The tenor of Lady Hester Stanhope’s mind, and the peculiarity of her actions and habits may be gathered from a note or two that were sent me from Dar Jôon to Mar Elias during this poor lady’s illness.
Lady Hester Stanhope to Dr. ——.
Djoun, August 20.
I send you a pair of sheets, a coverlet, and two cotton-stuffed pillows for Madame L., and a bed; also some arrow-root, some lemons, old newspapers, should they be wanted, basins, &c.; a bottle of bnefsage (syrup of violets), and one of werd (syrup of roses), which to some people is of use medicinally.
I hope you will find Madame L. not so ill as she was made out to be. There must not be the least noise; nothing is so bad for persons in her state. I shall expect to see you to-morrow morning, and then you can return again on Monday: I mean, I expect to see you, if Madame L. gets better. My compliments to Mrs. —— and Mademoiselle Longchamp: I feel much for them.
I am afraid that the chapel is damp, and that a stone roof is not good for Madame L.’s head; but that depends upon her star. Many people can bear to sleep under a stone roof; but I, for one, would rather sleep out of doors in the rain. However, let Hadj Mustafa decide, he knows best.
Yours, sincerely, H. L. S.
I had forgotten a tarboosh and an arkeyah, in case Madame L. should have her head shaved; also some common towels of the country.