Chapter VI

Lady Hester Stanhope’s belief in the coming of a Messiah――Her two favourite mares――Lady Hester’s destiny influenced by Brothers, the fortune-teller, and by one Metta, a Syrian astrologer――Duke of Reichstadt――Madame de Fériat――Story of a Circassian slave――Rugged paths in Mount Lebanon――Anecdote of Lord and Lady Bute――Anecdote of Mr. A., afterwards Lord S.――His father’s rise in the world――Lord Liverpool and the order of merit――Intimidation exercised over the Author’s household by Lady Hester――Sundry difficulties arising therefrom――Lady Hester’s opinion of X.’s mission――Mrs. Fry――Lady Hester’s defiance of consular authority, and confidence in her own resources――Lunardi recommended as a servant――The Author takes leave of Lady Hester――Conduct of the Franks at Sayda――The Author sails for Cyprus――Is hospitably received by Mr. Hanah Farkouah, a Syrian, and by Signor Baldassare Mattei――Marine villa at Larnaka――Mr. George Robinson――Captain Scott――Captain Dundas――Mr. Burns――The Author sails for Europe 170

CHAPTER VII.

Reflections――Letter from Lady Hester to the Author asking him to return――He revisits Syria――Changes which had taken place in Beyrout――M. Jasper Chasseaud, American consul――Divine service performed by the American missionaries――Letter from Lady Hester to the Author――Her continued hostility to Mrs. ――.――The Author takes his family to Sayda――Dress and demeanour of a lady of Sayda――The Author’s reception at Jôon――His family frightened by a deserter――Settles at the convent of Mar Elias――Earthquake of January 1, 1837 208

CHAPTER VIII.

History of Raïs Hassan――His influence with Lady Hester Stanhope――Number of persons in her service――Number of animals in her stables――Her manner of disposing of those which were superannuated――Her belief in Magic and Demonology――Examples――Anecdotes of Mr. Brummell――Mr. H.――The Duc de R********――Lord St. Asaph――Lady Hester’s strictness with menials――Justified by their misconduct and vices――Zeyneb, the black slave――Annoyances to which Lady Hester was subjected――Her service not tolerable for Europeans――Her reasons for using plain furniture――Her detestation of sentimentality――Her general interference in every department of housewifery――Irregularities of the servants――Chastity, how defined in Turkey――Lady H.’s measures for enforcing it――Her opinion of a French traveller, and of M. Lascaris 231

CHAPTER IX.

Queen Caroline’s trial――In what manner the first inquiry was suppressed――Lady Hester’s opinion of the P――――ss of W.――Young Austin――Lord Y.――P. of W.――His disgust at the slovenly habits of the P――――ss.――Mrs. Fitzherbert――Mrs. Robinson――Mr. Canning――His person――His duplicity――and deceit――His incapability of acting without guidance――His disposition to babble――Lady Hester’s account of a great serpent――Mr. T. Moore――Lord Camelford――His liberality――Some anecdotes of that high-spirited nobleman――Arrival of Madame L.――She is seized with brain-fever, and dies raving mad――Visit of General Cass 264