“Territorial extension, indeed, need never enter into the dreams of English statesmanship; but it would be an act of infatuation to overlook the vast importance of Syria in any present or future distribution of European Power, which either the weakness or the crimes of other nations may necessitate. The country which now, not less than in the reigns of the _Ptolemies_ and the _Mamelukes_, guards and therefore governs the northern frontier of Egypt――which now, as in the days of Alexander [(III.) the Great] (356‒323 _b.c.e._), commands one at least of the great approaches to India――is no petty principality, to be surrendered to the love of ease or the importunities of allies.”¹ ¹ Recollections of the Druses of the Lebanon, and Notes on their Religion. By the Earl of Carnarvon. London:... 1860, (_pp._ 117‒120.) The calamity that had befallen the Christians of Syria had aroused the deepest commiseration among the Jews all over the world. Sir Moses Montefiore led the way with a letter in the _Times_, July 12, 1860 (_p._ 9), and M. Crémieux in France followed his lead. Several _Rabbis_ and Presidents of Jewish communities addressed appeals to the Jewish population, and handsome contributions were collected. But unfortunately false accusations were again brought against the Jews in Damascus. Some of the fanatics were envious of the Jews, especially because they had escaped the slaughter. The accusations commenced whilst Faud _Pasha_ was still there and was conducting the inquiries in person. The Maronites accused the Jews of being in league with the Druses, the orthodox Greeks charged them with being on terms of reciprocity with the Maronites, and after all these slanders the blood accusation was circulated. Faud, who knew perfectly well that the Jews had nothing in common with the Druses or the Maronites, and that they were a peaceful and law-abiding people, would not listen to these calumnies. But after the _Pasha_ had left, Christian and Mohammedan fanatics, by means of bribery, conspired against the unfortunate Jews, and had some prominent members of their community arrested, bringing forward false witnesses to testify that they saw such and such a Jew committing murder. Happily, most of them were at once released by Faud _Pasha_ on his return to the city. This act of justice was performed by the Turkish functionary spontaneously, before any remonstrance from Europe could have reached him. Nevertheless, the two European Powers acted with promptness and used their influence in the matter.