A curious rumour is afloat, for which we do not
vouch, that the Porte, in its eagerness for money, has offered to sell the Hereditary Pashalic of the Holy Land to any candidate accepted by the Jews, in return for a loan. The transaction would be one of the most singular in history, but it is not beyond the range of possibility. Palestine needs nothing but irrigation and trees, and though the Jews dislike agriculture, fellaheen sufficient might be attracted from Egypt. The restoration of the Jews, with Lord Beaconsfield for first King, would be an incident romantic enough to satisfy even the imagination of the author of " Alroy." If the Jews refuse, the Turks should ask Brigham Young to make a bid. His agents were said, twelve months ago, to be sounding the Porte, and studying the capabilities of the country, and the Mormon leader would glide easily into the position of a Pasha.
