[50] The reader must bear in mind that Lady Hester Stanhope imagined that the consul, here alluded to in such ungentle terms, could have no authority over travellers or residents not occupied in mercantile pursuits, as he was a consul appointed by the Levant Company, and not by Government: but it is no longer so now that the Foreign Office appoints them.
[51] It is a remarkable thing that, wherever the Crusaders passed, tiled roofs are to be found; as at Antioch, &c.
[52] Lunardi went to Syria, gave great satisfaction, and remained a long time with Lady Hester Stanhope. It is the same person of whom M. de Lamartine makes mention in the account of his visit to her, styling him erroneously her écuyer and doctor. Lunardi seems to have passed himself off as a medical man, likewise, to the author of “Eōthen.” This assumption of a diploma is not unusual in Turkey. I had a servant, named Lorenzo, at Constantinople, who, after my departure, practised as a physician with some success—I mean, in a pecuniary sense.
[53] One of these gentlemen, by name Chester, a clergyman, I believe, has published his observations in a little work, entitled “Three Weeks in Palestine.” It is needless to eulogize it, as the devout sentiments which pervade its pages have induced one of the societies for the extension of Christian knowledge to cause it to be stereotyped. Perhaps, the greatest merit in Mr. Chester’s publication is to have known how to reject so much of the trash imposed upon travellers by dragomans and consular dependants, and to have only retained descriptions of scenes and events which he saw with his own eyes. The book is altogether an entertaining production.
CHAPTER VII.
Reflections—Letter from Lady Hester to the Author asking him to return—He revisits Syria—Changes which had taken place in Beyrout—M. Jasper Chasseaud, American consul—Divine service performed by the American missionaries—Letter from Lady Hester to the Author—Her continued hostility to Mrs. —.—The Author takes his family to Sayda—Dress and demeanour of a lady of Sayda—The Author’s reception at Jôon—His family frightened by a deserter—Settles at the convent of Mar Elias—Earthquake of January 1, 1837.
We now arrive at an epoch in Lady Hester Stanhope’s life, when it might be said that her European reputation had reached its height, and her domestic humiliations had sunk her to the lowest ebb. She had been visited in her retirement by so many travellers of all the nations of the Continent, that it might be supposed her singular mode of life was known to almost everybody. M. Lamartine’s account of his interview had spread abroad an undefined sort of wonder about her mystic and singular opinions, and the public read with avidity whatever details they could meet with respecting her.
Six years had now elapsed since our separation; and, although occasionally honoured with a letter from her, I had given up all idea of ever seeing her again, when, being at Nice, where I had furnished a house, with the intention of passing two or three years with my family, I received the following letter.
Lady H. S. to Dr. ——.
August 21st, 1836.