Syria was in a state of revolt, and the post between Beyrout
and Damascus closed. The British Consul, with all the other European
Consuls, excepting the French, had left Beyrout, and were on board the
ships of war. Commodore Napier had given notice that he should bombard
the town on the following day. Monsieur Cochelet, we were told, had
heard accounts of several thousand men having been landed from the
fleet between Beyrout and Sidon; no action had, however, as yet taken
place. Sulieman Pasha had declared he would destroy Beyrout, though he
should be compelled to withdraw his troops.

_September 16th._--Sir Moses writes in his diary: "I sent to Monsieur
Cremieux, but he and Madame Cremieux, with Monsieur Munk and Signor
Morpurgo, had already left for Cairo. Mr Wire, Dr Loewe, and I went to
Mohhammad Bey's palace. He is the son-in-law of Mohhammad Ali. We
entered the garden. As soon as the Pasha saw us he beckoned me to
approach him. He was seated in a kiosk. Boufort, the interpreter, was
translating to him one of Galignani's papers. On our entering the
kiosk, he motioned me to be seated. I took my seat opposite him, Dr
Loewe next to me, and Mr Wire next to the doctor. I informed the Pasha
that we had received letters from Damascus, and that, agreeably to his
orders, the Jews had been honourably liberated by Sherif Pasha on
Saturday, September 5th. The Mussulman population had expressed much
joy on the occasion. They had accompanied the unfortunate men, when
liberated, to the Synagogue, and the Jews had thrown themselves on the
ground before the Holy Ark, blessing the God of Israel for their
deliverance from the hands of their persecutors, and praying for the
happiness of His Highness, whose justice and humanity had restored
them with honour to liberty. I also told the Pasha how they had been
visited and congratulated by all the Mussulmans of Damascus, who
confidently believed in their innocence. Mohhammad Ali replied he was
glad to hear it, and informed me that he had received letters from
Sherif Pasha with the same intelligence, and also that that Jews who
had fled from the city had returned. This we did not know. I expressed
much gratitude to His Highness for his humanity, and entreated him to
protect my brethren in his dominion. I also said that as it was
impossible for me to go to Damascus at present, I intended returning
to Europe, and therefore begged to take leave of His Highness; but
before doing so I hoped he