On my arrival at Jerusalem, 1808, the Temple of Solomon was then under repair, and nearly finished. The Turks, whenever they require any work of importance done, send out an order to arrest such Christian workmen as may be required for the undertaking, paying them with the greatest liberality; so much so, that they frequently return to their homes with a little fortune. Living in the same quarter, I naturally went with them. Among those whom I was acquainted with, were an old man and woman, whose son was employed as Scrivener at the temple, a place of some importance. For his particular privilege and emolument, an old door of cedar was given him; this door had been placed on the same site that tradition reputes that our blessed Saviour used to pass through.
The Turks hold in the greatest veneration all places
that are sacred to our Saviour, excepting the Sepulchre;
considering Christ as a spirit, consequently a spirit
could not be crucified, and that it was the body of Judas
that had been taken into the Sepulchre, of course they
ridi-
| 376 | LADY MORGAN'S MEMOIR. |
PS.—The basket plate was made above the first cataract of the Nile, Nubia. Fruit of the date tree, the inside is dissolved, and made into beads.
The spoon that I bought in grand Cairo, 1837, which the grand Turk’s people eat their rice with.
Forgive, dear Lady Morgan, the insignificant offerings of a human heart. I have often longed to see you—that wish is at last gratified. In 1822, I passed the Simplon, two days after you had passed, and was much mortified at having missed seeing one who had charmed me so often.
