One might almost be justified in assuming that they introduced the latter appellation on the very day of our arrival for the special purpose of paying Sir Moses a compliment. Sir Moses at all events appeared to regard it as such. He accepted from the guide a beautiful piece of stalactite as a souvenir of his visit to the grotto, for which he gave him in return a very handsome present. It was preserved in his library to the day of his death.
June 3rd.—We continued our journey to Trieste, where we remained five days. As in Prague and Vienna, solemn services were held in the Synagogues, both German and Portuguese, which were brilliantly lighted for the occasion, and addresses were delivered by the ministers and spiritual heads of the Hebrew community.
On Sunday, June 17th, we arrived at Constantinople, and took up our quarters with Mr Abraham Camundo at Galata. During the first days of his arrival, Sir Moses delivered his letters, and called on Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, Ali Pasha, the Grand Vizier, Rechid Pasha, and Rifaat Pasha, being most anxious to hear from Mr Pisani what arrangements had been made by the Turkish Minister regarding his audience with the Sultan.
"June 25th.—Received a note from Mr Pisani, stating that the Secretary of the Turkish Government had informed him that the Sultan would receive me at a private audience on Thursday next.
"June 27th.—Dr Loewe brought me a note from Mr Pisani, informing me that the Turkish Ministers, being desirous of showing me some mark of the high esteem they entertain for me, expressed the desire of conferring upon me the honour of the Medjidjeh.
"June 28th.—Soon after two o'clock Mr Et Pisani came, and he accompanied me and Dr Loewe to the Palace. We were shown into a large handsome room, and served with pipes and coffee; the mouthpiece of the one I had was worth at least £200, and the cup-stand was ornamented with diamonds. Having sat some time, an aide-de-camp of the Sultan informed us that the Sultan had gone to the New Palace, and wished to see me there. About ten minutes afterwards we were met by an officer at the first gate, and I had to walk round the Palace; at least it took us twenty minutes before we reached the door. Here we entered by a private gate, and walked up to the Sultan in a splendid room, though but partially furnished. His Majesty was standing, and, on Mr Pisani presenting me to him, he graciously said he remembered me very well, and was happy to see me again. I then informed His Majesty of the purport of my visit in nearly the same words that I had addressed to his Ministers, and prayed His Majesty to grant me his countenance and support and his compliance with my petition to the Porte. His Majesty replied that it was his happiness and duty to do all in his power to promote the welfare of his subjects; that he would grant my request, and was happy to do so for my philanthropy and humanity.
"I expressed my gratitude, and then introduced Dr Loewe as having accompanied me on my former visit to His Majesty, and as having made a translation of a hieroglyphical inscription on the obelisk in the Atmedan (Hyppodrome). Mr Pisani was here my interpreter. We then bowed, and backed out of His Majesty's presence. We were conducted out of the Palace through a magnificent marble arch to the carriage.
"I feel deeply indebted to Lord de Redcliffe, who has by his great kindness aided my endeavours to assist my co-religionists in Palestine. May God reward him. Amen.
"I entreated Mr Pisani to obtain the firman for me by Monday next, and he promised to do his best. He rode with Dr Loewe and me as far as the Arsenal, where he took leave of us. We returned to Mr Camundo's, much delighted with the success of our mission, but excessively fatigued.