CHAPTER XXII.
1866.
SIR MOSES' NARRATIVE CONTINUED—THE JERUSALEM WATER SUPPLY—SCHEME FOR ISOLATING LEPERS—DEPUTATION FROM SAFED—THE JEWS AND AGRICULTURE—UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS BY A PRETENDED AUSTRIAN CONSUL.
SIR MOSES continues his narrative as follows:—
"Wednesday morning, the 28th of March, at 10 A.M., having been appointed for my first visit to his Excellency, Izzet Pasha, I proceeded to his palace, accompanied by Mr Consul Moore, Mr Sebag, and Dr Loewe, and was received by his Excellency with the greatest kindness and respect. In the course of my conversation with the Governor, the scarcity of water in the city was the subject more particularly adverted to, and his Excellency described the works he had benevolently originated and superintended, with the view of insuring a sufficient supply of that indispensable element. This important topic will be more particularly referred to in a subsequent part of this report. I will now only mention that the scheme which the Governor had designed, and had already begun to carry out, was to turn the three water reservoirs, generally known as the Pools of Solomon, into two reservoirs, and to increase the force of the fall of the waters from Urtas, in the vicinity of Etham into these pools, by which means it was expected that within a few weeks a plentiful supply of water would be secured to the city. The Governor, however, seemed to intimate that there were difficulties in the way, arising from the want of sufficient pecuniary means, and I thereupon considered that having regard to the extensive and permanent advantages, sanitary and otherwise, which would result from an adequate supply of water to the Holy City, I should be carrying out the intentions and wishes of the generous contributors to the Holy Land Relief Fund, and of your Honourable Board, by devoting a portion of the fund to this object. I placed, therefore, at the disposal of the Governor the aforementioned sum of £200 in the name of the donors to the Relief Fund, adding thereto £100 as my own individual contribution.
"The Governor likewise mentioned to me the desirability of the removal beyond the city gates of persons unhappily afflicted with leprosy, and that to provide a proper place for their reception would probably involve an expense of £1500. Although sensible of the beneficial consequences likely to result from the proposed plan, I did not consider myself justified in devoting to it any portion of the Relief Fund which had been entrusted to me, and therefore contented myself with contributing from my own private purse, £100, to serve as a nucleus for further subscriptions towards the required sum.
"During the conversation with his Excellency the Governor, I was much pleased with the friendly sentiments he expressed towards our English Consul in Jerusalem. 'Not only,' said he, 'do I entertain the highest regard for Mr Moore in his capacity as representative of the English Government, but I consider him a valued friend, an enlightened statesman, and an accomplished scholar, in every respect deserving the regard and attachment of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.'
"On Thursday, March 29th, hearing of the sufferings of the poor, and their inability to provide all the necessaries of life during the approaching festival, I forwarded £100 to the Háhám Báshi, for the poor of the Portuguese and Morocco communities, and I also transmitted the like sum to the representatives of the German congregation, for a similar purpose.
"During the first and second days of the Passover, I visited the Touro almshouses. I satisfied myself that the inmates were fully deserving of the advantages they were enjoying. These almshouses are situated in the most healthy part of the suburbs of the Holy City; scrupulous attention is paid to the preservation of order and cleanliness, and the inmates are cheerful and happy, devoting a portion of their time to religious observances and study; but nevertheless, not neglecting the following of industrial pursuits. I conversed with most of the inmates, who were mechanics, and found there was no hesitation or reluctance in doing the hardest work with the object of earning a sum, however small, towards their maintenance. The inmates apply themselves to a variety of trades.
"The evidences of the industrial activity of the Israelites afforded me much satisfaction. I was also gratified to observe the healthy appearance of themselves and their children, more especially as most of them are unable to incur the expense of providing themselves and their families with animal food, except on the Sabbath. These almshouses are so highly esteemed that even many inhabitants of the city seek permission for a short sojourn there, for the recovery of their health; and I even found that some of the back offices, only intended for lumber rooms, had been actually, though without my knowledge, appropriated as dwellings for several families.
"On Sunday, the 1st of April, the Governor of Jerusalem, accompanied by his officers, honoured me by returning my visit. On this occasion the condition of Jerusalem was fully and freely discussed; it was estimated that at least fifteen per cent. of the poorer population had been cut off by the cholera, the fearful ravages of which were mainly attributable to the confined and unhealthy dwellings of the poor, the insufficiency of water, and the impoverished state of the inhabitants.
"The Governor during this visit kindly gave me permission to erect an awning for the 'wailing place' near the western wall of the Temple, so as to afford shelter and protection from rain and heat to pious persons visiting this sacred spot.
"Monday, April 2nd, was the day which had been fixed for the reception of the representatives and spiritual heads of the several Congregations, and invitations had been previously sent to secure as full and complete a representation as possible. At the appointed time I had the satisfaction of finding that the invitation had been cordially responded to on all sides, and of seeing myself surrounded, in the presence of Dr Loewe and Mr and Mrs Sebag, by several hundreds of the most respectable of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. There was the Háhám Báshi, with the members of his Ecclesiastical Court; the Revs. Meyer Fanadjil and Benveniste, together with some of the most influential members of the Portuguese or Sephardim Congregation; the Rev. Samuel Salant and Meyer Auerbach of the Perooshim and Warsaw Congregations, and the Chief Rabbis of all the various communities almost without exception, as well as the representatives of all charitable institutions and colleges, with their officers.
"Having bid them a hearty welcome and expressed the delight I felt at being amongst them for the sixth time, I proceeded to observe that the object of my present visit was not so much that of rendering them momentary relief by the distribution of money amongst their poor, as to ascertain from them the most effectual measures which could be adopted by their friends in other parts of the world, whither my words might reach, in the hope of removing the real and more permanent causes of poverty amongst my brethren in the Holy Land. I concluded by assuring them of the ardent love I entertained for the holy territory and its pious inhabitants, and by entreating them to assist me freely and fully with all such advice and information as might directly or indirectly further the object and purpose of my mission.
"The Háhám Báshi was the first who, according to my request, proceeded to enlighten me with his views. The reverend gentleman said that, in his opinion, an increase in the number of proper dwellings for the poor, and occupation in agricultural pursuits, would be the safest remedy for securing the salubrity of the place and the comfort of its inhabitants. The gentlemen in his retinue, the Revs. Fanadjil and Benveniste, were of the same opinion; but, added the latter, the cause of their (the Sephardim's) great poverty was to a great extent the consequence of the heavy burden of debt which the Congregations had incurred, and were obliged to incur from time to time,—a burden which weighed most heavily on them. The Rev. Samuel Salant was next addressed, and he entirely endorsed the opinion of the Háhám Báshi. After attentively listening to all the speakers, I gathered that there was a general consensus of opinion that increased accommodation for the poor, providing them with remunerative occupation, the granting of facilities for leaving the Holy Land to those who were desirous of emigrating, the establishment of building and loan societies, and permission to open butchers' shops, were some of the most essential means that could be devised to alleviate the then distressful condition of the inhabitants.
"The representatives subsequently showed me documentary evidence to prove that, if a remittance of, say, £100, or 12,025 Egyptian piastres, is forwarded to Jerusalem (which is not a frequent occurrence), the average amount to which each recipient becomes entitled is about 4 piastres, or 8d sterling!
Tuesday, April 3rd.—I appointed for the reception of a deputation from Safed, representing sixty families, numbering three hundred souls, all of whom most earnestly prayed to be afforded the means of devoting themselves to agriculture.
"The documents which they brought with them were accompanied by certificates from Mr J. Miklasiewicz, the Austrian Consul at Safed, who testifies to the sincerity of the wish expressed by these three hundred people; whereas in a publication of the Rev. Dr Macleod, to which I shall have soon more particularly to refer, the gentleman, who professed last year to be the Austrian Consul in the same city, is reported to have accused its Jewish inhabitants of 'being idle, lazy, and suspicious.' Of the other grave accusations contained in the same periodical, I shall speak at length in the sequel, and will now but point to the pregnant fact that the name of the Rev. Dr Macleod's informer, who professed to be the Austrian Consul at Safed, is stated by that rev. gentleman to be Mieroslowski, whereas I have clearly ascertained that no one bearing that name has filled the Consular Office in that city. In fact, one of two conclusions seems inevitable: either an almost miraculous change has within the period of one year come over the character of the Jews at Safed, or the Rev. Dr Macleod has been deceived by the story of an artful impostor; nor is it, perhaps, difficult to decide which of these two conclusions is the more probable. I need scarcely say that the certificate transmitted to me by the actual Austrian Consul at Safed was a source of the highest gratification to me, and I am sure it will be so to yourself and all our brethren, who may have read the statement which Mieroslowski, or some one assumed to be holding the office of Austrian Consul, is said to have made in reference to the Jews at Safed.
"Applications for employment in agricultural pursuits were also about this time handed to me from the people of Tiberias and the Bokea: the latter suffered terribly during the last war or contest between Joseph Kareen and Daoud Pasha; their cattle, the produce of their fields, and all the property they had in their houses, and even their wives, having been forcibly taken away from them. I assisted them with a small amount, and promised to make their case known to my friends.
"On Wednesday, April 4th, believing that I should be rendering a service to the poor in the Holy Land by providing them with necessary funds for emigration from Jerusalem and its neighbourhood, I requested that the parties mentioned at the general meeting by some of the representatives of the congregations should be brought before me, and on this occasion I witnessed a scene which seems not unworthy of narration. At the appointed hour a young widow was introduced to me, apparently twenty or twenty-two years of age. Her husband had died recently from the cholera, leaving her with three children, the eldest five or six years, and the youngest three or four months old. The history of her own life was simply as follows:—She herself was left an orphan when of tender age, and was adopted as a foster daughter by a person who at present officiates gratuitously as a reader in a small synagogue. He happened to have another orphan in the house, a boy, and when both grew to what is called in the East a mature age, it seemed to him that a most suitable union might be formed between those two orphans, and accordingly they were married under the roof of this charitable man. After their marriage they maintained themselves respectably, and lived happily together until the husband fell under the fatal scourge of the cholera. The foster-father then provided a home for the destitute widow and her children. This consisted of one small room, which I had previously visited, when I was delighted with its cleanliness, as well as with the interesting appearance of the children. Having, among other matters, conferred with my co-religionists on the subject of facilities for emigration in fitting instances, I thought this a most deserving case, and offered the widow my aid in providing for the departure of herself and family from Jerusalem to join her relatives or friends in Germany, who were believed to be in comfortable circumstances. To my surprise, she declined to avail herself of my assistance, though in the most grateful terms. As a faithful representation of her feelings, and that of many other dwellers on the sacred soil, I will here, as nearly as possible, transcribe her words. She said: 'God has granted me the high privilege to breathe the hallowed atmosphere of the land of our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has caused His grace and mercy to descend upon me by bringing me, when an infant, unto this sacred spot, whence the radiant glory of His divine law emanated. He has permitted me to tread on that hallowed ground on which our prophets and our teachers lived, and taught me the words of lasting truth. Am I now to leave it, and take my children away from Zion, where we truly believe and daily expect "Truth and Peace" again to rule? No; I would rather starve together with my children, whilst kissing the dust in the Holy City of Jerusalem, than live in plenty elsewhere.'
"Applications were made to me by various persons for the necessary means to enable them to leave the Holy City; but, on making inquiry, I found that in all these cases the applicants had merely temporary objects in view, without any intention to remain away permanently, and I, therefore, did not deem it my duty to do more than aid them with a trifle, in order to relieve them from their immediate distress. "Thursday, the 5th of April, was devoted to the examination of documents having reference to several plots of ground in the suburbs of Jerusalem, offered to me for purchase, either for building purposes or for cultivation. I requested Dr Loewe and Mr Sebag, to make a personal survey of these properties, and to ascertain particulars as to their extent, value, and price, with which request they kindly complied. I had also caused memoranda to be made as to valuable houses, within the Holy City, offered for sale. The notes having reference to these negotiations have been carefully preserved, so as to be made available for future guidance.
"But soon I was to sustain a heavy affliction. After having left Jaffa I constantly received telegrams about the state of Dr Hodgkin's health; and when I was informed that the symptoms had become more alarming, I begged my friend Captain Henry Moore to proceed to Jaffa in the company of the physician of Jerusalem, Dr Chaplin. They at once complied with my request, and remained at Jaffa with my lamented friend until the period of his decease, the melancholy tidings of which I received during the night of the 5th of April. Having already referred to this sad event, I shall not again dwell thereon, except to say, that it overwhelmed me with sorrow and cast a gloom over me which I vainly sought to dispel.
"On Friday, the 6th of April, I attended the afternoon service in the Sephardim Synagogue belonging to the Almshouses and conversed with the inmates, eliciting from them much useful information.
"On Saturday, the 7th of April, in the course of the day, some youths were introduced to me for the purpose of being examined in the various subjects of their studies. When their father, who accompanied them, was asked why he had not placed them to learn some useful trade, he replied:—'Before we provide our children with the means of attending to their temporal wants, we deem it our duty to promote their spiritual welfare. They must first learn the Word of God, to serve them as a guide and beacon of hope in all their worldly vicissitudes.' He also brought others of his children who were already engaged in learning trades.
"There are two Synagogues attached to the Touro Almshouses, one of them for the Sephardim, which I had already visited, the other for the Ashkenasim; to-day I visited the latter. On my way thither, a young woman passed us with a large book in her hand, and, on my inquiring what it was, she informed me it was a Hebrew Psalm Book, with several Commentaries of ancient authors printed in Hebrew-German characters. I requested her to read one of the Psalms with the Commentary, this she did with great fluency and without hesitation. I have often had occasion to admire the ability of many females in our community of Jerusalem, not only in respect of their household duties and in needlework of every description, but also in Hebrew lore. I was on one occasion addressed by the mother of two or three children who solicited aid, and, to my surprise, she spoke to Dr Loewe and myself in the Hebrew language with elegance and facility. Subsequently I ascertained that she was a Portuguese, the widow of a German Rabbi, who had recently died and left her in straitened circumstances.
"Intermarriages between Sephardim and Ashkenasim, are, I am happy to say, no longer of rare occurrence in the Holy Land.
"In the evening, a short time after prayers, a large concourse of persons proceeding from the Jaffa gate, with lights and music, approached my residence, desiring to illuminate it; but in my then state of mind, I was indisposed to any such joyous demonstration. Mr Selig Hausdorf, who headed the procession, assured me that their object was to show the grateful appreciation in which they held the generous benefactors I represented.
"Although I could not consent to the intended illumination, I willingly received my kind visitors. They recited to us psalms and poetical compositions; and I afterwards obtained, in conversation with them, much useful information relating to the wants and condition of their community.
CHAPTER XXIII.
1866.
VISIT TO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES—SITE OF THE HOLY TEMPLE—DR NORMAN MACLEOD'S CHARGE—SIR MOSES' INQUIRIES—DR MACLEOD'S RETRACTATION.
"ON Sunday morning, April 8th, wishing to examine some documents uninterrupted by visitors," says Sir Moses, "I determined to leave home therewith, and to direct my steps to the Mount of Olives. I left my residence at an early hour, in the company of Dr Loewe. Proceeding towards the Damascus gate, we passed the Grotto of Jeremiah, the Tombs of the Kings, and went thence towards the Báb-el'-Asbát. We then crossed the Valley of Kidron, and finally reached the Mount of Olives, to the highest point of which we ascended. From thence we had a most beautiful view of the Dead Sea, and of the wild scenery of the heights of Moab, and having rested there for a short period, we descended on foot, and stopped at a large tree. From this spot we obtained a fine view of the Mosque of Omar—the hallowed spot formerly occupied by the Holy Temple—and remained here two hours, engaged in the examination of the documents and plans I had brought with me. We then continued to descend the mountain till we reached the Valley of Jehoshaphat. Here we were met by Khasin, the sheikh of the village of Siluan, who described to me the sufferings of the Jews during the visitation of the cholera, and showed me the newly constructed graves, a most affecting sight, whilst another sheikh spoke to us of the many noble instances in which the Jews had heroically assisted one another during the period of calamity.
"That sheikh, as well as another such dignitary, who happens to have some landed property near the burial-ground, still expects presents from the Jews who visit the cemetery. Formerly they committed great outrages on the dead whenever their demands were not satisfactorily responded to; but at present, thanks to the protection of the Turkish Government, these barbarities have been put an end to. I continued my wanderings in the Valley of Jehoshaphat for some time, listening now and then attentively to communications from the Arab sheikhs, and towards evening returned with much useful information to my own dwelling. In the evening the messengers whom I had despatched to Safed after my arrival in the Holy City returned, bringing letters from the Rev. Samuel Helir and Samuel Abu, to say that they would cheerfully comply with my wish, and come to Jerusalem as soon as possible. My object in seeking an interview with these gentlemen was to obtain an explanation from them respecting a statement of the Austrian Consul at Safed, which has been widely circulated through the medium of a monthly magazine entitled Good Words, edited by the Rev. Norman Macleod, D.D., one of Her Majesty's Chaplains.
"That statement was not less than a direct accusation brought against the spiritual heads of the Safed Congregation for having inflicted the punishment of death on a Spanish Jewess the day before the Rev. Dr Macleod had arrived in that place.
"I had already heard a most satisfactory refutation of that foul accusation from several trustworthy persons of Safed, but I would not rest until I had received all the particulars from the spiritual heads of the congregation themselves, and was anxiously awaiting their arrival.
"On Monday, the 9th of April, I paid return visits to the Consular authorities and to the Háhám Báshi. I also called upon the Protestant Bishop, the Rev. Dr Gobat, whose unvarying courtesy, enlightened views, profound learning, and warm zeal for the welfare of the inhabitants of the Holy City, no one who has enjoyed the honour of his acquaintance can fail to appreciate.
"The new Synagogue, called the 'Khoorbát Rabbi Yehooda Hakhássid,' is a noble edifice. Whilst resting at the Mount of Olives I could see its cupola overtopping all other buildings in the Jewish quarter. Great praise is due to the perseverance and skilful management of the Building Committee. They had to collect the funds for the erection of the Synagogue in very small sums and at long intervals; yet, notwithstanding the many obstacles with which they had to contend, they at length, by their energy and patience, happily succeeded in accomplishing their labours.
"It was very gratifying to me to know that I had been the bearer of the firman from the late Sultan Abd-ool-Megid, granting permission for the erection of this synagogue, and that I had had intrusted to me considerable remittances to be applied for that pious purpose. On the present occasion I was permitted to be the bearer of a silver ornament for a sacred scroll of the Pentateuch, an offering from Mr Aaron Silverman, of Birmingham; and I had the gratification, with my own hands, to append it to a scroll of the law in the holy edifice.
"The synagogue of the Volhynian congregation will also, when completed, be a fine structure. In connection with this synagogue, there will be a hall for vestry meetings, rooms for a college and library, the secretary's office, and a public bath.
"The before-mentioned dispensary, established by me in the Holy City about twenty-five years since, was of great service during the cholera, and afforded the needful remedies to many hundreds of persons. It is well regulated; there is a register containing entries of all prescriptions, with the signature of the physician under whose order they had been dispensed; and every drawer, case, barrel, and bottle is distinctly labelled with the name of its contents, as in Europe. I was greatly pleased to learn that a youth, a native of Jerusalem, had been recently apprenticed in the Dispensary, and that he was acquitting himself of his onerous duties to the entire satisfaction of the community.
"The house recently erected by the Institution of Bikoor Kholim is as yet in an unfinished state. Great praise is due to the members of that institution; they attend the poor in sickness, and provide for their requirements, endeavouring to soothe their sufferings with the most affectionate solicitude.
"The many experienced persons with whom I had consulted, being unanimously of opinion that no greater boon could be bestowed on the poor than the erection of additional dwellings, a suitable site had been selected for that purpose contiguous to the Touro almshouses, and I had appointed Monday, the 9th of April for laying the foundation stone of the dwellings, which I propose shall be erected with the surplus proceeds of the Holy Land Relief Fund, placed by the Board at my disposal.
"The fixed hour for laying the foundation stone now arrived, and the ground became full with thousands of people of all creeds, anxious to witness the ceremony.
"Dr Loewe repaired to the spot where the stone was to be laid, to arrange all that was necessary for the occasion, and soon afterwards I proceeded, in the company of Mr and Mrs Sebag, and many of our friends, to the enclosure intended for the new buildings. On my arrival I was received by all the representatives of the community who had previously assembled there, and the air resounded with the words, 'Blessed be he who cometh in the name of God.' After a short pause, Dr Loewe, to whom the conduct of the religious ceremony had been entrusted, commenced reciting the service. He then read the inscription of the scroll to be deposited in the cavity of the foundation stone, which was afterwards signed by myself, Mr and Mrs Sebag, and others of my friends present. I then deposited the scroll in the cavity, and proceeded to lay the stone with the customary formalities. Dr Loewe offered up a prayer composed by him for the occasion, imploring the blessings of heaven on the future edifice, and on those who should generously aid in providing the poor with suitable dwellings. He also offered up special prayers for His Imperial Majesty the Sultan Abd-ool-áziz and the Turkish Government, for our gracious Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Governor of Jerusalem, and the Consuls.
"I deem it a pleasing duty to record that many of the people expressed great pleasure on hearing the prayer offered up for England's beloved Queen, and the Jerusalem Jews, on hearing Her Majesty's name, exclaimed, 'It well behoves us to pray for the English Government. Are we not under a heavy debt of gratitude for the powerful aid which they have given unto us in Damascus and Morocco.'
"In commemoration of the interesting proceedings of this day, I forwarded £100 to be distributed amongst the poor of the Sephardim, and £100 amongst the poor of the Ashkenasim.
"How deeply the feeling of charity is implanted in the hearts of the poor of our community in the Holy Land towards each other has often been noticed, but some striking evidence of this was afforded us in the course of this morning, and I cannot refrain from mentioning one or two instances.
"Two young orphans entered the room; their pleasing and healthy appearance attracted my notice. 'Who takes care of you? and in whose house do you live?' I asked. They replied, 'We are under the care of and reside with Jacob Aaron Kalisher.' I inquired who he was, assuming him to be in easy circumstances, but I was informed that far from this he was actually very poor, that his business of a whitewasher was only lucrative at Passover time, when every Jewish inhabitant has his dwelling thoroughly cleansed and whitewashed, but that during the remainder of the year there was very little work for him. Being desirous of seeing this benevolent man, I sent for him. He came, and his appearance, notwithstanding his poverty, was not by any means careworn; on the contrary he seemed cheerful and happy, and as though possessed of independent means.
"'Are these two orphans under your care, and do you support them;' He replied, smiling, 'Yes.' 'Have you any children of your own?' 'Yes, seven.' 'Why, then, have you burdened yourself with the maintenance of these two orphans in addition?' He replied, 'Their parents were my next neighbours, and when I saw them left fatherless and motherless, it appeared to me that it was my duty to protect them, and that they should share my home with my own children. Thank God, they are well and happy, sharing our food when I and my children have any, and when we have none enduring hunger alike with ourselves.' Subsequently a widow, in almost destitute circumstances, was introduced to me. She, likewise, had taken two orphan children under her care. Then another poor man was introduced, who had also taken upon himself the support of several helpless orphans.
"Assuredly these noble characteristics distinguishing the poorest of our community in Jerusalem, will entitle them to our admiration, sympathy, and assistance.
"After the persons just mentioned had left, our cavasses next announced the arrival of the pupils belonging to the Simon Edlen von Lämels institution. They were forty in number, accompanied by their master. I was much pleased with their appearance and demeanour, which would do credit to any European institution. They sang some beautiful hymns, and gave me a full account of their course of study. I presented to each of them a small sum, exhorting them to cling faithfully to their religion, to be grateful to their noble benefactress, and emulous to give her satisfaction by their progress and good conduct.
"Thursday, April 12th, was fixed by me as the day for the enquiry into the accusation which is reported to have been brought against the Jews of Safed by an Austrian Consul of that city, an account of which was published in the monthly magazine, Good Words, part xii., December 1, 1865. The representatives of the Safed congregation had, as I have already mentioned, come from Safed to Jerusalem, and on this day I invited them to lay before me fully the facts connected with the matters referred to in the accusation.
"I accordingly commenced by reading to these gentlemen the whole of the account given by the alleged Austrian Consul concerning the Jews of Palestine in general, and of those in Safed in particular, and I called their attention to the note at the bottom of page 915, which runs as follows:—'One terrible story was to the effect that the punishment of death had been inflicted on a Spanish Jewess the day before we (the Rev. Dr Macleod and his party) reached Safed, for a crime in which one of the Rabbis who tried and condemned her was himself notoriously implicated. We begged the Consul to make further enquiries on the subject. This he did, assuring us that all he heard was confirmed by an intelligent Jew, who, though he hated the proceedings, feared to speak. Such is the reign of terror.'
"Thereupon the Rev. Samuel Abu and Samuel Helir, who were the representatives of the German and Portuguese congregations of Safed, made to me the following statement:—
"'A Damascus woman, divorced from her husband, came to settle in Safed, where, after a six months' residence, she was married to a person of the name of Masood Tabool, a goldsmith by trade, with whom she went to live in a house opposite to the Synagogue.
"'This dwelling being in a locality frequented by the Jews, morning and evening, her conduct was necessarily open to public observation, and as her mode of life was only consistent with the bad reputation she had brought with her from Damascus, she herself seems to have become apprehensive of evil consequences, and removed to the house of a person called Bekhor Namias.
"'On Sabbath morning, during Divine Service in the Synagogue, the wife of Bekhor Namias, who had not left home, observed a Turk of the name of Abdallah Greri, enter the woman's private apartment (an act which, in the East, and particularly in the Holy Land, is deemed to be utterly inconsistent with every sense of decency and morality), and there he remained some time. Mrs Namias, not doubting the immoral object of so unusual a visit in her own house, hastened to the Synagogue and gave information to the heads of the congregation of what she had witnessed. No doubt existing as to the woman's guilt, a number of persons, enraged at her immoral conduct, severely chastised her, in accordance with the not uncommon mode of dealing with immoral persons in the East.
"'It being against the laws of the Jews that a husband should continue to live with an adulterous wife, Massood obtained a divorce, and the divorced wife is now living in Damascus in the house of her own father.
"'There has been no trial, no punishment of death, nor was the Rabbi in the slightest degree implicated.
"'Indeed, no Jewish authority in the Holy Land, nor in any part of the world, has ever passed sentence of death since the close of the great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.'"
This statement having been made to me by these two reverend gentlemen, with whom I have had the pleasure of being in correspondence for nearly thirty years, on charitable and congregational matters, and who were and still are the heads of the congregations of Safed, corroborated by two other gentlemen, Aboo Charaz and Isaac Friedman, strongly recommended by Mr Miklasiewicz, the Austrian Consul himself, as worthy representatives of sixty families, and testified by the Rev. Mordecai Halevi Ashkenazi, well known to me as the former messenger to England from the congregations of Safed and Tiberias, I have not the least doubt about the falsehood of the accusation brought against our brethren.
"To me and to your Honourable Board, it must afford sincere gratification that the cruel slander which has been so widely circulated by the Good Words of the Rev. Dr Macleod, has been thus proved to be utterly devoid of truth, and I am confident that a gentleman of the high character of Dr Macleod will sincerely regret to have inflicted so serious an injury on an innocent community."