The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-05-12

take the case in hand, and day or two
after | received note from him asking
me to come to the Consulate. | did so
and drew up a written statement of tie
affair. He then sent his interpreter with
me, as the case was to come up that morn
ing before the court My first impress
sion was that the Pasha decided such
cases, and so it was formerly, but now he
is simply an executive officer, and crimi-
nal prosecutions come before court con-
sisting of three judges. The old custom
of going from place to place in the con-
duct of such affairs still exists in Jerusa-
lem. After leaving the consulate, we
went first to the residence of the Pasha.
who had to sign some paper the interpre-
ter handed him. We then went TO an
other part of the city and were shown
into room where the judges were sitting.
After some conversation with the inter
prefer we were asked to 90 into another
apartment where one judge took up the
case, simply for investigation. We sat
at the same table, he with his fez and I
with my hat on, smoking our cigarettes.
All OF my statements and answers to the
questions of the judge were taken down
in Arabic by the clerk The process was
tedious as every sentence had to be inter
preted, but [ was much interested in
watching the manner in which the testi-
mony was recorded. Although the clerk
sat at the side of the table, he did not
lay his paper on it, but on his knee, wri-
ting backward, of course, and dipping
his pen into an ink-horn, such as was in
fashion three thousand years ago the
construction being such that when not in
use it can be thrust in the belt, and when
so worn it looks at little distance like
dagger instead of the peaceful implement.
it is
The government soldier of Latrdn and
our muleteers are still under arrest. All
the parties are examined separately, and
in private. There are no proceedings
before these courts except by the parties
themselves. | take it for granted there
fore that lawyers are scarce in Palestine.
The point at issue in my case sup
pose is whether the responsibility of Our
dragoman did not cease when he put our
persons and property in charge of the
government soldier stationed at Latrun
to guard the road. If so, then I may
look to the government for indemnity for
my loss. The case is not yet decided and
| do not know how long it may be before
| hear the result Whatever it may be-
| acknowledge the uniform respect and
courtesy with which l have been treated
in this matter by the Pasha, and all the
officers with whom I have come in con-
tact and [ have already had my compen-
sation, in part, by the novel things [ have
seen and learned in consequence of this
affair.
I would like to tell you of delightful
entertainment given by our consul, Col.
Wilson, at which many of the principal
citizens of Jerusalem and many distin-
guished strangers were present. There
l had the pleasure of making the ac-
quaintance of Bishop Barclay, whose do
cese includes Palestine and Egypt, and I
have seldom met with a man whose good
sound sense and evangelical piety I'M
pressed we more favorably.
| have written this letter at such frag-
ments of time as I could snatch for the
purpose. Tomorrow we set out for Da-
mascus by way of Samaria and Galilee.
M D. H.