llowed by a good
supper.

CHAPTER XXI.

1839.

INVITATION FROM THE PORTUGUESE CONGREGATION AT JERUSALEM--SANITARY
MEASURES IN THE HOLY CITY--THE WIVES OF THE GOVERNOR OF TIBERIAS VISIT
LADY MONTEFIORE--A PLEASANT JOURNEY--ARRIVAL AT JERUSALEM.

_Tuesday, May 28th._--The heat was very great. Sir Moses and Lady
Montefiore did not leave the house till nine o'clock, when they went
for a little while to the shore of the lake. Sir Moses received
letters from the heads of the Portuguese congregation at Jerusalem,
dated ten days back, informing him that they had prepared a house for
him, but were sorry they could not come out of the town to receive
him, as there was a cordon round the city. They did not mention one
word as to the state of the city, but in two other letters brought by
the same messenger, we learned that many Jews, whose names they gave,
had died of the plague, all the individuals in four houses being
stricken with it. In conversation with the messenger, the latter
informed Sir Moses that the plague was in Jerusalem and in all the
villages surrounding it; also at Gaza and Jaffa, adding that Sir Moses
might cut off his head if he had not spoken the truth.

Sir Moses determined to despatch a messenger to Mr W. T. Young, the
British Consul at Jerusalem. On applying to the Governor of Tiberias
to let him have a messenger with a good horse, he immediately sent us
a fine, handsome fellow, armed with pistols, sabre, &c. Sir Moses gave
him the letters, and he started instantly, at three o'clock in the
afternoon.

The Governor sent early in the morning to say that he wished to come
and pay his respects; at the same time he sent a small, very beautiful
gazelle for Lady Montefiore, which was there considered a valuable
present. Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, having appointed twelve
o'clock for the interview, he came punctually at that hour,
accompanied by the Judge of the town and some half dozen of their
officers. Pipes, coffee, and sherbet were handed round. The Governor
was most friendly. He said he had made that day a holiday in the town
in honour of their visit, which had given joy and peace to all the
inhabitants, and that Sir Moses might command his services in any way
he pleased. Houses, servants, horses, &c., all were at his disposal.
He much regretted being obliged to leave the town himself with some
soldiers he had collected, who had to join Ibrahim Pasha. He would be
away about twenty days, but