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Sir Moses replied that he wished to wait till Thursday, when he would inform Sir Robert of his plan of action. The two Admirals and the English and Austrian Consuls were to dine with the Pasha on the following day. Sir Moses, accompanied by Mr Alison, then paid visits to Rifaat Bey, Sáeed Bey, and Colonel Hodges.
During the morning we were occupied in examining numerous papers and documents referring to the Mission, while Lady Montefiore amused herself by taking daguerreotype views of Cleopatra's Needle. September 3rd. Sir Moses went this morning on board the Turkish steamer, Bird-of-the-Sea, Rifaat Bey having invited him to a déjeuner he was giving to Admiral Stopford and Sáeed Bey on board that vessel.
I do not desire to see a blot made on the courage of our men by those who escape from the trenches to avoid the rifle and machine gun fire of the enemy. Commander of the 11th Division, Colonel Rifaat." In sending on this order to his battalions, the Colonel of the 127th Regiment adds: "To Commander of the 1st Battalion.
The latter, with Captains Fisher and Austin and Colonel Hodges, accompanied the Admiral in his boat after they had taken leave of Rifaat Bey, and all went on board the corvette. Sáeed Bey received the party in a distinguished manner; he took them over the vessel, and made his men go through their exercises with great guns and small arms.
They were preceded by sixteen janissaries, the two Captains Austen, and many others on horseback. They were absent about an hour. Admiral Rifaat Bey gave the "Four Combined Powers," and Colonel Hodges, the "Five Powers," meaning that he included the Sublime Porte. After dinner, Admiral Stopford inquired whether Sir Moses intended going to Damascus, and said he would send a brig with us.
He expressed great gratitude for our exertions on their behalf, and shed tears on seeing us. November 1st. Mr Alison called, with a request from Rifaat Bey to Sir Moses to fix a day to dine with him, and he would invite Colonel Hodges to meet him. Sir Moses accepted the invitation for the following Wednesday.
Subsequently Sir Moses called on Lord Ponsonby, who promised to do what he could to relieve the distress in Rhodes. Being pressed for time we soon returned, and proceeded to Rifáat Bey's.
"It was already late," says Sir Moses, "when we came there, and found waiting there Lords Canning and Louvain, Colonel Hodges, Captain Gordon, Dr M'Carthy, Mr C. Alison, Rifáat Bey, and several Turkish gentlemen." The conversation on the events in Syria was very interesting. About nine o'clock we left the party, much pleased with the novelty of the scene. November 6th.