nk I might succeed. In consequence of this,
Mr Wire wrote to Mr Kolb to postpone the appointment.

"_January 2nd._--Monsignor Bruti came in. He said he had spoken to
several influential persons, but the one he particularly wished to see
was out of town; if he did not return in a few days, he would go to
him. Monsignor Bruti thought the petition I had prepared for the Pope
very likely to meet with success, if I first gained the concurrence of
some of the Capuchins, and he advised my making some presents of
money. I instantly stopped him, and assured him that, in the execution
of my Mission, I had not given a single dollar, nor would I do so in
Rome, even if I was sure to obtain by it the object I had so much at
heart. This information had a great effect on his manner of speaking,
and he left us in two minutes. I daresay we shall see little more of
him."

_January 4th._--Mr Kolb went with us to the Monastery to endeavour to
see Cardinal Riverola, the head of the Capuchins; he was unwell, but
appointed to see us the next day at twelve. Monsignor Bruti called;
he seemed very desirous to know how Sir Moses was going on; the
latter, however, did not think Monsignor Bruti could assist him.

_January 5th._--"I received a letter," Sir Moses writes in his diary,
"from Prince Torlonia, expressing his regret that he had not succeeded
in his application for me, and enclosing a letter he received from the
Chamberlain of His Holiness, stating that at present His Holiness did
not give any audiences. At twelve, I and Dr Loewe went to Monsieur C.
de Kolb; he joined us, and we went to the Monastery. We were admitted
immediately to his Eminence, Cardinal Agostino Riverola. Mr Kolb
introduced me. I acquainted the Cardinal with the object of my visit
to him, as he was the chief of the Capuchins. I urged the injustice of
allowing such a libel to exist in the Convent at Damascus, pointing
out that the inscription stated that Padre Tommaso was assassinated by
the Hebrews. I said that both Mohhammad Ali and the Sultan were
satisfied as to the innocence of the accused, and they had both given
me firmans confirming their opinion. The Cardinal said the firman was
most important, and he would at once sanction the removal of the
stone, whether the firman had been obtained by Rothschild's fortune or
by other means. I instantly stopped the Cardinal, and assured him that
I had not given a dollar for the firman, nor would I have attempted to
obtain ju