Note 22 — Chapter II

For farther information respecting this extraordinary man, the reader is referred to the “Souvenirs de l’Orient,” of M. de Lamartine. What Lady Hester first thought of him may be gathered from an extract of a letter she wrote to a friend.

“I have met with an extraordinary character here, Monsieur Lascaris de Vintimille. He is certainly flighty, but has considerable talents, and a perfect knowledge of the Arabic language; he is extremely poor, and very active. Should he fall into the hands of the French, we might in future have reason to repent it; at present he is quite English, and it might be worth while to keep him so. In the Chancellerie de l’ordre de Malte, and likewise in the hands of l’avocat Torrigiani, are all the papers which refer to his family and to his humble claims, which are merely a little pension that he may have bread to eat—he does not look to more. Now you are settling the affairs of this kind, it might be worth while to consider and represent this subject to government, as it would ensure them an agent in parts where few persons could live—I mean upon the borders of the desert; and I can assure you, this in future would be of great importance; for the Arabs are now so strong, as hardly to be managed by the pashas; besides, it would be a great act of humanity to a once great man. The French are sending agents in all directions (at an immense expense) into the desert, and why do not we do the same?”