Let Mr. Webb know how much I prize his kind attentions. I hope some wine will go with this ship for him:—if not, it is not my fault. Salute Mrs. —— and say I hope no childish feeling will prevent her allowing you to be absent a little while. I feel for her—but I cannot write. She may rely upon me: only obey me strictly. Had you done so before, things might have been otherwise for all: but simpletons will be wise men, and that is what has turned the world upside down, as well as caused much unhappiness to individuals. I promise to keep you only a few months, but I want to see you: only come in as silent and quiet a way as you can.
I will not receive any letter from X., so do not take charge of any: all must be lies. Return them, should he send any, and say not a word that you mean to come here.
[Not signed.]
On the 15th of November of the same year I received another letter, which was also in Miss Williams’s handwriting.
Lady Hester Stanhope to Dr. ——.
Djoun, August 25, 1828.
I have heard from Mr. Webb’s house that you are gone to England. My heart misgives me: I fear some trick, and that they will prevent your coming. At all events, do not let your head be crammed with ideas that you cannot land; for, notwithstanding the departure of consuls and Franks from this part of the world, I firmly believe that, any one coming to me either in a man-of-war or in an open boat, his landing would not be opposed, even if things were more decidedly bad than they are at present. Sulyman Effendi, whom you recollect at Sayda, is governor of Beyrout, and Ali Aga has succeeded him at Sayda; Laurella, as Austrian consul, still remains at Beyrout, though but little friendly to me, as does old Gerardin at Sayda; being considered as an Arab. Never write to me but through Mr. Webb’s house, whether you come or do not come. I want no reasons and no long stories. I hope your head will not be turned, because I am sure you will repent it hereafter, if it is.
Arabize yourself before you get here, if you are ever such a quiz. I have common Turkish clothes ready for you, that you may not cut up and gobble good cloth in a hurry.[22] You must not think of bringing any Frank servant with you. I have a room ready for you, and I hope you will be very comfortable. The difficulty about Mrs. —— was want of room; and a house in the village in these sort of times is not exactly the thing, though I had a pretty little house, two stories high, picked out for you, had you come sooner. Cut short impertinent questions here, by saying everybody was out of town, that you saw none of my family or friends, and only stopped a few days in London to transact your own private business.
[Signed] H. L. S.