Colonel Hodges and the Prussian Consul
said that the Pasha would refuse the Ultimatum, and war was
inevitable.

Sir Moses returned home, very unhappy on account of the nine
unfortunate prisoners at Damascus, but determined to do eve