Part 31 (2/2)

Sir Moses promised the Emir to comply with his request, and Lady Montefiore returned compliments and good wishes to the Princess Baheeyat Eddoonya.

_December 6th._--Early in the morning we went on board the French steamer _Dante_ at Malta, and after a two days' pleasant sea voyage, dropped anchor in the Bay of Naples.

_December 8th._--Sir Moses was very anxious to prepare here for the important work he would have to do at Rome regarding the removal of a scandal that might, at some future period, become a source of great vexation and misery to thousands of innocent Jews.

I allude to the libellous epitaph which the Capuchins at Damascus had inscribed on the stone erected over an opening in which some bones of animals had been put.

The inscription, which had been copied by two monks, was in the Italian and Arabic language, as follows:--

”D. O. M.

”Qui riposano le ossa del P^re Tomaso da Sardegna Miss^o Cappuccino a.s.sa.s.sinato dagli Ebrei il giorno 5 de Febraro l'anno 1840.”

_Translation of Italian Inscription._

”Here rest the bones of Father Tomaso of Sardinia, a Capuchin missionary, murdered by the Hebrews on the 5th of February 1840.”

_Translation of Arabic Inscription._

”The outward appearance of the tomb of Father Tomaso the Capuchin, and its place of wailing. He zealously discharged the duties of his calling as one of the missionaries in Damascus--the Jews slaughtered him--his goodness did not save him.

”The laying down of his bones took place on the 5th of February 1840.”

The Baron and the Baroness Charles de Rothschild called soon after our arrival. They considered with us what was best to be done to facilitate the intended proceedings at Rome, and agreed to seek an interview with the Pope's Nuncio. Permission was obtained the same day from the Minister of Police to have the Hatti Sherif printed and published in Italian papers. His Excellency had them printed for Sir Moses, and forwarded him several hundred copies for distribution among friends.

Mr Briggs paid them a visit, and having discussed all that had taken place in Alexandria, expressed much pleasure at the result of the Mission.

_Naples, December 10th._--Sir Moses went with Baron Charles to the Pope's Nuncio, who received them most kindly. He complimented Sir Moses, saying that he was an excellent amba.s.sador, as was proved by his success.

On acquainting him with the object of his visit, and asking for his advice as to the best mode of proceeding when at Rome to procure the removal of the stone in the Latin Convent of the Capuchins at Damascus, the Nuncio said that the business must be hinted with much delicacy at Rome; he was going there on the 13th January, and would do it himself if Sir Moses would remain at Naples. Sir Moses, however, could not remain so long, and the Nuncio promised to prepare a letter, to a friend at Rome and send it to him.

In the evening we all dined with the Baron and Baroness de Rothschild.

The entertainment was given in honour of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore; twenty-four at table--Princes and Princesses, Dukes and d.u.c.h.esses, the _elite_ of the Neapolitan n.o.bility, as well as Admiral Gowley and other distinguished officers in the navy. We were also invited to a ball, but Sir Moses was not sufficiently well to go, and Lady Montefiore would not go without him.

_December 16th._--A visit was paid to the Austrian Amba.s.sador, Count de Lebselter. Both Sir Moses and Baron de Rothschild were much pleased with his remarks on the recent events in the East.

_December 19th._--Sir Moses and Baron Charles went to the French Amba.s.sador, who received them most kindly.

Sir Moses recounted to him Count Ratti-Menton's conduct in the affair of Damascus, with the full particulars. He also told him what he had effected in Constantinople, and he had the happiness of hearing the Amba.s.sador state that it had been his opinion from the first that the Jews were innocent of the crime imputed to them. He several times congratulated Sir Moses on his success; said that he was glad the latter intended going to Paris, and that he should make the government acquainted with the conduct of Ratti-Menton, but without publis.h.i.+ng it to the world. The Duke was the first Frenchman that Sir Moses had heard express in so decided a manner his conviction of the innocence of the Jews.

It was reported that the Sultan had refused to ratify Commodore Napier's convention, at the request of the Amba.s.sadors of the four Powers. They would not consent to the Pasha having Candia.

_Naples, December 20th._--”We entered our good old carriage this morning,” Sir Moses writes in his diary, ”at eight; the weather was mild and pleasant. We had four horses to our carriage, and only a pair to the carriage for Mr Wire and Dr Loewe, though I was obliged to pay for three, as we do not intend travelling at night, and are anxious to get on as fast as we can. We hope to save much time and obtain better accommodation on the road by having a courier.”

_December 22nd._--Through the carelessness of the postilions, Sir Moses' carriage was driven against a cart, the pole of the former being broken. Our carriage also met with an accident, but we nevertheless all reached Rome safely. Soon after entering the gates of the city we were greeted by a deputation of our brethren, who followed us to our hotel, and expressed their pleasure at seeing us return in good health. We then proceeded to the Synagogue, which had been most brilliantly illuminated in our honour.

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