be true, but if the Sultan allowed Mohhammad Ali
to retain Egypt, he would not suffer Syria to remain quiet for twelve
months, but would excite insurrections. The English government," he
said, "had the game in their own hands, and he hoped they would not
throw it away; Syria would never be safe while Mohhammad Ali ruled in
Egypt."

_September 23rd._--Sir Hector Grey sent the welcome tidings that our
imprisonment would be reduced to fifteen days instead of twenty. A few
days later, Captain H. M. Austin, of Her Majesty's steam frigate
_Cyclops_, arrived from Beyrout, and gave us a most interesting
account of all that had been passing in Syria. He expected that
Ibrahim Pasha would be taken, and that Mohhammad Ali would retain
Egypt, as our ministers, he said, wished it.

_Friday, September 27th._--We had many visitors at Fort Manoel
Lazaretto (Malta) this day: Lady Stopford and her daughter, Captain
and Mrs Copeland, and the Greek Consul; also Captain Le Goff of the
_Minos_. All of them gave accounts of the state of politics. The
French steamer brought us letters from Signor Communda, in which he
informed Sir Moses, that Rechid Pasha had sent his chief secretary,
accompanied by many officers, to the Jews with the Hatti-Sherif. It
was publicly read amidst the universal joy of the people, and prayers
were offered up for the Sultan, also for Sir Moses.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

1840.

DEPARTURE FROM MALTA--NAPLES--ROME--A SHAMEFUL INSCRIPTION--PREJUDICES
AGAINST THE JEWS AT THE VATICAN.

_November 30th._--Sir Hector Grey called, bringing news (in
confirmation of previous reports) to the effect that Commodore Napier
had made a convention with Mohhammad Ali: the latter was to give up
Syria, recall Ibrahim Pasha, and restore the Turkish fleet, on being
guaranteed by the four Powers in his authority over Egypt.

Having accepted an invitation from the Governor to dine with him, we
repaired to the Palace, and met a very pleasant party of twenty-four
persons. The Governor repeatedly expressed, to Sir Moses his
satisfaction with the result of his Mission.

_December 2nd._--Major Churchill called, bringing with him Colonel
Hugh Rose and Colonel Golquhoun; all offered to take letters and
parcels for us to Damascus. Sir Moses availed himself of their
kindness, and entrusted Major Churchill with a box containing letters,
newspapers, and copies of the Sultan's Hatti-Sherif for transmission
to the representatives of the Hebrew c