they understood better than we did the dangers which had threatened us. They had greatly feared that the woodwork of the building would take fire, when escape from the galleries would have been almost impossible. They approached to assure us of our safety, and begged that we would wait quietly till they could come for us. The French Consul and the Commander of the Cavalry paused just below our box. They seemed very much excited; the former said, "I pray you, ladies, do not attempt to stir yet."
Some time elapsed before it was considered prudent to allow us to leave our retreat, for the fight was being carried on desperately in the court and streets outside the church. At last the French Consul, my brother, and several friends came for us, and we were led away. I found that the oil floating over the marble floor was at least a quarter of an inch deep. The Turkish soldiers still had possession of the building. They had behaved with great moderation during the whole of the riot, and apparently did all they could to prevent bloodshed. They had quite cleared the outer court when we crossed it, and were standing all round it with fixed bayonets. But the streets were obstructed by groups of quarrelsome people, and with difficulty the kawasses cleared a way for us. When we were safe at the Consulate, my brother returned to the Sepulcher, to see what damage had been done. He took, with out opposition, from the hands of an Armenian, a heavy stick, five feet long and three inches in diameter, and he examined a great number which were armed with spikes.
The Pasha held a council immediately, and it was decided that the Greek and Armenian services should for the future be held at different hours, so that such disgraceful and dangerous collisions in the church might be avoided. It was ascertained that very few deaths had occurred, but some serious injuries had been inflicted.
I have conversed with many educated Greeks, both priests and laymen, on the nature of this ceremony, and I found that, without exception, they were heartily ashamed
