The Jews Complained, And Either By The
Protection Of The British Consul At Damascus, Or By Some Other
Means, Had
Influence enough to induce the appointment of a special
commissioner - they called him "the Modeer" - whose duty it was to
Watch for and prevent anything like connivance on the part of the
Governor, and to push on the investigation with vigour and
impartiality.
Such were the instructions with which some few weeks since the
Modeer came charged. The result was that the investigation had
made no practical advance, and that the Modeer as well as the
Governor was living upon terms of affectionate friendship with
Mohammed Damoor and the rest of the principal spoilers.
Thus stood the chance of redress for the past, but the cause of the
agonising excitement under which the Jews of the place now laboured
was recent and justly alarming. Mohammed Damoor had again gone
forth into the market-place, and lifted up his voice and prophesied
a second spoliation of the Israelites. This was grave matter; the
words of such a practical man as Mohammed Damoor were not to be
despised. I fear I must have smiled visibly, for I was greatly
amused and even, I think, gratified at the account of this second
prophecy. Nevertheless, my heart warmed towards the poor oppressed
Israelites, and I was flattered, too, in the point of my national
vanity at the notion of the far-reaching link by which a Jew in
Syria, who had been born on the rock of Gibraltar, was able to
claim me as his fellow-countryman.
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