ar had not yet been declared; the
Turkish and Egyptian fleet, under Ibrahim Pasha, lay in the Bay of
Navarino, and there was an understanding that it should remain till
the affairs of Greece were arranged. As the Turks attempted to violate
this agreement a general engagement ensued, and the Turkish and
Egyptian fleets were completely destroyed in the course of a few
hours. By this impolitic act England and France played into the hands
of Russia, who was anxious to weaken the power of Turkey, and thus
they gave some help towards the long-cherished object of her
ambition--the possession of Constantinople.

On May 1st, 1827 (5587-8 A.M.), Mr and Mrs Montefiore repaired to
Synagogue as was their custom early in the morning before undertaking
any important work, for the purpose of invoking the blessing of Divine
Providence on this their first and long-projected journey to
Jerusalem. Fortified with letters of introduction, in the first
instance, to Admiral Codrington, then commanding on the Mediterranean
Station, and taking with them their own carriages, they travelled
_via_ Dover, Calais, Turin, Milan, Florence, and Rome to Naples. Here
a nephew of Mr Amschel Rothschild assisted them in obtaining a vessel
to take them to Malta, where they visited the plantations of the Silk
Company on the ditch of Porto Reale. There were about 5000 mulberry
trees at this place, as well as about 400 at Sal Marson, "all looking
healthy. We were present," says Mrs Montefiore, "at a dinner given by
us in the Palace to the men, women, and children, who were and had
been employed by the Silk Company, to the number of 140. The hall was
beautifully decorated with shrubs and flowers, and 'Welcome' was
written in large letters at the top of the room. There were many
joints of beef, a sheep roasted whole, macaroni, rice, bread, cheese,
water melons, and good wine. Everyone had as much as he could eat and
drink. The broken victuals and wine were afterwards distributed among
the poor to the number of thirty. A band of music then entered the
hall, and all present danced, as happy as people could be."

At the Palace Mr Montefiore delivered Lord Auckland's and Lord
Strangford's letters to the Governor, the Hon. F. C. Ponsonby, who
advised him to go to the East in a ship of war, on account of the
Greek pirates.

Amidst numerous kind and flattering attentions from the residents,
amongst whom were Sir John Stoddart, Mr and Mrs St John, Captain
Roberts, Col