ales was not permitted.

The poor of Galata were considered the following day, and we repaired
to the Synagogue, there to distribute Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore's
gifts.

In the course of the day Mr Pisani called, informing Sir Moses that he
would receive a decoration from the Sultan.

Subsequently Sir Moses called on Lord Ponsonby, who promised to do
what he could to relieve the distress in Rhodes.

Being pressed for time we soon returned, and proceeded to Rifaat
Bey's. "It was already late," says Sir Moses, "when we came there, and
found waiting there Lords Canning and Louvain, Colonel Hodges, Captain
Gordon, Dr M'Carthy, Mr C. Alison, Rifaat Bey, and several Turkish
gentlemen."

The conversation on the events in Syria was very interesting.

About nine o'clock we left the party, much pleased with the novelty of
the scene.

_November 6th._--We went first to the Austrian Ambassador and then to
Rechid Pasha. The latter, who received us in a very friendly manner,
said that the Hatti-Sherif was ready, but had not yet been signed by
the Sultan. Sir Moses expressed his anxiety to have it as soon as
possible, as he was desirous of leaving the next day. The Pasha said
that if Mr Pisani came at ten o'clock the same evening to the Porte,
he should have it, as he himself would go to Riza Pasha about it, and
appointed twelve o'clock the next day to see Sir Moses.

_Saturday evening, November 7th._--Sir Moses writes in his diary: "I
sat up last night till after twelve, awaiting with great anxiety the
return of Mr Wire, who had gone to Mr Pisani's house to fetch the
firman for me as soon as Mr Pisani should return from the Porte, where
Rechid Pasha had appointed him to be at ten o'clock. I had just
fallen asleep when Mr Wire knocked at my door, and showed me the
firman which the Sultan had signed. It was beautifully written on
thick parchment, and was enclosed in a coloured satin bag. I sent it
to Dr Loewe, who had also retired, begging of him to read it and let
me know if it was all we could desire for the satisfaction of our
brethren. In a little while Mr Wire returned it to me, saying that Dr
Loewe had read it, and had assured him it was written in the strongest
possible terms as to the innocence of the Jews, as well as for their
future protection.

"I then blessed the Lord God for His great goodness, placed the firman
under my pillow, and fell asleep."

The next day I walked with Dr Loewe to Rechid Pasha's residen