DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.5295#0174
HOLY LAND, AND CYPRUS. 141
and, as I understood the aga would be anxious to hear the
news from Europe, I mentioned all that was known of the
downfall of Buonaparte.
The divan of the aga was adjoining a dungeon, and on
the same floor; on passing which I was distressed by seeing
a scene of misery not uncommon in this country: a great
many prisoners had been made by the Pasha of Damascus,
after a successful attack on some villages which had refused
to pay the miri. They had been divided amongst the
different governments as trophies, and these Avere in heavy
chains. The dungeon, which was small, was crowded ; there
was no air but from the door, which being open, enabled me
to observe them: the stench from them was suffocating:
they were guarded by Albanians. Fear or resignation pre-
vented the unfortunate sufferers from uttering a moan of
complaint.
On entering the divan, I found the aga squatted on a
part of the room separated from the rest by a railing; an
imam on his right and other attending officers about him.
I was seated on a low stool outside. The vice-consul was
allowed to approach the railing, and seat himself on the same
cushion with the aga, whose name was Mahommed. He
saluted me with, " Mohabbetek," "your friend," in a gruff
voice ; and proceeded at once to make inquiries respecting
the affairs of Europe. He expressed his fears there would
and, as I understood the aga would be anxious to hear the
news from Europe, I mentioned all that was known of the
downfall of Buonaparte.
The divan of the aga was adjoining a dungeon, and on
the same floor; on passing which I was distressed by seeing
a scene of misery not uncommon in this country: a great
many prisoners had been made by the Pasha of Damascus,
after a successful attack on some villages which had refused
to pay the miri. They had been divided amongst the
different governments as trophies, and these Avere in heavy
chains. The dungeon, which was small, was crowded ; there
was no air but from the door, which being open, enabled me
to observe them: the stench from them was suffocating:
they were guarded by Albanians. Fear or resignation pre-
vented the unfortunate sufferers from uttering a moan of
complaint.
On entering the divan, I found the aga squatted on a
part of the room separated from the rest by a railing; an
imam on his right and other attending officers about him.
I was seated on a low stool outside. The vice-consul was
allowed to approach the railing, and seat himself on the same
cushion with the aga, whose name was Mahommed. He
saluted me with, " Mohabbetek," "your friend," in a gruff
voice ; and proceeded at once to make inquiries respecting
the affairs of Europe. He expressed his fears there would