MAGNIFICENT PROSPECT.

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both man and beast heard a noise: it was a mounted Arab, armed with a gun, who was passing that way. Alarmed in her turn, the panther fled at the instant when, helpless and incapable of the least exertion, he, whom she detained prisoner, was about to become her victim. He returned to the monastery, thanking Heaven, in the warmest effusions of gratitude, for having miraculously delivered him from such imminent danger.

From the room which I occupy, I enjoy an extensive and magnificent prospect. On the left, my eye wanders over the sea; on the right, it is struck by the aspect of hills, lifting their enormous rocks into the air; some naked, others covered with wood. At the foot of Carmel, I see Caiffa and its harbour; three leagues distant, where the coast is scooped out in the form of a basin, St. Jean d'Acre, or, more properly speaking, the ruins of that town, demolished by a shower of balls and bombs which lasted for seven months. Yesterday evening, I paused to contemplate that theatre of a violent and furious war, on which the moon threw her pale light; and, with my eyes fixed on the ruins, I said to myself: "Yonder, then, it lies demolished that strong-hold of despotism, where, for so many years, tyrants have sported with the lives of men; that fortress, where, while the garrison was so valiantly defending the ramparts, the last Abdallah Pacha, without energy, without courage, kept himself ignominiously concealed in his harem, waiting till, after he had lost all, an order from Ibrahim should bid him go with a white handkerchief round his neck to throw himself at the feet of the conqueror and

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receive permission to live!" And I admired the dispensations of Providence in regard to these two men-of that Providence, which," to use the language of Bossuet, "without authorizing rebellions, permits them, and punishes crimes by other crimes, which, ever terrible, and ever just, it chastises also in its own good time.”*

You may well imagine, my dear friend, that, within sight of St. Jean d'Acre, it is not possible to avoid recollecting that the flames which raged in these later times in Europe extended to the East-to the very walls, whose sad ruins I can discern from my window. Accordingly, how many times have my thoughts been directed to the conqueror who was commissioned by Heaven to chastise the Christian world; but who, the moment he set foot in Asia, was suddenly stopped here by the Power superior to all powers, by that which says to all those whom it employs as its instruments: "Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther!" and which is always obeyed. How often, in particular, has my soul thrilled with horror at the recollection of that Djezzar Pacha, whose cruelties equalled those of the most execrable tyrants, and who has retained the odious surname of Butcher, which he boasted of having given to himself!

In this country the name of Djezzar is not uttered without deep abhorrence, without a shudder. You would . say that those who speak of him still hear the shrieks of the victims whom he sacrificed to his thirst of blood; and that the groans of his servants, of his women, in the agonies of death, inflicted by the hand of that executioner, are still ringing in their ears: you would say that they

* Politique sacrée, 4to. p. 372.

have still before their eyes the heaps of human limbs which he took delight in mangling, which he piled up, yet palpitating, to feast himself afterwards on the disgusting sight!

And yet would you believe it, my friend?

some

traits which would do honour to the prince most devoted to the interests of justice escaped that monster in the course of his life. Here is one, which, from its singularity, deserves relating.

A young Christian, carrying on business at St. Jean d'Acre, had won the good graces of Djezzar by the dealings which he had had with him, when selling to him various European commodities. He lived in a handsome house with his father, an aged and infirm man. The latter occupied the best and most convenient apartment on the second floor. The young man, who was about to marry, requested his father to give up his room to him for a few weeks only, protesting that he would then restore it with many thanks. The old man complied, and, going down to the first floor, though it was disagreeable and unwholesome, he settled himself in it.

At the expiration of the time specified, he claimed his room; the young couple begged him to wait: he consented, and allowed a further term. At the end of it, he again urged his claim. But this time, the ungrateful son, unmindful of what he owed to his parent, insolently declared that he intended to stay where he was; and desired that he might not be troubled any more on the subject. The unfortunate father bore the injury in silence. But, as his compliance with the wishes of his

son, and the restrictions which he had attached to it were known, the unworthy conduct of the young man soon became public.

Djezzar, by means of his numerous spies, knew all that passed; being informed of this circumstance, he sent for the son. The young man, relying on a goodwill of which he had previously received habitual testimonies, hastened to the pacha, without hesitation and without fear. He found him in his divan, surrounded by his ministers and his executioners, and very soon perceived that he had incurred his displeasure.

"Of what religion art thou?" cried Djezzar, darting at him a look which made him turn pale with fear, and deprived him of the power to reply.

"I ask," he resumed, raising his voice, " of what religion thou art."

"I... I am a Christian, as your excellency knows." "A Christian! Thou liest ! Let us see! Make the sign of the Christians."

The young man, trembling, made the sign of the

cross.

"That is not it," said the pacha, clapping his hand upon his dagger: "pronounce aloud," continued he, 'pronounce aloud the words which accompany that sign."

"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost," said the terrified Christian.

"Repeat them," said the pacha, "and speak louder ; I am old and growing deaf."

The young man lifted his right hand to his forehead, and repeated in as loud a voice as he could: "In the

DJEZZAR PACHA.

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name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost."

"Aha!” cried Djezzar, in a voice that made the divan shake, and thrilled the young man with horror. "Aha! wretch! the Father is on the forehead, the Son on the breast! .... Knowest thou what that means? The Father is above, and the Son below. Go, scoun drel! go home, and if in a quarter of an hour it is not so there, thy head shall roll in the dust."

I need not say what haste the culprit made to throw himself at the feet of his father, to beg his pardon, and to give up the room which he had dared to withhold from him so unjustly.

Perhaps, my friend, you will be astonished that, when so near Acre, I have not determined to go thither. Before my departure from Carmel, I was advised to go and see the ruins of the place, and to pay a visit to Ibrahim. I have thought it right not to follow that advice. What should I have seen in the town? that which I have seen sufficiently at a distance: and in the conqueror of Abdallah? a brave man, no doubt, but a rebellious subject. Now, I neither like, nor I can endure, rebels or rebellions.

LETTER XLI.

DEPARTURE FROM MOUNT CARMEL

SAIDA OR SIDON-BEYROUT-M. LAURELLA, AUSTRIAN VICE-CONSUL-MOUNT

SOUR OR TYRE.

LEBANON.

Beyrout, July 13, 1832.

On Friday evening, my dear Charles, I embarked in a