An order has just been issued by the Emir Beshýr to search the dwellings of the Druzes afresh for concealed arms, and to take from them their horses: this is, at best, a great piece of imprudence, because, seeing that many of the cavaliers would sooner fly than give up their horses, he will thus increase the number of insurgents in the Horàn. Ibrahim Pasha with the wreck of his army, of which he has lost full thirty thousand without counting the wounded, cannot, if he does not soon make peace and come to some composition, do much more with the Druzes.
This is the state of affairs at this present moment; but it is difficult to get at the truth. Even your friend L., if he knows anything, dares not avow it: but what such sort of people know is so little—their information is so confined—they are all so ignorant of the true character, of the projects, and of the resources of the different races that inhabit Syria—that the reasonings they make are about as false as a fairy tale.
I have the honour to be, Sir Baron,
With all esteem and consideration,
Yours,
H. L. Stanhope.
Monday, July 30.—The mason had been sent for from Sayda, and stones and materials had been collected for walling-up the gateway. Lady Hester drew out on paper the exact manner in which she wished it to be done. It was a screen, which completely masked the gateway, and left a side opening just large enough for a cow or an ass laden with water to enter. I superintended this work of self-inhumation, the like of which never entered woman’s mind before. It was an affair of two days, Monday and Tuesday.
Tuesday, July 31.—To-day, I spoke to Lady Hester medically for the last time. Her pulse had recovered much of its wonted strength, and although there were periods when she coughed violently, still the struggles of a naturally good constitution and powerful lungs had enabled her to hold out against the most formidable attack of pulmonary catarrh that I had ever seen a human being withstand.
Thursday, August 2.—As no letters came from Prince Pückler Muskau, and as it was evident some reason had prevented him from fulfilling his promise of publishing Lady Hester’s correspondence, she now gave me her final instructions on that head. I am disposed to believe it was the strong desire that possessed her to ensure the publication of her letters in the newspapers, which, amidst much hesitation and wavering, made her decide on my departure; for she knew she could rely on me, and the publicity of her grievances now seemed to be the paramount object in her thoughts. Her anxiety on this point was so great that, lest any accident might happen to the MS. by shipwreck or otherwise, she had a second copy made of the whole correspondence, which was to be left with her, whilst I retained the originals.
Her own conviction was that her constitution was invulnerable—she thought she should yet live to see her enemies confounded, the Sultan triumphant, her debts paid, and an ample income at her disposal. She dwelt with the same apparent confidence as ever on the approaching advent of the Mehedi, and still looked on her mare, Leila, as destined to bear him, with herself on Lûlû by his side. “I shall not die in my bed,” she would say, “and I had rather not; my brother did not, and I have always had a feeling that my end would be in blood: that does not frighten me in the least.”
From August the 1st until the 6th, I was too much employed to take notes. On the fourth, the fifteen days agreed on with the captain were at an end, and he became importunate for our departure. But, now that the moment of separation had arrived, Lady Hester had some misgivings, and seemed to wish to defer it: I accordingly paid a first day’s forfeit, then a second, then a third. At last, however, on Monday, August the 6th, 1838, I took an affectionate leave of her, and never saw her more.
On quitting her I said—“It is better that I should not see you to-morrow, even though I should not set off early.”—“You do right,” she replied: “let this be our parting.”—“But you have no money,” I observed: “how will you do for your current expenses?”—“It’s true,” she answered; “I must thank you to lend me 2000 piasters before you go, and I’ll repay you as soon as I can: send them in by Ibrahim—he’s an honest lad, and, even if he knew it was money, would not touch it. But, however, you had better put two or three things of no value in a little basket, and a cup and saucer, or something that weighs, as if you sent them for my use, and then the gold will lie underneath unsuspected.” This was done, and I would have sent more (for I had twice as much more by me), but when I proposed to do so her ladyship objected—remarking, “You may be blown out of your course, and be obliged to remain days and days at some port where you may want it for the necessaries of life. Two thousand will do, and, if I want more, Logmagi, I am sure, will raise me as much.”