d prepared for the Pasha's
signature to Khosrev, the principal interpreter at the Palace, so that
he should be fully acquainted with the contents. Mr Larkins told the
Pasha that Sir Moses intended coming for his answer in the evening. In
reply to his application for a simple "firman" to go to Damascus, the
Pasha said that Syria was in too disturbed a state to permit of his
travelling there with security.

In the evening, after the conclusion of Sabbath, as we were setting
out for the Palace, Sir Moses received a note from Mr Briggs,
enclosing one from Khosrev, requesting Sir Moses to defer the visit to
His Highness, as it was a most unfavourable moment.

Affairs appeared decidedly alarming, and the English fleet was
expected every moment with Admiral Stopford. Captain Austen of the
_Bellerophon_ and Captain Austen of the _Cyclops_ both called on Sir
Moses, and most kindly offered to receive us on board their ships in
the event of our being obliged to leave Alexandria for safety. The
Pasha was making great preparations for war, including new batteries
and arrangements for the better armament of the fleet. It was rumoured
that he intended leaving Alexandria in a few days.

_August 23rd._--Lady Montefiore passed a very bad night, and her
illness caused Sir Moses much anxiety. The doctor came twice during
the day. In the evening he found her less feverish, and reported more
favourably upon her state of health generally. He advised her to
change her bedroom, which appeared damp, and might have caused the
fever.

Madame Cremieux came to tell us that she intended spending the day in
the country, and talked of visiting Cairo as soon as the French boat
arrived. Colonel Hodges, Mr Bell, Mr and Mrs Briggs, and Mr Stephens
also called. The latter informed us that it was generally believed
that the Pasha had agreed to leave the settlement of the whole
question to the King of the French. It was also stated that Monsieur
Guizot was to have an audience with His Majesty on the 12th inst., and
the result would be known in Alexandria on the following Tuesday. It
was thought that the troops in Syria would probably be influenced by
the Sultan's money, as they had not received any pay for the last
eleven months. The English Admiral with the fleet was expected to
arrive on the following day.

Monsieur Cremieux called, and we agreed to send a letter to the Pasha,
soliciting him to set at liberty the unfortunate Jews at Damascus.
Monsieu