ot feel justified in spending large
sums in Egypt. "Were it for the Holy Land," he said, "I should be
delighted to establish both hospital and school."

_September 14th._--It was reported that St Jean d'Acre was being
bombarded by the English fleet; everything looked most threatening. We
met Colonel Hodges, who was hourly expecting to receive orders from
Constantinople to quit Egypt. A Russian and an Austrian ship of war
had arrived. The French steamer due that morning had not arrived; they
said it had been detained at Syra for the mail from Constantinople.

_September 15th._--We were caused much anxiety by the absence of any
account from Damascus, and by hearing that Mohhammad Ali had had a
despatch from Sherif Pasha, stating that he had received His Highness'
orders for the liberation of the Jews, but without further notice of
it. Monsieur Cochelet, we were told, had had a letter from
Rattimenton, violently exclaiming against the Viceroy's order, by
which he had been compromised, adding that he had warmly protested to
Sherif Pasha against his complying with His Highness' order. But soon
after this, writes Sir Moses, "Thanks to Heaven, this day has happily
put an end to our fears for the delay of the execution of the Pasha's
firman. We have received letters that all the Jews were liberated on
the 5th inst, in the most gracious manner, by Sherif Pasha, to the
great joy, not only of the Jews of Damascus, but also of all the
Mussulmans of that city. The unfortunate men were accompanied by bands
of music, and thousands of persons, Jews and Moslems. They first went
to Synagogue to return thanks for their delivery, and then to their
respective dwellings. All the distinguished Mussulman merchants paid
them visits of congratulation, expressing their firm belief in their
innocence. The Christians maintained silence, denoting thereby their
dissatisfaction at the justice of the Pasha. The blood of the four
unhappy men who have died under torture has not been sufficient to
satisfy these people. The suffering of the Jews appears to have been
unbounded, as is their gratitude to God for their deliverance."

The copy of the Pasha's order, which we sent by a courier with our
letters to the prisoners, had not arrived on the 7th when the mail
left. We were all anxious for news from the unfortunate men
themselves, but as we knew that all were at liberty, Sir Moses
considered that no further good could be achieved by remaining in
Egypt.