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Title: Diaries of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, Volume 2 (of 2) - Comprising Their Life and Work as Recorded in Their Diaries - From 1812 to 1883
Author: Montefiore, Moses, Sir, Montefiore, Judith Cohen, Lady
Language: English
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[Illustration]
DIARIES OF SIR MOSES AND LADY MONTEFIORE
COMPRISING THEIR LIFE AND WORK AS RECORDED IN THEIR DIARIES FROM 1812
TO 1883.
WITH THE ADDRESSES AND SPEECHES OF SIR MOSES; HIS CORRESPONDENCE WITH
MINISTERS, AMBASSADORS, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF PUBLIC BODIES; PERSONAL
NARRATIVES OF HIS MISSIONS IN THE CAUSE OF HUMANITY; FIRMANS AND
EDICTS OF EASTERN MONARCHS; HIS OPINIONS ON FINANCIAL, POLITICAL, AND
RELIGIOUS SUBJECTS, AND ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS REFERRING TO MEN OF HIS
TIME, AS RELATED BY HIMSELF.
EDITED BY
Dr L. LOEWE,
MEMBER OF THE ROYAL ASIATIC SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND; OF
THE SOCIETE ASIATIQUE OF PARIS; OF THE NUMISMATIC SOCIETY OF LONDON,
ETC. (ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE MISSION TO DAMASCUS AND CONSTANTINOPLE
UNDER THE LATE SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE, BART., IN THE YEAR 1840).
ASSISTED BY HIS SON.
IN TWO VOLUMES
_WITH ILLUSTRATIONS_
VOL. II.
CHICAGO:
BELFORD-CLARKE CO.
1890.
[Illustration: ANCIENT COAT OF ARMS OF THE MONTEFIORE FAMILY,
_explained on page 6_.]
(_The rights of translation and of reproduction are reserved._)
COPYRIGHT--BELFORD-CLARKE CO., CHICAGO.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. PAGE
Sir Moses presented to the Queen on being made
a Baronet--Ukase of the Czar--The affair of
Deir-el-Kámár--Sir Moses' Interviews with Louis-Philippe,
M. Guizot, and Lord Normanby--Satisfactory Measures of the
French Government 1
CHAPTER II.
The Polish and Russian Jews and the Question of
Agriculture--The Jewish Disabilities in Parliament
again--The Chartist Riots--Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore
depart for the Holy Land--Absurd Charge brought against
them--Their Return to England 9
CHAPTER III.
Preparations for the Great Exhibition--Fresh Measures
against the Russian Jews--Complaints from Rome--News from
Damascus--Baron Lionel de Rothschild takes the Oath on the
Old Testament--Sir Moses Interviews Louis Napoleon at the
Elysée--The Exhibition 18
CHAPTER IV.
Visit of the Hereditary Prince of Egypt--Baron Lionel de
Rothschild returned for the City--The North American Relief
Society--Sir Moses on the Distress in Palestine--Serious
Illness 26
CHAPTER V.
A Hospital for Jerusalem--Distribution of Relief in
Palestine--Battle of the Alma--Sir Moses again sets out
for the East--He receives the Order of the Medjidjeh--His
Second Interview with the Sultan 35
CHAPTER VI.
Arrival at Jerusalem--Miss Roger's Description of the
Jewish Girls' School there--Sir Moses purchases a Piece of
Land--Oriental Methods of Bargaining 44
CHAPTER VII.
Departure from Jerusalem--Arrival in England--Projected
Railway from Jaffa to Jerusalem--Lord Palmerston's
Views--The Firman Hháti-Hoomáyoon--Lord Stratford de
Redcliffe 56
CHAPTER VIII.
Fifth Visit to the Holy Land--Maltese Jews and their
Grievances--Cairo, Jaffa, Lydda, and Geeb--Arrival in
Jerusalem--The Appeal Fund Institutions 63
CHAPTER IX.
Toussoun Pasha stays on a visit to Sir Moses--Sir Moses
re-elected President of the Board of Deputies--The Indian
Mutiny--Monetary Panic--The Jewish Disabilities at last
removed--Sir Moses presents Toussoun Pasha to the Queen 72
CHAPTER X.
The Case of the Abduction of Edgar Mortara--Strange
Theory about Baptism--Sir Moses interests Himself in the
Matter--Action of the Evangelical Society--Discouraging
Opinions 82
CHAPTER XI.
Cardinal Antonelli declares the Abduction of the Child
Mortara "A Closed Question"--The Delusion about the
Passover Cakes spreads to Rome--Uneasy Feeling among the
Jews in that City--Shameful Attempts to get up Testimony
against Them--Interview with Cardinal Antonelli--Sir Moses
leaves Rome 90
CHAPTER XII.
Interview with the Duc de Grammont--Another
Ukase--Influential Protest in the Mortara Case--Persecution
in Roumania--Attitude of the French and Turkish Governments
towards the Jews 100
CHAPTER XIII.
The Sultan permits the Building of the Jerusalem
Almshouses--Concession for a Carriage-Road from Jaffa to
Jerusalem--Sir Moses champions the Persecuted Christians of
Syria--Punishment of the Culprits--Disquieting Reports from
Damascus 109
CHAPTER XIV.
Appeal from the Jews of Damascus--Lord John Russell's
Action--The Mortara Case again--Serious Illness of Lady
Montefiore 116
CHAPTER XV.
Affairs in Syria--Lord Palmerston's Advice--Death of the
Duchess of Kent--Acquittal of one of the Accused Jews at
Damascus--Favourable News from Moldavia--Death of the
Prince Consort 125
CHAPTER XVI.
The Jaffa and Jerusalem Railway--Lord Dufferin--Sir Moses
and Lady Montefiore's Golden Wedding--Death of Lady
Montefiore 133
CHAPTER XVII.
Burial of Lady Montefiore--Sir Moses sets out for
Jerusalem--Interview with Sultan Abd-Ool-Azeez--Abandonment
of the Journey to the Holy Land--More Persecutions in
Morocco--Sir Moses proceeds there on a Mission 139
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Mission to Morocco--Tangier--Liberation of two
Prisoners--Deputation of Moors--Sir Moses successfully
Intercedes for them--Death of Sir Moses' Sister, Mrs.
Goldsmid--Oppressive Regulations respecting the Jews in
Morocco--Favourable Edict of the Sultan 148
CHAPTER XIX.
Reception of Sir Moses by the Sultan of
Morocco--Enthusiastic Welcome from the Jewish Colony--Home
again--Congratulatory Meeting at the London Tavern 154
CHAPTER XX.
Sir Moses receives the Thanks of the City of London--The
Projected Survey of Jerusalem--Bad News from Rome, Hamadan,
and Jaffa--Endowment of Judith College Ramsgate--Death of
Lord Palmerston 162
CHAPTER XXI.
Sixth Journey to the Holy Land--A new Jewish Census--The
Plague of Locusts--Death of Dr. Hodgkin--Arrival in
Jerusalem 171
CHAPTER XXII.
Sir Moses' Narrative continued--The Jerusalem Water
Supply--Scheme for Isolating Lepers--Deputation from
Safed--The Jews and Agriculture--Unfounded Allegations by a
pretended Austrian Consul 176
CHAPTER XXIII.
Visit to the Mount of Olives--Site of the Holy Temple--Dr
Norman Macleod's Charge--Sir Moses' Inquiries--Dr Macleod's
Retractation 181
CHAPTER XXIV.
Departure from the Holy City--Return to England--Visit
to Baron Brunnow and Lord Clarendon--Frightful Outbreak
against the Jews in Persia--Fresh Complaints from Moldavia
187
CHAPTER XXV.
Sir Moses accepts a Mission to the Danubian
Principalities--Action of the British, Russian, and Persian
Governments--Prince Bismarck's Opinion--Death of Sir Moses'
Brother, Horatio 195
CHAPTER XXVI.
Result of Appeals to Roumanian Bigotry--Perilous Position
of the Mission--Courageous Conduct of Sir Moses--An
Enterprising Contractor--Satisfactory end of the Mission 203
CHAPTER XXVII.
Giurgevo--Rustschuk--Sistova--Nicopolis--Buda-Pesth--Return
to England--Addresses of Thanks from Bucharest--Local
Honours at Ramsgate 211
CHAPTER XXVIII.
Serious Outbreak against the Jews at Berlad--Sir Moses
appeals to the Moldavian Government--The Reply--Repressive
Bill affecting the Jews--The Galatz Incident--Lord
Shaftesbury and Sir Moses--Visit to the South of France 219
CHAPTER XXIX.
The Prince of Wales and Sir Moses--Consecration of Judith
College--Napoleon III. a Prisoner of War--Serious Charges
against the Jews of Damascus in the _Times_ Newspaper--Sir
Moses' Answer--Death of Sir Moses' Sister, Mrs Gompertz 227
CHAPTER XXX.
Famine in Persia--Sir Moses assists in the Work of
Relief--Lord Granville's Aid--The Tabernacle at
Ramsgate--Professor Max Müller--Illness of the Prince of
Wales 237
CHAPTER XXXI.
Petition to the Shah--Outrages in Smyrna--Second Mission
to Russia--Visit to Stockholm--Interview with the Czar
Alexander II. 244
CHAPTER XXXII.
Continuation of Sir Moses' Narrative--Satisfactory Report
with regard to the Condition of the Roumanian Jews--Arrival
in Berlin--Return to England--Visit of the Shah to England
251
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Address to the Czar on the occasion of the Marriage of the
Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh--The Czar's Reply--Death of
Sir Moses' Sister, Mrs. Cohen--Sir Moses reads his own
Obituary--He resigns his office as President of the Board
of Deputies 258
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Unveiling of the Bust of the Archbishop of Canterbury at
St. Peter's Orphanage--Sir Moses on Jewish Conversion--The
Montefiore Testimonial--Preparing to start once more for
the Holy Land 266
CHAPTER XXXV.
Seventh Voyage to Palestine--Reception at Jaffa--Arrival in
Jerusalem 272
CHAPTER XXXVI.
Welcome to Jerusalem--Satisfactory Report on the
Condition of the Population in the Holy City--Sir Moses'
Recommendations for their welfare 277
CHAPTER XXXVII.
Congratulations on his Return to England--The Testimonial
Fund--Palestine Colonization Fund--Unveiling the Bust of
Mrs. Tait--Bad News from Eastern Europe--Musurus Pasha's
Assurance 284
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
Accusation against Jews in the Caucasus--Affairs in
Syria--Anti-Semitic Movement in Prussia--Death of Joseph
Meyer Montefiore--Assassination of Alexander II. 290
CHAPTER XXXIX.
Persecution in Russia--Lord Granville's Speech--Project
of Emigration to America--Death of Dean Stanley and of
President Garfield 297
CHAPTER XL.
The Reign of Terror in Russia--Indignation Meeting
in London--The Lord Mayor's Fund--The Tisza-Eszlar
Trial--Anti-Jewish Congress at Dresden--A pretended Speech
of Sir Moses--Death of Archbishop Tait 303
CHAPTER XLI.
Sir Moses Congratulates the Czar Alexander III.
on his Coronation--He appeals to the Hungarian
Parliament--Acquittal of the Accused at
Tisza-Eszlar--Rejoicings on Sir Moses completing his
Ninety-ninth Year 311
CHAPTER XLII.
Presentation of an Address from the City of London--The
Chovavey Zion Society--Progress of the Agricultural
Movement 322
CHAPTER XLIII.
A grand old Centenarian--Public Gatherings in his
honour--Ramsgate illuminated--Sir Moses' Health 328
CHAPTER XLIV.
Sir Moses' Reply to the Board of Deputies--His failing
Strength--First published Bulletin--Sir Moses' Death 336
CHAPTER XLV.
Funeral of Sir Moses--A Town in Mourning--Deputation from
all parts--The Funeral Service--Conclusion 345
APPENDIX 353
DIARIES OF
SIR MOSES AND LADY MONTEFIORE.
CHAPTER I.
1847.
SIR MOSES PRESENTED TO THE QUEEN ON BEING MADE A
BARONET--UKASE OF THE CZAR--THE AFFAIR OF DEIR-EL-KAMAR--SIR
MOSES' INTERVIEWS WITH LOUIS-PHILIPPE, M.
GUIZOT, AND LORD NORMANBY--SATISFACTORY MEASURES
OF THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT.
The Diary of the year 1847 continues to refer to gratifying events.
Sir Moses orders medical supplies at the Apothecaries' Hall for his
dispensary at Jerusalem, is presented to her Majesty on his being
created a baronet, and on March 29th he receives a letter from the
representatives of the Hebrew community in Kowno, conveying to him the
gratifying intelligence that the Emperor of Russia had issued a Ukase,
dated 10th December 1846, permitting the Jews to remain in that town
free from molestation. But on May the 2nd I find an entry which must
have occasioned him much pain, as it refers to an accusation brought
against his brethren at Deir-el-Kámár. Fortunately he was in possession
of all the papers relative to the subject, and could at once refute the
charge in a letter to the _Times_, of which the following is a copy--
"SIR,--My attention has been directed to a paragraph which
appeared in yesterday's _Times_, being an extract from the _Union
Monarchique_, Paris paper, which extract purports to contain a
narrative of the abduction and murder by the Jews of Deir-el-Kámár,
near Beyrout, of a Christian child; that, after the lapse of three
days, the corpse had been discovered in a field, that the hands,
feet, and side of the child had been pierced, and that it had also
been bled in the neck. Happily, I am in possession of intelligence of
the 5th and 6th of April from a correspondent at Beyrout, in whose
veracity I have every reason to confide, and am thus enabled to
furnish a correct statement of the circumstances.
"It appears that on the day preceding Palm Sunday several Christian
boys joined some religious procession, agreeably to the custom of
the place. In the dusk of the evening one of the children, about
the age of four years, having strayed from the others, lost its
way among the gardens and vineyards. On the following day, when
it became known that the child was missing, the fanatic populace
attributed its disappearance to the Jews; their Synagogue and
houses were tumultuously searched, but, of course, without success;
and subsequently the child was found in a vineyard, exhausted
by cold, hunger, and fatigue, from the effects of which it soon
afterwards expired. This, however, did not silence the clamour of the
ignorant multitude, and eventually the affair was referred to the
Governor-General. The accused persons had been placed in confinement,
but on their brethren undertaking for their appearance in due course,
the Governor gave instructions for their immediate liberation, and he
has directed an investigation before the judicial tribunal.
"I am happy to say that Colonel Rose, Her Majesty's Consul-General
at Beyrout, kindly interfered on the occasion, and that, thanks
to his humane intervention and the good sense of the Governor of
the district, my poor brethren were protected against the frantic
violence of their accusers.
"I had hoped, Sir, that even in the East the absurd, yet cruel,
calumnies urged against our faith had ceased to obtain credence; but
where ignorance and superstition prevail to so great an extent, it
is more a subject for sorrow than surprise to find the occasional
resuscitation of the bigotry of a bygone age; but, Sir, I cannot
refrain from expressing my deep regret that this melancholy event
should have been recorded so inaccurately and in so adverse a spirit
by the journal in question.
"I am anxious to obviate its mischievous tendency by an authentic
version of the circumstances, and I entertain no doubt, though fully
conscious of the value of the space I seek to occupy, that you will
kindly admit this letter into your columns, as you will thereby give
at least an equal circulation to the true, as you have unfortunately
given to the erroneous, statement; though I believe that even without
contradiction few would attach any credence to the imputation thus
unhappily revived.--I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient
humble servant,
"MOSES MONTEFIORE."
"GROSVENOR GATE, PARK LANE, _May 2_."
Returning to the Diary, we read that on 27th May he and Lady Montefiore
had a gracious reception at the Queen's Drawing Room; and on the 28th,
they received an invitation from the Lord Chamberlain by command of
the Queen to Her Majesty's Ball on Friday, 11th of June, an honour,
however, of which they were unable to avail themselves owing to its
being Sabbath.
_June 20th._--An accusation having been brought anew against the Jews
in Damascus, Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore received numerous petitions
from representatives of the Hebrew communities in Jerusalem, Beyrout,
and Damascus, to intercede on their behalf with the French Government,
the Christians in Syria being generally considered under the protection
of France.
They at once resolved to go to Paris, and obtain, if possible, from
King Louis-Philippe, a declaration of his disbelief in the charges
brought against the Jews.
In the present instance it was Monsieur Baudin, "Le Gérant du Consulat
de France" (as the French Minister in Paris described him), who, on the
occasion of a child disappearing from Damascus (the child, however, was
afterwards found at Baal-beck), called upon the Moslem Governor to have
a search made in the houses of the Jews, reminding him, at the same
time, of the accusations brought against the latter in the year 1840.
_July 3rd._--Sir Moses walked to the Foreign Office, having an
appointment for that day with Lord Palmerston. He acquainted the
Minister with the contents of the letters he had received from the
East respecting the late charges brought against the Jews, also with
the translation of M. Baudin's letter to the Governor of Damascus. Sir
Moses praised the conduct of the British Consuls on the unfortunate
occasion, and spoke highly of Mr (now Sir Richard) Wood. His request
to Lord Palmerston was that he would repeat to the Consuls the
instructions he had formerly given them, to protect the Jews from
lawless persecution, and also to give him a letter of introduction to
Lord Normanby in Paris to assist him in procuring a private audience
of King Louis-Philippe. His object was to obtain from His Majesty a
declaration, similar to one made by Augustus III., King of Poland, in
1763, of his entire disbelief in the ignorant delusion about the Jews
and the use of blood in the Passover cakes, and to induce him to give
directions to his Consuls, not to countenance any charge of the kind.
Sir Moses found Lord Palmerston fully aware of all that had passed, as
the latter repeated to him the contents of Sir Moses' last letter from
Damascus. The Governor had behaved extremely well to the Jews, and Lord
Palmerston had sent him the thanks of the British Government.
Lord Palmerston kindly complied with both his requests, and said he
would give him a letter from the Government to Lord Normanby, in order
that it might remain on record in his office.
_July 7th._--Before leaving for Paris, Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore
accepted an invitation from Monsieur Zohrab, the Turkish Consul, to
attend an entertainment on board a large and powerful new steamship
built by White of Cowes for the Turkish Government. They met the
Turkish Ambassador, Sir Stratford and Lady Canning, and many other
distinguished persons there, who were all most kind and attentive to
Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore.
On receipt of Lord Palmerston's letters of introduction, Sir Moses
started for Paris, where he at once called on the Marquess of Normanby.
His Lordship was extremely kind, and paid great attention to what Sir
Moses had to say, but could only regret Sir Moses' inopportune arrival.
The King was somewhat annoyed at the differences with England, and
although Sir Moses might go direct and obtain an interview, still it
might be difficult for Sir Moses to move the King--who was then an
old man--sufficiently to induce him to get Monsieur Guizot to take
the matter up. Lord Normanby was unwilling to incur the jealousy of
Monsieur Guizot, but although the British Ambassador entertained little
hope of Sir Moses' success, he said that he would reconsider the matter.
_July 17th._--Sir Moses received a note from his Lordship, saying that
he would be glad to see him to-day (Saturday), between one and two
o'clock. "In spite of the burning sun," Sir Moses writes, "Dr Loewe and
I walked there (the sanctity of the Sabbath preventing the use of a
carriage). His Lordship said he had read over all my papers in respect
to the declaration I wished the King to make; he believed it would be
impossible to obtain it, and thought I must give up the idea.
"The memorial would therefore require curtailing and altering, and he
would look at it if I brought it on Monday at about the same time. On
that morning he should see the King of the Belgians at the Palace, and
would consider how I might be introduced to the King of France; as I
had been presented before, it was not requisite for his Lordship to
present me himself."
_Paris, July 20th._--The following entry is contained in the Diary:--
"Monsieur Guizot received me kindly, and by no means as a stranger. He
attended to the recital of what had occurred at Damascus, and said in
reply that Monsieur Baudin was not a Consul; but I said he represented
the French Government, and the people believed he spoke their
sentiments. Monsieur Guizot then said he would write a very strong
letter himself to Monsieur Baudin,[1] and would speak with the King on
the subject, and I should hear from him. I immediately went to Lord
Normanby, and informed him of all that had passed; he thanked me for
calling, as he was just going into the country for a couple of days,
and was happy he had been able to facilitate the accomplishment of my
object."
_August 5th._--Sir Moses went to the Foreign Office to see Monsieur
Le Sage, the head of the department. The latter, having mislaid the
papers, had to go over the whole business again, but eventually
promised to write to Monsieur Baudin, who had exceeded his duty in
expressing his own opinion as that of the French Government.
_August 9th._--Monsieur Hude came to Sir Moses from Baron James de
Rothschild, and brought him the following note, written by the King's
own hand, to Monsieur Guizot:--
"DIMANCHE, _8 Août 1847_.
"MON CHER MINISTRE,--Je recevrai Sir Moses Montefiore demain
aux Tuileries pendant que vous serez occupé à faire la Clôture,
c'est-a-dire à une heure précise. Veuillez donc l'en faire prévenir. Je
n'ai pas d'autre moment a' lui donner comme vous le savez.--Bon Soir.
"L."
Sir Moses at once put on his uniform, and went to the Palace of the
Tuileries a little before one o'clock. The King was in Council, and
it was ten minutes before two when the Ministers left to go to the
closing of the Chambers of Peers and Deputies. Two minutes after he
was conducted through a splendid picture gallery and several large
apartments into a room, in which the officer who was his conductor left
him.
The King immediately entered, and said, "I am very happy to see you,
Sir Moses; you are come from England." Sir Moses then informed His
Majesty of the object for which he had solicited the honour of an
audience, in compliance with the wishes of his co-religionists in
the East. He informed His Majesty of the unfortunate occurrence at
Damascus, and asked permission to read him a paper containing the
particulars of his petition, to which the King graciously assented,
asking if there was sufficient light, as the blinds were closed. The
King paid great attention while Sir Moses read, and when he came to the
part which mentions the Jews of France, His Majesty observed, _that he
was happy to have been the first to have given them every civil right,
and hoped soon to see the example followed in every country_; he fully
concurred in the sentiments expressed in Sir Moses' statements. His
Majesty very graciously took the paper, when Sir Moses had finished
reading it, and said he would give it to Monsieur Guizot, who took as
keen an interest in the matter as he did himself, and would attend to
it. When Sir Moses mentioned the loss of the child at Deir-el-Kámár, he
immediately said, "But it has been found, and there is an end of the
matter." His Majesty could not have been more gracious, and Sir Moses
was satisfied that the Government would give such directions to their
officers in the East, as would prevent their again acting in so cruel a
manner with regard to the Jews. On his taking leave, the King inquired
if he intended leaving Paris, and said that he was going to-morrow to
the Chateau d'Eu, where he would be happy to see Sir Moses at all times.
Sir Moses left the Audience Chamber by the wrong door, and after
wandering through two or three rooms, endeavouring to find his way out,
he met the King. He very good humouredly said, "You have lost your way;
I will show you," and most kindly walked with him through two large
rooms which brought them to the end of a long picture gallery, where
there were many officers and servants. Here the King bade him farewell.
Sir Moses felt the greatest confidence that the great object he had at
heart had been blest with success.
_Paris, August 10th._--He called at the Foreign Office to return
Monsieur Guizot his thanks, and the latter repeated his assurance
respecting the protection of the Jews in the East.
_August 28th._--This morning Sir Moses received a letter from Monsieur
Guizot as follows:
"PARIS, _August 23, 1847_.
"SIR,--The King has forwarded me a letter which you addressed to him
on the 9th instant, on the subject of the prejudice unfortunately
existing in the East against the Israelites, which has given rise
to the accusation of their shedding human blood for sacrifices. You
express the desire that the agents of His Majesty in the East should
be instructed not only to abstain from doing anything which might
tend to strengthen this prejudice, but to use all means in their
power to combat and destroy it.
"The Government of the King regards the imputation in question as
false and calumnious, and its agents are, in general, too enlightened
to think of abetting it in any way. The Government would deeply
regret their doing such a thing, and would not hesitate to censure
them severely for it. This is what the Government has done in the
particular case to which you refer, regarding the disappearance, in
April last, of a Christian child of Damascus, and also regarding the
accusation which the agent of the French Consulate appears to have
been emboldened to bring before the Pasha in this matter. No direct
information having reached me on these subjects, I asked the King's
Consul at Damascus for an explanation, and commanded him in the event
of the facts which had been stated to you proving true, to express my
severe disapprobation to the agent, who upon a simple rumour would
have ventured such an accusation against a whole people.--Accept,
Sir, the assurance of my highest esteem.
(Signed) "GUIZOT."
"Sir Moses Montefiore, &c."
_August 30th._--Sir Moses called on Viscount Palmerston, and
communicated to him what had passed between His Majesty the King of the
French, Monsieur Guizot, and himself. He gave his Lordship a copy of
his Memorial to the King, and of Monsieur Guizot's letter to himself.
Lord Palmerston expressed his happiness at receiving so favourable an
account, and said he trusted his endeavours would have the desired
result, and that the French authorities at Damascus had certainly
encouraged the charge against the Jews.
In the same year we find Sir Moses Montefiore's name gazetted
(September 24) as Deputy-Lieutenant of the County of Kent, an honour
which he highly prized. Later on he laid the foundation stone of the
Canterbury Synagogue, and addressed the assembly. On his return to
London he presided at a meeting of the London Committee of Deputies
of the British Jews, which had been convened by him for the purpose
of considering the propriety of an address from that Board to Pope
Pius the Ninth, to express their thanks to the Sovereign Pontiff for
the benevolent solicitude he had manifested for the welfare of the
Israelites under his dominion, and for the judicious measures he had
adopted to improve their condition. It was resolved to prepare an
address to be first forwarded to Lord Palmerston, and then with his
consent to be presented by Baron Charles de Rothschild of Naples to the
Pope, who, in due course acknowledged the receipt of the same, in a
courteous letter addressed to the President by Cardinal Teretti.
_December 18th._--He had the satisfaction of learning from the evening
papers that Lord John Russell's motion for the removal of the civil and
political disabilities affecting Her Majesty's Jewish subjects had been
carried on the previous night, the numbers being 250 "Ayes," and 186
"Noes,"--majority, 64.
This pleasing event was followed by another: the reception of a letter
from the elders of the Hebrew community of Damascus, in which they
expressed their gratitude to him for his exertions on their behalf with
the French Government.
[Footnote 1: Refer to Appendix for Monsieur Guizot's letter.]
CHAPTER II.
1848.
THE POLISH AND RUSSIAN JEWS AND THE QUESTION OF
AGRICULTURE--THE JEWISH DISABILITIES IN PARLIAMENT
AGAIN--THE CHARTIST RIOTS--SIR MOSES AND
LADY MONTEFIORE DEPART FOR THE HOLY LAND--ABSURD
CHARGE BROUGHT AGAINST THEM--THEIR RETURN
TO ENGLAND.
In the early part of the year 1848 Sir Moses was occupied with
the question of agriculture in Poland and Russia, and had several
interviews with Baron Brunnow on the subject. A plan, drawn up by Mr
Posener of Warsaw, in connection with the tenancy, treatment, and
improvement of farms, fields, and estates generally in the dominions
of the Czar, was submitted by Sir Moses to the Ambassador, who fully
approved of it.
At home his interest was centered in the Bill for the removal of Jewish
disabilities, which was read a second time on the night of the 11th
February, and passed by a majority of 73, there having been 277 for
and 204 against it. Sir Robert Peel, in his memorable speech on this
occasion, spoke in most flattering terms of Sir Moses.
Lady Montefiore's interest in politics was also much sustained by
her regular interchange of visits with Mrs Disraeli, who was a near
neighbour.
_April 9th._--In consequence of the threatening Chartist riots, much
alarm was felt at the meeting of the rioters which was convened for the
morrow, and it was found necessary to take measures for the protection
of the Bank of England, the parapet of which was lined and covered with
sand-bags, to form a breast-work.
_April 10th._--Sir Moses was at Mount Street at half-past eight this
morning. Mr Graham, a magistrate, was in attendance, and remained
with him till three, swearing in about 450 special constables. "It
has been," he says, "a day of much anxiety for the public peace, but,
thank God! the Chartists' meeting has proved a complete failure." At
three o'clock he went to the Alliance and the Irish Bank, where all the
clerks had been sworn in; some were to remain till late in the evening.
Sir Moses returned afterwards to Mount Street, where he remained till
five.
_May 11th._--Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore attended the first
Drawing-Room of the season.
_May 25th._--Sir Moses proceeded to the House of Lords. "Sir Augustus
Clifford," he writes, "was so good as to procure for me a place at
the Bar, and at six o'clock a place near the Throne. The debate for
the removal of Jewish disabilities lasted till half-past one. It was
a painful excitement. The majority against us was thirty-five, much
greater than was expected."
The Duke of Cambridge, on that occasion, although one of the opponents
of the Bill from conscientious motives, made a speech in which he
expressed himself favourably towards the character of the Jews in
general, and more especially towards that of Sir Moses.
His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, however, also from conscientious
motives, supported the Bill. The course taken by the latter prince, it
may be observed, has been amply justified by the experience of the last
forty years. In this country, as well as in all others where Jews have
been admitted into the legislature, their presence has unquestionably
had no unfavourable effect on the administration of the law.
On the 7th of July Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore made a little
excursion to Scotland, and on their return to town attended a soirée
at the Marquis of Salisbury's. Whilst they were passing the evening
here, visitors of a different description had availed themselves of
the temporary absence of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore to effect
an entrance into the drawing-room at Park Lane, whence the thieves
succeeded in abstracting every article of gold and silver, as well as
the Hamburg medal and many other valuable testimonials and mementoes.
In November they took an active part on a Committee which had been
formed in Ramsgate, for providing relief for one hundred and sixty
emigrants who had been saved from the ship _Burgundy_, and in December
they provided one hundred of the London poor with blankets, again
sent medical supplies from Apothecaries' Hall to their dispensary in
Jerusalem, and visited the London Hospital and several other charitable
institutions.
The reader will probably remember that in the year 1840, when Sir Moses
appealed to Cardinal Riverola, head of the Capuchins in Rome, for the
removal of the libellous and malicious epitaph in the Church of the
Capuchins at Damascus, respecting the supposed murder of Padre Tomaso,
His Eminence promised him his aid; but the events of Deir-el-Kámár and
Damascus having given undoubted evidence of the spirit of hatred and
persecution which still filled the hearts of the people, Sir Moses
entertained serious doubts as to the fulfilment of that promise, and
resolved to go there himself to ascertain the actual state of affairs.
The French Government having so forcibly expressed their disbelief
in the accusations brought against the Jews, and having so severely
censured the Agent of the French Consulate in Damascus, he thought,
in the event of the epitaph in question being still in existence, he
might now be able, with the assistance of the French Government and the
Cardinal, to get it removed.
Independently of his own feelings on the matter, he was desirous of
complying with the urgent prayer of the representatives of the Hebrew
community at Damascus, who addressed several letters to him on that
subject. "We have reason," they wrote, "to be greatly distressed on
account of this epitaph, as by it the feelings of hatred and revenge
entertained by Christians towards Jews may be perpetuated through
coming generations. Whosoever sees the inscription is filled with
hatred and indignation against Israel."
Many important meetings which he, as President of the Board of
Deputies of the Congregation of British Jews, had to attend, and
various engagements of communal interest, prevented Sir Moses and Lady
Montefiore leaving England before May the 16th.
This delay, however, was productive of considerable pleasure to them,
inasmuch as they were thereby enabled to receive the congratulations
of their friends on the result of the debate in the House of Commons
respecting the second reading of the Oaths Bill (May 7). The numbers
were--For, 278; against, 185; majority, 93.
Accompanied by Colonel Gawler, a gentleman who took a great interest in
the colonisation of the Holy Land, and had published several valuable
papers on the subject, and by the Rev. Emanuel Myers, they left Dover
for Calais, reaching Marseilles on the 24th of May and Alexandria on
the 5th of June.
There Sir Moses sent the Admiral's letter to Captain John Foote of the
_Rosamond_, who invited him on board his ship the next day to meet
Said Pasha. His Highness received Sir Moses very kindly, and expressed
pleasure on meeting him again.
They left Alexandria on June 14th on board the steamer _Le Caire_,
arriving at Beyrout on the 16th, where they entered the Lazaretto for
twelve days.
Sir Moses presented Lord Palmerston's letter to Mr Niven Moore, Her
Britannic Majesty's Consul General, who assured him of his readiness
to assist him in the object of his journey to Damascus. Deputations
arrived from all parts of the Holy Land, and especially from Damascus,
offering their greetings of welcome and their services, but it was
found desirable, in order to avoid any unnecessary excitement, to
request the representatives of the deputations to return to their
respective towns and await the arrival of Sir Moses there.
Dr Fränkel, the doctor in charge of Sir Moses' dispensary at Jerusalem,
was sent for to accompany the party to Damascus, and letters were
written to the four Holy Cities, viz., Jerusalem, Hebron, Tiberias, and
Safed, apprising the communities of the arrival of the travellers.
They passed twelve days in quarantine, not altogether without anxiety
on account of Lady Montefiore, who was confined to her apartments for
several days by illness. The heat of the weather was very oppressive,
and the presence of the graves of some unfortunate travellers who died
whilst in quarantine, affected their spirits very much, and conjured up
gloomy reflections.
One morning a very large black snake was killed close to the door of
their house. It measured six feet ten inches in length, and its bite
would have been fatal. They were told that great numbers of them might
sometimes be seen in the grounds of the Lazaretto.
Happily the number of letters which required their attention, and the
frequent calls from their friends, did not allow them to remain long in
this desponding state.
_June 19th._--Colonel Moore communicated to them some news which
afforded them much pleasure. The Emperor of Russia had conceded to
all his subjects in the Holy Land, whose passports had expired, the
right of placing themselves under British protection, which, in fact,
was allowing them to become British subjects. The British Government
had approved of the measure, and at this moment, the Consul said, the
Russians and Poles in Syria might, if they chose, be British subjects.
_June 27th._--They left the Lazaretto, proceeding to Damascus, where
they arrived on July 3rd, taking up their quarters in the house of
Isaac Haim Farhhi.
Her Majesty's Consul, Mr (now Sir) Richard Wood, was foremost in his
attention to them. The members of the Hebrew community were rejoiced
beyond description on seeing those who had made so many sacrifices for
them; but, while these manifested their great happiness, there were
others, still under the influence of the ancient prejudice against the
Hebrews, who could not suppress their chagrin at the presence of Sir
Moses and Lady Montefiore in Damascus.
Sir Moses being desirous of ascertaining for himself whether the
objectional inscription was still in existence, repaired to the Church
of the Capuchins, where, to his great sorrow, he saw the stone,
bearing the inscription in Italian and Arabic. He immediately had it
copied in the presence of Fratre Giovannida Termini Pref^o. dei Mis F.
Cappucciai, and Fr. Domenico de Sewazzo Mis F. Apos^co. Cappño, and
determined to return, with as little delay as possible, to England, in
order to appeal to the English Government, and, through them, to the
French and Turkish Governments, for the removal of the tablet.
History affords many examples of fanaticism, but never has there been
one more scurrilous and malicious than this. It has been repeated
from father to son, and has insensibly become an accepted tradition.
Every possible endeavour, Sir Moses thought, should be used to prevent
history being tarnished by this new proof of falsehood and defamation.
Great was the anger of the people when they heard of his having been in
the church and procured a copy of the epitaph. It was reported that the
French authorities intended to celebrate a grand mass in commemoration
of the death of Padre Tomaso, which they would attend in uniform and in
their official character.
Sir Moses had frequent interviews with the principal Jewish
inhabitants, and arranged with them to have some new Jewish girls'
schools.
_Sunday, July 7th._--They left Damascus and directed their course to
Safed, where they arrived on the 15th inst. Here they encamped in
tents till the 18th, then proceeded to Tiberias, where they accepted
the hospitality of Mr Abulafia. On Friday they set out for Nazareth,
remaining there over Sabbath and Sunday. Here a most serious incident
happened, for, in the middle of the night of Saturday, they heard a
terrible yelling and shouting near their tent; a woman was howling
dreadfully at the loss of her child, which she said the Jews had
murdered for religious purposes. Fortunately the child was soon found,
and the Governor took immediate steps to punish severely the persons
who had attempted to bring against Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore an
accusation like that brought against the innocent Jews of Damascus.
They left Nablous and went to Jerusalem, where they arrived on the
26th, remaining there for a week.
They paid a visit to Hebron for three days, returning again to
Jerusalem, and from there directed their course to Jaffa, and embarked
on board the _Grand Turk_ for Beyrout, where they arrived on Friday,
August 10th, taking apartments at the Hotel de Bellevue, to wait for
the arrival of the steamer _Le Caire_.
During their sojourn in Beyrout, among the numerous visitors who called
on them was Colonel Churchill, who was dressed as an Arab chief; he
purposed making a tour in the mountains, and then publishing an account
of his travels. Mr Moore, the English Consul, paid them long visits,
and assured them that the Jews should receive every protection. Sir
Moses spoke to him of the dread which the Jews of Tiberias had of
increased taxation, and also of the missionaries at Jerusalem.
_August 14th._--Signor Finzi, the British Consular Agent at Acre, who
had made the journey expressly to see him and Lady Montefiore, paid
them a visit. He was a very good and charitable, but not a wealthy man,
whom they had seen ten years previously, when they visited the Holy
Land the second time. He received no salary from the English Government
for the reason, one may suppose, that there are too many in Syria who
would be glad to serve in that capacity, even if they had to pay the
Government for it, on account of the honour which the office confers
upon them. Sir Moses, in appreciation of his services, requested his
acceptance of a valuable uniform with gold embroidery and large gold
buttons. The reader will perhaps smile at the choice of this present,
but those who know the East, and the importance a military dress there
imparts to the wearer, will understand the motive Sir Moses had in
enabling a good man without means, who was a co-religionist and an
English official, to appear on grand occasions as well dressed as other
Consuls.
The weather being very hot and oppressive, Sir Moses thought it would
strengthen him to take a little trip on the water, and invited Signor
Finzi to accompany him in a small boat with four men and Ibrahim the
cook, to the mouth of the Nahr-el Kelb, a distance of seven miles by
sea, and nine or ten miles by land. Colonel M. Gawler had gone there in
the morning to copy the Assyrian inscription.
Though the boat was small and there was a heavy swell, the voyage was
pleasant enough until they endeavoured to enter the river, when by
some mistake they took the wrong channel, and the boat grounded in the
surf, and the waves threatened to overwhelm it. All the men jumped into
the water, and two of them seized Sir Moses and carried him on to dry
ground. He was greatly alarmed, but with the assistance of Signor Finzi
happily escaped with the fright and the wetting.
The Colonel soon joined them, and then proceeded to view the
inscriptions, of which however he could only make out that the figure
was dedicated to the Emperor Antonius. I myself had visited this spot
ten years previously, and made a rough sketch of the tablet and figure
at the time. The "Nahr-el Kelb" is known to the student of ancient
history by the name of Lycus, the "river of the wolf or dog," whose
bark could be heard as far as Cyprus. It is of great interest to the
archæologist. The view of the river when coming from Beyrout is very
beautiful. A bridge of three arches is built across it, and there are
three high and imposing rocks in the immediate vicinity; to the left of
the bridge several waterfalls are visible between the foliage of the
trees, and the scenery is altogether very grand. After crossing at the
ford called Nahr Antelias, the traveller comes to Ras Nahr-el-Kelb;
here the guides generally direct the attention of the traveller to the
top of the promontory, where they allege a colossal figure of a dog
used in former ages to stand on a kind of pedestal hewn out of the
rock. During a tempest the figure was hurled into the sea, and a piece
of rock is shown under the water, bearing a resemblance to a dog, and
which, they say, is part of the very figure once standing on the top of
the rock.
Sir Moses enjoyed the little excursion, and returned to Beyrout in good
spirits.
_August 16th._--After entrusting Signor Finzi with his offering for
the poor at Haifa and Acre, and forwarding £537 to Jerusalem on behalf
of the Hebrew community of Warsaw, Sir Moses bade farewell to his
friends and left for Alexandria, Malta, and Marseilles, where they kept
quarantine. Sir Moses was suffering from indisposition, caused by the
great heat of the weather, and was made very uncomfortable by hearing
that every one who could was preparing to leave Marseilles on account
of the cholera, which was raging fearfully in the town. His anxiety
was relieved by Clot Bey, first physician to Mohammad Ali Pasha, who
assured Sir Moses that he was quite free from fever, and would soon
be better. Clot Bey was most kind, coming to see Sir Moses as often
as possible until his recovery, and when they left the Lazaretto, he
presented Lady Montefiore with some Egyptian antiquities, with which
she was greatly pleased. Clot Bey promised to pay them a visit in
Ramsgate, where the Egyptian souvenir he gave to Lady Moses is still
preserved in her cabinet at the Judith College, among other antique
treasures. During the short stay of Sir Moses at Marseilles he made
it a point of visiting the gasworks of the company of which he was a
director, and so acquainting himself fully with the working of the
establishment. At the hour for divine service he went to the house of
prayer to return thanks to God for his safe return from the East; and
last, though not least, he felt it his duty to pay a visit to an old
invalid aunt, Miss Lydia Montefiore, whom he did not know, and who did
not remember him. Although very aged and in bad health, she was in good
spirits. She chatted with Sir Moses for a long time, and showed him
a portrait of his grandmother, Esther Hannah Montefiore, taken when
she was a young woman. Miss Montefiore assured Sir Moses that she had
always endeavoured to follow the example of her parents, and would
live and die a Jewess. She sent her blessing and good wishes to Lady
Montefiore, who sent her a handsome souvenir in return.
The travellers soon left Marseilles, and arrived in Paris on the 11th
September. Sir Moses called on the Ambassador, Lord Normanby, on the
President of the Consistoire, the Chief Rabbi, the different members of
the Rothschild family, and some of his own near relatives who happened
to be in Paris. They all took a great interest in the exertions of Sir
Moses and Lady Montefiore for the benefit of their co-religionists, and
Sir Moses was glad of an opportunity to tell them of the result, and to
enlist their sympathy still more for the good cause.
After a short stay in Paris, they continued their journey to England,
and soon arrived in Folkestone, where they found Mrs Gawler, who had
come to meet her husband. Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore here bade adieu
to the Colonel and Mrs Gawler, as they were anxious to go to Ramsgate
as quickly as possible. Immediately after their arrival there they
attended divine service in their own Synagogue, to thank God for their
safe return home.
CHAPTER III.
1849-1852.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE GREAT EXHIBITION--FRESH MEASURES
AGAINST THE RUSSIAN JEWS--COMPLAINTS FROM ROME--NEWS
FROM DAMASCUS--BARON LIONEL DE ROTHSCHILD
TAKES THE OATH ON THE OLD TESTAMENT--SIR MOSES
INTERVIEWS LOUIS NAPOLEON AT THE ELYSEE--THE
EXHIBITION.
From the 16th of September to the 16th of October Sir Moses spent
his time partly in Ramsgate and partly in London, pursuing his usual
occupations. He continued to attend the meetings of various financial
companies and associations of communal and educational interest. He
also devoted much time to political matters, expressing his opinions
lucidly to his friends, although to strangers he would usually protest
that he was no politician. As a rule he would either read or have read
to him most of the political leaders in the daily papers. At this
period he received a copy of the pamphlet written by his nephew, Mr
Arthur Cohen, Q.C., and entitled "A few Arguments in favour of the Jews
Bill." Sir Moses spoke very highly of the ability displayed by Mr Cohen
in this pamphlet, as well as in a letter he had received from him at
the same time on the subject of religion.
During this month they undertook two journeys to
Frankfort-on-the-Maine, one for the purpose of consulting with his
friends there on the subject of the Damascus inscription, and the other
in compliance with an invitation from Baroness Charlotte and Baron
Anselm de Rothschild to the wedding of their daughter with Baron Willie
de Rothschild.
On his return to London, one of his first acts in the cause of
education was the gift of a hundred guineas to the "Merchant Taylors"
for a medal to the best Hebrew scholar, and in grateful remembrance
of past services he was able to offer Mr Richard Wood, Her Britannic
Majesty's Consul at Damascus, a cadetship at Addiscombe for his nephew,
whilst his remittances to charitable institutions, and the forwarding
of medical supplies to Dr Fränkel, in Jerusalem, for the dispensary,
showed that he was ever mindful of the requirements of the needy.
We now come to the year 1850, the first two months of which Sir Moses
devoted to making selections from papers he had received during his
stay in Damascus, relative to the removal of the infamous inscription
in the Capuchin Church, and when he had completed the work, he called
on Lord Palmerston to request his assistance in the matter.
On that occasion he also conveyed to his Lordship the sincere gratitude
of the Russian and Polish Jews in the Holy Land for having been
received under the protection of the English Government, the Czar
having granted the necessary permission. Lord Palmerston promised
to write to Lord Normanby on the subject as soon as Sir Moses had
furnished him with further particulars, and, as a matter of fact,
had already informed one of the consuls, who had interfered with the
religious observances of the Jews, that such conduct was against the
wishes of the English Government.
In March he was present at a grand dinner given by the Lord Mayor to
the Mayors of the several towns and other cities in connection with the
Grand Exhibition of the Industries of all Nations. Prince Albert was
in the chair; there were three hundred persons present, and the Prince
made a good speech. Sir Moses contributed £100 towards the object in
view.
In the same month he attended a meeting of the Elders, to inform them
of an invitation he had received from the Great Synagogue in reference
to the establishment of a West-End branch, towards which, under certain
conditions, he and Lady Montefiore offered to contribute £500.
A few days later he was present at the Mogador Committee, when it was
agreed to send 500 dollars for the relief of the poor.
At the end of the month of May he was much disturbed by the issue of a
Ukase against the Jews of Moldavia and Wallachia, ordering all those
who had hitherto dwelt in the villages to quit the same without delay
and remove to the towns.
An appeal, signed by a great number of Moldavian and Wallachian Jews,
had been forwarded to him, in which they said that, apart from the
considerations that they had committed no wrong justifying so severe
a decree as that of their expulsion from the villages, many thousands
of their brethren would be cut off from the possibility of earning a
livelihood, and would thus become reduced to penury. Their religion,
they said, would be looked upon with derision and scorn; and all
the accusations and calumnies which their enemies had ever raised
against them in justification of this harsh measure were fictions and
fabrications of their own. "We implore you," they wrote, "give ear to
the supplication of your brethren, and intercede in our behalf, that
the decree in question may not be put in execution."
About the same time distressing accounts reached him from the Jews
at Rome. The supplicants said: "We are now more oppressed than ever;
no Christian is allowed to be in a Jew's house, either as servant or
companion. The Pope will receive neither an address nor a deputation
from the Jews."
This was the same Sovereign Pontiff to whom an address of deep
gratitude had been presented for his kind and humane treatment of the
Jews.
"Wait on the Lord, and keep His way," said Sir Moses, in the words of
the Royal Psalmist; "better days will yet come."
In June Sir Moses dined at the Merchant Taylors' Hall, where he met Sir
Robert Peel, Lord Hardinge, Lord Salisbury, the Bishop of Oxford, and
Mr Gladstone. In reply to inquiries made by some of these gentlemen, he
took the opportunity of communicating the information he had received
from Moldavia and Rome.
Lady Montefiore states in her Diary that she fulfilled this month the
promise she made to the Duchess of Leinster, in presenting Her Grace
with two plants of the cedars of Lebanon, which she had brought from
the spot.
In July the labours of Sir Moses in connection with the Exhibition
commenced, and he presided over a large meeting of the City Committee
at the Mansion House for carrying into effect the scheme of the "Great
Exhibition of the Industries of all Nations in the year 1851."
News arrived from Damascus, this time of a very gratifying character,
and Sir Moses lost no time in communicating the same to the morning
papers. It appeared that Osman Bey had, by order of the Sultan,
remodelled the Council at Damascus, which, up to that moment, had
consisted exclusively of Moslems to the number of twelve, and had
formed a new Divan of Moslem, Catholic, Greek, and Jewish members.
He invited the Chief Rabbi to summon a meeting of the leading members
of his community, and to elect a person of integrity and talent as a
representative to attend the Council, and the choice fell on Solomon
Farhhi, one of the sufferers in the lamentable affair of 1840.
During the same month he had the opportunity of witnessing in England
another step towards the emancipation of the Jews. "Baron Lionel and
Baron Anthony de Rothschild," says an entry in the diary of July 26th,
"and others, came into the Lobby of the House of Commons. Baron Lionel
went with J. Abel Smith to the Voting Office. At two the Speaker went
into the House to prayers; in a few minutes afterwards we were admitted
under the Gallery, Mr Smith having put our names down. Baron Lionel de
Rothschild, introduced by Mr John Abel Smith and Mr Page Wood, appeared
at the Table of the House, and requested to take the oath on the Old
Testament; he was very much cheered, but was desired to withdraw, when
Sir Harry Inglis moved a resolution to refuse his request. A long and
most interesting debate then followed, and at nearly four the question
was adjourned till Monday, at twelve o'clock. Mr Bernal Osborne, Mr
Page Wood, Mr Joseph Hume, and several others spoke in our favour, and
many against, but none with any bitterness."
_July 29th._--"Baron Lionel was permitted to take the oaths on the
Old Testament by a majority of 54, the numbers being 113 for, and 59
against."
This gratifying event was now the general topic of conversation among
members of the House, and the Jews were delighted at the result.
_November 7th._--Sir Moses again attended a meeting of the Committee of
the Great Exhibition at the Mansion House, was called to the chair, and
received a vote of thanks.
Subsequently he went to the Guildhall to take the oath of qualification
for the City Lieutenancy, the Lord Mayor having remained for the
purpose, and he then proceeded to Ramsgate.
On December 16th he had an interview with Lord Palmerston, who gave him
the promised letter to Lord Normanby, the English Ambassador at Paris;
and on the 24th of December Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore proceeded to
the French capital, with the object of obtaining an audience of the
President of the Republic to solicit the removal of the inscription in
the Church of the Capuchins at Damascus.
On his arrival at Paris he was well received by Lord Normanby, who
thought that the inscription might be replaced by another, Sir Moses
observing that this would quite satisfy the Jews there. General
Lafitte, who was then Minister of Foreign Affairs, also granted Sir
Moses an interview, and advised him to wait a few weeks, as he was
expecting a report from the French Consul-General at Damascus on that
very subject. Meanwhile, through the good offices of Lord Normanby, Sir
Moses obtained the coveted private audience with Louis Napoleon at the
Elysée, and gives the following description of it in his diary:--
"He received me most graciously, said that Lord Normanby had apprised
him of my wishes, and that he was glad to see me; asked me to be
seated, and sat down himself. I requested his permission to read him
my address. He listened to it with the utmost attention, and several
times intimated his approval of the sentiments. When I had concluded he
said, 'I am sensibly affected by your address; I will give immediate
instructions, and write very strongly. I am very happy in having it in
my power to serve the cause of truth.'"
The words of the then powerful President of the French Republic could
certainly not have been more satisfactory, and Sir Moses had every
reason to be pleased with the result of his audience.
Before leaving Paris he had an opportunity of seeing Monsieur E. de
Valbesen, the French Consul, who had just arrived from Damascus. That
gentleman, however, did not give Sir Moses the information which he had
so much at heart, and which would have interested him most.
Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore now returned to Ramsgate for a few days'
rest, and then proceeded to London, where Sir Moses, who had been
appointed Chairman of the Fine Arts Section of the Great Exhibition,
had many committee meetings to attend.
On January 20th they paid their first visit to the Exhibition, which
was not nearly completed. In his zeal for the promotion of the welfare
of the Holy City, and with the object of drawing the attention of the
public to the superior talents of his co-religionists in Palestine, Sir
Moses exhibited two beautiful vases executed by Mordechai Schnitzer of
Jerusalem, and consented to the request of Messrs Mortimer & Hunt of
New Bond Street to allow the silver testimonial (produced by them from
a design of Sir George Hayter) presented to him and Lady Montefiore on
their return from Damascus to be also shown.
At this time a Committee was appointed by Parliament to investigate
the subject of divorce. Sir Moses, ever watchful, called on the
Chairman, Dr Lushington, and requested him to afford the Chief Rabbi an
opportunity of expressing an opinion on the subject, in the event of
the interests of the Jews being in any way affected by the measure to
be brought before Parliament. This Dr Lushington promised to do, adding
that if any Bill were introduced he should recommend that the Jews be
exempted therefrom. Sir Moses referred to Lord Lyndhurst's Act, but Dr
Lushington gave it as his opinion that the Jews were not affected by
it; upon which Sir Moses observed that the Registrar-General thought
differently, and would not grant a certificate.
_March 4th._--A cry for help reached his ears from Suram in Georgia,
a province of the Caucasus, the Hebrew community in that place having
unfortunately been exposed to great suffering in consequence of an
unfounded accusation brought against them. They now appealed to him
to intercede in their behalf with the Russian Government. He lost no
time in going to Baron Brunnow, who suggested that Sir Moses should
write a letter to Prince Woronzow, the Governor-General of Georgia,
and undertook to forward the same through Lady Pembroke. Sir Moses
accordingly prepared an address to the Prince, which he submitted to
the Count for his approval. The latter read it, and promised that he
would himself write in support of the good cause. A few months later
Sir Moses received a reply from Prince Woronzow (dated Tiflis, May 14),
conveying to him the assurance that his request had been complied with,
that the persecutions had ceased, and that the Jews had nothing more to
complain of.
_May 1st._--Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore went to the opening of the
Exhibition. The building was already very full on their arrival, but
Lady Montefiore secured a good seat. The Queen and the Prince entered
at twelve. The procession was a splendid one, and the Palace presented
a magnificent scene. The ceremony passed off extremely well, without
the slightest hitch, to the great delight of the spectators. Sir Moses'
attention was drawn to the Russian Division of the Exhibition, where an
apparatus was exhibited for ascertaining the value of gold and silver
coins and other metals without the use of fire or chemical analysis,
also to a calculating machine for simple and compound addition,
subtraction, multiplication, division, and extraction of square and
cubic roots, both invented by Israel Abraham Staffel of Warsaw. Being
most anxious to befriend so clever a young man, he at once invited him
to his house, and after impressing upon him the necessity of raising
and maintaining the standard of education in Russia and Poland among
his co-religionists, made him a handsome present.
During his visit to the Exhibition, representations were made to him
regarding the desirability of exempting his co-religionists from
signing their names on Saturday when entering the building, writing
being prohibited on the Sabbath, and he at once applied to Captain
Elderton, who promised to entertain the request.
The same day he went to the House of Commons, where he had the
satisfaction of hearing the Emancipation Bill read a second time and
passed by a majority, though only a very small one, there being 202 for
the Bill and 176 against it.
In June he gives evidence of his generosity by presenting two of
his young friends, on being taken into partnership by the head of a
business firm, with a sum of £500, accompanied by his best wishes for
their prosperity.
In appreciation of the services which Sir Robert Peel had rendered to
the country, Sir Moses took a great interest in a proposal for the
erection of a statue to him, and gave his vote in favour of the model
by Mr Henry Weekes.
Fully justified in his hopes of continued progress in political matters
affecting the Jews in England, he now again turned his attention to
the Holy Land, and to a scheme which had been occupying his mind some
considerable time.
It had long been his ardent desire to establish a hospital in
Jerusalem, and as the maintenance of such an institution necessitated
considerable capital, he entered into correspondence with his friends
on the subject, spent several hundred pounds in having proper plans
drawn up by English and foreign architects, and consulted medical
authorities in the large hospitals respecting various modern
improvements which had been introduced. Count Pizzamano, the Austrian
Consul at Jerusalem, also took a lively interest in the scheme, and
promised to assist Sir Moses to his utmost.
During July and September he and Lady Montefiore visited Plymouth,
Exeter, and Yarmouth, and on October the 15th we find them again
in London at the closing of the Exhibition. "We were there," says
Sir Moses, "at half-past nine; secured capital seats. The ceremony
commenced at twelve, and was concluded before one. Prince Albert, the
Bishop of London, and Lord Canning were the only persons who spoke;
there was a large orchestra, and many singers; the building was very
full."
On November the 11th he records in his Diary the loss he sustained by
the death of an old and esteemed friend, Matthias Attwood, who was one
of the original founders of the Imperial Continental Gas Association.
He was often the subject of Sir Moses' conversation in connection with
financial operations; and his portrait, to which he used to call the
attention of his visitors, was conspicuously placed near the entrance
to the Gothic library at East Cliff. In the course of the same day Mr
Gladstone introduced to him Lieutenant Pym, who was going in search of
Sir John Franklin, and Sir Moses made him a present of some beautiful
furs.
During the year 1852 he devoted much time to important meetings in his
own community, and on the 3rd of May accompanied the Chief Rabbi to
Manchester for similar communal purposes.
A few days later, Dr Thompson of Beyrout came to inform him that he was
on his way to Constantinople to obtain a firman for a railway route
by the Euphrates Valley to India, and that he then proposed forming a
company for the purpose under Colonel Chesney. Sir Moses understanding
that an easy road would then be made from Aleppo to Damascus, thence to
Safed and other places in the Holy Land, felt much interested in the
scheme, and promised to communicate with his friends on the subject.
_May 17th._--He gave a large dinner party in honour of the Lord Mayor,
and in the course of the evening took the opportunity of conversing
with several gentlemen present on the subject of Colonel Chesney's
proposed railway scheme.
CHAPTER IV.
1852.
VISIT OF THE HEREDITARY PRINCE OF EGYPT--BARON LIONEL
DE ROTHSCHILD RETURNED FOR THE CITY--THE NORTH
AMERICAN RELIEF SOCIETY--SIR MOSES ON THE DISTRESS
IN PALESTINE--SERIOUS ILLNESS.
"On June 21," Sir Moses writes, "at six o'clock in the morning I
received a telegraphic note, informing me of the arrival of his
Highness Mohammed Said Pasha, Prince héreditaire d'Egypte," who very
shortly afterwards became Khedive.
"I went," Sir Moses writes in his Diary, "to the railway station, and
at ten minutes to eight his Highness arrived. He immediately got into
our carriage, and, as we were driving off, the Turkish Ambassador came
to receive him and followed us to Park Lane. The Pasha was attended
by Mr Zohrab, Mr Galloway, two physicians--Dr Gaëtani Bey and Dr G.
A. Haage, Zoulfikar Effendi, Ali Capitan, his Secretary, and four
Mamelukes, his servants. They all came to Park Lane. The Pasha took
a pipe and coffee, and then all, together with the Ambassador, went
down to breakfast. At twelve His Highness, myself, Mr Zohrab, and Mr
Galloway went to Greenwich. The physicians and secretaries followed in
our carriage. We went on board His Majesty's yacht, the _Hásseid Háïr_
or _Good Omen_, Captain Longridge, a screw steamer magnificently fitted
up. In about two hours we got under way, and ran down to near Gravesend
at the rate of twelve miles an hour. On our way back there was an
elegant dinner served on board, and on coming to anchor at Greenwich I
went on shore with Mr Galloway, the Pasha and his suite remaining on
board.
"_June 22nd._--We went in our carriage to Greenwich, met there Mr
Galloway and Gaëtani Bey, and went on board His Highness's yacht. After
paying our respects to him, he and all the party went on shore. He
chose the large carriage. I and Mr Galloway and Gaëtani Bey accompanied
him to the Royal Observatory. Professor Airy very kindly showed His
Highness and all the party his astronomical instruments and explained
their use. We then rode to Park Lane, where my dear wife had prepared
a splendid entertainment for His Highness and party; there were ten
at table. In the evening the Pasha had many visitors, including the
Turkish Ambassador.
"_June 23rd._--The Turkish Ambassador called on the Pasha at about
twelve; they went to Lord Malmesbury, who introduced him to the Queen
and Prince Albert at Buckingham Palace. The Government sent Captain
E. Stopford Claremont, of the Royal Canadian Rifles, to attend on His
Highness during his stay in England. The Turkish Ambassador called
at eleven for the Pasha. They went with Captain Claremont to Mrs
Disraeli's grand reception, with which the Pasha was much pleased.
"_June 24th._--The Pasha received an invitation from our beloved
Sovereign to dinner at the Palace to-morrow, also from the Duke of
Northumberland to dinner on Saturday, and for Friday, 2nd of July, from
Lord Hardinge. The Prince went to Vauxhall soon after ten o'clock.
"_June 25th._--At half-past eight I was in the park with the Pasha to
see the Guards drill; they were reviewed by Prince Albert and the Duke
of Cambridge, who both rode up and spoke to him. At eleven Captain
Claremont and myself, with the Pasha, went to Wormwood Scrubbs to see
a review of three cavalry regiments by the Duke of Cambridge, and
returned at one o'clock to Park Lane. The Pasha went in the evening to
dine with Her Majesty.
"_June 26th._--The Pasha went this morning to Woolwich with Captain
Claremont. All the foreign Ministers left cards for His Highness
to-day, also the Duke of Cambridge, Lord Derby, Lord Palmerston, &c.
I called on Baron Brunnow; he spoke much about the Pasha. The Pasha
dined with the Duke of Northumberland, and gave his arm to the Princess
Mary of Cambridge. He returned soon after, much pleased with his day's
amusement. He smoked a pipe, gave me one, and remained chatting with us
for some time. He was received at Woolwich with all the honours usually
paid to a prince of the blood. The Pasha assured us that our dinners
were better than any he had eaten elsewhere. He has ordered the yacht
to sail to-morrow, but we do not go with him to Ramsgate, as he must
pass the morning with the Duc de Montpensier.
"_June 27th._--The Pasha went to Richmond to breakfast with the Duc de
Montpensier. They afterwards rode to Claremont to see the Queen of the
French and other members of the French Royal family. We did not expect
him back to dinner, but he returned to Park Lane at six o'clock, and
we fortunately had a very good dinner to offer him. In the evening the
Turkish Ambassador came and stayed till ten o'clock.
"_June 28th._--The Pasha went with Mr Zohrab to see Maudsley's
manufactory of steam-engines. The Ambassador came in the evening to
smoke a pipe with the Pasha.
"_June 29th._--The Pasha breakfasted in the parlour, and had afterwards
a numerously attended levée. He then went to the Duchess of Cambridge
with the Turkish Minister.
"_Park Lane, July 2nd._--This morning my dear wife and I went to
Woolwich to be present at the review given to His Highness Said Pasha.
Our carriage was placed in a capital situation, close to the colours,
near which the Duke of Cambridge, Lord Hardinge, and General Fox were
to review the troops. The Pasha dined with Lord Hardinge.
"_Saturday, July 3rd._--The Turkish Ambassador came at 7.30, and the
Pasha accompanied him to dine at Lord Palmerston's.
"_Park Lane, Sunday, July 4th._--Just returned from seeing His Highness
Said Pasha set off for Portsmouth. His Highness expressed his high
gratification for our attention to him during his stay in London,
and insisted upon Judith's acceptance of a very beautiful and richly
embroidered dress as a small souvenir. I hope and believe that not only
His Highness but all his officers have been pleased with our desire
to make them comfortable, and I trust that, by God's blessing, His
Highness will be a friend to our co-religionists in Egypt and the Holy
Land when he becomes Viceroy of Egypt.
"His Highness partook of a splendid breakfast with all his party before
they left. The Turkish Ambassador and his brother came at nine, and
half-an-hour later I went with His Highness and the Turkish Ambassador
and Captain Claremont in His Highness's open carriage to the Waterloo
Station, my carriage and that of the Ambassador following. There were
several persons connected with His Highness at the station to see him
off.
"His Highness has been very kind, good tempered, and affable during his
sojourn with us, and repeatedly told us that he was more comfortable
with us than he had been anywhere else since his arrival in England.
"At one to-day I delivered into the care of Said Agha a parcel which
was left by His Highness, to be given to him when he called for it."
_July 5th._--Sir Moses received a note from Mr Zohrab, informing him
of the Pasha's safe arrival on board his yacht at Portsmouth, and Sir
Moses now considered himself free to pursue his usual occupations.
The next day he was present at the Guildhall, when the candidates for
the city of London addressed the Livery. The show of hands was declared
by the Sheriffs to be in favour of J. Masterman, Lord John Russell,
Baron Lionel de Rothschild, and Mr Crawford. On the following morning
Sir Moses rode to the city at an early hour, and voted at the Guildhall
for Baron Lionel de Rothschild. By five in the evening his return was
perfectly secure, but Alderman Solomons was not equally successful, to
the great regret of Sir Moses.
_July 9th._--Captain Hopford Claremont having written to say that His
Highness the Pasha requested Sir Moses to lend him his travelling
carriage, and to send it to Dover, Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore
determined to pass the Sabbath at Dover, and to see His Highness again
before he left England. They directed their coachman to take the
carriage by train to Dover, and taking with them six pounds of the
finest hothouse grapes as a present for the Pasha, they proceeded to
Dover. On their arrival they went to the Ship Hotel, where rooms had
been taken for the Pasha, and dinner ordered.
His Highness soon sent for Sir Moses to come and dine with him. He
was very chatty, and said he should leave to-morrow for Ostend, but
Captain Claremont told Sir Moses that the Pasha had changed his plans
twenty times, and might do so again. Sir Moses told the Pasha that his
travelling carriage was already at Dover at His Highness's service, and
that he had taken care that it was in good order. His Highness was in
good spirits, "and would, I have no doubt," Sir Moses says, "have gone
back with me to Park Lane or to East Cliff, if I had invited him."
_July 10th._--"The Pasha has," Sir Moses observes, "at length left
the English shore, and probably for ever. I hope he will remember the
kindness and attention shown to him by the British Government as well
as by individuals, and that he may, whenever in his power, serve the
British interest, and befriend my brethren in the East."
"The Pasha is," Sir Moses writes, "a young man with a good heart,
but somewhat of a spoiled child: he is extremely sharp, quick, and
discerning, positive in his manner, but at the same time, most
courteous. For his great size he is very active, and enjoys excellent
health. May good fortune and happiness attend him, and may the Almighty
shield him from the temptations of ambition."
During the latter part of this year, Sir Moses attended various
meetings of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, convened for the
purpose of preparing a draft deed for making parliamentary grants
to educational institutions. Whilst engaged in making preparations
for another journey he received the news of the death of one of his
aunts, which caused him much grief, but in consequence of his public
character, he was not allowed long to brood over private misfortunes.
On this occasion it was the oppressions suffered by his brethren at
Tunis which roused him to intercede with the authorities on their
behalf; and he addressed a petition to the Bey accordingly. Before
the close of the year he and Lady Montefiore had the gratification of
receiving a very kind letter from Said Pasha, thanking them for their
hospitality, and offering Sir Moses his services in the East.
His attention in the years 1853 and 1854 was principally directed
to communal matters in his own congregation, and to an extensive
correspondence with Hebrew communities in foreign countries.
He received a communication from the Rev. S. M. Isaacs, a minister of
one of the Hebrew communities in New York, referring to the "North
American Relief Society," an institution founded by Mr Sampson Simon
and himself (the Rev. S. M. Isaacs) for the purpose of creating a
capital, the interest of which was to be annually appropriated to the
support of the poor Israelites in the Holy Land.
He made the first remittance of the amount to Sir Moses, and requested
that he would forward the same to Jerusalem. Sir Moses acceded to his
wishes with pleasure, and continued to forward the remittances of that
society, amounting to £145 every year, until his death.
The Rev. S. M. Isaacs also informed him of the death of a great
philanthropist, Juda Touro of New Orleans, who had left the North
American Relief Society $10,000, and a further sum of $50,000 for the
benefit of the poor Israelities in Palestine; the latter sum subject to
Sir Moses' control, conjointly with the executors.
Knowing the interest Sir Moses took in Jewish communal affairs, Mr
Isaacs gave him all the particulars respecting his wealthy friend,
who desired to benefit the poor, without distinction of creed or
nationality. "Mr Touro," he wrote, "has left princely legacies of
$20,000 for the hospital recently established at New York, $40,000 for
educational purposes, and $80,000 to various synagogues. He has also
left munificent gifts (more than $200,000) to Christian charities.
His remains are to be interred at Newport, Rhode Island, where his
family are buried. He has left $10,000 for the endowment of the office
of minister there, has given a synagogue worth $50,000 to the Hebrew
community at New Orleans, and endowed it richly; he has also given a
hospital, munificently endowed, to his co-religionists in New Orleans.
Sir Moses immediately expressed his willingness to forward the
remittance of the North American Relief Society to the Holy Land, and
to accept the trust of the Touro legacy, respecting the application of
which I shall give the reader full particulars as I proceed further.
At the same time he received a communication from the Holy Land which
gave him great pain. It conveyed the intelligence that there was great
suffering in Palestine, and Sir Moses at once addressed the Chief Rabbi
on the subject.
"For the sake of Zion," he writes to him, "I cannot remain silent,
and for the sake of Jerusalem I cannot rest, until the whole house
of Israel have been made acquainted with the lamentable condition of
those of our brethren who devotedly cling to the soil sacred to the
memory of our patriarchs, prophets, and kings.
"Thrice having visited the Holy Land, it was my earnest desire fully
to inform myself as to the condition of our brethren there, for whom
my deepest feelings of commiseration were excited, in regard to the
amount of misery endured by them.
"Poverty in the East differs vastly from the like calamity
experienced in Western Europe, inasmuch as the capability to relieve
is in the East confined within the narrowest bounds, and restricted
to a very limited number. Such being the general outline of the
condition of our brethren in Judea, my feelings were most naturally
aroused in their behalf.
"But, reverend sir, judge to what extent my sympathies are now
awakened, when--as I informed you, from the harrowing intelligence
it has been my painful lot to receive, both from direct and indirect
sources--I learn that 'fathers in Israel'--men profoundly learned
in the law, who, so that they may die near the graves of their
forefathers, submit to live in the most abject poverty--are now
impelled by the very love they bear towards their children to sell
them to the stranger, 'so,' to use their own words, 'that their
offspring may be spared death from starvation.'
"Reverend and respected sir, I am loudly called upon by our brethren
in the Holy Land, as the annexed letters will show, and farther
prompted by the voice within me, to urge their claims on the notice
of the congregations of Israel, and to request their immediate and
liberal assistance.
"Aware, however, reverend sir, of your great anxiety for the physical
amelioration of our suffering brethren, and how watchfully you note
their spiritual welfare, I am induced to put you in possession of
the documents and appeals which I have received from the Holy Land,
with the assurance that your powerful co-operation, in the shape
of a pastoral letter addressed to the Jews of Great Britain and
America, or the exercise of the same in any other mode your wisdom
may dictate, will, with God's blessing, not only tend to remove the
present appalling misery of our starving brethren in Zion, but spare
us the humiliation of its recurrence."
The Chief Rabbi, the Rev. Dr N. M. Adler, expressed great sympathy in
his reply to Sir Moses, and addressed a pastoral letter to the wardens
and members of the United Congregations of Great Britain, the result of
which was that an appeal was made on behalf of the starving Jews in the
Holy Land, which realised £19,887.
The Chief Rabbi and Sir Moses were appointed trustees of the Appeal
Fund, and a committee was nominated, consisting of the following
gentlemen: Mr Henry Louis Cohen, Mr S. L. de Symons, jun., Mr Philip
Lucas, jun., Mr A. J. Montefiore, and myself, the Rev. A. L. Green
acting as honorary secretary.
In the month of February, at Scarborough, Sir Moses was attacked by a
most dangerous illness, which confined him to his bed for forty-three
days. He was attended by a physician and a surgeon, both very eminent
men, who visited him regularly three or four times a day.
On the 5th of March Lady Montefiore wrote in reply to my inquiry: "In
compliance with your request I snatch a moment from the sick couch
of Sir Moses to give you the pleasing information that our medical
attendants pronounce our dear invalid to be improving since yesterday.
He has suffered severely, and been in danger; but now I trust, with the
Almighty's blessing, that he will progress towards recovery."
In his Diary he makes an entry on the 27th in the following words:--
"Though I am still extremely weak and nervous, yet Scarborough,
being bleak and cold at this season, and exposed to the prevalent
north-east winds, I was advised to return home as soon as possible,
and to-day is the first time I am able to write."
At the end of March Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore returned to London,
and found the town in great excitement on account of war having
been declared with Russia. Sir Moses, although still weak, had to
receive a great number of friends, who called to congratulate him
on his recovery, and took the opportunity to ask his opinion as to
the effect the war would have on the financial world, as serious
consequences were feared. He gave them his opinion, which afterwards
proved entirely correct. He also attended an important meeting of the
Alliance Assurance Company, but was advised by his physicians that
so much exertion was not good for him in his weak state, and induced
to go to East Cliff for rest. Some months later he had occasion to
call at Belvedere House, Erith, the seat of Sir Culling-Eardley,
the great-grandson of Gideon Sampson, a Jewish capitalist of the
eighteenth century. Sir Culling showed to Sir Moses the tombstone of
Gideon Sampson, which he had caused to be removed from the cemetery
of the Portuguese Jewish congregation in London, and to be placed
close to a new church which he had built in that locality. Many
members of the Hebrew community disapproved greatly of the removal of
the stone, as it had a Hebrew inscription expressing the grief felt
by the deceased at having left the community.
Sir Moses brought the subject of the distress in the Holy Land and
the appeal that was being made to the notice of Sir Culling, who
gave a very handsome contribution towards the fund, and promised
to interest himself as much as possible in securing donations from
friends and acquaintances. Among the numerous contributors there was
one known to Sir Moses and myself by the signature of "Anonymous,"
who always greatly encouraged the study of Hebrew literature and
the sacred writings in Tiberias. For many years he used to remit
his donation to Sir Moses, with a request to forward it to the
Holy City, though his position in society and the tenor of his
conversation would generally have led his friends to think that he
was unfavourably disposed towards the tenets of the Mosaic code.
Among Sir Moses' correspondents there were many who, on subjects of
religion, expressed sentiments differing considerably from those
which they expressed in their usual intercourse, showing that there
are, unfortunately, a good many persons in society who have not the
moral courage to express openly what they feel in their hearts, from
fear of incurring the displeasure of those whose opinions, from
motives of interest, they are impelled to court.
CHAPTER V.
1854-1855.
A HOSPITAL FOR JERUSALEM--DISTRIBUTION OF RELIEF IN
PALESTINE--BATTLE OF THE ALMA--SIR MOSES AGAIN
SETS OUT FOR THE EAST--HE RECEIVES THE ORDER OF
THE MEDJIDJEH--HIS SECOND INTERVIEW WITH THE
SULTAN.
_July 25th._--The _Times_ published the news of Abbas Pasha's death and
Said Pasha's succession. Sir Moses immediately addressed letters of
congratulation to the new ruler, expressing at the same time the hope
that under his benign sway a new era of prosperity would begin in the
Holy Land.
_August 5th._--Mr Gershon Kursheedt, one of the executors of the late
Juda Touro, of New Orleans, arrived to arrange with Sir Moses about the
legacy of fifty thousand dollars left at his disposal for the purpose
of relieving the poor Israelites in the Holy Land in such manner as Sir
Moses should advise.
Sir Moses, at the first interview he had with this gentleman, suggested
that the money should be employed in building a hospital in Jerusalem.
Mr Kursheedt immediately assented, and Sir Moses gave him the plan and
drawing made about a year before, and he said the thing was done. He
was most happy, as it settled the principal business he had in England;
the co-executors had given him full power to agree to any plan Sir
Moses should propose. A letter was prepared by a solicitor to that
effect, which Mr Kursheedt signed.
A remittance of £1200 from the Appeal Fund was now forwarded to the
Holy Land, and instructions were given to the representatives of the
various communities to have Loan Societies in each of the four Holy
Cities. Letters were addressed to the Baroness James de Rothschild in
Paris and Baron Amschel de Rothschild at Frankfort, to apprise them of
the legacy of the late Juda Touro, and of the manner in which it had
been decided to employ it.
Sir Moses, however, had soon to learn that Mr Kursheedt had been
induced to alter his mind, and had withdrawn the consent he had given
to the building of a hospital. The 15th of August, it appears, had
been fixed by Sir Moses for communicating the consent of Mr Kursheedt
to the American Consul in London, but at the appointed hour, when Sir
Moses met Mr Kursheedt at the Alliance, the latter, to Sir Moses' great
surprise, said that he must decline going with him to the American
Consul, and could not sign the proposed memorandum.
_August 22nd._--Sir Moses went to Lord Clarendon to acquaint him with
his desire to obtain a firman from the Sultan, giving power to purchase
land for agricultural purposes, buildings, &c.; as also to build a
hospital in Jerusalem with a Synagogue attached to it. His Lordship
said he had written to Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, but there were
great difficulties regarding the land; as to the hospital, he had heard
that one for the Jews had been opened only a month since. This was the
hospital known by the name of the "Rothschilds Hospital." Sir Moses
informed his Lordship of the Juda Touro bequest, and received a promise
that he should be assisted in his good work whenever necessary.
_September 19th._--He called on Mr B. Osborn at the Admiralty, to
request that he would give him a letter enabling him to see the Russian
Jewish prisoners of war at Sheerness.
That gentleman acceded to his request, and gave him a letter to the
superintendent of the dockyard, Captain Tucker. An opportunity of
seeing them was thus afforded him, and by the permission of the Captain
he left many tokens of his benevolence to be distributed, according to
the judgment of the superintendents, among the men, women, and children.
September 20th was the day on which the great battle on the left bank
of the Alma was fought. In commemoration of the victory of the English,
Her Majesty graciously appointed a "Royal Commission of the Patriotic
Fund" for the collection and distribution of the money pouring in for
the widows and orphans of our soldiers, sailors, and marines who had
died in the war, to which Sir Moses at once contributed £200.
At the Board meetings of the Alliance Marine and Alliance Fire
Assurance Companies, and at the Imperial Continental Gas Association,
Sir Moses, being in the chair, successfully pleaded in favour of the
fund, and obtained donations to the amount of £600 from the three
offices.
The Central Jewish Consistory of France having petitioned the Emperor
to extend the privileges about to be obtained for the Christians in
Turkey to Jews who might be subjects of the Sultan, he was most anxious
that an application of a like import should be made to our Government
without delay. He communicated with the London Committee of Deputies
of the British Jews, and an address to that effect was sent to Lord
Clarendon.
As President of the Board of the same committee, accompanied by the
solicitor and secretary of the same, he called on the Lord Advocate
of Scotland on the subject of the Scotch Birth Register Bill, and it
was intimated to him that the wishes of his co-religionists would be
complied with.
As one of the trustees of the appeal fund, he forwarded remittances
for the relief of the poor in the Holy Land, a duty which frequently
necessitated his attendance at the committee for whole days together.
He consulted an eminent physician regarding his health. The latter
examined his heart and lungs, and informed him that his heart was
feeble, there was poison in his blood, and his digestive organs were
not perfect. The disheartening statement of the doctor, however, did
not prevent him from continuing his labours, nor stop his preparations
for another journey to the East.
The trustees of the appeal fund on behalf of the suffering Jews in the
Holy Land published their first report, in which they enumerated the
several appropriations of money they had made up to date, giving at the
same time the detailed particulars of the grants awarded for immediate
relief, those made in augmentation of the funds of existing charities,
and the sums set apart for the establishment of institutions designed
to relieve distress, and to encourage and promote industry.
"With reference to the future," the report stated, "it was the
intention of Sir Moses to proceed shortly, accompanied by Lady
Montefiore, to the Holy Land, to ascertain, by personal inspection and
examination of the several charities the extent to which the temporary
and provisional relief, already mentioned, had proved effective, and to
organise the best means which might be devised for the appropriation of
the remainder of the funds, with the view to the utmost benefit of the
supplicants, and, at the same time, to the effectual accomplishment of
the intentions of the benevolent contributors."
Before they set out on that mission, there was still a great deal of
communal work in connection with the London Committee of Deputies of
British Jews to be done. There was the new Marriage Act, in which a
clause had to be inserted to exempt the Jews from Lord Lyndhurst's
Act regarding affinity and consanguinity, and it was the duty of Sir
Moses, as president, to take the necessary steps in the matter. He also
attended various meetings of the "Assyrian Excavation Fund," and was
present at the meeting of the City Lieutenancy at the Guildhall, where
he took the oath of qualification.
_March 25th._--Sir Moses called on Lord Palmerston, and informed him
of his intention of going to the East with the object of erecting
a hospital at Jerusalem and encouraging the cultivation of land in
Palestine, which would be greatly promoted by the security afforded
by the presence of Turkish troops, officered by Englishmen, and by
the Sultan allowing Jews to purchase land. He also wished to secure
the removal of the inscription from the tombstone in the Church of
the Capuchins at Damascus. His Lordship said that the hospital was a
desirable institution. The superstition of the Turks, he believed,
created obstacles which prevented Englishmen from buying land in Syria,
but it might be obtained on long leases. As for the troops, they wanted
all the men they could get now for the war. He however wrote a letter
to Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, and another to Lord Cowley, which he
handed to Sir Moses, wishing him every success. Lord Clarendon, he
said, would give him letters to the Consuls.
On the 17th April Sir Moses proceeded to Windsor for the purpose of
assisting at the presentation of an address to the Emperor of the
French on behalf of the Commission of Lieutenancy. The Lord Mayor had
already preceded him, and they at once went to the Castle. "There," the
entry in the Diary records, "we were soon admitted to the presence of
the Emperor. The Lord Mayor read the address, to which His Majesty made
a very kind reply. The Lord Mayor then presented Colonel Wilson, as the
mover of the address, and Mr Moon, as the seconder, with myself. The
Emperor most graciously said to me, 'I remember having already had the
pleasure of seeing you in Paris.'"
_April 19th._--Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore went to the Guildhall
to witness the presentation of the city address to the Emperor and
Empress of the French. "It was impossible," Sir Moses said, "to have
been present at a more gratifying sight." "The Emperor's reply was most
distinctly heard in every part of the hall."
_April 25th._--With the concurrence of Lady Montefiore, Sir Moses,
accompanied by the author, started for Paris, where he at once called
on Lord Cowley, the British Ambassador, and informed him of his earnest
desire to place a petition into the hands of the Emperor, in which he
begged for a letter to the French Consul at Damascus, to enable him
to secure the removal of the infamous inscription from the Church of
the Capuchins. A few days later Sir Moses received a letter from Lord
Cowley to the effect that he had placed the petition into the hands of
the Emperor Napoleon.
_April 30th._--Sir Moses called on his Lordship to thank him for
his courtesy, and then rode to the Tuileries to put his name in the
Emperor's book. We then left Paris.
Preparations for the fourth journey to Jerusalem were now made with
great expedition, and Tuesday, the 15th of May, was fixed for our
departure.
Before leaving England Sir Moses had the satisfaction of receiving
a further sum of about £3000 in addition to the £5028 of the Juda
Touro legacy already remitted to him on the 24th of February, and Mr
Kursheedt was now, it appeared, in possession of full powers regarding
the building of the hospital in Jerusalem.
_Sunday, May 13th._--Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore started for Dover,
where they were soon joined by their relatives, Mr and Mrs H. Guedalla,
by Mr Kursheedt, and myself.
After calling on the Wardens of the Synagogue to give them instructions
regarding the distribution of some of his offerings, he took leave of
the numerous friends who had come expressly to Dover to see us off.
We reached Calais at one. In spite of the recent gales the sea was
tolerably smooth.
Sir Moses' carriage having been very much injured by the rolling of the
ship, it was found dangerous to use it, and to his great vexation no
coach-maker in Calais could repair it; he was therefore obliged to send
it back to London.
All our luggage--an immense number of packages--had to be taken out,
and marked with our names. "The railway charges," Sir Moses says, "will
be immense, but I must submit to the disappointments and vexations I am
doomed to meet."
His servants made everything comfortable, but in order to be ready
to start at two in the morning, Sir Moses did not go to bed at all.
This was a peculiar habit of his which I noticed on all his journeys.
However tired others around him may have been, he would sit up and
write or arrange his numerous memoranda.
We left Calais on May the 17th, and proceeded _viâ_ Cologne and Dresden
to Prague, where we remained during the Pentecost festival, visiting
the celebrated ancient Synagogue, known by the name of "Alt-Neu-Schul,"
the restoration of which, after a great fire, dates from soon after the
year 1142, and the ancient burial ground, in which there is a tombstone
bearing the Hebrew date of 4366 A.M., corresponding to 1280 of the
Christian era.
The short stay of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore in that city was made
particularly gratifying to them by the great number of deputations they
received from communal, educational, and literary institutions.
The Rev. S. L. Rapoport, the spiritual head of the community, spoke
to them on several occasions on the subject of the Holy Land, and the
necessity of securing protection to its Hebrew inhabitants.
_May 25th._--We left Prague for Kolin, where we attended the
examination of the pupils of the Hebrew Communal School under the
direction of the eminent Chief Rabbi Frank; and Sir Moses and Lady
Montefiore, as a token of their satisfaction with the teachers and
pupils, left a sum of money with the school committee for the purpose
of having a medal struck, with their Chief Rabbi's name on it, to be
given as a prize to the best scholar.
We left Kolin early in the morning, and reached Vienna the next day.
_Monday, 28th._--Baron Anselm de Rothschild called. He conversed with
Sir Moses on the subject of the journey, and offered his services. Lord
Westmoreland invited Sir Moses to dinner. The representatives of the
Hebrew community and most of their members came to pay their respects,
and expressed their wishes for a happy and successful journey.
We remained in the Austrian Metropolis three days, and then proceeded
_viâ_ Laibach to Adelsberg, making a halt in the latter town for two
days, for the purpose of visiting the famous grotto, which, in honour
of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, was illuminated by one thousand
candles.
The formations produced here by the union of the stalactites and
stalagmites are of the most picturesque beauty and effect, and the
guides have a variety of names for them. One they call "the throne,"
another "the altar," and a third they call "the Synagogue."
One might almost be justified in assuming that they introduced the
latter appellation on the very day of our arrival for the special
purpose of paying Sir Moses a compliment. Sir Moses at all events
appeared to regard it as such. He accepted from the guide a beautiful
piece of stalactite as a souvenir of his visit to the grotto, for which
he gave him in return a very handsome present. It was preserved in his
library to the day of his death.
_June 3rd._--We continued our journey to Trieste, where we remained
five days. As in Prague and Vienna, solemn services were held in the
Synagogues, both German and Portuguese, which were brilliantly lighted
for the occasion, and addresses were delivered by the ministers and
spiritual heads of the Hebrew community.
On Sunday, June 17th, we arrived at Constantinople, and took up our
quarters with Mr Abraham Camundo at Galata. During the first days
of his arrival, Sir Moses delivered his letters, and called on Lord
Stratford de Redcliffe, Ali Pasha, the Grand Vizier, Rechid Pasha,
and Rifaat Pasha, being most anxious to hear from Mr Pisani what
arrangements had been made by the Turkish Minister regarding his
audience with the Sultan.
"_June 25th._--Received a note from Mr Pisani, stating that the
Secretary of the Turkish Government had informed him that the Sultan
would receive me at a private audience on Thursday next.
"_June 27th._--Dr Loewe brought me a note from Mr Pisani, informing
me that the Turkish Ministers, being desirous of showing me some mark
of the high esteem they entertain for me, expressed the desire of
conferring upon me the honour of the Medjidjeh.
"_June 28th._--Soon after two o'clock Mr Et Pisani came, and he
accompanied me and Dr Loewe to the Palace. We were shown into a large
handsome room, and served with pipes and coffee; the mouthpiece of the
one I had was worth at least £200, and the cup-stand was ornamented
with diamonds. Having sat some time, an aide-de-camp of the Sultan
informed us that the Sultan had gone to the New Palace, and wished to
see me there. About ten minutes afterwards we were met by an officer
at the first gate, and I had to walk round the Palace; at least it
took us twenty minutes before we reached the door. Here we entered by
a private gate, and walked up to the Sultan in a splendid room, though
but partially furnished. His Majesty was standing, and, on Mr Pisani
presenting me to him, he graciously said he remembered me very well,
and was happy to see me again. I then informed His Majesty of the
purport of my visit in nearly the same words that I had addressed to
his Ministers, and prayed His Majesty to grant me his countenance and
support and his compliance with my petition to the Porte. His Majesty
replied that it was his happiness and duty to do all in his power to
promote the welfare of his subjects; that he would grant my request,
and was happy to do so for my philanthropy and humanity.
"I expressed my gratitude, and then introduced Dr Loewe as having
accompanied me on my former visit to His Majesty, and as having made
a translation of a hieroglyphical inscription on the obelisk in the
Atmedan (Hyppodrome). Mr Pisani was here my interpreter. We then bowed,
and backed out of His Majesty's presence. We were conducted out of the
Palace through a magnificent marble arch to the carriage.
"I feel deeply indebted to Lord de Redcliffe, who has by his great
kindness aided my endeavours to assist my co-religionists in Palestine.
May God reward him. Amen.
"I entreated Mr Pisani to obtain the firman for me by Monday next, and
he promised to do his best. He rode with Dr Loewe and me as far as the
Arsenal, where he took leave of us. We returned to Mr Camundo's, much
delighted with the success of our mission, but excessively fatigued.
"_Friday, 29th._--My dear Judith and I walked to the British Embassy,
and were most kindly received by Lord and Lady Stratford de Redcliffe;
we were there nearly two hours. His Lordship had been informed of all
that had passed at my audience with the Sultan, and was pleased with
the result. He will give me a letter to Mr Wood (now Sir Richard Wood)
at Damascus, respecting the inscription in the Capuchin Church, and
will endeavour to obtain my firman on Monday next. He spoke for some
time to me respecting the Holy Land, and the purchase of land there. A
few years since three Englishmen bought an estate of 40,000 acres, with
much good timber, within two miles of the Sea of Mormora, within a mile
of a town, and with good roads, for £15,000 sterling.
"Lady Stratford was most courteous, and walked with Judith and me
through her garden; it is quite a paradise. They wanted us to stop and
dine with them, but on account of the Sabbath in the evening, we could
not accept.
"_July 1st._--Mr William Doria of the British Embassy came with his
Káwáss, and accompanied me to the Porte, and to Ali Pasha, the Grand
Vizier. Dr Loewe went with me. His Excellency claimed acquaintance with
me, and confirmed in the most flattering manner all that His Majesty
the Sultan had promised me. He said the firman should be ready in two
or three days. Ali Pasha is a mild and agreeable man, and expressed
much pleasure in assisting my philanthropic efforts.
"_July 2nd._--Dr Loewe accompanied me to Rechid Pasha. We smoked a
pipe, and had coffee with him. He will send me to-morrow letters of
introduction to the Governors of Beyrout and Jerusalem. On my taking
leave, he said I should write to him from England, if I should at any
time desire anything for my co-religionists. I gave him a copy of Dr
Loewe's Circassian and Turkish Dictionary; he conversed with the Doctor
about it."
CHAPTER VI.
1855.
ARRIVAL AT JERUSALEM--MISS ROGER'S DESCRIPTION OF THE
JEWISH GIRLS' SCHOOL THERE--SIR MOSES PURCHASES A
PIECE OF LAND--ORIENTAL METHODS OF BARGAINING.
On July 3rd Sir Moses writes: "Mr Pisani informed me he had received
the firman for the building of an hospital, and also that for myself,
which, according to the usual practice, he had forwarded to the
Ambassador for transmission to me; adding in his note, 'I also have the
satisfaction to announce to you that the Sultan has been pleased to
confer upon you the Medjidjeh of the second class.'
"This distinction will, I hope, convince the people in the East that
His Imperial Majesty the Sultan and his Government approve of my
efforts for my co-religionists.
"_July 4th._--I went with Dr Loewe over the two hospitals at Therapia.
They were in perfect order, and most of the inmates were convalescent.
We saw some cholera and fever patients, and a number of soldiers, some
of them most severely wounded. Later on we walked to Lord Stratford de
Redcliffe's. He said my firmans were all ready, and they should be sent
to the British Consul at Pera for me, as was usual; I should get them
to-morrow morning. At the same time he presented me with the order the
Sultan had conferred upon me. He would, he said, inform the British
Government of it in his despatches, and would add his wish that Her
Majesty the Queen would allow me to wear it, as he knew it would afford
the Sultan much pleasure. I presented Dr Loewe to Lord Stratford. On
taking leave he wished me again every success."
_July 5th._--Sir Moses had now received all the letters and important
papers promised to him; and not wishing to lose a day unnecessarily,
gave orders for our departure, having previously expressed his warmest
thanks to Mr Abraham Camundo for the hospitality he had received at his
hands.
We left Constantinople on board the _Impératrice_, much pleased with
the result of our mission, and directed our course towards the Holy
Island.
Wherever practicable Sir Moses went on shore to acquaint himself with
the state of the Jews in the locality, but where this was impossible,
deputations came on board and presented addresses. He thus had ample
opportunities to ascertain the exact condition of his brethren in
Smyrna, Rhodes, Messina, Scandroon (Alexandretta), Latakia, Cyprus,
and Beyrout, and at the proper time Sir Moses availed himself of
his information to the advantage of those who stood in need of his
intercession with their respective governments.
On July 18th we arrived at Jerusalem. On nearing the spot from which
the Holy City is first seen by the traveller, we dismounted as usual
for a short prayer, and were met by thousands of people who came to
greet Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore. His Excellency Kiamil Pasha,
the Governor of Jerusalem, sent an escort of horsemen. The Háhám
Báshi, at the head of the members of his ecclesiastical court, the
representatives of the congregations, deputations from schools, and the
most influential citizens, came to meet the travellers and welcome them
to the Holy City. A guard of honour was drawn up by order of the Pasha,
and the people generally evinced their pleasure by continually firing
off guns and pistols as a sort of _feu de joie_.
Tents were then pitched outside the city, at the corner of the Máïdân,
nearest the walls.
Information having already been given to the authorities in Jerusalem
that Sir Moses would be the bearer of important official documents,
many persons called to ascertain their nature. To the British Consul,
to whom Sir Moses had special letters of introduction from the British
Government, he showed the firman he had obtained, by the intercession
of Lord Napier, for the rebuilding of an ancient synagogue belonging to
the German Hebrew congregation, and also a Vizierial letter, enjoining
the Governor of the Holy City to give him every assistance to enable
him to carry out his benevolent intentions.
Mr James Finn, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, presented Sir Moses
officially to the Pasha, who received him with great kindness.
In the presence of the Council of the City Effendis the firman was read
out. The Pasha and the members of the Council remained standing whilst
it was being read.
Many complimentary speeches then followed.
Sir Moses afterwards went to the barracks to see the Mosque of Omar and
the adjacent courts and buildings from the roof; and paid a visit to
the commandant to thank him for the attentions he had shown to him. On
leaving the house a guard of honour was turned out, presenting arms as
he passed, the commandant himself walking with him along the street as
far as the spot where the sedan chair was waiting for him.
The day following being the anniversary of the destruction of the two
temples, was kept by all of us in solemn devotion, attending Divine
service, and abstaining from food and drink during four-and-twenty
hours, which in the hot weather in Jerusalem requires some resolution.
Neither Sir Moses nor Lady Montefiore showed any sign of faintness or
exhaustion, and whilst others hastened to take a glass of water as soon
as stars appeared in the sky, they proceeded, but slowly, to prepare
for the breaking of the long fast.
_July 26th._--They received an invitation from the Pasha to see all the
places held in veneration by Moslem, Christian, and Jew.
The Patriarchs of the Greek, Armenian, and Latin convents also invited
them to visit their convents. Sir Moses, however, was not able to
accept them all; he had but one object in view in coming to Jerusalem,
which was to help the poor and destitute, and his attention was
entirely directed to that, no time being at his disposal even for
subjects which, on other occasions, would have greatly interested him.
"Sir Moses, on his arrival at Jerusalem," as stated by him,
subsequently, in the trustees' report to the committee, "had the pain
of witnessing the deep distress prevailing in the several communities;
and it was an aggravation of his sorrow to find that his presence had
long been looked forward to as a panacea for all future suffering, many
having supposed that Sir Moses would have had the power to relieve from
every ill and to provide for every want.
"The mode of proceeding, however, having been previously determined
upon, the greatest energy was devoted to carrying out the settled plans.
"Representatives from the Holy Cities were invited to meet in
Jerusalem, each of them to be provided with statistics relating to the
general affairs and necessities of their respective congregations, and
to be furnished with the number, nature, working, and condition of
their various institutions, especially of those recently established by
trustees of the Appeal Fund in London.
"The attendance of skilled practical agriculturists was also requested,
that they might be consulted as to the practicability of setting on
foot an agricultural scheme.
"On the 27th July the first meeting was held with the representatives
of Safed.
"The accounts connected with the Free Loan Society, the Lying-in
Charity, and the Institution for the Encouragement of Needlewomen and
Laundresses,[2] produced by their respective representatives, were
minutely examined and found correct; and it was shown that the several
committees had faithfully discharged their duties. As there was every
reason to be satisfied with the results presented in the working of
these institutions, Sir Moses deemed it desirable that the funds should
be augmented, to enable the committees to continue their benevolent
work.
"The desirability of cultivating land was patiently discussed at this
sitting, and the mention of numerous well-authenticated facts raised
great hopes of success.
"The views entertained by Sir Moses having been confirmed by the best
evidence, a committee of practical agriculturists--men distinguished by
their probity, and of acknowledged skill--was, without further delay,
appointed, to aid in the selection of land, and to advise as to the
fitness of the persons to be employed in its cultivation.
"Assisted by this committee he selected thirty-five families from the
Holy City of Safed, provided them with means to commence agricultural
pursuits, and also secured for them the protection of the local
governors.
"Some orphan lads were also provided for, by being placed under the
care of the committee to be trained as agriculturists.
"A district in the vicinity of Safed, called Bokea, having been pointed
out as a most desirable spot for agricultural purposes, sufficient
means were granted to give employment to fifteen families to be engaged
in the cultivation of that fruitful region, the whole of them being
placed under the supervision of the agricultural committee at Safed.
"The claims of Tiberias were next considered, and the reports of the
working of the several institutions in this Holy City being most
satisfactory, the funds of these institutions were also augmented. The
claims of all those who petitioned for assistance to enable them to
engage in agricultural pursuits were then considered, and means were
afforded to thirty families to enable them to realise their wishes.
"It was found necessary here to make some changes in the establishment
for weaving, owing to the difficulties experienced by the English
instructor, in consequence of his inability to communicate with the
young artisans in their own tongue, and, to remedy this defect, Sir
Moses made arrangements to engage an intelligent person, qualified in
all respects to superintend the establishment.
"He continued, however, to place his entire confidence in the committee
for supervising the weaving establishment at Jerusalem, as they had
hitherto, in all their proceedings, strictly conformed to the written
instructions of the trustees."
With the concurrence of the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem, Sir Moses
and Lady Montefiore succeeded in founding a girls' school in that
city, in which, in addition to other subjects necessary to be taught
to the daughters of Israel, instruction in dressmaking, embroidery,
and domestic occupations forms a prominent feature of the plan of
education. Sir Moses was fortunately enabled to secure for this
establishment one of the best houses in the Jewish quarter. The fitting
up of the school was entrusted to thirty-five Jewish mechanics, who
completed their several contracts in the most satisfactory manner.
They also succeeded in finding adequate instructors for the school
among the ladies of the community, and they had the gratification to
find that, on the very next day after the establishment of the school
had become known in the city, 144 girls attended, and the names of 400
girls, many of them belonging to the best and most pious families, were
registered in the school books.
Miss Mary Eliza Roger, in her "Domestic Life in Palestine," gives
a full description of that school, from which I here subjoin some
portions, to give the reader an idea of its efficient working at the
time.
"On Thursday, May 28, 1856," that lady writes, "I was invited to
visit the new schools for young Jewesses, established by Sir Moses
Montefiore....
"While we waited for admittance, I looked up at the windows. Two
were square, unsheltered openings. A third jutted far out from the
wall, and through its quaint and fanciful wooden lattice we could see
bright and rare flowers. The fourth was a large square oriel window,
supported by a stone bracket, and protected by an iron balcony. A crowd
of happy-looking children were peeping from it. One dark eyed little
creature had a red-cloth tarbush on the back of her head, and a rose
in her black hair. The others wore soft muslin kerchiefs of various
colours tied tastefully on their heads.
"We entered the door, crossed a small court, and were led up an open
staircase on to a terrace, the low, broad walls of which were converted
into a garden....
"We were politely received in this court by a Spanish Jewess, who
conducted us into a light, cheerful room, containing animated groups
of girls, varying in age from seven to fourteen, perhaps. I counted
thirty-one children, but the full number usually assembled there was
thirty-five.
"Eight forms and a double row of desks gave quite a European character
to the room, and the raised pulpit-like seat of the teacher indicated
order and authority.
"The girls were nearly all engaged at needlework, and our guide
exhibited to us, with evident pride and pleasure, a considerable stock
of wearing apparel, the result of one week's work in that room. The
simple garments were very nicely made, considering that most of the
little workers did not know how to sew six or seven months before. The
mistress could not tell us what was done with the work when finished,
as it passed from her hands at the end of each week. The children
looked busy and bright. Some of them were singularly beautiful. One
tall and stately girl, of about fourteen, was acting the part of
monitor, and she answered our questions in Arabic with the utmost
modesty and self-possession, and glided among her little pupils with
native grace and dignity. All these children were natives of Palestine;
they spoke Arabic, and wore the Arab costume....
"After lingering for a short time to enjoy the prospect, we were led
to another room equally large, light, and airy. Here we found about
thirty children, under the care of two female teachers. One tiny little
creature was learning a Hebrew lesson, and carefully spelling words of
two letters. Another child of seven or eight was reading, with very
little hesitation, some Scripture history. The other children were
seated comfortably, and with perfect ease and freedom, yet without
disorder, upon mats, or on the deep-carpeted window seat. There I
recognised the happy faces which I had seen from the street below. They
looked up at me smiling, as much as to say: 'We know you again; we saw
you waiting at the door.'
"They were all at needlework, and I could not help observing the
extreme delicacy and beauty of their hands. If, as it is said, this is
the distinguishing feature of noble birth, then these young daughters
of Israel are of princely race. Some of the little hands were stained
with henna, and almost all the nails were tinted, and looked like the
delicate rose-coloured shells we find on the sands on English shores.
"The children were uniformly neat and clean, and there was a
picturesque variety of costume there that struck us pleasantly,
contrasting with our recollections of the ugly uniforms in some of our
public schools at home and abroad....
"These two rooms were set apart expressly for the children of parents
belonging to the Sephardim congregation, consisting of the Spanish and
Portuguese Jews settled in Jerusalem.
"We were now led downstairs again to the open court, which we crossed,
and, after ascending another stairway, we found ourselves in the
school of the Ashkenazi congregation, formed of German, Russian, and
Polish Jews. Here there were fifteen children, and they all seemed to
be under seven years of age. They were much more fair, though less
beautiful, than those in the other rooms. They were sitting very much
at their ease, perched upon the sloping desks, with their little feet
resting on the forms. How thoughtful and kind it was to allow them this
freedom during the hot weather! There was not a sign of fatigue, or any
expression of rebellion against restraint, on any of the young faces
around us.
"A little girl of five years of age, with pink cheeks, blue eyes, and
hair almost white, was reading aloud from some Hebrew volume, and was
evidently interested by it. I cautiously inquired whether she knew by
heart all that fell so fluently from her lips. I was assured that I was
listening to genuine reading.
"We went downstairs to the second German rooms, where most of the
girls were between thirteen and fifteen years of age, and the rest
younger. We heard two of the eldest read with emphasis several pages
from the life of Moses--a book written expressly for the use of women
and children. It is a paraphrase of the Bible history of Moses, in a
curious harsh dialect, being a compound of Hebrew and German. It is
printed in Hebrew characters, and embellished with quaint and curious
woodcuts in the style of the followers of Albert Dürer.
"In these rooms fifty-five pupils generally muster."
Turning again to the administration of the Appeal Fund, the reader will
learn that, independently of the several grants made to the respective
institutions, a considerable sum was entrusted to the elders of the
communities, to be distributed among the necessitous poor of Jerusalem,
Hebrew, Jaffa, and other congregations.
Having surmounted the difficulties and impediments which he had to
encounter, Sir Moses eventually succeeded in purchasing a track of land
to the west of the Holy City, adjoining the high road from Jerusalem to
Hebron, in a most beautiful and salubrious locality, and within a few
minutes' walk from the Jaffa and Zion Gates. Here a considerable number
of our co-religionists and others at once found employment on the land,
and in the building of the boundary wall.
Sir Moses being the first Englishman to whom the Ottoman Government
granted the permission to purchase land, I give some particulars
connected with the transaction.
Ahmed Agha Dizdar, who had been Governor of Jerusalem during the reign
of Mohhammad Ali, and who since the year 1839 had stood in friendly
relations with Sir Moses, was the owner of the land in question. When
Sir Moses broached the subject of the purchase to him, his answer was:
"You are my friend, my brother, the apple of my eye, take possession of
it at once. This land I hold as an heirloom from my ancestors. I would
not sell it to any person for thousands of pounds, but to you I give it
without any money: it is yours, take possession of it." "I myself, my
wife, and children, we all are yours." And this was his reply to Sir
Moses day after day, whenever he was asked the price for which he would
sell the said property.
Ultimately, after a whole day's most friendly argument, which almost
exhausted all my stock of Arabic phraseology (having acted as
interpreter between him and Sir Moses), he said to me: "You are my
friend, my brother; by my beard, my head, I declare this is the case.
Tell Sir Moses to give me a souvenir of one thousand pounds sterling,
and we will go at once to the Ckádee."
The moment I informed him of the Agha's price, Sir Moses lost no time,
and counted out one thousand English sovereigns, did them up in a roll,
and proceeded to the English Consulate, together with the Agha and his
friends, where the sale was effected.
On our arrival at the Máhhkámeh (hall of justice) to have the purchase
confirmed, we found all the members of the Meglis assembled, and the
Judge, or Ckádee, with his secretaries, present.
Questions were put by the Judge, both to the seller and the purchaser.
The purchase money was counted, and the contract of sale was read
aloud, and witnessed by all present.
The wording of the document is to the effect that, "By permission of
the Sublime Porte and the Imperial Throne, may the Lord of Creation
preserve them, and in conformity with the letters on that subject
from the Grand Vizier to Sir Moses Montefiore (Baronet), the pride
of the people of Moses, the man of prudence, &c., the son of Joseph
Eliyahu (here also follow a number of complimentary titles), Sir Moses
purchases a piece of land for the purpose of establishing thereon a
hospital for the poor of the Israelites who reside in Jerusalem, and
does with it as he pleases."
"Sir Moses Montefiore, Baronet," the contract continues, "presented
himself as the purchaser before the Legislative Council in presence
of the members of the Council of Jerusalem, to purchase the land
hereinafter described with his own money, not with that which belongeth
to another, from the vendor, Sir Ahmed Agha Eldizdar (the support of
the great men), son of Sid Fadh-ed-din Agha."
The contract then defines the exact limits of the property, and the
Ckádee attests the correctness of the deed of purchase. Sir Moses
returned to his camp, and gave orders to remove his tents to the land
which had become his own property, whilst I proceeded to measure it,
inscribing the initials of Sir Moses' name in large Hebrew characters
on a piece of rock forming the angle of its boundary line upon the
road, the right side of which, when coming from the Jaffa Gate, leads
to Bet-essefáfa.
_August 15th._--In the presence of a numerous concourse of spectators
of various religious denominations, Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore
had the satisfaction and happiness to lay the foundation-stone of
the proposed hospital, in the presence of Mr and Mrs Guedalla, Mr
Gershon Kursheedt, one of the executors of Juda Touro, the American
philanthropist, and myself.
[Footnote 2: All of which had been established by the trustees in the
year 1857.]
CHAPTER VII.
1855-1856.
DEPARTURE FROM JERUSALEM--ARRIVAL IN ENGLAND--PROJECTED
RAILWAY FROM JAFFA TO JERUSALEM--LORD
PALMERSTON'S VIEWS--THE FIRMAN HHÀTI-HOOMÁYOON--LORD
STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE.
Besides the various acts of benevolence already accomplished by Sir
Moses in Jerusalem, there is one for which the community cannot be
sufficiently grateful.
He entreated His Excellency Kiamil Pasha, the Governor of Jerusalem,
to remove from the Jewish quarters the public slaughter house, which
had become extremely offensive in consequence of the vast quantity of
refuse which had accumulated ever since the time Jerusalem had been
conquered by the Khaleefa Omar.
The Pasha immediately acceded to his request, and the slaughter-house
was removed to a place outside the city walls. Before leaving the Holy
City Sir Moses promised the representatives of the community that
he would recommend the committee in London to erect a windmill in
Jerusalem, with a view of superseding the expensive method used there
for grinding corn. The poor, he said, should then have their flour at a
reduced price.
Having concluded his arrangements with the several congregations of
Jerusalem, and given his instructions to the representatives of Safed
and Tiberias, he prepared to depart from the Holy City.
The next day we left for Hebron, where the result of his enquiries as
to the conduct and management of the several institutions in that Holy
City was likewise most satisfactory. The disturbed state of the country
unfortunately occasioned much suffering to the inhabitants of this
district, which induced Sir Moses to devote a considerable sum to the
relief of the immediate necessities of the poor.
The country round Hebron being at that time much disturbed by the
revolutionary acts of Abd-er-rahhman, the notorious oppressor of the
Jews, Kiamil Pasha had encamped there, with a battalion of soldiers
and two brass field-pieces, to be in readiness to proceed against any
disloyal subjects of the Sultan.
He summoned the Sheikhs of the surrounding villages, and there were
several among them who declared that they would only pay their taxes
through Abd-er-rahhman, whom they considered as their local chief.
In consequence of this the Pasha proclaimed him a rebel, and nominated
his brother Salâmeh in his place as Nâzeer (chief inspector) of the
district.
The wife of Abd-er-rahhman and his sister, hearing of the presence of
Sir Moses, called on Lady Montefiore, entreating her to speak to Sir
Moses and obtain the removal of Salâmeh from his new office, which,
she said, belonged to her true and faithful husband. She also brought
a letter from Abd-er-rahhman himself, who called even on all the Jews
whom he so often ill-treated, to intercede on his behalf with Sir
Moses; but of course Sir Moses would not even see her. I had nearly
half-an-hour's conversation with her, when she and his sister made many
promises of the kindness with which Abd-er-rahhman would in future
treat the Hebron Hebrew community. I requested them to leave our camp
as soon as possible, as some of the Pasha's soldiers, who were near our
tents, might notice their presence, and consider themselves justified
in bringing them before the Pasha to make their representations to him.
Sir Moses being desirous of establishing a dispensary for the benefit
of all the poor inhabitants at Hebron, he wanted to purchase the field
where we were encamped, and therefore sent for the owner, who, on
being informed of the object for which the purchase of his field was
required, after long consideration gave the laconic reply, "Ten purses"
(equivalent to £50). Sir Moses agreed to the price, and gave orders
to have the deed of sale prepared. On the following day the owner of
the field made his appearance early in the morning. We thought he came
to tell us the hour when to appear before the Ckádee. To our great
surprise he said, on reconsideration, he thought he could not sell the
land under £500. Sir Moses would not hear of paying such an amount, and
the consequence was, that the poor of Hebron lost the dispensary, which
it was his intention to supply with medicines in the same way as he did
to the one at Jerusalem.
We left Hebron and proceeded to Jaffa, where some property was
purchased, with a house and well, affording an abundant supply of
excellent water. A number of poor Israelites were at once engaged upon
the land, which is known by the name of the "Biera," and is situated
near the estate of the Wurthemburg Templars. The amount distributed was
£10,932, 10s.
After a number of personal interviews, and after carefully considering
documentary evidence, Sir Moses and the other trustees arrived at the
conclusion that the future well-being of the Israelites in the Holy
Land must, under Providence, depend upon active support being accorded
to the institutions established there for the promotion of agriculture
and industrial pursuits.
We left Jaffa for Alexandria, where we arrived on the 1st of September.
Three of the Pasha's boats, specially sent to take Sir Moses and Lady
Montefiore, brought us on shore, where carriages were in readiness to
take us to the Palace, which His Highness, Said Pasha, now the ruling
Prince, had ordered to be prepared for their reception. On our entering
the Palace we met a great many attendants; the table was decked
with costly ornaments, and with numerous dishes filled with French
and Egyptian viands, the best wine and liqueurs, and ices of every
description. There was a French _chêf_ superintending the culinary
department, and his constant anxiety was to please Sir Moses and Lady
Montefiore.
The latter, however, had their own cook with them, who arranged
their daily meals, consisting of a few plain dishes. This man soon
pacified the _chêf_, and aided him during our stay in the Palace in
the selection of the dishes which were most palatable to His Highness'
guests.
Each of Sir Moses' party had his special attendants; from morning till
evening they would be in readiness to serve pipes, coffee, ices, &c.
Every now and then an officer from the Palace came to ask if we wished
for anything. Not knowing what to ask for, because every one really
had all he could possibly require, we said, rather by way of a joke
than anything else, "A tooth brush;" within half-an-hour's time there
appeared a whole box of tooth brushes, sufficient to open a store
with. Another of us thought he would ask for "a clothes brush," and a
quantity of these articles was within a short time at his disposal. One
of the officers gave us to understand that it would please His Highness
if we were to ask for some really valuable object to take with us as a
souvenir, but this we, of course, courteously declined to do.
The next day we were invited by His Highness to be present at the
investigation of the Leopold order, which the Emperor of Austria had
sent to His Highness in recognition of the attention he had shown to
the Archduke of Austria during his recent visit to Egypt. We met all
the dignitaries of state there, the consuls, and high officers of the
army. After the ceremony we were all presented to His Highness.
The reception given by His Highness to Sir Moses was most cordial; he
frequently expressed the pleasure it afforded him to see Sir Moses in
Egypt. He paid Sir Moses a long visit, and constantly showed him every
possible attention.
Sir Moses received numerous visits from representatives of educational,
charitable, and financial associations of every nationality in Egypt.
Among the latter there was Monsieur de Lesseps, who had a long
interview with him, explaining the importance of the Suez Canal. Sir
Moses, however, did not appear to regard the undertaking as likely to
prove successful from a financial point of view.
_Friday, September 7th._--We went on board the _Valetta_, and
ultimately arrived safely at Dover on Wednesday, September 19th.
The greater portion of September and October was spent partly at East
Cliff Lodge and partly at Park Lane, Sir Moses being busily employed
in reporting to the English and Turkish governments on the result of
his journey. He was again elected President of the Board of the London
Committee of Deputies of British Jews.
On the 4th of December he accompanied the Lord Mayor and the Court of
Lieutenancy to Buckingham Palace, to present an address to the King of
Sardinia, where, as seconder of the address, he was introduced to His
Majesty by the Lord Mayor; and at the end of the month Baroness Meyer
de Rothschild invited him to be present at the opening or consecration
of the Baronial Hall at Mentmore, where, he notes in his Diary, "Dr
Kalisch read prayers, also several psalms, and affixed mezuzas or
phylacteries to the doors. A splendid breakfast and dinner followed the
ceremony."
At the beginning of 1856 he paid much attention to the communications
received from the various committees appointed in the Holy Land to
superintend the institutions established there by the trustees of the
Appeal Fund; and conjointly with the Chief Rabbi he published the
second report, embodying the statements I have already given in one of
the preceding chapters.
The trustees, upon the suggestion of Sir Moses, made an agreement with
Messrs J. J. and T. R. Holman of Canterbury to erect a windmill at
Jerusalem.
He also attended meetings convened for the purpose of discussing a
scheme for a railway from Jaffa to Jerusalem.
Accompanied by the Secretary of the Board of Deputies of British Jews
and myself, he went to Count Strzelsky, at whose house he met the Hon.
Mr Ashley, Sir Culling Eardly, Mr Uzielli, Mr Baxter, Mr Barkley, and
Mr Redhouse, and remained in consultation with them for several hours.
_April 7th._--He had an interview with Lord Palmerston, of which he
gives full particulars in his Diary. To Sir Culling Eardly, who came to
him previously to their going to see his Lordship, he said, that "to
prevent the possibility of his (Sir Culling) being under any mistake
with regard to the object he (Sir Moses) had in view respecting the
railway to Jerusalem, it was his opinion that, when finished, it would
not induce fifty Jews to return to the Holy Land, but he had no doubt
it would greatly conduce to the improvement of their situation; that
he would have nothing whatever to do with it if the undertaking was
to be regarded as a sectarian measure. "The men we should have for
directors," he said to Sir Culling, "must be those whose names are well
known for wealth and connected with other railways, but on no account
with religious societies."
Sir Culling Eardly, understanding Sir Moses' object, agreed to his
views, and they both proceeded to Lord Palmerston. Sir Moses told his
Lordship what had been stated before, adding that he had desired Sir
Culling Eardly in the first instance to ascertain whether the project
had his approval, and if so, whether Lord Palmerston would grant a
royal charter limiting the liability of the shareholders to the amount
of their subscriptions; also whether he would make an application to
the Turkish government for its consent, and a grant of land on each
side of the road, or a guarantee of a minimum rate of interest, as
might be agreed upon.
Lord Palmerston heard Sir Moses most patiently, and said he considered
such a work would be extremely useful to the Turkish Government. It
would enable them to move their troops with greater facility, and the
country would become more settled; at present, not a month passed but
he received accounts from the consuls of outbreaks. It would also
increase the commerce of the country, which would improve the revenue
of the Porte and the commerce of England. He would have recommended Sir
Moses going to Paris to see Ali Pasha, but this morning he had heard
from Lord Clarendon that Ali Pasha was coming to England, and Sir Moses
would better see him here.
With regard to the Báláklava railway, he hoped Sir Moses would give him
a good price for it, though it would be some time before it could be
given up; upon which the latter said he hoped his Lordship would make
them a present of it.
"It was clear," Sir Moses writes in his Diary, "that Lord Palmerston is
very much in favour of the project."
_May 20th._--Sir Moses received a note from Sir Culling Eardly, saying
that the Grand Vizier, Ali Pasha, would receive the deputation on the
following day.
_May 21st._--At twelve o'clock he was at Claridge's Hotel to meet
the other members of the deputation, Sir Culling Eardly, the Hon. Mr
Ashley, Mr Oliphant, and some others. They were with the Grand Vizier
for nearly two hours, and he agreed to receive and to forward to
Constantinople their proposal for the railway, with either a grant of
land, or a guarantee for interest of capital, but not both.
It was arranged they should all meet on Friday to prepare a paper for
the Turkish Government.
_May 20th._--Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore went to Belvedere House,
the beautiful seat of Sir Culling and Lady Eardly, where they found
a very large party to meet the Grand Vizier, Ali Pasha, the Turkish
Ambassador, Musurus Pasha, the Danish Ambassador and his wife, and many
more distinguished persons. After luncheon there were several good
speeches respecting the proposed railway.
_May 31st._--Sir Culling Eardly had another interview with the Grand
Vizier; it being Sabbath, Sir Moses was prevented from going. In the
evening he received a note from Sir Culling, expressing his regret that
the Grand Vizier had appointed that day for the interview, and begging
that he would go on Monday to the Grand Vizier, as the latter would
leave soon. Count Strzelsky sent him the paper which he had agreed to
deliver to the Grand Vizier, and Sir Moses signed it.
_June 2nd._--He met Count Strzelsky at Clarendon Hotel, where he had an
audience of the Grand Vizier, to present to him the paper regarding the
Jerusalem Railway. He read it very carefully, and promised to recommend
it to the attention of the Sultan.
Sir John Macneil, whom Sir Moses saw a few months later, advised them
to have a railroad from Jaffa to Lidda, and thence a macadamized road
for carriages across the mountains. A railroad, he said, would cost
from £4000 to £4500 per mile, the other £150. He thought the Government
would not give land, and would guarantee only 6 per cent., as the road
would not pay.
Count Strzelsky then went to Constantinople, and on his return, about
the 8th December, he told Sir Moses, in the presence of Sir Culling
Eardly, Sir John Macneil, Mr Ashley, and others, all that had passed
there regarding the Jaffa railway; and that the Government would only
guarantee 6 per cent., and give no land.
Sir Francis Palgrave evinced much sympathy for the Jews in the Holy
Land, and had frequent interviews with Sir Moses to consider the best
mode of serving their cause. He thought they should be placed under the
immediate protection of the Sultan, like the Armenian Protestants. Sir
Francis continued for many years to take an interest in their welfare,
and Sir Moses always appreciated his suggestions, referring to the
improvement of their occupations.
Early in this year the Jewish Disabilities Bill again excited attention
both in and out of Parliament.
On April 9th Sir Moses writes:--"Whilst sitting under the gallery of
the House of Commons, together with Baron Lionel de Rothschild, Sir J.
L. Goldsmid, and the Lord Mayor, during the debate for altering the
oath so as to admit Jews as members of Parliament, I had the happiness
of witnessing another step towards the attainment of religious liberty.
The Bill was passed by a majority of 35."
On May 7th he was present at the banquet given at the Mansion House by
the Lord Mayor to Her Majesty's Ministers, and the day following he
joined the procession of the Court of Lieutenancy to Buckingham Palace,
to present addresses of congratulation to the Queen on the happy
restoration of peace. The bells rang merry peals at midnight, every one
was rejoiced, and there was no doubt of the truth of the good tidings.
As President of the London Committee of Deputies of the British Jews,
he was much occupied this year with the Dissenters' Marriage Bill,
containing a clause (constituting the twenty-second section), which
was objected to by the Board in a former Bill. He signed the address
to the King of Sardinia on his arrival in England; also a letter of
thanks to the British Government for the kindness extended by them to
some of the Hebrew Russian soldiers taken prisoners at Kertsch; and
finally brought under the notice of the Foreign Office a petition to
the Prince of Servia from two thousand Israelites dwelling under his
sway, to ameliorate their condition, and obtain all the rights of
citizenship. He also paid much attention to the Carmara case, referring
to the family of that name in Constantinople, who fell victims to
Sultan Máhmoud's Government. The chief of that family having had claims
of a considerable amount on the Sultan's Treasury, the debt appeared to
have been cancelled by the sudden execution of the creditor, at night,
in his own house, without trial. One night after he had retired to rest
there was a violent knocking at his door, and an officer, with whom he
was on friendly terms, entered. This officer had been charged, by the
Sultan's commands, to murder him with the aid of a band of authorised
assassins. The Sultan 'Abd-ool-Megid, on consideration of the injustice
done, allowed the family a pension.
On the occasion of the Sultan's issuing the firman, Hháti-hoomáyoon,
in which His Majesty granted equal rights and privileges to all his
subjects, irrespective of their religious creeds, Sir Moses received
the following letter from Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, dated February
23, 1856:--
"MY DEAR SIR MOSES,--Before this letter can reach your hands you
will have learnt from the public prints what amount of success has
finally crowned our long-continued efforts in the cause of humanity
and freedom of conscience. I take the liberty of sending you a copy
of the Sultan's firman, together with a French translation.
"I shall be disappointed if it does not afford you as much
satisfaction as I have derived from it myself.
"Excuse the haste in which I write, and pray, believe me, with every
good wish.--Your faithful, &c.,
"STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE."
Sir Moses, fully appreciating the attention paid to him by his
Lordship's most valued communication, addresses him as follows:--
"DEAR LORD STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE,--The exceeding kindness and
consideration of your Excellency in gratifying me with your
communication of the 23rd ultimo, which I have to acknowledge with
the deepest and most cordial gratitude, are indeed such as I could
not have ventured to anticipate, considering the numerous, the
serious, and the complex matters which are constantly claiming your
Excellency's attention.
"I feel that it might be obtrusive to tender on the part of my
co-religionists any expression of thanks for your Excellency's noble
and triumphant efforts, by which they, in common with all the other
subjects of Turkey not professing the Mahomedan religion, have
obtained the inestimable boon conferred by the Sultan's firman,
copies of which you so kindly and promptly transmitted to me; for I
am sure nothing could enhance the gratification which your Excellency
must experience in having so successfully laboured to accomplish an
achievement of beneficence so grand in its scheme and so extended and
comprehensive in its operation.
"Permit me, then, simply to offer you my most sincere and heartfelt
congratulations.--I have the honour to be, &c.,
"MOSES MONTEFIORE."
CHAPTER VIII.
1857.
FIFTH VISIT TO THE HOLY LAND--MALTESE JEWS AND THEIR
GRIEVANCES--CAIRO, JAFFA, LYDDA, AND GEEB--ARRIVAL
IN JERUSALEM--THE APPEAL FUND INSTITUTIONS.
In order to ascertain the reasons for Sir Moses' return to Jerusalem
after so short an interval since his previous visit to the Holy City,
I must ask the reader to revert to the narrative I have given of his
previous pilgrimage in 1855. It was undertaken for the purpose of
alleviating the sufferings of the poor, and of establishing various
benevolent institutions there in the hope of preventing the recurrence
of distress. The object of his present journey was to give personal
supervision for a short time to the workings of those institutions.
Sir Moses began making preparations for this, his fifth journey,
in February. He resigned the presidency of the London Committee of
Deputies of British Jews, and made an agreement with Messrs J. J. and
T. R. Holman, millwrights of Canterbury, conjointly with the other
trustees, for the erection of a windmill in Jerusalem at the cost of
£1450. He attended a meeting at Count Strzelsky's, and agreed with the
other gentlemen present that nothing could now be done in the matter of
the Jerusalem railway; he, however, advanced his share of the expenses,
and withdrew altogether from the scheme.
On February 25th Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, accompanied by Dr
Hodgkin and Mr Gershon Kursheedt, left England for the Holy Land.
Proceeding _viâ_ Rome and Naples, they soon arrived at Malta, where
Sir William Reid, the Governor, gave them a very friendly reception,
drawing their special attention to the school for young gardeners at St
Antonio, the ladies' school, and to his (Sir William's) experiment in
rearing silkworms on castor-oil plants, an experiment which Sir Moses
proposed trying in the Holy Land. The Governor likewise showed him his
collection of implements for the improvement of Maltese agriculture.
The ploughs were from New York, and were very light. His Excellency
presented Sir Moses with one of them for the Holy Land.
The next day Sir Moses received a deputation from the Maltese Jewish
community, who complained of the great intolerance in the island, but
gratefully acknowledged their indebtedness to the English Government
for the protection it extended to them.
_Friday, May 1st._--Mr Laurence Oliphant, a gentleman whom Sir Moses
had last met at Sir Culling Eardly's, and who was now on his way to
China, as secretary to Lord Elgin, breakfasted with him. Mr Oliphant
took a great interest in all matters relating to the Holy Land, and
conversed freely with him on certain schemes which might serve to
improve the condition of its inhabitants.
On May 5th they arrived at Alexandria, where, all the hotels being
full, they accepted the hospitality of Mr Galloway.
Believing the Viceroy to be at a palace he had built in the desert,
three hours' distance from Alexandria, near the Lake Merotir, where
several regiments of his soldiers were encamped, Sir Moses went there
the next morning with his friends, but to his great disappointment he
found the Viceroy had gone four hours farther into the desert with most
of his troops, and was not expected back for a day or two.
There were only a few servants left in the palace. Sir Moses and the
other gentlemen walked to His Highness's large European tent, where
they remained three hours to repose and refresh the horses. About an
hour after their arrival a capital dinner was sent in to them. Sir
Moses himself only partook of bread and coffee.
_Thursday, May 7th._--A special train having been engaged to take the
Earl of Elgin and his suite to Cairo, Sir Moses was permitted to avail
himself of the same. When on board the steamboat crossing the Nile he
was introduced to his Lordship, whom Sir Moses describes as a very
handsome, chatty, and agreeable person.
At Cairo he received a deputation from the Hebrew congregation; visited
the Synagogue, a large handsome but plain building, and called on
the Governor, who had been to his house in London when His Highness
Said Pasha was staying with him. Thence Sir Moses proceeded to the
Citadel. He was invited to breakfast with Dr Etia, the physician of His
Highness Hálim Pasha, on the occasion of a religious festivity, but was
prevented from accepting the invitation by the overpowering heat of the
day and the consequent fatigue he experienced.
After remaining a few days at Cairo, they left the hospitable roof of
Mr Galloway, and proceeded to Jaffa, where they were received by Mr
Kháyát, the British Vice-Consul, Ahmed Agha Dizdar, the former Governor
of Jerusalem, and by the representatives of the community. "Jaffa,"
Sir Moses writes, "appears much larger, and a great number of houses
have been built since we were last there, only twenty-two months ago."
The English Vice-Consul had built a house with warehouses attached to
it, which, he told Sir Moses, cost him £10,000. Everything had doubled
in value in a few years, and houses and land could now only be bought
at extravagant prices. He thought, with or without the English, there
would soon be a railway to Jerusalem. Ahmed Agha Dizdar, who had
brought five soldiers under his command to accompany Sir Moses and Lady
Montefiore while in the Holy Land, joined their dinner party, and made
them offers of valuable land.
_May 17th._--They visited the garden, or Biárá, as it is generally
called, which had been bought by Sir Moses for the Trustees of the
Appeal Fund, and remained there for an hour, examining the reports
handed to him by Mr Minor, and inspecting the plantation of new
trees. Subsequently he visited the house and garden of the English
Vice-Consul. "He has," Sir Moses says, "30 acres outside the town, and
wishes to sell it for £1000; he also possesses large plantations of
orange, mulberry, lemon, and palm trees. Our own garden could be better
managed, but it is 40 acres in extent, and a splendid piece of land."
_May 18th._--Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore left Jaffa. The Governor of
the town passed half an hour with them before they set off, and wished
to ride out of the city with them, but it being Rámádan, Sir Moses
prevailed on him to desist from his intentions, as he was fasting.
Ahmed Agha, with many of his horsemen, as well as the British Consul of
Jerusalem and the Vice-Consul of Jaffa, were with them. Ahmed Agha and
the Consul of Ramlah, with an officer from Jaffa, rode with them all
the way to Jerusalem.
On the road they had some Turkish music, and as they passed the several
villages they were met by the Governors and their officers. After
a pleasant ride of four hours they arrived at Lydda, and encamped
there, in a beautiful vineyard a short distance from the town. They
had two sheep cooked for Ahmed Agha's men, who, after sunset, made
a great feast, and were very merry. For Sir Moses Lydda was a place
of special interest, on account of its having been famous during the
second century for its Colleges and Synagogues. Mr Galloway, the other
gentleman who was with Sir Moses, only came to Lydda to ascertain what
facilities the place offered for the projected railroad to Jerusalem.
It will perhaps be remembered that, at one of the meetings held in
London in connection with this project, one of the gentlemen present
proposed having a railway from Jaffa to Lydda, and from there a
macadamised road over the hills to Jerusalem.
On May the 19th they started for Geeb. Sir Moses remarks that the
road was exceedingly bad, through dry beds of former torrents, over
desperately stony hills. They rode for an hour and a half in darkness,
and, Sir Moses confesses, in great terror. He could not see his
horse's head, but they followed Ahmed Agha as well as they could. Lady
Montefiore was greatly alarmed, more so, Sir Moses says, than she had
been in all her life; but after retiring to rest she soon recovered her
courage.
_May 20th._--They arrived at Jerusalem, and were most cordially
received by all the inhabitants, who appreciated the object for
which they came. After having attended several meetings of the
representatives of the Holy City to hear the reports they had to give
them of their communal affairs, they visited the dispensary under the
direction of Dr Fränkel, the weaving establishment, and the girls'
school.
Eight persons belonging to the weaving establishment stated that
they were able to get a living. One said he could now keep his wife
and family; another observed, "The bread gained by the labour of the
hands was most sweet;" a third said that "formerly when he rose in the
morning he knew not where to get a morsel of bread, now he enjoyed his
regular meals, and blessed the name of God"; and a fourth remarked that
"formerly he carried stones in some gentleman's garden for a scanty
pittance, now he earned, comparatively speaking, sufficient to live
comfortably." All agreed that the weaving master was a good man, and
they preferred the present house in which the work is done to the old
one which they used to occupy.
Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore describe their visit to the girls' school
in terms conveying to the reader the idea of their satisfaction.
"We were delighted with it," they say. "There are three class-rooms.
No. 1 has eight forms, with forty-five pupils, belonging to the
Portuguese community, with four teachers. No. 2 has seven forms, with
forty pupils, with two teachers; and No. 3 has also seven forms, and
forty pupils, with only one teacher, but an excellent instructor."
"Nos. 2 and 3," they continue, "were German children, and very clever
indeed. The schools and scholars will bear comparison with any in
England."
On their return home from the day's excursions, they invited the
ladies' committee of needle-women to attend a meeting which had been
convened there, and Sir Moses then entrusted them with the entire
management of the Society. The ladies all expressed themselves as
greatly pleased with the charge, and promised to attend the school, and
themselves give out the needlework to all the pupils.
With regard to those whom the Committee had enabled to engage in
agriculture in Safed and the Bokea, Sir Moses was told that eight had
the misfortune to lose their cattle by death or by theft, and only
one succeeded in making a profit. At Tiberias the work of agriculture
had met with even less success. The prevalence of drought caused the
death of the cattle, and the ravages of cholera prevented the men from
attempting to ameliorate their condition.
The principal cause of the unhappy issue of this first agricultural
attempt, however, must be ascribed to the insufficiency of the amount
which the Appeal Fund Committee considered themselves justified in
advancing to the Safed and Tiberias poor. The latter had neither
houses, barns, stables, nor agricultural implements, nor had they any
means of their own to live upon till the gathering in of the first
produce of their fields.
We can now record most gratifying instances of the results of
agriculture pursued by the poor in the Holy Land who had the good
fortune to meet with friends in Paris and in other places, in Germany,
Poland, and Russia; and the general opinion of those who know the Holy
Land is that agriculture, when properly attended to, may be considered
the best means of securing a useful and comfortable life to the poor
who, from religious motives, may prefer that country to any other.
With reference to the Jaffa garden, which was then cultivated by two
Jewish families, Classen and Litman, under the superintendence of the
former tenant of the estate, Dr Hodgkin and Mr Galloway made a report,
at the request of Sir Moses, in which they state as follows:--
"In the year 1856 they expended 28,700 Egyptian piastres, whilst their
income only amounted to 27,544 piastres."
When Sir Moses bought this property for the Appeal Fund Committee, with
a view of encouraging agriculture among the Jews, it contained no less
than 1407 trees of every description. Knowing that similar gardens and
fields in possession of the natives were very profitable, he was rather
surprised at this result. Still he contented himself with the hope that
the property would increase in value, if it were once decided to have
a railroad to Jerusalem, in which case that place would be a great
acquisition for the directors for the purposes of the Jaffa railway
station; and, in the meanwhile, three poor families were deriving some
advantage from its cultivation.
From that time up to the present the expenses have, on an average, not
been less than £40 a year.
Offers were made by some persons to pay a high rent for the property,
but they could only do that, they said, after having had possession of
the land for at least ten years; and to this Sir Moses did not feel
inclined to agree.
A few days later he inspected the preparations which were then being
made for the erection of the windmill, and held special conferences in
the garden with the elders of the several communities regarding the
hospital he intended to build on a spot not far from the mill.
The spiritual heads of the German congregations, however, considered
it advisable to have almshouses instead of a hospital, "as such an
institution had been built within the last year by the Baroness Bettie
de Rothschild in memory of the late Mayer de Rothschild, and although
not large enough for the numerous poor in Jerusalem, still," they
thought, "it might probably soon be enlarged by the same lady for
the accommodation of a greater number." "Moreover, for the sake of
preserving peaceful relations between all parties in Jerusalem," they
added, "it would be desirable to be satisfied for the present with one
hospital."
Sir Moses consented to their suggestion, notwithstanding the great
trouble he had taken in the matter, and the heavy expenses he had
incurred by having elaborate plans of the building made, and having
gone to Constantinople to obtain the special permission of the Sultan
for it.
_Thursday, May 21st._--Count Pisamani, the Austrian Consul, informed
him that he would proceed in a fortnight to Constantinople to get a
firman for a highway or carriage road from Jaffa to Jerusalem.
The Emperor of Russia, he was told by the same gentleman, had sent £50
to the poor Jews of the Warsaw congregation at Jerusalem. His Imperial
Majesty had also given permission to his Jewish subjects in Poland to
send money to the Holy Land. Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore were much
pleased with this gratifying news.
The Loan Society, established by the Appeal Fund Committee, was next
examined, and found to have done much good. The necessity of having
such an institution was proved, and it was decided by Sir Moses to
continue it, although in some cases the loans could not be recovered on
account of the abject poverty of the borrowers.
Sir Moses received and paid visits to the Governor, the Consul, the
patriarchs of various religious communities, visited, as on former
occasions, most of the places held in veneration, and having obtained
all the information in connection with the institutions established by
the Appeal Fund, left Jerusalem on the 7th June, arriving at Alexandria
on the 11th of that month.
The attention shown to Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore by the Pasha of
Egypt has already been described by me when referring to their visit
to Alexandria in the year 1849. On the present occasion the friendly
feeling of His Highness was, if possible, even more strongly displayed.
Sir Moses was impressed with the idea that any act of kindness shown
to him by the Pasha might leave a favourable impression on the
Egyptian population, inasmuch as the latter would notice His Highness'
friendly sentiments towards a member of the Hebrew community, and it
might possibly induce them to cultivate more friendly relations with
his co-religionists. He had entered in his Diary full particulars of
the reception given to him also on the present occasion by order of
His Highness. One of the Pasha's palaces was prepared for him, the
viceregal boats, manned by sailors and soldiers in full uniform, were
sent to meet Sir Moses, and royal carriages were in waiting to drive
his party to the Palace. Magnificent entertainments were arranged
for him. There were elegant repasts served by thirty attendants. The
Governor of Alexandria came to offer his services, and carriages and
horses with runners at the side were continually at his disposal.
"The morning after our arrival," Sir Moses writes, "the Governor sent
to inquire after our health. In the course of the day Lady Montefiore,
accompanied by Mrs Tibaldi, paid a visit to the Princess, who received
her with the utmost kindness, and made her promise to spend a day with
her.
"I returned the Governor's visit, accompanied by my friends and the
officer appointed to attend me during my stay in Egypt. His Excellency
received me at the Grand Palace, came to the top of the staircase to
meet me, and showed every possible mark of respect.
"He invited me to pay him a visit at Cairo, which I promised to do."
_June 15th._--In accordance with a previous arrangement with the
Governor, Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore proceeded to Cairo; there they
again had a princely reception in the palace. "The breakfast," Sir
Moses says, "was magnificently served in truly regal state; not less
than thirty-two servants were in attendance."
At six o'clock in the morning, attended by the civil engineer, a
colonel in the Egyptian Army, and their own party, they set out in
three carriages for the railway, and proceeded on the line to Tuck,
through the desert for forty miles. The railway was well finished
thus far, and works in construction for carrying the line three hours
further. It is expected to be finished by the end of June. "The scene
in the desert," Sir Moses says, "was most interesting; hundreds of
camels, thousands of men as busy as ants; at present there are ten
thousand men at work!"
Magnificent as the palace was which they occupied, the millions of
mosquitoes and their innumerable associates, stinging their faces
and hands, did not permit them to remain an hour at rest in their
apartments, and they had to leave them for the adjoining gallery; there
they passed the night on chairs. They were glad, when the morning came,
to ride to the Synagogue, where they felt the soothing effect of a cool
and refreshing breeze (the building excluding the rays of the sun, and
conveniently permitting the currents of air to pass), which the palace
in the previous night could not offer them.
They left Cairo in the Pasha's carriages, accompanied by several
officers, for the railway, where every arrangement had been made for
their journey to Alexandria, which place they reached at 5 A.M. Ahmed
Bey, one of the officers of the Pasha, was waiting there to receive
them. They proceeded immediately to the palace, with three carriages,
two outriders, and runners.
_June 18th._--Sir Moses attended divine service at five in the morning,
and met in the house of prayer the newly appointed spiritual head of
the community, who happened to have entered into office on that day
for the first time. The Rev. M. Hazan, a native of Jerusalem, who had
recently filled a similar office at Corfu, had been appointed Rabbino
Maggiore in Alexandria. His name is well known in England, as he took
an active part in the deliberations on subjects connected with reform
movements in the Synagogue.
_June 19th._--We find Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore on board the
_America_, Captain Florio, in the harbour of Alexandria; and on Sunday,
June 21st, they were on their voyage to Trieste, where they arrived on
the 27th, and proceeded, _viâ_ Adelsberg, Laibach, Vienna, and Hanover,
to England.
On Sunday, July 19th, they arrived at Ramsgate, after an absence of
five months.
CHAPTER IX.
1857.
TOUSSOUN PASHA STAYS ON A VISIT TO SIR MOSES--SIR MOSES
RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DEPUTIES--THE
INDIAN MUTINY--MONETARY PANIC--THE JEWISH
DISABILITIES AT LAST REMOVED--SIR MOSES PRESENTS
TOUSSOUN PASHA TO THE QUEEN.
Sir Moses reported to the Rev. Dr N. M. Adler and the other gentlemen
of the Holy Land Committee the result of his observations in Jerusalem
on the various institutions established there by the trustees. He also
had many interviews with Holman of Canterbury on matters connected with
the erection of a windmill in the Holy City, and the preparation of a
balance sheet of the Appeal Fund occupied a good deal of his time. But
he was not permitted to devote his attentions exclusively to the Holy
Land. His Highness the Pasha of Egypt, as a proof of his confidence in
the kindness of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, entrusted them with the
care of his son, Toussoun Pasha.
This young Prince, although of a most amiable disposition, was rather
self-willed, like many other young people in an exalted position, and
thereby caused some anxiety to Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, who
deeply felt their responsibility for the Prince's well-being during
the time he was under their care. Among the suite of the Prince was
a physician, against whose advice the Prince often rebelled, and
it required all the tact of Lady Montefiore, and sometimes all the
firmness of Sir Moses, to make the young Pasha submit.
Sir Moses had for some time to relinquish his favourite pursuits in
connection with the Holy Land in order to study the comforts of the
Prince.
_Thursday, August 20th._--Mr S. A. Hart, the Royal Academician, was
commissioned by Sir Moses to paint a full-length portrait of the Prince.
The young Prince was entertained in a variety of ways, in Eastern and
European style.
Almost day after day there are entries such as "The young Pasha
continues well, which is a great happiness to me," or "The Prince is in
high spirits and excellent health; he grows tall and strong," showing
his great anxiety of mind during the period of the young Prince's
residence with him.
Toussoun Pasha's visit to England was now drawing to a close, and as
Monsieur Jules Pastré had arrived to accompany the young Prince on
a visit to Monsieur de Lesseps, Sir Moses made arrangements for his
departure. Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore accompanied the Pasha to
Dover, where they parted from him.
Monday, September 25th, being the Hebrew Day of Atonement, Sir Moses
and Lady Montefiore this day attended the services in the Spanish and
Portuguese Synagogue from before seven o'clock in the morning until
nearly the same hour in the evening without intermission. Sir Moses
records in his Diary the pleasure he felt in having been called upon
during the service to read publicly the chapter referring to the day
from an ancient scroll of the law presented by his grandfather to this
Synagogue.
Soon afterwards, on the 7th October, Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore
again attended a solemn service at the same place. This day had been
appointed by special command of Her Majesty to implore the blessings
of Heaven upon her arms for the complete and speedy restoration of
tranquillity in India. The Jews having proved themselves at all times
and in all countries loyal to the Government under whose sway they
live, it may readily be imagined that the Jews in England joined
heartily in the prayers offered up on that day, and no one could
pray more fervently than did Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore for the
continuance of God's blessing on Her Majesty, for the success of her
armies in the field, and for the speedy restoration of peace. Before
long the happy tidings were received that the Mutiny was at an end,
the East India Company became extinct as a ruling body, and on the 1st
November a public proclamation was read in front of the Government
House in Calcutta, declaring that the Queen of England had assumed the
direct control and sovereignty of India.
I now invite the reader to follow me to the Bank of England. There, on
our arrival, we are shown a pile of papers, and from them we gather
that Sir Moses had absolutely forgotten the existence of £50 Three
Per Cent. Annuities standing in his and Lady Montefiore's joint-names
and had not claimed the dividends thereon since the year 1847. There
is happily no record of such an oversight on the part of Sir Moses in
connection with his administration of the property of others.
It was now high time for him to think of the trust he held of the
benevolent Juda Touro legacy, and to commence the building of
almshouses in Jerusalem. He gave orders to a Ramsgate architect, Mr W.
E. Smith, to prepare a plan for a number of such houses at a cost not
exceeding £6000.
Mr Smith's son at once proceeded to Jerusalem, to obtain information
respecting the cost of labour and materials.
Within a month after the departure of the Egyptian Prince, Sir Moses
and Lady Montefiore received letters of thanks from the Princess, the
wife of the Viceroy; from the mother of the young Prince, and from the
Viceroy himself, who officially acknowledged the kindness shown towards
his son, the letters having been forwarded through the Foreign Office
in London. They were at the same time informed that the marble bust of
the young Prince, executed by Miss Susan Durant, had been submitted
to Her Majesty. The year, however, did not end without causing Sir
Moses some uneasiness, occasioned by the unsatisfactory state of
Lady Montefiore's health and by financial matters. There was a great
monetary crisis which threatened to affect many banks. A deputation
from the bankers and discount houses of Lombard Street had been to the
Chancellor of the Exchequer to endeavour to induce him to authorise
the Bank of England to make an issue of notes regardless of the Act of
Parliament. As one of the directors of the Provincial Bank of Ireland,
Sir Moses had some anxious days, the run for gold having alarmingly
increased at Dublin, Limerick, and Cork, until the Bank of England
announced the receipt of a letter from the Government, authorising them
to extend the issue of bank notes on undoubted securities, not under
the rate of 10 per cent. This notice stopped the panic in England, and
it was hoped would have the same effect in Scotland and Ireland.
Sir Moses says: "We have made every arrangement to send 50 mille gold
to-night; if needful, 100 mille to-morrow, and 50 mille on Thursday.
This is, I think, all that caution and prudence can require for the
week, and hope all demand for gold will cease before that time; if not,
we have plenty of Consols, new Three Per Cent. Bank Stock, and India
Bonds, besides an immense amount of bills we have discounted. I wish
every bank was as well prepared for a severe run as, thank God, we
are." Still the anxiety must have been very great.
The panic in England was followed by a monetary crisis at Hamburg,
and there was great apprehension of many failures in London and other
commercial places. During this time Lady Montefiore had been suffering
from illness, and was still very poorly. She was frequently attended by
eminent physicians, who recommended her a change of climate.
At the beginning of 1858, just as they had arranged to return to East
Cliff to allow Lady Montefiore the benefit of rest, Mr Arthur Cohen
(the present Queen's Counsel and Member of Parliament) and his brother
called on them with a message from his parents, to the effect that
they were desirous of passing a couple of months with them in a warmer
climate. Both Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, ever delighted to have
an opportunity of evincing their affection towards their brother and
sister, at once changed their plans, and made arrangements to take a
trip to Italy, and thus avoid the inclemency of an English winter.
Lady Montefiore, recording the day of their departure in her Diary,
invokes the blessing from Heaven. "May every evil," she prays, "be
averted from us, and may joy and thankfulness fill our mind throughout
our projected journey."
Sir Moses, wishing good acts to accompany them, as it were, like
guardian angels, handed on that day a cheque for £100 to the treasurer,
as his donation to the Lord Mayor's Commemoration Scholarship for the
Jews' College, and bestowed various gifts on charitable institutions
and deserving individuals.
They then left London for Dover.
On March 20th the travellers reached Florence, where, unfortunately,
Lady Montefiore was taken seriously ill. Two eminent physicians, Dr
G. Levy and Professor Pietro Ciprani, held frequent consultations. Dr
Canham, the physician who attended her at Ramsgate, was also sent for,
and it was not until the 13th of May that the doctors considered her
sufficiently recovered to continue the journey. That was an anxious
time for Sir Moses, the more so as he himself was ill and obliged to
keep his bed for seventeen days.
_May 15th._--We find them with their relatives at Pisa. Lady Montefiore
continued to make satisfactory progress towards recovery, and Sir Moses
was again able to enjoy the fine scenery of the country.
Saturday, he attended Divine worship, and the day following he gave a
description in the Diary of the Synagogue, which, on account of the
allusions therein made to his parents and godfather, appeared to me of
sufficient historical importance to interest the reader.
"The Synagogue," he wrote, "was very well attended, both by males and
females, and it is one of the handsomest little Synagogues I have
ever seen. I wish I had seen it before I built one at Ramsgate. I
would have gladly adopted the plan. It will accommodate three hundred
persons, and has a splendid ark, containing the sacred scrolls of the
Pentateuch. My godfather, Moses Haim Racah, of blessed memory, attended
this Synagogue when residing at his country house at Pisa. He was a
very liberal contributor to the Synagogue and charities at Pisa. I have
often heard my dear mother, blessed be her soul, say that she and my
honoured father had passed many happy days when staying on frequent
visits with the best of friends, Moses Haim Racah and his amiable wife,
my godmother. My mother frequently spoke of the kindness she ever
experienced from them, being more the affection of parents both towards
herself and my father. They were both young at the time, having been
married only about a twelvemonth. I consider myself most fortunate in
having been blessed on my coming into the world with such excellent
friends as my godfather and godmother. My godfather continued a sincere
friend to my dear parents to the end of his life. Peace to his soul!"
_May 23rd._--They left Pisa for La Spezia, where they remained eight or
nine days, Lady Montefiore being again in ill health.
_May 31st._--They started for Genoa. On their arrival in that place
their travelling companions became most anxious to return without delay
to England, and wishing to go by sea to Marseilles to avoid a fatiguing
journey across the Alps, took an affectionate farewell of Sir Moses and
Lady Montefiore, who, in the hope of deriving some improvement by a
longer stay, resolved to remain in Genoa for some time.
In this, however, they were disappointed. Dr Canham told Sir Moses that
he was anxious for their return to England, not on his own account,
but on that of Lady Montefiore, as he feared her health would not get
better until she was back in England. Nevertheless he strongly advised
very short journeys, not to exceed, if possible, four hours a day.
_June 24th._--They arrived at Paris. Lady Montefiore continued very
poorly and weak. Sir Moses himself was under great apprehension
regarding his own health, feeling the symptoms of a very dangerous
malady, from which he had suffered before. Their stay in the French
capital was very brief. They left four days after their arrival. They
arrived safely at Ramsgate on July 2nd. A few days later they were at
Park Lane, after an absence of five months.
Here Sir Charles Locock and Dr Canham met in consultation respecting
Lady Montefiore's illness, and Sir Moses had the happiness of hearing
from Sir Charles that he saw no reason to despair of her ultimate
recovery.
The entries referring to the month of July show that, notwithstanding
the anxieties both of them had on their minds during their last
journey, which would have made it desirable for them to have a few
weeks' rest, they were immediately called upon to exercise their wonted
activity in the performance of duties partly self-imposed, and, to a
certain degree, obligatory, owing to the position they held in their
own community, as well as in society in general.
The reception they had given in the preceding year to Toussoun Pasha,
and the benefit which he derived from his stay in England, induced his
father, the Viceroy of Egypt, to send him again to this country, and a
telegram to this effect having reached them from Corfu, the necessary
arrangements had at once to be made for his reception.
_July 22nd._--They were much pained to hear that the Committee of the
Holy Land Appeal Fund were obliged to come to a decision to discontinue
the weaving establishment and the girls' school, each requiring at
least £300 a year to keep them up.
To counterbalance, as it were, their disappointment in the success of
two institutions in the Holy Land, for which they had so much exerted
themselves, they had the satisfaction of witnessing in England the
successful issue of their struggles for civil and religious liberty.
Baron Lionel de Rothschild took his seat (July 26) in the House of
Commons, and Sir Moses, as President of the London Committee of
Deputies of British Jews, signed the following resolutions, which had
been unanimously adopted at a meeting held on that day at the Spanish
and Portuguese Vestry Chambers:
"That this Board hails with the sincerest gratification the passing
of the Bill affording to Her Majesty's subjects professing the Jewish
religion the means of enjoying seats in the Legislature.
"That this Board offers its warmest thanks to those members of the
Houses of Lords and Commons whose votes and influence have produced
this great result.
"That the grateful acknowledgments of this Board are especially due
to the electors of the city of London, whose noble, untiring, and
enlightened labours have achieved a crowning victory in the cause of
civil and religious liberty.
"To Baron Rothschild, M.P., and to all those valued friends whose
efforts have for years been unceasingly devoted to the removal of
Jewish disabilities, this Board is also desirous to testify its
respect and gratitude.
"This Board assures its fellow-countrymen that it prizes most
highly this act of right and justice; and that the heart of every
British Jew yearns as warmly and beats as vividly for the glory and
prosperity of his native land as that of every other British subject.
"That the foregoing resolutions be advertised in the daily papers and
in the Jewish press.
"MOSES MONTEFIORE, _President_."
Two days later he went to meet the young Prince, Toussoun Pasha, on
his arrival from Folkestone, and took him and his suite to Park Lane.
Amusements of every description were provided for him--excursions,
dinners, and soirees, similar to those given in his honour on the
occasion of the former visit of His Highness to England.
Sir Moses had now been associated with the London Committee of Deputies
of the British Jews for nearly half a century, and for more than
twenty years, with a few interruptions, had presided over its affairs.
Alderman Philips (now Sir Benjamin Philips), in the early part of
the year 1857, at the first meeting of the Board, after Sir Moses
had formally resigned the presidential seat, moved: "That an address
should be presented to him, expressing the thanks of the Board for
the faithful, zealous, and impartial manner in which he had fulfilled
his duties." All parties unanimously assented to it, but a variety of
circumstances had tended to prevent the presentation till now.
_Monday, October 11th._--When, at the meeting of the Board of
Deputies, Alderman Philips presented the address, he said, "that,
in doing so, he deemed it a great honour to be the medium of
communicating the sentiments of the Board to one whose uniform
kindness and courtesy, and whose veneration for the religion of his
forefathers, has won for him the esteem, the admiration, and, he
might almost say, the love, not alone of the Jews of this happy land,
but of those of the civilised world."
In reply to the address, Sir Moses said: "However inadequately I
may express my deep sense of this valued evidence of your esteem
and regard, I desire most earnestly to assure you of my sincere and
cordial thanks for the tribute of appreciation conveyed to me in the
very flattering address with which you have been pleased to honour
me. I desire further to assure you that Lady Montefiore most heartily
unites with me in grateful thanks for your congratulations on our
safe return to England, and for the expression of your hope that the
God of Israel may vouchsafe to us, in happy union for many years, His
gracious protection and blessing.
"You remind me that for nearly half a century I have been associated
with this body, and that for more than twenty years of that period I
have, with few interruptions, presided over its affairs. It is true
that advanced age and impaired health might, some time since, have
reasonably resulted in the severance of our connection in this latter
relation, the continuance of which I must attribute, not to any merit
of my own, but to your kind personal feeling towards me. But sensible
as I have been that the high and honourable office of your president
might well have been entrusted to younger and abler hands, I feel
that no one could have experienced from you more friendly support or
more flattering indulgence than you have extended to me.
"With respect to the efforts which I have been privileged to make in
foreign countries to advance the position of our co-religionists in
the social and moral scale--and to which you have so gracefully and
complimentarily alluded in referring to the temporary interruptions
of my presidentship--they are, independently of the gratification
I derive from your approval of them, a source of enduring,
welcome remembrance, both to myself and to Lady Montefiore, who,
accompanying me on all occasions, has most cheerfully encountered
no inconsiderable amount of fatigue and hardship. I rejoice greatly
that, by the blessing of the Almighty, these efforts have not been
fruitless.
"Grateful for all your acts of kindness, and particularly for this
valued token of your commendation, I heartily pray God--and in
this prayer Lady Montefiore sincerely joins--to bless you all with
continued health and prosperity."
_November 10th._--Sir Moses received a letter from the Honourable C.
B. Phipps, stating that the Queen had commanded him to inform Sir Moses
that Her Majesty would receive the son of the Viceroy of Egypt on the
following Monday, at three o'clock, at Windsor Castle.
Accordingly, on the 15th November, Sir Moses proceeded with the Prince
to the Castle. On their arrival, they were asked if they had lunched,
as Her Majesty had given orders for lunch to be prepared for them. Sir
Moses replied that he was thankful for Her Majesty's hospitality, but
they had lunched already. They were then conducted into a beautiful
drawing-room commanding a view of Windsor Park, and, after waiting
there a few minutes, Colonel Biddulph entered, and led them along a
gallery into a beautiful room, where they found assembled the Queen,
the Prince Consort, and several children of the Royal family. Sir Moses
introduced Toussoun Pasha to Her Majesty. They were most graciously
received by the Queen and the Prince. Her Majesty thought the Pasha had
grown tall and stout, and was looking well. Her Majesty then brought
forward the children to shake hands with the Pasha. A little girl,
apparently not above two or three years old, came forward and held out
her little hand in the most elegant and graceful manner possible. "The
dear little angel," Sir Moses says, "looked pleased, and smiled when
the young Prince stepped forward and took the little hand." Her Majesty
then introduced the other children to him, and all shook hands, the
Queen remarking that one of the Princes was of his own age. After some
few inquiries of Sir Moses whether the Pasha had been long in England,
and when he would leave, the Queen came and shook hands with the Pasha,
and said to Sir Moses: "I wish him to tell his father everything that
is kind on my part." Sir Moses assured Her Majesty that her wish should
be complied with. He then thanked Her Majesty and the Prince, for the
Pasha, for their kindness and condescension, and took leave, Colonel
Biddulph conducting them to their carriage.
Sir Moses remarked in the entry he made that day in his Diary: "I
never in my life witnessed a more lovely picture than the Queen, the
Prince Consort, and the Royal children, beauty and goodness combined,
a perfect picture of a noble family. May the God of our forefathers
bestow on them all good, grant them length of days, continued content
and happiness, and may His blessings ever be with them. Long and happy
live the Queen."
Believing that a visit to St George's Chapel would be entertaining
to Dr Etienne and the Pasha, they stopped there, and went over it.
On going out of the chapel Colonel Biddulph came to Sir Moses to
enquire if a sight of the apartments in the Castle would be agreeable,
supposing they were not too much fatigued. Sir Moses did not hesitate
to accept the offer, and Colonel Biddulph accompanied them back to the
Castle, and shewed them some of the splendid rooms. Then having sent
for Mr Richards to accompany them round the galleries, St George's
Hall, and the beautiful armoury, he took his leave.
"I much regret," Sir Moses says, "my dear Judith was not with me. She
could not have failed to have been pleased."
It was five o'clock when they took leave of Mr Richards.
_November 18th._--His Highness, accompanied by Sir Moses and Lady
Montefiore, arrived at Dover. After remaining the night at the Ship
Hotel, the young Prince took an affectionate leave of them, and
embarked in the morning for Calais, the Prince intending to reach Paris
before midnight.
CHAPTER X.
1858.
THE CASE OF THE ABDUCTION OF EDGAR MORTARA--STRANGE
THEORY ABOUT BAPTISM--SIR MOSES INTERESTS HIMSELF
IN THE MATTER--ACTION OF THE EVANGELICAL SOCIETY--DISCOURAGING
OPINIONS.
Lady Montefiore was still very unwell, and Sir Moses himself was so
ill at Dover that he could not leave his couch in the morning after
his arrival; but there was no time for him now to allow himself to be
treated like an invalid or seek a few weeks' rest.
An important event which for the last five months agitated the minds of
Christians as well as Jews all over Europe and America seriously called
for immediate and energetic action, and he considered it his duty to
rouse himself, and step into the breach.
I refer to the case of the abduction of the child Edgar Mortara from
the house of his parents at Bologna.
The first official information of this had been received by means of a
letter from the President of the Council of the Israelite community of
Turin, addressed to Sir Moses as President of the Board of Deputies.
This letter was accompanied by a memorial from twenty-one Sardinian
congregations, adverting briefly to the facts of this distressing
case, detailing the measures they had adopted in reference thereto,
and earnestly appealing to the Board of Deputies for its immediate
co-operation.
The full details of the case are given in a memorial addressed to the
Pontifical Government on behalf of the Mortara family, of which I give
a short abstract.
"On the 24th of June 1858, in Bologna, the boy Edgar Mortara, under
seven years of age, was snatched away from his Jewish parents under
pretext of having been secretly baptised. The distressed father
repeatedly but vainly applied to the authorities for an explanation of
the circumstances which had led to the abduction of his son. It was
only after several weeks that he was able in an indirect way to learn
that Anna Morisi, a former servant in his house, had, many months
previously, told another servant girl that, at the instigation of a
certain Lepori, a druggist, she had baptised the child Edgar when no
one was present, and when he was about one year old and dangerously
ill. It was further said that this took place on an occasion when
another of Mortara's sons was dying, and Morisi was urged by the other
girl to baptise him also, which, however, she declined to do."
Mortara on these statements made the following observations:--
"_1st._ That it is true that the child Edgar, when a little more
than one year old, was taken ill, but only of a slight ailment very
common among children, and the child's state could not have created
any serious apprehensions in the mind of any one, therefore the
condition did not exist on which it is permitted to baptise the
children of infidels _invitis parentibus_, viz., the certainty of an
inevitable death. And, indeed, it would be in contradiction to the
maxims of the Church on paternal authority to suppose such a thing
authorised before the approach of death, which removes a child from
the authority of his parents. Supposing for one moment that the
confidence entertained by the parents in the recovery of their child
were not shared by the over-zealous servant, it could not be supposed
or maintained that on the erroneous supposition of a person the law
could be diverted from its true meaning and from the established
rules for its application.
"_2nd._ The event, as narrated, was not legally examined into, nor
was any witness called or confronted. How is it then that while
nobody can be legally deprived of the smallest of his possessions
without incontestible proofs, now on a simple and bare assertion of
a servant girl it is sought to establish a fact, the consequence of
which is to rob a father and mother of their child? And indeed there
are some important authorities on canonical law, who find the sole
deficiency of evidence a sufficient reason to declare the nullity of
baptisms under similar circumstances.
"_3rd._ The girl Morisi has spoken on the subject after five years of
absolute silence. Therefore the suspicion is not without foundation
that she could not perfectly recollect having then observed and
fulfilled all the requirements of the baptismal rite with that
zealous precision required for the validity of this sacramental act,
and particularly as she had not then arrived at the sixteenth year of
her age, and was as simple, ignorant, and inexperienced as could be."
After these considerations of the legal aspect of the case, he proceeds
to some general arguments on which the Mortara family found a hope
that the authorities in whose hands the decision rests will order the
restoration of their child.
The memorial then points out the aversion and contempt resulting
from an imposed religion, and shows that ever since the Church
adopted the solemn principle, "Love thy neighbour as thyself," it
tacitly acknowledged free-will in all, and, at the same time, its own
inability to punish, although it might lament, the religious beliefs of
others. It next argues that baptism conferred upon an unwilling adult
being null and void, the same law should apply to a minor _invitis
parentibus_, and declares that there is no power on earth within the
bounds of justice and humanity that could impose upon a child a creed
different to that received from the paternal precepts as long as the
will of the father is that of the son. There is nothing on earth that
belongs more legitimately to a father than his children. The baptism of
an adult while asleep is void, as the free consent so essential to the
sacramental act is wanting; why then, in the present case, where the
subject was also asleep, should he be judged differently?
Then follows a series of references to high clerical authorities
from the year 1587 down to 1840, who have, one and all, decreed the
illegality of forced baptism, and the necessity of restitution in cases
of abduction.
A correspondence was immediately opened with the principal Hebrew
communities, and with many persons of distinction professing various
religious creeds, in Europe and America. In England especially, the
Evangelical Society, through Sir Culling E. Eardly, took a leading
part in their endeavour to serve the cause of justice. Copies of the
memorial, from which I have given the above extract, together with
copies of the "Bullarium Romanum" (vol. v., p. 60, xxvi.), against
secret baptisms; a letter from "The Jurist," published in London,
November 13th, 1858; an extract from the Annual Register of October
1774, referring to the restoration of a Jewish girl, aged nine, to her
parents; and a copy of depositions made at Bologna before the notary
Verardini, were forwarded to them to guide them in their pleadings for
humanity, and frequent meetings of a Committee appointed by the Board
were convened by the President to consider the best means for securing
the restoration of the child to his parents.
A report of the result of the deliberations of the said Committee has
been made by Sir Moses to the Board of Deputies, a portion of which I
copy for the information of the reader.
"The letter and memorial from Sardinia," Sir Moses says, "were
without loss of time submitted to the Deputies at a meeting, and
this Committee was thereupon appointed with power to adopt such
proceedings as, in their judgment, they might consider expedient.
"'The Committee met on the day of their appointment, and at once
determined to appeal for co-operation to the Central Consistory of
the Israelites of France, and to the central Jewish authorities
at Amsterdam. They further determined to memorialise the British
Government, soliciting its powerful intervention, and feeling well
assured of its humane and friendly sympathy. The Committee further
resolved to transmit to the press copies of communications received
from Turin, and they have every reason to feel grateful to the press,
particularly in England, France, Germany, and the United States, for
its able and humane assistance.
"'At a subsequent meeting the Committee determined to transmit a
report of the case, as it had appeared in the _Times_ newspaper, to
every member of the Catholic clergy throughout the United Kingdom,
and about 1800 of such reports were circulated accordingly.
"'The Committee, through the medium of the President, have also
appealed for co-operation to the Jewish Congregational bodies in
the principal cities and towns of Germany and the United States of
America, and they rejoice to be able to report that their appeal
has been zealously responded to, and that various bodies of their
co-religionists are taking active measures to seek redress for the
grievous wrong which has been committed.
"'It is well known,' the Board of Deputies announced, 'that the
Committee of the Evangelical Alliance and other religious societies
of the Protestant community have manifested great interest in this
unhappy case. They have on various occasions conveyed to this
Committee the expressions of their kind sympathy, and the Committee
are assured that the humane and zealous interposition of these
important bodies may be relied on.
"'Although, as will have been seen from the correspondence which has
been published in the daily press, the British Government is unable
to assist the case by a direct intervention, its views thereon are
emphatically pronounced, and the Committee offer their grateful
acknowledgments for the prompt attention and great kindness they have
received from the Earl of Malmesbury and Mr Fitzgerald throughout the
communications which have taken place between your Committee and the
Foreign Office.
"'The Committee are strongly urged to appeal personally to the
Emperor of the French by means of a deputation from your body, and
from the Jewish congregations in the principal states of Europe and
America, under the hope that His Imperial Majesty, conscious that the
public opinion has declared itself indignantly against an outrage so
disgraceful to the present age, will exercise his powerful influence
with the Papal Government, so as to induce it to restore the young
child, Edgar Mortara, to its bereaved parents, and to denounce the
repetition of any similar practice.
"'The Committee, however, feel that they would not be justified in
the adoption of so important a step without bringing the matter under
the attention of the General Board, and have resolved to report
thereto their proceedings to date, and to seek therefrom further
instructions. They protest most strongly against baptism without the
consent of the party baptised.
"'In this particular case the Committee have purposely abstained
from entering into the full details of the abduction and of the
subsequent events relating thereto. To do this would be to extend
this report beyond reasonable limits. The Committee are in possession
of important documents and voluminous correspondence, extracts from
portions of which have from time to time appeared in the press. After
a careful consideration of these documents, your Committee have
strong grounds for believing that the alleged baptism never took
place. If it did, it was administered by the menial and illiterate
servant girl Morisi, when she was herself a child only fourteen years
old, and under circumstances which appear to render it invalid, even
by the Roman canonical laws. It is quite clear that the child, from
its tender age (twelve months), must have been unconscious of the
act; that up to the date of its abduction it had been nurtured in
the faith of its parents, and so far from there being any truth in
the statement that Edgar Mortara rejoices in his adoption into the
Catholic Faith (a statement which, considering the still tender age
of the child, is manifestly absurd), it yearns incessantly for the
restoration to its home,--while, alas! if report speaks truly, its
unhappy mother has been bereft of reason, and its father, prostrated
in spirit, is about to emigrate from the scene of his recent
afflictions.
"'The case in itself is one deserving of the sincerest commiseration;
but when viewed with reference to its bearings on society at large,
it appeals irresistibly to all; and the civilised world will indeed
be wanting in energy and wisdom if it permit the nineteenth century
to be disgraced by the retention of the child in contravention of
the laws of nature, morality, and religion, and most especially
it behoves the Jewish community to exert itself to the utmost in
so urgent a cause, so that if it fail it may have at least the
consolation of knowing that it has done its duty, while if, under
the blessing of the Almighty God, it succeed, it may rejoice not
only because the sorrows of an afflicted family will thereby be
alleviated, but also because a moral victory will have been achieved,
the advantages of which will be recognised and prized by every friend
of humanity, law, and order throughout the world.
"'MOSES MONTEFIORE, _President_.'
"At a meeting of the Board, held on the 22nd of December 1858, Sir
Moses Montefiore, President, in the chair, the following resolutions
were unanimously adopted:--
"'That in the opinion of this Board it is desirable to memorialise
the head of the Pontifical Government on the subject of the Mortara
case.
"'That Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart., President, be requested to
present the same personally, if and when his health and engagements,
and the health of Lady Montefiore, enable him to undertake the
journey.
"'That the Committee on the Mortara case be empowered to prepare the
memorial, and to make such arrangements as they may deem expedient
for a deputation from this Board, and other public Jewish bodies,
to accompany Sir Moses Montefiore on his mission; and to adopt such
other measures on the subject as they may consider necessary.'"
Sir Moses, with his usual readiness to serve a good cause, consented
to proceed to Rome, the Board having resolved that it was inexpedient
to send a deputation to the Emperor of the French, and now commenced
making the necessary preparation for his departure, as soon as Lady
Montefiore's state of health would permit her to accompany him.
He had, however, a pleasing duty of a political nature to perform
before leaving England, which he did not like to relinquish.
He was desirous to assist in the election of Baron Meyer de Rothschild,
to fill the vacancy at Hythe occasioned by the retirement of Sir John
William Ramsden; and, accompanied by his nephew, Mr Arthur Cohen, Q.C.,
he proceeded on Tuesday, February 10, 1859, to the hustings.
Baron Meyer de Rothschild was accompanied from Folkestone and Sandgate
by a vast cavalcade and two bands, and just before reaching the town
the horses were taken from his carriage, and the candidate drawn by
the inhabitants to the hustings, where he was received with reiterated
plaudits. He was surrounded by a number of influential friends,
conspicuous among them being Sir Moses Montefiore.
The usual formalities having been gone through, and the returning
officer having declared Baron Meyer de Rothschild duly elected, the
latter addressed the electors, after which Sir Moses congratulated them
on their choice. They could not, he said, have a better member than
Baron Rothschild. (Cheers.) "I thank God," he added, "that old as I am,
I have lived to see this day, and to witness your choice. I sincerely
thank you all. May God bless you."
The same day, on his way to Ramsgate, he received at Ashford a telegram
announcing that Alderman Salomons had been elected for Greenwich by
a majority of 889. "This intelligence," he said, "afforded me the
sincerest pleasure, for the Jews owe a deep debt of gratitude to him
for his strenuous exertion in the cause of civil liberty, regardless of
labour and expense." "I truly hope," he continued, "that both the new
members may long live to enjoy their honours."
Prayers having been offered up in all the London Synagogues for the
success of his mission to Rome on behalf of Edgar Mortara, Sir Moses
gave orders to hasten the preparations for the journey, and proceeded
to the Foreign Office to present a copy of the memorial of the Board
of Deputies to Lord Malmesbury. His Lordship received him most kindly,
read the memorial, and promised to give him letters of introduction to
the British Ambassadors and Consuls abroad; "although Sir Moses should
bear in mind, from a former conversation on the subject, that he (Lord
Malmesbury) entertained doubts as to the result of the mission."
_February 25th._--He received letters of introduction from Lord
Malmesbury to the Embassies of Paris, Turin, Florence, Vienna, and
to Mr Odo Russell (the late Lord Ampthill) in Rome; and on March 3rd
he and Lady Montefiore, accompanied by Dr Hodgkin and Mr Kursheedt,
embarked at Dover for Calais.
The journey from London was most trying to Lady Montefiore in
consequence of her impaired health, and they did not reach Rome till
April 5th.
Sir Moses lost no time in calling upon Mr Russell, and leaving his
letters of introduction from the Foreign Office and Lord Russell. Mr
Russell remembered having seen Sir Moses when he was with Lord de
Redcliffe at Constantinople, and said, "He would do all he could for
him, but without any expectation of succeeding in doing more than
obtaining for him an interview with His Holiness." "That day," he said,
"was a council day, and the ministers did not receive." Sir Moses gave
him a copy of the address, also a full statement of the Mortara case.
Mr Russell repeated his promise to do all he could, but added, "What
can a poor Attaché expect, when the French Ambassador with a French
army with him has failed, after making every endeavour?"
_April 9._--Mr John Abel Smith having given Sir Moses' letters of
introduction to Mr Pentland, the latter called, and said that he was
perfectly acquainted with the case, and had spoken with the boy. In
his opinion there was no hope of getting the boy, but every effort
should be made to obtain a pledge that such a proceeding should not
be sanctioned in future. He appeared to think that Sir Moses should
see the French Ambassador, and obtain his support, he having taken
so active a part in the matter by order of the Emperor. Sir Moses,
however, did not approve of that. "I am," he said, "so much of an
Englishman that I prefer the English representation, and would only act
in accordance with the advice of Mr Russell."
Mr Pentland, whom Sir Moses took to be an Irishman, was a highly
educated man of elegant and agreeable manners. He was very much with
the Prince of Wales, and said, "His Royal Highness was most amiable and
talented, and very popular with the Roman nobility and people."
_April 11th._--Sir Moses received the following letter from Lord de
Redcliffe:--
"MY DEAR SIR MOSES,--I return you herewith the Mortara memorial.
The case appears to be so clear that, according to our notions, you
ought to find no difficulty in obtaining justice; but judging from
what reaches me in conversation, I fear it will require all your
ability, energy, and experience to open the smallest prospect of
success. With every good wish, I beg you will believe me, sincerely
yours,
"S. DE REDCLIFFE."
"Everything I hear and see," Sir Moses said, "unfortunately confirms
the opinion given me before my arrival. I have not heard from any
person since I left London that there was the slightest hope of success
for my mission, and now fear that I may even be denied the opportunity
of presenting the address of the Board to the Sovereign Pontiff.
Should I fail in this object, my next endeavours must be to obtain an
introduction by Mr Russell to the Minister, Cardinal Antonelli."
CHAPTER XI.
1859.
CARDINAL ANTONELLI DECLARES THE ABDUCTION OF THE
CHILD MORTARA "A CLOSED QUESTION"--THE DELUSION
ABOUT THE PASSOVER CAKES SPREADS TO ROME--UNEASY
FEELING AMONG THE JEWS IN THAT CITY--SHAMEFUL
ATTEMPTS TO GET UP TESTIMONY AGAINST THEM--INTERVIEW
WITH CARDINAL ANTONELLI--SIR MOSES LEAVES
ROME.
Mr Russell, in a private note, wrote to him:--
"It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that all my
exertions in the interest of your cause have failed. Cardinal
Antonelli declined to enter upon the subject, saying, 'It was a
closed question,' and His Eminence referred me to Monsignor Pacca,
the papal chamberlain, or to Monsignor Talbot, to obtain an audience
for you of His Holiness, but His Eminence added that he thought
it would be difficult at this moment. I next applied to Monsignor
Talbot, who assured me that the only possible course was that
you should apply yourself, in writing to, or personally call on,
Monsignor Pacca, who lives in the Vatican. Monsignor Talbot thought
the Pope would see you, but he also considered the question closed.
"I fear you were but too right in saying our only hope now rests with
that great God whose holy laws have in this melancholy case been
violated by the hand of man.
"I need not assure you that if there is anything in which I can serve
you, I beg you will command my services at all times."
Sir Moses immediately went to thank Mr Russell for his kind and zealous
exertions for the cause he had so much at heart, and said that he
deemed it his duty to follow up the suggestions made in his letter.
On his return home he wrote his application, and took it himself to
Monsignor Pacca at the Vatican. As he was out, Sir Moses left it with
his servant, with but faint hopes of a favourable answer.
He and Lady Montefiore then left cards on Lady de Redcliffe. Sir Moses
saw his Lordship, who appeared to think he should apply for an audience
without naming the object he had in view; but Sir Moses' opinion did
not coincide with those of Lord Redcliffe ("perhaps a wrong one," Sir
Moses remarks). "It would not be becoming in me," he said, "to gain an
audience but as the representative of the Board of Deputies of British
Jews."
_April 14th._--In accordance with an invitation which Sir Moses had the
privilege of receiving, he rode to the Hôtel des Isles Britaniques at
seven o'clock, and had the honour of dining with the Prince of Wales. I
quote Sir Moses' own words on the subject from the Diary:--
"His Royal Highness," he writes, "received me most cordially, and said
he had seen me at Windsor Castle. Within three minutes after my arrival
the Prince handed down the Hon. Mrs Bruce, the only lady present at the
dinner, but she did not sit next to His Royal Highness. He had Prince
Torlonia on his right, Mrs Bruce was next to Prince Torlonia, and I
sat exactly opposite His Royal Highness. On my right, the Rev. G. F.
Tarver, the Prince's chaplain, and Major Teesdale, R.A.
"There were twelve persons at table, and, before dinner, Colonel Bruce
introduced me to each, excepting Prince Torlonia, who came in only two
minutes before we sat down.
"The conversation was on general topics. I think all spoke English
except Torlonia, who spoke French with His Royal Highness. Dr Chambers,
the Prince's physician, was present. We were at table about an hour and
a half, then retired to the drawing-room. His Royal Highness requested
each to be seated, and took a seat himself in the centre of the half
circle formed by his party. He enquired if Toussoun Pasha was in
England at present, and said the Viceroy had given a grand dinner to
his brother.
"Soon after nine the party took leave. His Royal Highness shook hands
with each. I could not have had a more gratifying evening.
"Dr Chambers told me that Mrs Chambers had a few friends and a little
music upstairs, and would be happy if I would do them the honour to
join them. He accompanied me to their apartments on the floor above
His Royal Highness, and introduced me to Mrs Chambers. She said she
remembered me by the kindness I had shewn her many years since by
giving her some very thin biscuits,[3] of which she was very fond.
Gradually the two drawing-rooms became very crowded. She introduced me
to a considerable number of her visitors, mostly English travellers,
and many from India. They all alluded to the object of my mission with
feeling, and expressed an ardent desire for my success, but not one
among them thought that there was a hope of it.
"The son-in-law of the late Joseph Hume, who had been in India, was
there with his wife. I should think there must have been 150 persons
present. Mrs Chambers and her sisters have beautiful voices, and sang
delightfully. A gentleman belonging to the Royal Chapel at Rome, who is
celebrated for his beautiful voice and for being an excellent musician,
performed also. Dr Hodgkin, who was present, having left my dear wife
weak and poorly, I got away as soon as I well could. A most lively and
agreeable party."
The apprehension of failure in his mission, so strongly foretold by
all who spoke to him that evening on the subject, threatened to become
almost a certainty, owing to a serious accusation brought against the
Jews in the Ghetto.
On Friday evening, April 15th, some officers of the police entered
the Jewish quarter and searched a house adjoining the Synagogue, the
room containing the cloaks, bells, &c., of the sacred scrolls of the
Pentateuch, and afterwards the cellars under the Synagogue. They did
not say at the time what was the object of their search, but a crowd
had assembled outside the Synagogue, accusing the Jews of having
stolen two children with the object of using their blood in making the
Passover cakes, a woman exciting the crowd by declaring she had lost
two of her children. The alarm continued for a considerable time, and
it was late before the crowd left the Ghetto. Happily all was quiet
the next morning, but the Jews still laboured under great anxiety, as
this was the first instance of such a charge being made against them at
Rome, and hitherto their Synagogues had been held sacred. Early in the
morning a deputation waited upon the Governor of the city, but he had
heard nothing of the matter. On enquiry of the head of the police it
was ascertained that the report was spread by the malice of one of the
police officers. The Governor assured the deputation of his protection,
and said he would, if necessary, send a force into the Ghetto to
protect the Jews.
Sir Moses on hearing of the outbreak at once offered to go to the
Synagogue if the reports were repeated, but happily all remained quiet.
The next day (April 17th) he received the reassuring information that
the lost child had been found, and had returned to the mother's house.
It appeared that a woman had said that she had lost her child, and a
neighbour advised her to go to a particular man, a barber, who told
fortunes. She did so, whereupon this man informed her that her child
had been stolen by the Jews, who had murdered it for the sake of using
its blood with the Passover cakes. On receiving this account she went
direct to the Ghetto, and created a great disturbance, calling upon
the Jews to give up the child. She gave information to the office of
police, and they sent to search for the child. The Governor had since
put the barber and the woman in prison, but nevertheless there was a
very uneasy feeling among the Jews the next night and day, as women
and boys frequently cried out, "Take care of your children, or the
Jews will murder them." It was a singular circumstance that until
that year nothing of the kind had happened at Rome; and it was not a
little remarkable that the newspaper published at Rome on the 16th
inst., yesterday, called _Il vevo amico del popolo_, contained a letter
from Smyrna, giving an account of the assassination of a Frenchman
in the Jewish quarter of that city by the Jews, as it was alleged,
for the purpose of using the blood in the Passover cakes. The letter
also alluded to the case of Father Tomaso at Damascus. It was a most
mischievous article, and could not fail to excite a very bitter feeling
against the Jews, frustrating every attempt made to rescue the poor boy
Mortara, and to restore him to his parents.
Sir Moses felt much depressed in spirits; Lady Montefiore was weak and
ill. The Passover festivals commenced, and they were both anxious for
the safety of the Hebrew community. A lady who had dined with them the
previous night was so much alarmed as to dread returning home to the
Ghetto. Two gentlemen, besides her husband and a lady, had to walk with
her to see her safely home.
In a telegram Sir Moses sent to his friends on the 17th inst., he said,
"Suspense and perplexity still prevent me from writing."
He invited several friends to dine with them, and be present at the
recital of the history of the exodus from Egypt, in conformity with
Biblical injunction, and attended the morning service each day in the
Synagogue, no further disturbance having taken place in the vicinity.
_Wednesday, April 20th._--On his return from Divine worship in the
morning, Lord Stratford de Redcliffe paid them a visit. He had been
with Cardinal Antonelli, and had spoken about Sir Moses. From what had
passed he believed that his Eminence would see Sir Moses if the latter
called on him; and would also have no objection to his being presented
to the Sovereign Pontiff, but the Cardinal would have public duties
to perform after that day which would prevent his receiving anybody
at all till after the holidays. His Lordship said "between four and
five o'clock would be the best time to go to him." Sir Moses told his
Lordship that he was prevented from riding that day, and the walk
was too far for him, as he was already much fatigued with a walk to
and from the Synagogue. His Lordship replied that he did not usually
have his carriage out on a Sunday, but he should think it right to
do so on such an occasion. Sir Moses mentioned that he would, with
his permission, see Mr Odo Russell, and ask him to present him to his
Eminence, when he was able to go to him, which he might do after seven
this evening. His Lordship approved of this, and remained more than
half an hour chatting. Sir Moses afterwards renewed the conversation
about his mission. His Lordship said he believed the question of the
Mortara case was considered as completely closed by his Eminence the
Cardinal, and that it could not be re-opened after the discussion with
the French Ambassador.
Sir Moses expressed himself truly thankful to Lord Stratford, for he
was sure if it were in his power he would in every way promote the
success of his mission, which, Sir Moses said, he had every reason to
fear was quite hopeless.
After his Lordship had left, Mrs Chambers, the wife of Dr Chambers, and
her sister Miss Maitland, paid Lady Montefiore a visit; also several
gentlemen, whom Sir Moses met at her evening party. "All concur,"
Sir Moses says, "in the general opinion of the great amiability of
the Prince of Wales." As Mrs Chambers remembered the circumstance of
Sir Moses having sent her many years since some Passover biscuits,
he promised to send her some again, as he had brought with him a
sufficient quantity from London. Many Christians like them very much.
I remember having once seen over the shop of a Passover biscuit baker
in London an inscription on a shield to the effect that he had the
distinguished honour of being appointed Passover biscuit baker to Her
Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester.
The Jews in Rome, however, did not enjoy the Passover biscuits much
that year, nor for that matter any other food.
The President of their community, Signor Samuel Alatri, paid Sir Moses
a visit, and appeared much alarmed, apprehending another attack on his
community. Sir Moses offered to sleep in the Ghetto, so little fear had
he, but Signor Alatri preferred going to the French General.
Returning again to the Mortara case, Sir Moses writes:--
"Early this morning I sent a note to Mr Odo Russell, requesting to
have an interview with him. He replied by note that he would call on
me at half-past ten, which he did. I showed him Baron Rothschild's
telegram, enquiring as to the progress in the Mortara affair. He
said, in reply to it, I might make any use of his name that I thought
might be of service to my cause, as he felt most anxious to do all
in his power to help me. I then mentioned the conversation I had
had with Lord Stratford de Redcliffe yesterday, pointing out that
it was his Lordship's impression that Cardinal Antonelli would have
no objection to see me if I called on him. I therefore asked Mr
Russell's opinion as to whether I should call on his Eminence, and if
so, whether he would be so good as to introduce me to him. Mr Russell
said Lord Stratford was intimate with the Cardinal, and it would
perhaps be better if his Lordship would introduce me, but he thought
perhaps I should wait for the answer of Monsignor Pacca before seeing
the Cardinal. I then asked him if he thought I should leave my card.
This he approved, and said he would see Monsignor Pacca, and find out
how the matter stood, and would also converse with Lord Stratford
concerning Cardinal Antonelli. He thought the Sovereign Pontiff would
see me after the holidays.
"At four I rode, with my dear wife, to the Vatican, where his
Holiness resides. On the floor above are the apartments of Cardinal
Antonelli. I had to ascend 190 steps, a most splendid marble
staircase. The steps were easy to ascend, being very broad and
low. The person in waiting took my card, and enquired if I wished
to see his Eminence. This, I said, I hoped to do some other day. I
then drove to the Palazzo Colonna and left my card for the French
Ambassador, to whom we are all so much indebted for his most zealous
endeavours on behalf of young Mortara."
In the evening Signor Tagliacozzo came in to report on two other
attempts made by some of the Roman populace to cause trouble to the
Hebrew community. In two different Synagogues, he said, arrangements
had been made to hide a child there, with a view of raising the alarm
outside the moment the door should be closed, and then falling upon the
Jews and accusing them of intended murder. "By the mercy of heaven," he
said, "these plans were frustrated, and in each case the lost child was
found."
"The director of the police," he continued, "sent to the President of
the Deputies of the Jews at Rome, and informed him of the discovery
of the missing children." Meanwhile many of the Jews had been afraid
to pursue their daily avocations in the city, several having been
ill-treated by the ignorant people, who pelted them with stones,
injuring two or three very severely. Signor Tagliacozzo observed that
the Jews had had a miraculous escape, for on the beadle closing the
doors of one of the Synagogues on Friday evening last he observed a
child under a seat in one of the corners, as if asleep. He turned the
child out, but could get no satisfactory explanation as to how he came
into the Synagogue, or why he remained after all the people had left.
About half-an-hour after the beadle had locked up the Synagogue,
the people in the Jewish quarter were alarmed by the noise of a
concourse of women and children, and some men, with officers of the
police, saying that the Jews had concealed in the Synagogue or house
adjoining a Christian child, to sacrifice it and use its blood in
their Passover cakes. The woman whose child was supposed to be stolen
shrieked dreadfully, and led the officers of the justice, in the first
instance, to the house, and then to the Synagogue, to the very spot
where the child had been found. Had the beadle not seen the child,
as no doubt was the expectation of those who hatched the plot, the
lives of hundreds of innocent persons would have been sacrificed. In
another Synagogue a child endeavoured to enter on a Friday evening,
when all the service was over and the doors were being locked, but was
fortunately also discovered by the beadle, and driven away.
Rome is not the only place in these States where endeavours have been
made to excite hatred against the Jews on the old base and wicked
charge of eating human blood. At Sinigallia, near Ancona, a woman went
to the police, saying she had escaped being murdered by the Jews, and
the ignorant populace threatened the poor Jews with vengeance, and the
place was in great agitation. All this is scarcely to be believed,
but I have heard, though I can scarcely give credit to it, that this
charge against the Jews is impressed upon the children at the several
colleges. I myself believe that the colleges are free from this
crime, and shall be glad to find that the common sense of the case is
explained to the children.
The reader may well imagine how painfully these unfortunate occurrences
must have affected the mind of both Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore,
and how disheartening it was to them to see the object of their
mission becoming every day more hopeless. This, together with the
very disquieting reports from England regarding the political state
of Europe, and the feeble state of Lady Montefiore's health, made Sir
Moses very anxious at receiving no reply from Monsignor Pacca. "I begin
to think," he observed to his friends, "I shall get none."
_Rome, April 27th._--Lady Montefiore was very unwell. Sir Moses
continued in a state of great excitement. "I fear," he said, "there is
little hope of an audience for me with the Sovereign Pontiff."
At about one o'clock Mr Odo Russell came. He drove Sir Moses to the
Palazzo Colonna, the residence of the French Ambassador, the Duc de
Grammont. The latter received them in a very friendly manner, and
recounted to Sir Moses all he had done in the case of the boy Mortara,
and said he was certain that all his efforts would be unavailing.
_Rome, April 28th._--Mr Odo Russell accompanied Sir Moses on a visit to
Cardinal Antonelli.
"His Eminence," Sir Moses writes in his Diary, "received us
immediately. I told him the object of my coming to Rome, and of my
disappointment at not being able to obtain an audience of the Pope to
present to him the address of the Board of Deputies. Every endeavour
I had made having failed, I had to request his Eminence to present
it for me to the Sovereign Pontiff. I then gave him the address,
and said, 'I would remain a week in Rome for an answer to it.' The
Cardinal replied that 'it was impossible to do anything in the
Mortara case, but that every precaution should be taken to prevent so
unfortunate an occurrence for the future; that a child once baptised
was a Christian, and as the Catholic Church considered that those of
all others could not be saved, the child would not be given up until
the age of seventeen or eighteen, when it would be free to follow its
own inclinations. In the meantime the parents should have free access
to the child, it should be well educated and taken care of, but the
law of the Church prevented its being given back to the parents, He
alluded to an order that Jews should not have Catholic servants, as
any conscientious woman might, from pious motives, seeing a child
dangerously ill and apprehending its death, baptise it, she at the time
believing that it could not be otherwise saved in the event of its
death.' I said, 'As we were all the children of one God, it was deeply
to be lamented that we could not dwell together in peace.' He again
alluded to the laws of the Church.
"On my expressing a hope to receive a reply to the address from the
Pope, he said: 'No reply had been given to similar memorials from
Holland, Germany, and France.' He gave an assurance of goodwill towards
the Israelites in the Papal States.
"The Cardinal was most courteous, made me sit by his side on the sofa,
and very cordially shook me by the hand, both when Mr Odo Russell
introduced me to him and on my withdrawing after our interview.
"On leaving the Vatican, Mr Russell rode with me to our house, and
repeated to Lady Montefiore all that had passed, when we drew up a
telegram, which he approved, and I forwarded it to London for the Board
of Deputies, and to inform the Lord Mayor, the Chief Rabbi, Baron
Rothschild, and Sir Culling Eardly."
_Rome, April 29th._--Sir Moses called on Dr Chalmers, and met His Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales on the staircase, with Colonel the Hon. R.
Bruce and Major Teesdale. The Prince graciously stopped to shake hands
with him. Sir Moses then called on Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, who
thought Sir Moses should make yet another effort to see the Pope.
_Rome, April 30th._--On his way home from the Synagogue he went to Mr
Odo Russell, being anxious to see him, as he was extremely desirous, in
accordance with Lord Redcliffe's advice, to make another effort to see
the Sovereign Pontiff; but Mr Russell had just gone out. "The English,"
Sir Moses writes, "are all taking their departure. It is reported that
hostilities have actually commenced between Piedmont and Austria; also
that 14,000 Tuscan troops have gone over to Piedmont, and the Grand
Duke fled to Bologna. The Prince of Wales, it is said, will leave on
Monday next."
_Rome, May 1st._--"Unpleasant reports," says the Diary, "are in
circulation to-day regarding the state of the political world. Some
feeling, it is said, has been evinced in several Colleges. It is
expected that the greatest part of the French troops will leave Rome.
My companions are all very anxious that we should return to England."
_Rome, May 5th._--Sir Moses gave the order to engage berths in the
_Vesuvius_ from Civita Vecchia, having to pay double fare from Naples
to Marseilles in consequence of the great number of people anxious to
embark. He called on Lord de Redcliffe, and remained with him for a
full hour, conversing on the Mortara subject and the plans which might
lead to the possibility of prevailing upon the Pope to restore the
child to his parents.
_Rome, May 6th._--Cards were left by him at the Vatican for Cardinal
Antonelli, and farewell visits paid to his friends. In the evening,
while attending Divine Service, he witnessed an attempt made by a
Roman recruit to create a disturbance in the Synagogue. "The man,"
Sir Moses says, "was pushed out, and the doors locked till the end
of the service." Nothing further occurred, but the city was full of
disagreeable reports. "War, war, war," was the general cry. "I was
quite knocked up," he continues, "and obliged to lie down for some
time."
_Rome, May 10th._--Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore left Rome. "I thank,
bless, and praise the God of my fathers," Sir Moses said, "for bringing
me and my dear wife in safety out of Rome; and may He bring us in
improved health to old England and our relatives and friends."
On proceeding to the railway station they met Mr Odo Russell on his way
to take leave of them. They stopped the carriage and had a few minutes'
chat. "It is some satisfaction," Sir Moses writes in his Diary, "that
all whom I had consulted in the Mortara case agreed in opinion that
I could do nothing more, and that, in the present state of things,
my remaining at Rome would in no way be useful or desirable." "This
journey and mission," he says, "has been, on many accounts, a painful
and sad trial of patience, and, I may truly add, of perseverance, but
our God is in Heaven, and no doubt He has permitted that which will
prove a disappointment to our friends, &c., and is a grief to us, for
the best and wisest purposes. Blessed be His name!"
[Footnote 3: Probably Passover biscuits, which Sir Moses was in the
habit of sending sometimes to his friends who expressed a desire of
having them.]
CHAPTER XII.
1859.
INTERVIEW WITH THE DUC DE GRAMMONT--ANOTHER UKASE--INFLUENTIAL
PROTEST IN THE MORTARA CASE--PERSECUTION
IN ROUMANIA--ATTITUDE OF THE FRENCH AND
TURKISH GOVERNMENTS TOWARDS THE JEWS.
_May 20th._--Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore arrived in Paris. Lady
Montefiore's state of health being very unsatisfactory, Sir Moses
resolved to remain five or six days in the French capital to allow her
some rest.
_May 24th._--He called at the British Embassy, where he saw Viscount
Chelsea, who recommended him to write to Count Walewski to express his
gratitude for the warm and generous efforts of the Duc de Grammont in
the Mortara case. This Sir Moses did, and the next day the Minister of
Foreign Affairs wrote him a note to the effect that he would receive
him on the following Friday. Sir Moses accordingly called on his
Excellency, and told him that his object was to thank the Emperor and
his Excellency for the very generous exertions they had made for the
restoration of the child Mortara to its parents, and to express his
gratitude towards the Duc de Grammont for the very zealous manner in
which he had exerted himself at Rome to attain that object, and he (Sir
Moses) believed that, although his exertions had not been attended with
the success so much desired, the Duke had done much good, as his warm
expostulations would no doubt prevent, at least for some time, any
similar outrage against humanity. "Not only his co-religionists," Sir
Moses observed, "but also the Christians in England, felt deeply in
this unfortunate case, and were equally affected by the circumstance."
His Excellency said that not only the Emperor, but all the people in
France, felt keenly on the subject. The Emperor had written to the Duc
de Grammont in the strongest manner. His Excellency was sure that the
Duc de Grammont had done his best.
Sir Moses then begged of his Excellency to use his influence at any
future time when an opportunity occurred to obtain the restoration
of the child to his parents, and this his Excellency promised to do,
saying that he was happy to have made Sir Moses' acquaintance. The
reception, Sir Moses remarks, was truly kind and friendly. The Count
said he believed the boy was well treated, to which Sir Moses rejoined
that he thought so; but this was little consolation to his parents for
being robbed of their child.
Before leaving Paris Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore had the satisfaction
of hearing some pleasing news regarding their co-religionists in Russia.
Mr Ginzberg, a gentleman from St Petersburg, informed them that the
Emperor had issued an Ukase permitting Jewish youths to attend the
public colleges, and to absent themselves from school on Sabbaths and
festivals.
_May 29th._--They bade adieu to their friends, and started for Lille,
where they remained for the night.
Early in the morning the champion of the Mortara family showed himself
again in his commercial character as the energetic President of the
Imperial Continental Gas Association. He visited the station of the
Association's works, and saw the splendid new gas-holder, of which the
superintendent gave him a satisfactory report in all respects.
At the same time he learned the sad news of the death of one of the
officers of the Association, Mr G. H. Palmer, whom he had so lately
seen at Marseilles. He had died suddenly of heart disease.
Sir Moses was much shocked and distressed. "God preserve us all," he
said, "from sudden death," and he began to think how he might render
some service to the family of the deceased.
They left Lille for Calais, where they arrived in safety, and had
great cause to be most thankful to Providence, for on reaching Calais
they found that the truck on which they had been travelling in their
carriage was nearly in flames, and smoking to such a degree as to
require the immediate application of several buckets of water. It
appeared that the great weight of their travelling carriage had forced
its wheels nearly through the bottom, in fact, had done so to such an
extent as to cause the iron at the bottom to press on its wheels. In a
little while their carriage would have been on fire.
_Tuesday, May 31st._--They crossed the Channel, arrived at Dover, and
were able to walk on shore. The next day, June 1, they left Dover for
London, where they met with a most hearty welcome from their relatives
and numerous friends.
_June 6th._--Sir Moses called on Lord John Russell and Mr John Abel
Smith, also at the Foreign Office, to express his thanks for the
letter of introduction to Mr Odo Russell, and his gratitude for that
gentleman's very kind and active assistance.
Five weeks later, on Wednesday, 13th July, he attended a meeting of
the Board of Deputies. The vice-president conducted the business until
Sir Moses' letter accepting the office of President was read, when the
former stepped forward and conducted him to the chair. The report of
his mission to Rome was well received by the meeting, and the following
resolutions were unanimously adopted:--
"1. That this Board recognises with grateful appreciation the pious,
zealous, and philanthropic feelings which induced its President,
Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart., notwithstanding his advanced age, to
undertake, at a very great personal sacrifice, a mission to Rome to
present to the Sovereign Pontiff the memorial from the late Board of
Deputies on the subject of the abduction of the child, Edgar Mortara.
"2. That the Board regrets the refusal of the Sovereign Pontiff
to receive the memorial from Sir Moses Montefiore personally, and
sincerely deplores the determination of his Holiness, declining to
institute further inquiry into the truth of the child's alleged
baptism, and in enforcing its continued separation from its bereaved
parents.
"3. That this Board desires to record its emphatic protest against
the right or validity of clandestine baptism--a practice which it
believes is opposed to the wishes and intelligence of mankind.
"4. That this Board delights to express its esteem and gratitude to
its venerable President for the eminent services rendered by him, not
only in this unhappy case, but on former occasions, to the cause of
humanity and civilisation; and it is also mindful of its obligation
to Lady Montefiore, her husband's constant companion in his travels
and the sharer of his fatigues and anxieties.
"5. That this Board feels assured the sentiments embodied in the
foregoing resolution will find a faithful echo in every Jewish heart,
and will ensure the sympathy of every friend of human progress
throughout the world.
"6. That these resolutions be advertised in the public press."
"All the efforts of Sir Moses Montefiore," the daily papers report,
"having proved ineffectual in obtaining the restoration of the child
Mortara to its parents, a committee of gentlemen in the city felt that
some protest was demanded on behalf of British Christians, and the
following protest, having been privately circulated, has been most
extensively signed, and a copy of if has been forwarded to the French
Ambassador:--
"'Whereas a Jewish child, Edgar Mortara, son of Momolo Mortara, late
of Bologna, in Italy, was, on the 24th of June 1858, forcibly seized
and taken from its parents, by order of the Cardinal Viale Prela,
Archbishop of Bologna and Legate of Pope Pius IX.:
"'And whereas the ground of the seizure was, that the said child,
Edgar Mortara, had been secretly baptised by a Roman Catholic
maid-servant six years previously, being then of the age of twelve
months:
"'And whereas the said child was, by the order of the said Cardinal
Legate, conveyed by night, under an escort of gendarmes, to the
Convent of San Pietro, in Vincoli, at Rome, and is there detained
contrary to the wish, and notwithstanding the protestations of his
parents:
"'And whereas the Government of France has in vain urged the Court of
Rome to restore the said child to his parents:
"'And whereas Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart., at the request of the
Deputies of the British Jews, made on the 22nd of December 1858,
went to Rome in their name to present a memorial to the Pope, signed
by the whole of the said Deputies, asking for the liberation of the
said child Edgar Mortara; and whereas the Pope refused even to see
Sir Moses Montefiore; and Cardinal Antonelli, Minister of State, has
declared to Sir Moses Montefiore that the Roman Government will not
release the child:
"'And whereas it is a dishonour to Christianity in the eyes of the
Jews among all nations that the seizure and detention of the said
child, Edgar Mortara, should be supposed to be consistent with the
principles of the Christian religion:
"'Now we, the undersigned British Christians, do hereby protest, and
declare that the proceedings of the Pope of Rome, in taking away
the Jewish child, Edgar Mortara, from his parents, and educating
him, contrary to his parents' will, in the Roman Catholic faith, are
repulsive to the instincts of humanity, and in violation of parental
rights and authority, as recognised in the laws and usages of all
civilised nations, and, above all, in direct opposition to the spirit
and precepts of the Christian religion.'"
More than two thousand names of persons of rank and influence were
attached to the protest.
I now invite the attention of the reader to the subjects which occupied
Sir Moses' mind during the remainder of the year.
It has been stated before that Sir Moses signed the contract with Mr
William E. Smith of Ramsgate for building the Juda Touro Almshouses in
Jerusalem. The special authorisation from the Turkish Government, as
well as the approbation of the former Governor and of every member of
the City Council, fully justified Sir Moses at that time in expecting
to see the building proceed rapidly. But in this he was disappointed.
On the 15th day of June Mr Smith reported that the Governor had ordered
a suspension of the works, on the ground that the building would
be too near the city fortifications. This was most unfortunate, as
nearly all the stone had been prepared, the foundations excavated, the
water-receivers almost completed, and all the doors, iron-work, and
windows sent out from England. His first step was to address Arabic
letters to Sureya Pasha, the Governor of Jerusalem. Subsequently Sir
Moses called on the Turkish Ambassador in London, and applied also
to the Sublime Porte for renewed instructions to the authorities in
Jerusalem. But it was not until the end of December that he received a
letter from the Turkish Minister, to the effect that the permission for
the continuance of the building would be sent to Jerusalem.
In the meantime the delay of work greatly increased the expense, as
the builder had to remain six months longer in Jerusalem than he had
expected, and the principal working men had to be retained, not knowing
when their services might again be required.
To those who have had some experience of building schemes in the East,
such an interruption in the work would not be a matter of surprise. It
is the general rule among the natives, in order to be able to proceed
peaceably with any private or public building, to secure, in the first
instance, the friendly approbation of all the officers connected with
the Government; and in this case the superintendents of the works,
being Englishmen, may have unintentionally neglected to do so; hence
what had been right in the eyes of Kiamil Pasha, was considered wrong
in the eyes of Sureya Pasha, the latter acting, as he said, on special
orders received from the Sublime Porte.
_July 6th._--Sir Moses having ascertained from Mr O. W. Galloway that
the Viceroy was anxious for his son, Toussoun Pasha, to spend another
summer with him, invited the Prince to London, and the invitation
having been cordially accepted, Toussoun Pasha, attended by his
physician, Dr Ettienne, Mrs G. Williams, his governess, and the
Mamlook, arrived at Park Lane on July 9th. The young Prince looked very
thin, but in excellent spirits. "God grant," Sir Moses said, "their
stay with us may prove beneficial."
The Prince, as on the two former occasions, improved in health and
gained strength during his stay in England under the hospitable roof of
Sir Moses, and became every day more cheerful in his disposition.
In the same month (August 29th) Sir Charles B. Phipps, by command of
the Queen, forwarded to Sir Moses a musical box as a present from Her
Majesty to His Highness Toussoun Pasha before he left England.
Sir Moses wrote to Sir Charles, acknowledging the receipt of Her
Majesty's gracious commands, and sent Said Pasha, the Viceroy, a copy
of Sir Charles Phipps' letter.
His Highness, in return, conveyed to him his deep sense of gratitude
for the care he and Lady Montefiore had taken of the young Prince, and
entreated Sir Moses to take the first occasion to tender to Her Majesty
the Queen his high appreciation of the honour conferred by Her Majesty
on him by the gracious reception granted to his son.
The gracious attention of Her Majesty to the young Prince, and
the gratitude of his father the Viceroy to the Queen, undoubtedly
contributed, in a certain degree, towards the preservation of friendly
relations between England and Egypt; and Sir Moses had the satisfaction
of knowing that he became indirectly the acknowledged medium of
fostering and promoting the blessings of peace and mutual interest
between two countries.
He never sent a letter to the Pasha without showing it first at the
Foreign Office, and awaiting the approval of the Minister; nor did
he ever withhold the contents of any letter addressed to him by the
Pasha. He took the original himself to the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
and deposited with him a copy for the perusal of others in office
interested in Egypt.
_October 10th._--Subsequently the hour of parting drew near, and
Toussoun Pasha had to take leave, and, in doing so, expressed himself
affectionately towards both of them.
Lady Montefiore unfortunately continued to suffer from illness. She
often had medical advice, but was at times very ailing. Sir Moses had
little time to rest, but his presence at East Cliff inspired hope and
cheerfulness in the heart of his suffering companion. Every day almost
brought him letters, imploring his aid in cases of dire distress.
A month previously he had received some most painful communications
from Galatz, in Roumania, respecting the unparalleled cruelties
committed on the Jews there. Some of them had been murdered, others
fearfully wounded, many deprived of all their property, and their
Synagogues desecrated. Sir Moses forwarded all the letters on the
subject to Lord John Russell, and, as President of the Board of
Deputies of British Jews, requested the British Government to intercede
for the Jews, by giving instructions to the British Consuls to render
help and protection to the sufferers, as far as lay in their power; but
it took a long time to extinguish the flames of persecution. Letters
continued to arrive from villages and towns, imploring help.
A month or six weeks later a cry of distress reached him from
Gibraltar. Owing to the war which was then expected to ensue between
Spain and Morocco, the Jewish inhabitants of Tangier, fearing the
repetition of the brutal usage which they had experienced when the wild
Kabyle tribes came down to the coast in 1844, had fled from their homes
in a state of utter destitution.
Nearly 2700 of these unhappy people had arrived at Gibraltar from
Tangier, and it was but too probable that they would be followed by
many thousands of others from different parts of Morocco.
Sir Moses convened a special meeting of the Board of Deputies of the
British Jews. The Board formed itself into a committee of relief,
and energetically appealed to its co-religionists, not only in this
country, but throughout Europe and other parts of the world, for prompt
assistance.
Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore gave £200 towards the immediate relief
of the sufferers, and many benevolent persons of various denominations
followed with generous contributions.
To Sir W. Codrington, the Governor of Gibraltar, who manifested much
thoughtful humanity towards the unfortunate Jewish emigrants from
Tangier, Sir Moses had the pleasing duty to convey a vote of thanks
from the Board of Deputies.
Sir William, in acknowledging the receipt of Sir Moses' letter
enclosing the resolution, said that he was only carrying out the
intentions of Government in assisting refugees. "You will have heard,"
he observed, "that Government has since authorised me to give temporary
assistance to those necessitous persons, by affording them a bread
ration from the commissariat."
"The French Government," Sir William continued, "will receive into
Algeria those who wish to go there. I hope that many will avail
themselves, and that soon, of this permission, for it will be well for
them to seek at once their future permanent abode, wherever it may be."
It appears that the intention of the French Government to receive into
Algeria all who wished to go there, impelled another power to make a
similar offer to those who wished to go to Palestine; for, a day before
Sir William had written his letter to Sir Moses, Mr Kingsite called
on the latter, and stated that the Turkish Ambassador wished him to
inform Sir Moses that if the Jews were inclined to return to the Holy
Land, and could advance money to the Turkish Government to effect the
withdrawal of the existing coinage, they should have every liberty and
land, with all possible protection. Sir Moses told Mr Kingsite he did
not think that there was a single Jew in England who wished to return
at present, nor did he believe that a loan for that purpose would be
raised. Mr Kingsite was going to speak with a well-known house on the
subject.
_November 21st._--Sir Moses called on the Turkish Ambassador, who
received him very courteously, heard all he had to say, and entered
very fully into the whole affair of the Holy Land. He said all would go
well, and he would write to the Governor of Jerusalem, and same time
send him a copy of his letter which he had forwarded to him some time
since. He expressed himself as being anxious to see a colony of Jews in
Palestine.
Both the French and Turkish Governments, we see, were desirous of
having Jewish colonies in their respective countries; with the sole
difference, that the French authorities were content with the poor of
all classes, while the Turkish authorities only offered to extend their
privileges and protection to the rich colonist.
During the last month of the year Sir Moses received a visit from the
father of the unfortunate young Mortara. He gave him a note to Sir
Culling Eardly, who promised to do all in his power for the restoration
of the boy. A few days later Sir Moses convened a meeting of the
Mortara Committee, when it was resolved to write to Sir Culling Eardly,
that, having done all in their power in the Mortara case, they could
not attempt to do more, but hoped he would persevere and be successful.
In his capacity of Deputy-Lieutenant of the county, Sir Moses, together
with Captain Isaake, another Deputy-Lieutenant of the county, invited
Colonel Stothard of Dover to come to Ramsgate and select the land for a
battery to protect the harbour. On his arrival they went to Wellington
Crescent, and selected for that purpose a plot, 200 feet in length and
50 in depth, in the centre of the garden in front of the Crescent.
Sir Moses, ever anxious to serve his country, expressed himself as much
satisfied in having had the opportunity of assisting in so important a
cause.
Lady Montefiore's state of health, to which I have already alluded,
continued to be most unsatisfactory. Her condition frequently prevented
Sir Moses from attending meetings or special appointments in the city.
CHAPTER XIII.
1860.
THE SULTAN PERMITS THE BUILDING OF THE JERUSALEM
ALMSHOUSES--CONCESSION FOR A CARRIAGE-ROAD FROM
JAFFA TO JERUSALEM--SIR MOSES CHAMPIONS THE PERSECUTED
CHRISTIANS OF SYRIA--PUNISHMENT OF THE
CULPRITS--DISQUIETING REPORTS FROM DAMASCUS.
The year 1860 opens with the record of a satisfactory reply from the
Turkish Government to Sir Moses' petition respecting the building of
the Juda Touro Almshouses in Jerusalem, the interruption of which,
by order of Sureya Pasha, had caused him much annoyance and expense.
Musurus Pasha, the Turkish Ambassador in London, thus addresses him on
the subject.
"I have the pleasure to inform you that I have just received a dispatch
from His Excellency Fuad Pasha, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of
the Sublime Porte, in reply to the communication that I addressed to
His Excellency on the subject of the interference by the Imperial
authorities at Jerusalem with the erection of the building lately
commenced there by your orders for the benefit of your co-religionists.
This dispatch states that although, according to the general
regulations respecting fortified places in the Ottoman dominions, the
erection of such buildings in such proximity to a fortress should
not be permitted, yet, notwithstanding this, considering that an
exceptional permission was previously granted to you of which you have
already availed yourself to erect a building in the vicinity of the
fortress above mentioned, His Imperial Majesty the Sultan has been
pleased to order that the building last begun should be allowed to be
finished, according to your wish, and the necessary orders have in
consequence been sent to His Excellency the Governor of Jerusalem.
"Congratulating you on this desirable result being obtained, I have the
honour to be, &c."
About the same time he received some intelligence from Count Pizzamano,
the Austrian Consul in Jerusalem, respecting a subject which had often
engaged his attention in former years, viz, the construction of a
carriage road from Jaffa to Jerusalem. It appears that the Count had at
last succeeded in obtaining a fifty years' concession from the Turkish
Government for the purpose, and he now proposed forming a company
with a capital of one million francs, on which he calculated he could
offer the shareholders a dividend at the rate of ten per cent. per
annum, leaving a surplus to be divided between the contractors and the
Amortisation Fund.
The Count was not willing to dispose of any shares before hearing from
Sir Moses; and asked him whether he would be inclined to associate
himself in the undertaking, sharing profits and losses alike; or,
should this not suit him, how many shares he would take himself, and
how many he could place in England among his friends?
The concession which the Turkish Government granted to Count Pizzamano
to facilitate traffic in the Holy Land may probably have had some
connection with the conversation Sir Moses had with Musurus Pasha in
London on the subject of Jewish colonisation, consequent upon the
offer which the French Government had made to the Jews of Morocco.
However gratifying the communication of Count Pizzamano may have been
to Sir Moses, his advanced age, and the great anxiety occasioned by
the very unsatisfactory state of Lady Montefiore's health, precluded
the possibility of his then associating himself with the Count in his
important undertaking.
_April 3rd._--Sir Moses laid the foundation stone of the Spanish and
Portuguese Branch Synagogue at Bryanston Street, near Cumberland Place,
towards the building of which he and Lady Montefiore had contributed
£500.
_June 15th._--The Viceroy of Egypt sent him a portrait of his son,
Toussoun Pasha, with a very complimentary letter.
_July 3rd._--The entry of this day, regarding the Juda Toura Almshouses
in Jerusalem, I give in Sir Moses' own words.
[Illustration: JUDAH TURO ALMHOUSES AT JERUSALEM. _See Vol. II., page
111._]
"Being anxious," he writes, "to make arrangements, with the advice of
our esteemed Chief Rabbi and Dr Loewe, for the guidance of Mr Kursheedt
respecting the filling of the Almshouses in Jerusalem, as so much
would depend on the choice of individuals,--I wish them to be persons
of excellent character, men well learned in our Law, who devote much
of their time to study, and by whom a nice house, free of rent, in a
pleasant situation, would be considered a boon,--I therefore started at
seven o'clock with Mr Kursheedt for Brighton to consult Dr Loewe."
Soon after the train started Sir Moses opened some letters which had
been brought to him to the station, and found that they required his
immediate attention in London. He left Mr Kursheedt at Red Hill, and
went back to town; and having disposed of his business, he started
again for Brighton, but the train, being a slow one, arrived so late,
and the return journey had to be undertaken so soon after his arrival,
that the meeting was only productive of a fresh appointment for the
following Tuesday. Accordingly he returned to Brighton on that day.
"My dear Judith," the entry says, "had not a comfortable night. I
left her with great regret, but it was unavoidable, having made an
engagement with the Chief Rabbi and Dr Loewe to meet them at Brighton.
Mr Kursheedt accompanied me. We arrived there at twelve o'clock.
Dr Loewe was at the station, and went with us to Dr Adler's. We
immediately commenced the consideration of the minutes prepared by
Dr Loewe. The result was, the building is to be called 'Mishkenót
Shaananim' (the dwellings of those who are at ease), to avoid hurting
the feelings of the inmates by calling the buildings almshouses. There
are to be eight houses and a Synagogue for the Portuguese; a similar
number of houses with a Synagogue for the German community; one
house for the weaver" (who was then the master at the weaving school
established by the Trustees of the Holy Land Appeal Fund); "another
for the Rev. Samuel Salant" (who, however, never availed himself of
the offer then made to him); "and one for a Dispensary. The heads of
the several congregations in Jerusalem" (at that time nineteen in
number) "are to select the persons for the houses they think the best,
and Mr Kursheedt will see them installed in accordance with Eastern
custom. Tokens of esteem are to be presented on that occasion to the
Officers of the Guard, the Officers of the Mosque of Omar, Ahmed Agha
Dizdar" (the former owner of the land on which the Almshouses were
built), "and his son; also presents to the poor of the Holy City,
the Greek, Armenian, and Latin Convents, and the Guard of the Jaffa
Gate. Offerings made by visitors who attend Divine Service in either
of the two Synagogues, in memory of the benevolent founder, are to be
appropriated to defray the expenses of keeping the sacred edifices
clean, lighting them, and to paying a gate-keeper and well-keeper for
water."
A number of regulations intended for the guidance of the inmates were
then agreed to, but before half the business had been finished, Sir
Moses was obliged to leave, and only reached Ramsgate late in the
evening, after a fatiguing day's work.
_July 11th._--Lady Montefiore had a restless night, and was very weak
that day. Sir Moses, however, himself far from well, and scarcely
recovered from the fatigue of the previous day's journey, was called
upon to work for his fellow-beings in Syria, for "the Lebanon had
opened its doors to the fire of destruction and dissolution."
The Druses, the daily papers reported, had destroyed 151 Christian
villages and killed one thousand persons, and the Mahommedans had
massacred Christians at Damascus. About 3300, it is said, have been
slain.
Lady Montefiore reading to Sir Moses the debates of the House of Lords
referring to Lord Stratford de Redcliffe's speech on the massacre
of the Christians in Syria, in which he stated that twenty thousand
Christians, women and children fugitives, were then wandering and
starving on the mountains of Syria, he determined, with the willing and
cheerful consent of his wife, to go to town.
There he addressed a letter to the Editor of the _Times_, and suggested
the formation of a committee to collect subscriptions for a fund for
their relief.
After having done so he immediately drove to Printing-house Square,
though fearing, as it was after midnight, that there was no probability
of its appearing the next day in the _Times_. "I must be content,"
he said; "I have done all in my power to prevent any loss of time in
affording assistance to the unfortunate and destitute fugitives in
Syria. I left my dear Judith with great reluctance. I was poorly, my
legs swollen, and I had travelled five hundred miles, and this night's
journey added a hundred miles to it. I have not spared any exertions
this week to fulfil my duty."
Happily his endeavours to serve the good cause were crowned with
success. The _Times_, on the 12th July, under the heading of "The Civil
War in Syria," published his letter, of which the following is a copy:--
"SIR,--I have noticed with the deepest sympathy the statement made
last evening in the House of Lords that, owing to the recent outbreak
in Syria, there are twenty thousand of the Christian inhabitants,
including women and children, wandering over its mountains exposed to
the utmost peril. Being intimately acquainted with the nature of that
country and the condition of its people, I appreciate, I am sorry to
say, but too painfully the vast amount of misery that must have been
endured, and which is still prevalent.
"I believe that private benevolence may do something towards the
alleviation of the distress of the unhappy multitude now defenceless,
homeless, and destitute.
"I well know, from experience, the philanthropy of my
fellow-countrymen, and I venture to think that the public would
gladly, and without delay, contribute to the raising of a fund to be
applied as circumstances may require, and under judicious management,
for the relief of these unfortunate objects of persecution.
"I would suggest, therefore, that a small, active, and influential
committee be at once formed, with the view of raising subscriptions
and of placing themselves in communication with the British
Consul-General at Beyrout, and the other British Consular authorities
throughout Syria, so that assistance may be rendered by the
remittance of money and the transmission of necessary supplies; and I
take the liberty of enclosing my cheque for £200 towards the proposed
fund.
"Your recent eloquent and judicious advocacy of the cause of the
Syrian Christians has encouraged me to address you, and will, I
trust, be a sufficient excuse for my so doing.--I have the honour to
be, Sir, yours faithfully,
"MOSES MONTEFIORE."
"EAST CLIFF LODGE, RAMSGATE, _July 11th_."
_July 27th._--Sir Culling E. Eardly and Sir James Fergusson apprised Mr
N. Moore, Consul-General at Beyrout, of the formation of the British
Syrian Relief Committee. Lord Palmerston, Lord Stratford de Redcliffe,
Lord John Russell, Lord Overstone, the Earl of Shaftesbury, Sir Moses
Montefiore, Mr A. P. Kennard, Baron Rothschild, and many others were
contributors to the fund.
"We have already," the honorary secretaries write, "by the kindness
of Lord Wodehouse, Under Secretary of State, sent you a telegraphic
message through the Foreign Office, authorising you to draw upon us for
£1000."
The Committee included the Marquis of Lansdowne, Sir Moses Montefiore,
the Lord Mayor of London, the Earl of Malmesbury, Lord Stanley, M.P.,
Baron Rothschild, the Bishop of London, Sir Charles Napier, M.P., Mr
Austen Layard, &c.
_August 1st._--We find Lord Stratford de Redcliffe acting as President,
and Sir Moses Montefiore as Chairman, of the Executive Committee of the
British Syrian Relief Fund.
Sir Moses, when in England, attended almost all the meetings, and
continued to be one of the most active members until the year before
his death, when he and Mr H. W. Freeland were the only trustees of
the fund. The amount left with their bankers at that time was £180.
The Committee in London was assisted by a Committee in Beyrout, under
the Presidency of Mr N. Moore, the British Consul-General. They also
had the co-operation of Mr Consul Brant in Damascus. Much good was
accomplished. By the end of August £7500 had already been remitted for
distribution among the sufferers.
Circulars were issued to the leading Jews of Europe, accompanied by
copies of an address of the Chief Rabbi to the Jewish community at
large, and the result was a generous contribution to the Fund.
The English and French Governments intervened, and a convention was
signed at Paris, twelve thousand men to be sent by France.
Fuad Pasha, in the same month, proceeded to Damascus, and severely
punished the Mohammedans implicated in the massacres; 160 of all ranks,
including the Governor, were executed.
General Hautpoul, at the head of four thousand French soldiers, landed
at Beyrout; and there was every reason to hope that peace would soon
be restored, and that all feeling of animosity among the various
nationalities would cease.
_August 8th._--Sir Moses presided at a meeting of the Morocco
Committee, and agreed to send a commissioner to Morocco, who was to
visit several of the principal towns on the coast, and to report on the
state of the Jews and their wants, so that the money the Committee had
on hand might be applied to the best advantage of the Israelites in
that country.
_August 9th._--Having received distressing accounts from Persia
regarding the unfortunate state of the Jews in that country, he
addressed Lord John Russell on the subject, and in his capacity as
President of the Board of Deputies of the British Jews, sent him a copy
of the communications from Hamadan, and entreated the kind offices of
the British Government to protect the Jews of that city.
_August 14th._--He received a requisition to call a meeting of the
Board of Deputies to consider the best means to be taken to effect the
removal of the inscription on the marble slab in the church of the
Capuchins at Damascus, accusing the Jews of the assassination of Father
Tomaso.
The moment, it was believed, would be most favourable for another
attempt in this direction.
Sir Moses having endeavoured for so many years to obtain the removal of
the same, he was very willing to assist, and to determine on the best
means to be adopted to accomplish the object in view.
_August 28th._--At a Court of the Irish Bank Sir Moses advocated the
cause of an orphan child of one of the oldest clerks in the Bank, who
had held his situation thirty-five years, and who had died a fortnight
since, his widow following him a few days afterwards. They left an only
child, a daughter, who had an admirable character, and was very clever,
and Sir Moses appealed to the Board to deal liberally, and give her
some substantial support.
_August 29th._--In accordance with an arrangement for carrying out the
instructions regarding the Touro Almshouses, Mr Kursheedt took leave of
Sir Moses, the latter repeating to him all the conversation they had on
that subject at Brighton in the presence of the Chief Rabbi, with the
request that he would endeavour to do his best in the interest of the
Trust.
_September 1st._--The Turkish Ambassador in London made a communication
to Sir Moses regarding the persecution of the Jews at Bagdad, which by
the intercession of the Turkish Government had happily ceased.
Sir Moses was highly pleased, and would have gone to town on purpose
to thank his Excellency for the good tidings, but the state of Lady
Montefiore's health caused him much anxiety, and prevented him from
doing so.
She passed night after night in a state of restlessness and pain, and
her medical advisers in Ramsgate and London strongly urged that she
should pass the winter in a warmer climate.
Accordingly, September 20th, Sir Moses wrote to Dr Hodgkin, inviting
him to accompany them to some place on the Mediterranean recommended
by him and Sir Charles Locock. Dr Hodgkin accepted his invitation. He
felt it a duty, he says, as well as a satisfaction, to comply with the
wishes of so kind a friend.
_October 14th._--Sir Moses received a letter from the Spiritual Head
of the Hebrew community of Damascus, entreating him to intercede on
their behalf with the British Government, the Turkish Ambassador,
and the Consuls at Beyrout. The Jews in their city, he wrote, were
exposed to great danger from false accusations. Sir Moses went to town,
communicated with the Chief Rabbi and the Secretary of the Board of
Deputies, and addressed a letter to Lord John Russell, enclosing, for
his Lordship's perusal, a translation of the letter he had received
from Damascus. He took it himself to Downing Street. Lord Wodehouse was
not there, but he saw Mr Hammond (now Lord Hammond), and acquainted him
with the perilous position of the Jews of Damascus. Mr Hammond promised
to send the letter to Lord John Russell, and added that it would be
satisfactory to Sir Moses to know that they had later accounts from
Damascus, which did not say one word about these accusations against
the Jews. Lord John Russell had gone to Richmond, and should have Sir
Moses' letter sent to him at once.
CHAPTER XIV.
1860.
APPEAL FROM THE JEWS OF DAMASCUS----LORD JOHN
RUSSELL'S ACTION----THE MORTARA CASE AGAIN----SERIOUS
ILLNESS OF LADY MONTEFIORE.
Having given the reader a copy of the letter Sir Moses wrote to the
_Times_, pleading the cause of his Christian brethren when persecuted
by the Druses and Mohammedans, he will probably read with equal
interest a copy of the letter he addressed to Lord John Russell,
pleading the cause of his Jewish brethren, accompanied by a translation
of the original Hebrew letter from the representatives of the Jewish
community.
"EAST CLIFF LODGE, RAMSGATE, _October 16th_.
"MY LORD,--With painful reluctance I submit to your Lordship the
accompanying translation of a letter from the heads of the Jewish
community at Damascus.
"There can be no doubt whatever that the Jewish body of that city is
guiltless of any participation in the recent outbreak, and I venture
to believe that your Lordship requires no argument to satisfy your
mind on this point.
"May I entreat your Lordship, as heretofore, to exercise the powerful
influence of Her Majesty's Government to protect and save the Jews of
Damascus from the perils to which they are so imminently exposed? As
the affair is urgent, I venture personally to attend your Lordship
with this letter and its enclosure.--I have the honour to be, my
Lord, your Lordship's faithful and obedient servant,
"MOSES MONTEFIORE."
"_To_ The Right Hon. LORD JOHN RUSSELL, &c."
_Copy of enclosure._
"_To_ Sir MOSES MONTEFIORE, Bt., our Benefactor and Deliverer, whom
may God long preserve, &c.
"We had the honour to address you a letter in the course of last
month, in which we spoke of the enmity of the Christians towards the
Jews here in Damascus, which has risen up in addition to all former
hatred.
"Now a great, bitter, and intense jealousy fills their hearts, by
reason that they have been murdered, plundered, and maltreated,
whereas against all the children of Israel not a dog moved his
tongue. Our hearts were then moved as the sea, least, by reason
of this bitter hatred and jealousy, false accusations should be
brought against us. We therefore besought you to aid us by obtaining
instructions from the English Government to the Consuls, Generals,
and Commanders who come to Syria; also from the Turkish Government to
His Highness Fuad Pasha that he should stand by us, and not be ready
to receive malicious reports against the Jews, for His Highness is a
just and upright man.
"Now we have to inform you that since the commencement of the month
of Ellul (August) the Christians have been plotting and preparing
false and malicious accusations against us; many of us have been
thrown into prison, and falsely accused of having participated in
the massacre. The Christians are believed in their statements, when
they say, 'So and so killed some one.' That person is thereupon
immediately brought before the tribunal. Testimony of honourable men
among the Turks is not received when they declare that the accused
was in their house during the tumult. Even the evidence of Christians
is not believed when they bear witness to the Jews having been hidden
with themselves, and their not having parted from each other during
the whole outbreak. Even should the accused himself testify anything
in favour of an accused Israelite, it is not attended to.
"A woman accused a certain Jew, who she thought had killed her
husband; she was asked to swear according to her own faith that the
accused was the man. She refused to swear, and asked the Jew to swear
by the law of Moses that he had not done it so that he might go free,
but the tribunal would not listen thereto. Even the testimony of our
Chief Rabbi has been rejected.
"The Jews still remain in prison, and one has since died in his
dungeon from the effects of terror.
"Oh, Sir! consider only for a moment the fearful consequences of
innocent Jews being thrown into prison with murderers, when all the
testimony and proof that they may bring forward will not aid in their
deliverance.
"We know not, therefore, what is to become of the people of Israel
when the Christians see that there is no hope for Israel; that
false accusations against them are listened to; but that to the
voice of Israel there is none to give ear or reply, none to pity or
compassionate.
"Indeed those who rose against the Christians and killed them are not
judged according to the ordinary laws of the land, nor is evidence
taken in the usual manner; but there has been established what
is termed an 'extraordinary tribunal.' Now it appears that it is
intended to judge the Jews also by this tribunal, and to condemn them
to death upon the mere word of the Christians. This is indeed a great
and bitter calamity. How is it possible to compare the condition of
the Jews to that of those who rose up against the Christians? Were
not the Jews themselves during that terrible time in the greatest
fear and danger? Surely there was but a step betwixt us and death.
Most of the Jews hid themselves in the houses of respectable Turks,
in cellars and in caves, in company with Christians.
"Is it possible to suppose that one who was in momentary fear for
his own life should rise up to kill another? Reason and common
sense testify against it. God forbid that such a thought should
enter the mind of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen of England or
her Government--a queen whose justice and mercy is as that of the
kingdom of heaven, and for whose prosperity, honour, and glory we the
congregation of Damascus have prayed these twenty years.
"We have gratefully to acknowledge the great mercy, kindness, and
benevolence Her Most Gracious Majesty showed us in former troubles.
May she long reign in peace, happiness, and prosperity.
"In this trouble also do we lay our supplications before Her Majesty,
beseeching her to have pity and compassion upon poor afflicted Israel
in Damascus, who only desire her aid and support and all powerful
influence, that the imprisoned Jews may have a fair trial before the
ordinary tribunal in accordance with the well-known custom of the
country, for Israel both young and old are wholly guiltless in this
matter, and free from the crime of shedding blood,
"Truly this is a time of great trouble and distress, for every Jew
dwelling in Damascus is in continual dread of being accused, for
there is none to say unto the Christians, 'Why do ye thus?' It has
been openly declared by some of them that they will grant Israel
neither peace nor rest.
"Already they have begun to conspire against the best, the most
honourable and esteemed of our community, viz., the well-known Jacob
Abulaffia and Solomon Farchi, son of the late Isaac Hyam Farchi (of
whose hospitality you partook on your visit to Damascus), a youth
fourteen years of age, and only son of his father's house.
"A certain Christian declared that his father was killed between the
two houses of the above-named parties. Were not the Lord on our side
what would become of us? The accused being under French protection,
the French and Greek Consuls prevented this case being brought
before the 'Extraordinary Tribunal,' but had it heard before the two
Consuls. The Lord brought his innocence to light. May God save those
who uphold His Law from such fearful machinations!
"And on what was the whole accusation based? If a man had been found
slain in the highway at the time of the rising of the mob, when all
the streets of the Christians, as well as the streets of the Jews and
Turks, which are near each other, were filled with the slain, was it
in the power of man to prevent a murder from being committed before
his own house? Would the ruffians have had any regard? Who should
tell them not to murder all who stood in their way? Were the lives of
the Jews themselves then secure?
"Wherefore we beseech you to have compassion upon us, to put forth
your right hand to save us, to answer us, as the Most Holy--blessed
be He--shall direct and prepare the way for you. 'Behold it is a time
of trouble unto Jacob, oh, that he be saved out of it!' Our hope is
in you, that salvation may come through your means, to obtain the
influence of the English Government, as well as that of the French
and Turkish, with His Highness. Fuad Pasha, who is an upright judge;
also that instructions may be sent to the English Consul in Damascus,
so that the Jews may not be confounded with those who rose up in
rebellion.
"You are our Father; hasten to help us. As you have been our
former deliverer, so save us now, and compassionately be the means
of frustrating their evil devices, so that it may be said of our
troubles, and the troubles of all Israel, 'It is enough,' and redeem
us with an everlasting redemption. Amen.
"Attached are the signatures of the Rabbins, the elders; and the most
worthy of the congregation of Damascus, who anxiously await your
answer.
"HYAM ROMANO. DAVID HARPY. MENAHEM FARCHI. JACOB HALEVI. JACOB
PERETZ. NAHUM LUSANO. ISAAC KALON. RAPHAEL HALEVI. ISAAC MAIMON.
AARON JACOB."
"DAMASCUS, _7th Tishri 5621 (1860, September 23rd)_."
"FOREIGN OFFICE, _October 24th, 1860_.
"SIR,--I am directed by Lord John Russell to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of the 16th inst., enclosing a petition from the Jews
at Damascus, praying for protection against the hostile proceedings
of the Christians, by whom they have been falsely accused of having
taken part in the late massacres.
"I am to state to you in reply that Her Majesty's Ambassador at
Constantinople has been instructed by telegraph to take immediate
steps for the protection of the Jews, and that written instructions
to the same effect will be sent to Sir Henry Bulwer, as well as to
Her Majesty's Consular Agents at Beyrout and Damascus.--I am, Sir,
your most obedient, humble servant,
"C. HAMMOND."
"Sir MOSES MONTEFIORE, Bart., &c."
"EAST CLIFF LODGE, RAMSGATE, _October 26th_.
"MY LORD,--I cannot adequately convey to your Lordship the
gratification afforded to me by your Lordship's esteemed
communication of the 24th inst., informing me of the prompt and
efficient measures taken by your Lordship for the protection of the
Jews of Damascus.
"I feel assured that the energetic manner in which your Lordship has
thrown the shield of the British Government over the Jewish community
of that city will, under Providence, be the means of saving the lives
of many innocent persons.
"The knowledge of this fact must afford your Lordship the highest
satisfaction, and it is indeed a source of pride and triumph when, as
in this case, the influence of the British Government is successfully
exerted in the cause of humanity and justice.
"Believe me, my Lord, I am deeply impressed with your Lordship's
kindness, which cannot fail to elicit the warmest sentiments of
admiration and gratitude from the hearts of the whole Jewish body.--I
have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's faithful and obedient
servant,
"MOSES MONTEFIORE."
"_To_ The Right Hon. LORD JOHN RUSSELL, &c."
The following letter from Mr Brant bears testimony, if any were needed,
to the groundlessness of the charges against the Jews:--
"DAMASCUS, _October 16th_.
"SIR,--In your letter of this day's date you ask me to state what
I know of the behaviour of the Jewish community during the late
outbreak against Christians.
"I know that many of the principal members took refuge in the
houses of Mussulmans for fear of being massacred if they remained
in their own. I do not know that any one of your nation has been
proved to have been concerned in injuring the Christians. Some have
been accused of doing so, and were detained in prison, but I begged
his Excellency Fuad Pasha to have them fairly tried, and, if found
innocent, to order their release, which, I believe, has been, or is
on the point of being done.
"I am not aware that any Jew has behaved ill in this calamity, and
the accusations I have heard seemed to be the result of prejudice and
a malicious disposition, and not to be grounded on any established
proof.--I have the honour to be, with respect, Sir, your obedient,
humble servant,
"JAMES BRANT."
"_To_ JACOB SCREZ, Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Congregation at
Damascus."
"I certify the above to be a true copy of the original letter.
"WILLIAM H. WRENCH, _Acting Consul_."
"DAMASCUS, _October 19th_."
Sir Moses also had letters prepared on the subject, which were to be
forwarded to the Turkish Ambassador and Sir Culling Eardly, with copies
of the Damascus letter, and a few days later Sir Culling sent him
the copy of a letter he had written to Lord John Russell. It was an
admirable and affecting appeal for his Lordship's intervention.
_October 25th._--He received a most satisfactory reply to the letter he
had addressed to Lord John Russell respecting the persecution of the
Jews in Damascus. His Lordship had telegraphed to Constantinople, had
sent instructions to Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador at that place,
and to the Consular Agents at Beyrout and Damascus, to take immediate
steps for the protection of the Jews.
The next day Mr G. Kursheedt, who had gone to Jerusalem with
instructions respecting the Juda Touro Almshouses, returned in safety
from the Holy Land, and gave Sir Moses an account of the state of his
co-religionists in Jerusalem. It was by no means unfavourable.
_October 31st._--Sir Moses convened a meeting of Deputies of British
Jews for the following Monday evening, to bring before them Sir Culling
E. Eardly's letters respecting the boy Mortara, and it would rest with
the Deputies, Sir Moses remarked, to say what part they would take with
Sir Culling in his efforts to get young Mortara away from Rome.
_November 7th._--Lady Montefiore passed a restless night. She had
been very weak during the day, and somewhat feverish. The doctor came
and saw her. He told Sir Moses they were making no progress, and he
must determine at once to leave England within ten days, or make
arrangements at Park Lane for the winter. "It would not do," he said,
"for Sir Moses to be going to and from London every week."
Sir Moses was now in a state of great uneasiness. "Lady Montefiore," he
says, "appears to me falling away." He hoped to leave England Thursday,
the 15th, but, finding that Lady Montefiore had become worse, he
determined at once to try the effect of a change to their house at Park
Lane.
Sir Moses apprised Dr Hodgkin of the change in his plans, which would
postpone their leaving England perhaps for a month or more.
The same day Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore left East Cliff for Park
Lane. Soon after their arrival at the latter place, Sir Moses was told
of the serious illness of Alderman Wire, his former Under Sheriff.
_November 9th_.--On sending to enquire after his health, he was greatly
shocked and pained by the answer: "He expired this morning." Sir Moses
most sincerely lamented his decease. A month later, he suffered another
loss. "I heard with deep regret," he writes, "of the death of Sir
George Carroll. He survived but a very short time the death of poor
Alderman Wire. We acted with great harmony and friendship together
during the whole time of our serving together the office of Sheriff;
indeed we have been on terms of friendship, since I first knew him,
more than fifty years ago."
Lady Montefiore continued very ill, requiring the consultations of Dr
Hodgkin and Dr Rees.
_December 15th_.--The entry is, "I cannot make up my mind to leave
England, and from day to day postpone positively fixing the time for
our departure. At any rate," he says, "it now cannot be before the end
of this month. May the God of Israel in His mercy direct us!"
_December 17th_.--The Rev. D. Cardall called on him from Sir Culling
Eardly, saying he had received on the previous night a telegram from
Paris, stating that the deputation from the "Alliance Israelite" would
arrive in London on the following Wednesday evening; and Sir C. Eardly
wished to know if a deputation from the Board of Deputies of the
British Jews would join him and the gentlemen from Paris on Friday to
wait on the Lord Mayor, to have a public meeting at the Mansion-House
regarding the child "Mortara." Sir Moses told Mr Cardall that he would
endeavour to have a meeting of the Deputies the next afternoon, and
would let him know their decision.
It appears that the idea of the Board's acting conjointly with Sir
Culling Eardly and his party with regard to a public meeting was not
favourably entertained by some Deputies, who were apprehensive that
strong language might be used against certain persons differing in
religious views with Sir Culling, of which they could not approve. They
had no objection of signing a temperately worded Memorial, jointly with
the Christians, to the Emperor of the French, to pray for his influence
with the Pope for the restoration of the child to his parents.
At the meeting which was held on the following day, a resolution
was adopted to the effect, "That until the Board shall have had an
opportunity of conferring with the deputation from the Alliance
Israelite, for which purpose a meeting has been specially convened on
Thursday next, it is unable to resolve upon any course of proceeding
with reference to the Mortara case.
A preliminary meeting of Jews and Christians, however, was held at
the Mansion House, on Friday, December 21st, to receive a deputation
of the Universal Israelite Alliance from Paris. In consequence of the
absence, on official business, of the Lord Mayor, Sir Culling Eardly
took the chair. The subject having been introduced by the chairman, the
meeting was addressed by Messieurs S. Carvalho (Ingénieur des Ponts
et Chaussées), S. Cahen (Professeur à l'Ecole Normale), and N. Leven
(Avocat à la Cour Impériale de Paris), constituting the deputation from
France; by Messrs Isaacs (Member of the Board of Deputies of British
Jews) and Hart (Member of the Board of Delegates of American Jews); and
by Signor Fernandez, on the part of the Jews of Italy. It was stated
that the Board of Deputies of the British Jews had met on the previous
night to receive the French Deputies, but that, owing to the absence
from illness of the President, Sir Moses Montefiore, the decision on
the subject of Mortara had been deferred for a few days. After a long
conversation, characterised by harmony of feeling, it was unanimously
resolved--"That we, Christians and Jews of England, France, Italy, and
America, having heard the views entertained by the Universal Israelite
Alliance, concerning new efforts to be made for the restoration of
the child Edgar Mortara to his parents, take this, the earliest,
opportunity of putting upon record our united conviction that the cause
is one which, at the right time, and in the use of right means, it is
our duty to resume."
Sir Culling Eardly, addressing the editor of the _Times_, under date
of the 25th of December, writes: "Be so kind as to announce that
arrangements are made for housing several thousands of the homeless
fugitives of Syria in the Government buildings of St Jean d'Acre.
Through the kind initiative of Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, President
of the Committee, the rapid appeal to the Porte of Lord John Russell,
and the zealous agency of Sir Henry Bulwer, this has been effected.
"Statesmen will not pass, nor their countrymen wish them a less 'Happy
Christmas,' because they have been instrumental in gaining a shelter
for the destitute at this inclement season.
"Let such kindness stir us all up to fresh efforts to feed, clothe,
heal, and employ the sufferers!"
Sir Moses had every reason to be pleased with the result of the
labours in which he was permitted to take so prominent a part, and he
considered himself justified in entertaining the hope that, in the
future, the communities of various religious creeds in Syria would live
peaceably together.
The state of Lady Montefiore's health became with every day more
unsatisfactory, and preyed very much on the mind of Sir Moses.
CHAPTER XV.
1861.
AFFAIRS IN SYRIA--LORD PALMERSTON'S ADVICE--DEATH OF
THE DUCHESS OF KENT--ACQUITTAL OF ONE OF THE
ACCUSED JEWS AT DAMASCUS--FAVOURABLE NEWS FROM
MOLDAVIA--DEATH OF THE PRINCE CONSORT.
During the first part of the year 1861 Sir Moses continued to give
attention to various pursuits of a financial, communal, and political
character, and devoted much time to the interests of the Syrian
Relief Fund. A report of Fuad Pasha, Governor of Damascus, on the
discontinuance of persecutions in that place, forwarded to him by the
Foreign Office, contributed greatly to increase his gratitude to the
British Government for their intercession, and later on a revival of
the scheme for the construction of a railway from Jaffa to Jerusalem
prompted him again to take a prominent part in the exertions of a
Committee appointed for that purpose.
When Count Pizzamano originally asked Sir Moses to co-operate with
him in his plans for making a high road between those two places, the
latter feared that being no longer in the vigour of life, he would be
unable to devote himself to a scheme which required much assiduity to
ensure a successful issue, but circumstances were now different; and,
impressed with the idea that a great benefit might accrue from it to
the people in Palestine, as well as to the sufferers in Syria, he set
to work with a view of meeting in this respect the wishes of the Syrian
Relief Committee.
_February 17th._--Sir Culling Eardly called on him, and was anxious for
Sir Moses to accompany him to Lord Palmerston respecting the growing of
cotton in Syria. Sir Moses complied with his wish, and they went there
together. The point to which they most directed the attention of Lord
Palmerston was, protection of life and property, and they suggested
that about one thousand British marines should be stationed at St Jean
d'Acre. Their simple presence would be sufficient for the purpose. But
Lord Palmerston said, "How could we send troops when we are requiring
the French to leave?" He agreed that the people employed might appoint
a police of their own, and related an anecdote of an Englishman having
fired a shot and struck a man one thousand yards distant, and this so
completely intimidated a large body of men that they all ran away. Lord
Palmerston's opinion respecting a division of the Druses and Christians
agreed with that of Sir Moses, though it was contrary to the opinions
of Lord Stratford de Redcliffe and Sir Culling Eardly. He said the
Turkish Government were strong enough to secure the tranquillity of the
country. Fuad Pasha had sufficient men, but the foreign troops must
leave the country before perfect tranquillity could be restored. The
Turkish Government were extremely poor at that time. The army had not
been paid for eighteen months, except the soldiers in Syria, who were
more fortunate, having only six months pay due to them. The army was
badly clothed and fed; the customs revenue was pledged for the next
three months, and there was no money in the treasury.
Sir Culling Eardly repeated to him, that Manchester would give the
Syrian Committee seeds and plants for the cultivation of cotton in
Syria, but they would give no capital unless there was a guarantee
against persecution. The result of their long interview was his
Lordship's determination to have the French troops withdrawn from
Syria, and not to have any British force introduced there.
After leaving Lord Palmerston they drove to Lord Stratford de
Redcliffe, and informed him of what had just passed. Lord Stratford
thought that the Porte had a sufficient force to keep order in Syria,
and that the presence of the French did not promote the tranquillity of
the country.
_February 18th._--There was a consultation between Dr Hodgkin and Sir
Charles Locock respecting the state of Lady Montefiore's health. As the
spring season was generally severe in England, Sir Charles advised, but
did not order, her to go to Hyères, on the coast of France. He thought
the mild climate would be advantageous, and would mitigate the pain
occasioned by her complaint. "I must not make any further delay," Sir
Moses says, "but hope with the blessing of heaven, to leave England
on Tuesday, the 26th of February, for Hyères; it is only a few hours
distant from London."
_February 24th._--Being the Fast of Esther, Sir Moses attended divine
service in the ancient Synagogue at Bevis Marks, and distributed
numerous gifts among the pupils attending the Portuguese schools and
their masters.
After his return to Park Lane, Sir Culling Eardly called on him
respecting the Mortara case. "In a few days," he said, "Victor Emanuel
will be declared King of Italy, and immediately acknowledged in
England." Sir Culling desired to be prepared with a requisition to the
Lord Mayor for a public meeting, to be held at the Mansion House, to
take measures for the restoration of the child Mortara to its parents.
He proposed to send a deputation to the Emperor of the French and to
the King of Sardinia. He had no doubt that Lord John Russell would give
his support to such a movement.
Sir Culling further said to Sir Moses, that the French troops would
leave Rome very shortly, and that city would have a garrison of six
thousand Sardinian soldiers. When that took place, he was sure Mortara
would be released without any action on his part; but Sir Culling
wished the English to have the merit of obtaining the boy's freedom.
Sir Moses promised soon to convene a meeting of the Mortara Committee.
_February 27th._--He attended a meeting of the Executive Committee of
the British Syrian Relief Fund, Lord Stratford de Redcliffe in the
chair. Colonel Burnaby, attached to Her Majesty's Commission in Syria,
and a member of the Beyrout Committee, gave a most unfavourable account
of the state of the East. The Druses were in the deepest distress, and
it did not appear likely that for the moment anything could be done for
the cultivation of cotton.
_March 16th._--"We have learned with deep and sincere regret," Sir
Moses writes, "the death of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent,
from whom we had received great kindness during her residence at
Ramsgate with our gracious Queen. I heartily grieve for her loss."
_April 25th._--Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore went to Ramsgate in
an invalid carriage, in hopes that the change of air would prove
beneficial to Lady Montefiore; but on the 20th of May they were again
in town. "Restless nights and great weakness" had often been reported
to her medical attendants whilst she was at East Cliff Lodge, and Sir
Moses was very anxious about her.
_June 6th._--He was much gratified by a letter from Damascus, to the
effect that one of his co-religionists, Mordecai Ashkenazi, so long
in prison on the charge of murder, committed during the outbreak
the previous year, had been acquitted after a long trial before the
Extraordinary Tribunal, and the verdict approved by Fuad Pasha. Sir
Moses at once wrote letters to his friends and the Board of Deputies,
suggesting the propriety of their acquainting Lord John Russell and the
Turkish Ambassador with the news.
Lady Montefiore, being desirous of attending divine service in her own
Synagogue at Ramsgate, on the anniversary of its dedication, as well as
that of their marriage, she left town with Sir Moses for East Cliff,
where they arrived safely. A few days later they returned to town; and
being most anxious to visit again a place where, in early life, they
had spent many happy hours, they drove to Smithem Bottom.
"On our arrival," Sir Moses says, "my dear Judith and myself said our
afternoon prayers; and I read to her, before we took dinner, a chapter
in the Pentateuch intended to be read next Sabbath in the Synagogue."
"Smithem Bottom," he continues, "appears to me to be the same quiet
place it was half-a-century ago. It was ever to me a caution against
ambition, and has led me to esteem independence far beyond riches.
"At this place man appeared to want but little. With peace and content,
and the quietness of the place, which afforded us the opportunity of
keeping the Sabbaths undisturbed by the fluctuations which were at that
period daily taking place in London from the vicissitudes of the war,
endeared Smithem Bottom to my dear Judith and myself far beyond every
other place we have ever seen, excepting Jerusalem and East Cliff. At
all these places we have been able to enjoy the comfort and happiness
of our holy religion.
"Fifty years have made a great change in the inhabitants of the place.
At least, when I reflect on the withdrawal from this world of so many
dear friends, who had partaken with me of the happiness of its old host
and hostess! How many friends are now in heaven who had passed happy
hours with us! However, we cannot be sufficiently thankful to God for
His bountiful mercy and goodness. May He guard and protect us, even
beyond death. We cannot expect to be able to revisit Smithem Bottom
very often, but truly grateful are we for having been permitted to see
it once more."
The sentiments expressed here by Sir Moses appear to have been due
to the presentiment of an event which he apprehended might soon
deprive him of the happiness of coming to this place again with Lady
Montefiore. But he would not permit his cheerful temper, in her
presence, to be depressed; and both returned to Park Lane highly
pleased with their visit.
Lady Montefiore passed a good night, and Sir Moses, finding that she
did not feel too fatigued, resolved to leave Park Lane for Ramsgate.
He gave orders accordingly to have all the necessary preparations made,
so as to be able to leave Park Lane for the season on the 21st June.
_June 22nd._--We find them at East Cliff Lodge, a number of friends and
relatives, together with some emissaries from foreign countries, for
several months affording them pleasure and occupation.
_July 25th._--A special messenger arrived from Jerusalem with
despatches from the heads of the Hebrew congregations. The English
Consul had sent certain notices to be made public to the Jews in
Jerusalem and Hebron, the tenor of which, the messenger feared, was
to weaken, and, if possible, destroy the influence and power of the
Spiritual Heads over their congregation. Sir Moses lost no time in
attending to the request of his brethren. He addressed a letter to
the Consul; and, on the 17th of December was in possession of a
satisfactory explanation from the British Consul in Jerusalem and the
British Consul at Damascus. Soon after fresh complaints were made by
the representatives of the Hebrew community, in consequence of which
Sir Moses convened a meeting of the Board of Deputies, where it was
resolved to address Lord John Russell on the subject.
_December 15th._--In the early days of December of this year public
interest was absorbed in the illness of the Prince Consort. Sir Moses'
Diaries testify to the grief and anxiety with which he received the
more and more gloomy reports of the progress of the fatal malady which
were given to the world. On the day after the Prince's death he writes:
"It was whispered that most unhappy intelligence had been received at
Ramsgate regarding the Prince Consort, and I could not rest without
going myself to Ramsgate. Alas, I found on my arrival the unhappy news
but too true. We have lost a great and good Prince; our beloved and
gracious Queen the best of husbands; her children the best of fathers.
He was amiable, benevolent, and most liberal as regards religious
freedom to all. We have lost a great friend. It is to England and to
Englishmen a great and sudden calamity. May the Almighty, in His mercy,
comfort and support our beloved Sovereign; grant her length of days,
with peace, and guard her from all misfortunes.
_December 17th._--Sir Moses had the satisfaction of being informed at
the Foreign Office that a letter had been sent to the British Consul at
Jerusalem ordering the withdrawal of the notices of the British Consul.
On the same occasion he was also informed that the prayer of the Jews
in Moldavia had been considered by the British Government, and that Mr
Green, the British Consul in Bucharest, would no doubt attend to Lord
John Russell's instructions in their favour.
_December 23rd._--He and Lady Montefiore attended a special service at
their Synagogue, the reading desk being covered with black cloth--"The
only symbol of mourning," Sir Moses says, "we ever had in our
Synagogue."
"The loss of his late Royal Highness the Prince Consort," he continues,
"is felt by every one as a great domestic loss. He was respected and
beloved by all the nation, and all Her Majesty's subjects participate
in her grief.
"I can never forget the courtesy evinced by the lamented Prince when I
had the honour of being both at Osborne and Windsor."
_December 31st._--Lady Montefiore had a most restless night, and her
state of health appeared so unfavourable to Sir Moses that he could
not make up his mind to leave her, though he felt a great desire to
attend a meeting at the Alliance Marine, where he had to propose to the
shareholders some important measures for the benefit of the company.
Lady Montefiore, ever anxious to see him accomplish his intentions,
advised him to go, and he, though with much pain and great hesitation,
went to town. In the evening, in reply to a telegram he sent to
Ramsgate, he had the happiness of being informed that Lady Montefiore
was much better and more comfortable, and would be happy to see him on
the morrow.
In token of gratitude to heaven for this good news, and the
accomplishment of the object he had in view by attending the meetings,
he terminated the civil year by making generous presents to several
persons in need of help, and giving to one of them £500 to enable him
to establish himself in business.
Lady Montefiore's great weakness continued to cause great anxiety
at the beginning of 1862. Frequent consultations of her medical
attendants often alarmed Sir Moses, and deep sorrow clouded his mind.
Nevertheless, at her frequent and urgent requests, not to discontinue
attending to his usual pursuits on her account, he went to town
whenever he thought his presence there might help some good cause.
_January 14th._--Sir Moses attended a large meeting in the Egyptian
Hall at the Mansion House, to propose a Memorial to the late Prince
Consort. Lord Stratford de Redcliffe was present. A committee was
appointed to carry the proposal into effect. Sir Moses gave, in his and
Lady Montefiore's name, £52, 10s. as a contribution towards the amount
required. Subsequently he attended a meeting of the Board of Deputies,
where Alderman Phillips presented a letter of apology from Messrs
Chambers, the editors and publishers of "Chambers's Journal," for
having published, on the 14th of September 1861, a tale entitled "The
Mystery of Metz," calculated to leave on the mind of the reader a most
erroneous impression regarding the religious ceremonials of the Jewish
people, thus bringing an unpleasant matter to a happy conclusion.[4]
_February 24th._--General Chesney and Sir John McNeil called on him
at the Alliance, and requested him to be the chairman of the proposed
railway between Jaffa and Jerusalem, which he declined. He consented,
however, to his name being added to the scheme as a patron.
_February 25th._--Attended a meeting of the Syrian Improvement
Committee, Lord Clanricarde, Sir Culling Eardly, Mr Freeland, and
several other members being present. They agreed to give £300 towards
the building of an hospital at Beyrout, by the order of St John, under
the Prussian Government, and £50 for the translation into Arabic of
some useful instructions, to be inserted in the newspaper published
at Beyrout. Lord Clanricarde and Mr Freeland were to inquire into the
practicability of making an artesian well at Jerusalem. The fund still
left that day at the disposal of the Committee was about £2700.
[Footnote 4: The _Daily News_, Thursday, 31st October 1861,
published an interesting letter on the subject, addressed to the
Editor by T. Theodores of Manchester.]
CHAPTER XVI.
1862.
THE JAFFA AND JERUSALEM RAILWAY--LORD DUFFERIN--SIR
MOSES AND LADY MONTEFIORE'S GOLDEN WEDDING--DEATH
OF LADY MONTEFIORE.
Twenty-four years having now passed since Sir Moses made the entry
in his diary on the desirability of having a railway between Jaffa
and Jerusalem, without his having witnessed any further attempt to
accomplish so important an undertaking, the reader will find it
interesting to learn his suggestions.
_March 10th._--Sir John M'Neil and General Chesney came to him at the
Alliance. He expressed his feelings regarding the prospectus, in which
his name had been printed as a director. They said it was a mistake. In
the end he promised to meet them at the Athenæum on the morrow. Lord
Dufferin would be there, and Sir Moses promised he would endeavour
to find some city man as a director. He immediately wrote to some of
his friends on the subject, but did not succeed in persuading them to
become directors of the proposed railway.
In the course of the afternoon Sir Moses went to the Athenæum, where
he met Sir John M'Neil, General Chesney, and General Sabine. They
were soon joined by Lord Dufferin. Sir Moses says: "I held that the
concession for the Jaffa railway should be obtained with a guarantee
of five or six per cent. on the outlay; that two or three influential
persons should be selected as directors, and that the Turkish
Ambassador should be an _ex-officio_ director, as his presence at
the board would sanction the contracts, and thereby secure, without
dispute, the guarantee return on the outlay. I mentioned several
persons it would be desirable to get as directors. Lord Dufferin told
the gentlemen present that he wished to speak with Sir Moses alone,
and they then took their leave. His Lordship said that he was happy to
have the opportunity of seeing him, and that at Damascus he had heard
how much he had done for the people there. He said the outbreak was
very near reaching the Jewish quarter. He had received great attention
from the Jews, and had dined with some of them. He expressed his
satisfaction at the course Sir Moses had recommended, but said he could
not act without the addition of some wealthy city people.
"His Lordship," Sir Moses observes, "is a most elegant and agreeable
young man."
"Lord Dufferin," he adds, in a postscript, "said to me he had asked
Lord John Russell to be a patron, but he would not consent. Lord
Dufferin spoke of Lord Stratford de Redcliffe and Lord Clarendon; but
I said I thought it would be quite unnecessary to have any patrons, if
his Lordship was the chairman of the company."
After leaving the Athenæum, Sir Moses called on Sir Culling Eardly and
told him that he had been with Lord Dufferin, and had great hopes that
the scheme would be carried out. Early in May he sent a letter to the
representatives of his ancient congregation, resigning his office as
one of their Deputies, an honour which he had enjoyed for thirty-seven
years. He was urgently requested to withdraw his resignation, but would
not do so, as he felt it out of his power to fulfil the duties to his
own satisfaction.
During the same month he received a letter from the Viceroy of Egypt,
who was then staying at the Palace of the Tuileries at Paris as the
guest of the Emperor. His Highness thanked Sir Moses, who had offered
him his house in Park Lane, and regretted that it reached him too late,
as he had already engaged a house at Richmond. He added, however, that
he was none the less grateful for Sir Moses' offer.
June 28th was the fiftieth anniversary of the wedding of Sir Moses
and Lady Montefiore. Relatives, friends, and many representatives of
congregations hastened to offer them their felicitations, and letters
and addresses from all parts of the world. To mark the solemnity of the
day, Sir Moses attended a special service in his own Synagogue, and on
his return wrote the last verse in a Hebrew scroll of the Pentateuch,
which he presented to a congregation in need of one for their
Synagogue, and too poor to buy one. Lady Montefiore, although very weak
and ailing, left her bed in the hope of being present whilst Sir Moses
was writing; but the doctor, who came soon after, found her too weak to
leave her room.
"The absence of my dear Judith," Sir Moses writes, "was a severe
drawback to the happiness I had in being permitted, by the mercy of
God, to write the concluding words of the Pentateuch scroll. May He,
in His merciful goodness, allow me to have the happiness to complete
the next sacred scroll which is now being written for me at Wilna, in
my dear wife's presence. May she be in better health; may she enjoy
renewed strength to participate in the joy which this act affords me."
The next day Mr Manser of Dumpton, his nearest neighbour, came to
present him and Lady Montefiore with a most friendly address of
congratulation, signed by the ministers and inhabitants of St Peter's
and Broadstairs. Dr Canham brought them an address from the bench of
magistrates, most kind and complimentary; and several other friends,
unable to offer their congratulations personally, sent letters.
_July 2nd._--A telegram arrived, informing him that the Viceroy of
Egypt had ordered his son, Toussoun Pasha, to come to England again;
and Sir Moses at once wrote to Tulfica Pasha to ask the Viceroy to
allow the Prince to be his guest. A few days later he received an
invitation to dine with the Viceroy on board His Highness's yacht; but
Lady Montefiore and himself being unwell, he was unable to accept it.
_July 20th._--Sir Moses went to Woolwich to pay his respects to the
Viceroy. The latter was much pleased to see him, thanking him for the
invitation he had given to Prince Toussoun Pasha and the offer of the
house made to himself. In the course of conversation, referring to the
French and English languages, the Pasha said he understood English very
well; he had not been in England so long for nothing. His Highness
said, Lord Palmerston had held out two of his fingers to him, by way of
shaking hands, and Lord John Russell, one.
He appeared to be in excellent spirits, and asked Sir Moses if he had
seen his yacht, and told him to go and see the cabins. Sir Moses found
them truly magnificent. The richness of the furniture was almost beyond
description. Sir Moses says, "They are far too richly furnished for
my taste. On my taking leave of his Highness," he adds, "I wished him
long life, and hoped he might see the prosperity of Egypt increased a
thousand fold." "Of what consequence," said the Pasha, "could that be to
me? I do not expect to live more than ten years." "When I left," Sir
Moses continues, "he shook me heartily by the hand. I sincerely wish
him health, long life, and contentment. I would not sail in the yacht
to Egypt for ten thousand pounds."
_September 8th._--In accordance with the decision of the doctors, after
several consultations, Lady Montefiore was to pass the winter at Nice,
and she was strongly advised not to postpone her departure after the
19th October.
Dr Hodgkin still feared that she was too weak to undertake the journey,
but he would meet Sir Charles Locock, when they would come to a final
decision.
That morning all preparations were completed to leave Ramsgate for
London.
Lady Montefiore left her bed with considerable reluctance, although
she felt she was unable to travel on that day. Sir Moses sent for her
doctor, and as the latter was of opinion that they might venture, Sir
Moses did not hesitate to undertake the journey. After a most careful
journey in an invalid's carriage, they arrived in town and drove to
Park Lane, where Lady Montefiore was with equal care carried from the
carriage to the hall, and from there to the back drawing-room. She
immediately went to bed, and after taking a cup of tea, felt very
comfortable, "and certainly," Sir Moses said, "not more fatigued than
one could have expected."
_September 10th._--Sir Charles Locock met Dr Hodgkin at Park Lane in
conference, and passed more than half-an-hour with Lady Montefiore
and Sir Moses. The result was, that Sir Charles found Lady Montefiore
better than when he last saw her, and more able to bear the fatigue of
their proposed journey, and felt no hesitation in giving his opinion in
favour of their going to Mentone. Dr Hodgkin was content not to oppose
Sir Charles Locock's opinion, but did so, Sir Moses says, evidently
under restraint.
_September 16th._--Lady Montefiore accompanied Sir Moses in their
brougham to make several calls, he took her to see the new carpets for
East Cliff, and went to Ludgate Hill to select a new silk dress for her.
_September 17th._--She had a better night, the entry in the Diary
states, and in the course of the afternoon took a drive with Sir Moses
round the Exhibition.
_September 19th._--Lady Montefiore had an undisturbed night, and Sir
Moses left Park Lane at half past nine, attended various meetings
in the city, and about half-past one he returned with the intention
of going with Lady Montefiore to see the National Exhibition. But
unfortunately he found her very unwell, and still in bed. The carriage
had been ordered to convey them to see the Exhibition, but Sir Moses
went instead to Dr Hodgkin, requesting him to call at once. Dr Hodgkin
found Lady Montefiore seriously ill, and the next day told Sir Moses he
was very uneasy, and would like to have a consultation with Sir Charles
Locock, who, unfortunately, had gone to Brighton and could not come.
The next day her state was more favourable, but after a restless night
became again so serious, that another doctor was called in, who, to
Sir Moses' great grief, could give him no better account. Most of the
members of the family were there. Mr Sebag (now Mr Sebag Montefiore)
remained all night, and together with Sir Moses, read with her the
prayers for the sick.
_September 23rd._--Lady Montefiore had a very restless night. Sir
Moses attended Divine Service in the Portuguese Synagogue early in
the morning, and had a special prayer offered up for her recovery. He
distributed generous gifts among the poor, and subsequently returned to
Park Lane.
Dr Hamilton Rowe came and had a long consultation with Dr Hodgkin; they
found Lady Montefiore in the same state as last night, and ordered
some strong remedies. Dr Rowe told Sir Moses that he was not entirely
without hopes. In the afternoon Sir Moses attended again Divine Service
in the German Synagogue. He distributed more charitable gifts among
the poor, and joined the community in offering up special prayers for
his wife. In the evening on his return to Park Lane, he wrote the last
verse in a Pentateuch scroll written for him and Lady Montefiore at
Wilna, in Russia, by a distinguished scribe. The ceremony was performed
in a room (their private oratory) adjoining their chamber, with the
door open, so that Lady Montefiore might hear the prayers offered up
on the occasion. Several of his relatives and friends were present and
joined in supplications to the Almighty to alleviate her sufferings and
to restore her to health. "She was as patient as an angel," Sir Moses
says, "under her sufferings. All our friends have shewn their sympathy
for my dear wife." Innumerable calls and enquiries have been made
during the day.
_September 24th._--Dr Rowe and Dr Hodgkin declared that a very
favourable change had taken place, but still the utmost quietness must
be observed. They cautioned him against being too sanguine, as Lady
Montefiore was very weak and no longer young.
The time was now fast approaching for one of the best daughters of
Israel to return home to her Heavenly Father.
On the day when the doctors still left a spark of hope for her
recovery, Lady Montefiore remained silent, apparently preparing her
spirit for flight. Many a sigh of deep sorrow might have been heard
around her couch, many eyes were dimmed by tears of grief, but no sigh,
no tear was to be noticed on the countenance of the dying lady; with a
heavenly smile she greeted those who came to see her, endeavouring at
the same time to incline her head towards them. Relatives and friends
were anxious to remain with her, but she motioned to them to leave her
and to go to prayers, as it was the eve of the Hebrew New Year, one of
the most solemn festivals. The Sabbath lamp was lighted, shedding its
subdued light around, and in the adjoining oratory the hymns for the
festival were softly and solemnly chanted to the ancient melodies.
At the conclusion of the service Sir Moses came back, laid his hands
affectionately on the head of Lady Montefiore, and invoked Heaven's
blessing upon her, which she reciprocated by placing her hand upon
his head, in token of blessing. Sir Moses then descended to the
dining-room, where the relatives were assembled, to pronounce the grace
before meals, but he had scarcely pronounced the blessing when he
was called up by Dr Hodgkin, who had been watching by the bed of the
invalid, and who informed him that the end was very near. All present
immediately followed Sir Moses, the solemn prayers for the dying were
recited, and the pure spirit of Judith, the noble, the good, and the
truly pious, took flight Heavenwards.
CHAPTER XVII.
1862.
BURIAL OF LADY MONTEFIORE--SIR MOSES SETS OUT FOR
JERUSALEM--INTERVIEW WITH SULTAN ABD-OOL-AZEEZ--ABANDONMENT
OF THE JOURNEY TO THE HOLY LAND--MORE
PERSECUTIONS IN MOROCCO--SIR MOSES PROCEEDS
THERE ON A MISSION.
On the following Saturday night her mortal remains were taken to
Ramsgate, accompanied by Sir Moses and his near relatives, the officers
of the Synagogue, and Dr Hodgkin, her physician. In the morning the
Chief Rabbi of the German congregation, and the Rev. B. Abraham of
the Spanish and Portuguese congregation, the ministers of all the
Synagogues in London and in the country, together with a considerable
number of gentlemen, representatives of schools and charitable
institutions, assembled in the house of mourning, and at two o'clock in
the afternoon the mournful cortege left East Cliff Lodge. Hundreds of
the inhabitants of Ramsgate and the neighbouring places assembled near
the Synagogue, where the place of burial is situated, to manifest their
feelings of sorrow and regret; nearly all the vessels in the harbour
had their flags half-mast high; in most of the churches the ministers
in their sermons feelingly dwelt on the great loss which the poor had
sustained by the death of Lady Montefiore.
The body having been taken into the Synagogue, the Chief Rabbi
addressed outside a large assembly of various denominations, describing
to them the noble qualities of the deceased, the services she had
rendered to humanity by the encouragement she had given to the
promotion of every good cause, and by the manner in which she had
associated herself with her husband in all his philanthropic missions.
Subsequently the coffin was carried to the spot selected by both Sir
Moses and Lady Montefiore, many years before her death, for their final
resting-place.
There the Rev. B. Abrahams, of the Spanish and Portuguese congregation,
delivered another oration, dwelling on the manifold virtues of the
departed, and reminding his hearers of the innumerable good deeds of
her whom they now deeply deplored.
At the conclusion the body was lowered into the grave, and in
commemoration of her devotion to the interest of the Holy Land, Terra
Santa was copiously thrown upon the coffin. The orphan children of
the Spanish and Portuguese schools of London intoned hymns and psalms
to the ancient solemn and mournful melodies, after which the mourners
and all present entered the Synagogue, where the afternoon service
was performed. During the night workmen were engaged in building a
brick vault for the coffin, and all that time several members of the
community recited psalms and prayers near the spot and in the house of
mourning. After the grave was closed, the nearest relatives and friends
returned with Sir Moses to East Cliff, and remained with him during the
first seven days, endeavouring to comfort and console him, joining with
him in prayers, and assisting him in receiving the numerous visits of
condolence.
Although Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore had both decided upon their last
resting-place, Sir Moses still appeared earnestly to entertain the idea
of having her body taken to Jerusalem. He had a letter written to that
effect to the representatives of the Holy City, requesting them to send
a number of respectable persons, students of the Holy Law, to England
for the purpose of taking charge of it, and interring it in the Valley
of Jehoshaphat. Upon reconsideration of the matter, however, the idea
was abandoned.
Lady Montefiore, Sir Moses said, made, no will, but among her papers
was found an unfinished letter to him in her hand writing, in which she
most touchingly expressed the wish that a token of her esteem should be
handed to relatives whom she named, to friends, and to charitable and
educational institutions, when it should please the Almighty to call
her away from this world. In compliance with her wishes, Sir Moses sent
upwards of 360 very liberal souvenirs and parting gifts to relatives,
friends, Synagogues, and charitable and educational institutions in
England and abroad. He then invited a number of distinguished Hebrew
poets to prepare an epitaph to be engraved on the marble slab which
covers the grave of Lady Montefiore. This was followed by the following
lines in English:--
"Angels saw thy glorious works, and called thee to join them in
singing the praises of the Most High in Heaven, where God is thy
strength.
"Ask mercy for thy husband, and also for thy brethren, and pray that
the light of Zion may again shine, when in its splendour thou shalt
re-appear in radiance."
"SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF JUDITH, LADY MONTEFIORE, THE BELOVED WIFE
OF SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE, BART., AND DAUGHTER OF JOSHUA LEVI COHEN,
ESQUIRE, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE EVE OF THE FIRST DAY OF THE
NEW YEAR, 5623 A.M.
In the course of a few months an edifice, surmounted by a cupola,
was erected, after the model of the Tomb of Rachel on the road to
Beth-Lékhém. Tablets, containing prayers and psalms to be recited
by those who visit the tomb, were placed on the walls, and a lamp
suspended from the centre of the cupola, bearing a Hebrew inscription,
the translation of which is, "The spirit of man is the light of the
Lord" (Prov. xx. 27). A seat was placed in the corner, intended for
Sir Moses, who often used to visit the mausoleum, and remain there in
prayer and meditation.
The Tabernacle festivals which for half a century had always been spent
so happily by Sir Moses at East Cliff were this year shrouded in the
gloom of sorrow and affliction. There was no other way to rouse him
than by reminding him of his useful pursuits, which soon prompted him
to follow in the path which his angel wife had so often traced out for
him, and in the continuance of his service in the cause of all that is
good, noble, and holy. It had been the ardent wish of Lady Montefiore
that Sir Moses should pay another visit to the Holy Land, in order to
secure from the Turkish Government some concessions which were greatly
needed for the proper working and expansion of the institutions that
had been established for the benefit of our poor brethren. Although
suffering in mind and very weak in health, Sir Moses determined to
fulfil the desire Lady Montefiore had so often expressed before her
lamented death, and prepared for the journey. He began by addressing
the following letter to Musurus Pasha, the Turkish Ambassador in
London:--
"I need not assure your Excellency," he writes through an amanuensis,
his state of health not permitting him to write the letter with his
own hand, "that I feel sincerely grateful for your kind offices,
and I flatter myself, at the same time, that it may interest your
Excellency to learn that a considerable number of almshouses,
and other buildings, and especially a large windmill, which, in
consequence of the concession, were erected in Jerusalem, are
offering shelter, social advantages, and employment to a great number
of the poorer inhabitants.
"Being anxious to extend the scope of their benefits, as far as it
may be in my power, I propose once more to revisit the Holy Land,
and expect to leave England in a few days, to make a short stay for
the restoration of my health in the south of France, _en route_ for
Constantinople.
"With a deep sense of the advantage of the aid and support which
your Excellency has on all occasions so readily accorded to me on my
visits to the East, may I request the favour of your kindly giving
me, at your early convenience, letters to His Highness the Grand
Vizier, and His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs to the
Ottoman Government, to use their good offices in furtherance of my
desire to obtain from His Imperial Majesty the Sultan 'Abd-ool-Azeez
a confirmation, and a letter to the Governor of Jerusalem, to afford
me the necessary assistance and facilities towards the accomplishment
of my objects."
The readers of these Memoirs will probably remember the difficulties
encountered in Jerusalem in connection with the building of the Juda
Touro Almshouses, notwithstanding the special permission for that
purpose granted by the late Sultan 'Abd-ool-Medjid, and will perceive
for this reason that it was a most judicious step on the part of Sir
Moses, to secure the confirmation of the said permission by an edict
from the new Sultan.
Musurus Pasha readily and kindly complied with Sir Moses' request, and
forwarded to him the letters required.
In the month of May 1863, we find him at Constantinople, where the
British Ambassador and the Turkish Ministers received him with marked
attention, supporting with their advice in all matters. The Sultan
accorded him an audience, whereat he confirmed all the privileges
granted to his Israelite subjects, and the concessions which had been
given to Sir Moses personally with regard to the purchase of land and
the building of houses in Jerusalem. Vizierial letters were ordered to
be forwarded to the Governor of the Holy City, and Sir Moses had the
satisfaction of seeing the object of his visit to Constantinople fully
accomplished.
During his stay at the Ottoman capital he visited the charitable and
educational institutions of his community, and distributed generous
gifts to the poor of all religious denominations, in memory of Lady
Montefiore, as he had done in all places in Italy where he happened to
stop on his way to Constantinople. At Rhodes, where the inhabitants
suffered severely from an earthquake, he also gave donations in his own
and his departed wife's name.
Prayers for the preservation of his health and long life were offered
up by rich and poor, irrespective of their religious creed. But his
deep sorrow had affected his health so much, that serious symptoms
began to appear, and his physician strongly disapproved of Sir Moses
continuing his journey to Jerusalem.
His friends joined with the physician in dissuading him from proceeding
further, calling his attention to the many changes which had occurred
during the last few months in Eastern politics. Said Pasha, the Viceroy
of Egypt, and friend of Sir Moses, was dead, and Ismael Pasha had
assumed the reins of the Egyptian Government. This new Viceroy did
a great deal for Egypt, by introducing financial and other reforms.
The papers reported that he had made a very promising speech to a
deputation of merchants. He was not inclined to support the Suez Canal,
but it was thought that he would have to yield to French influence, and
to pressure from the Emperor of the French.
The Sultan had visited Egypt, and signed a firman guaranteeing eight
per cent. for the railway to be established along the banks of the
Orontes, which it was supposed would have a most favourable influence
on the traffic in the Holy Land. These events were accompanied by other
political events in Turkey, where Fuad Pasha, the former Governor of
Damascus, had been raised to the high office of Seraskier. All this,
the friends of Sir Moses said, did not make the time propitious for
the objects Sir Moses had in view in going to Jerusalem, and so he was
reluctantly persuaded to give up the journey and return to London,
where he arrived early in July, after going first to Ramsgate.
There is the following entry in his Diary:--
"I have returned home in safety, and somewhat better in health, after a
long journey and an absence of more than six months, but am still very
depressed in mind."
He drove immediately to his wife's grave, and prayed to God to give him
strength to bear his irreparable loss with resignation, and to grant
him the happiness of joining his angel wife in Heaven, when it should
please God to call him from this world.
He intended going to London, but still had not sufficient fortitude to
sleep at Park Lane. Mr and Mrs Benjamin Cohen having heard of this,
immediately requested him to stay with them in their house at Richmond,
and he was pleased to accept the hospitality of his kind relatives.
During his stay with Mr and Mrs Cohen, his health and spirits improved
so much that he soon felt able to go to London, and during the time
he remained there to attend, as before, the meetings of the financial
and communal institutions of which he was President. After he returned
to Ramsgate, his time was fully taken up in answering his numerous
correspondents in all parts of the world.
To his young friend, Toussoun Pasha, he sent an affectionate letter,
conveying to him his sympathy and condolence on the death of his
father; and, in return, the young Egyptian Prince wrote to him,
expressing his deep grief at the death of Lady Montefiore, and his
gratitude for the kind sentiments Sir Moses manifested to him on the
mournful occasion of the early and unexpected death of his father.
The young Prince himself did not live long. He died at an early age of
consumption--so it was said.
_October 20th._--This being the eve of the seventy-ninth anniversary of
his birthday (corresponding in that year with the Hebrew date, the 8th
of Heshván), he sent £79 to the secretary of the Spanish and Portuguese
community for distribution among seventy-nine families. He also sent
similar sums to other congregations in the Holy Land.
In recording in his Diary the events of the day, the memory of his
wife appears to have been ever present with him, and in moments of
hesitation, or when undecided what course of action to pursue, he would
frequently say, "What would my dear Judith have advised?"
He was at this time overwhelmed with letters and work, and it would
appear from various entries that nothing would have been more welcome
to him than a recommendation from his friends to withdraw from all
his financial engagements, as well as his communal work, at home and
abroad, and simply enjoy rest, contemplating the pleasures of the
past, and hoping for a blissful future. But the necessity of energy
and action in any good or holy cause soon roused him from such moments
of depression. We read in his Diary on October 21st:--"Before I was
dressed this morning, I received a packet, marked private, from A----.
The writer says: 'My dear Sir,--I am unwilling to bring you up to
town in order that you may read this duplicate. I therefore send it
you to Ramsgate.' The papers which accompanied this were from ---- of
Tangiers, and told of the warm and generous efforts of Her Majesty's
Government on behalf of the two unfortunate Jews now in prison at
Saffi. But the situation of the poor men appeared to me so dangerous
that I determined to go at once to London to get the Board of Deputies
to take some active steps to secure their release from prison."
These dispatches refer to an unfortunate occurrence at Saffi, in
Morocco, concerning which the Jews of Gibraltar and Tangiers had
addressed Sir Moses and the Board of Deputies of the British Jews.
A Spaniard in Saffi, in the service of the Spanish Vice-Consul,
had died suddenly, and suspicions of his having been poisoned were
aroused in the mind of the Vice-Consul, who insisted upon the Moorish
authorities investigating the case, and inflicting punishment on the
guilty person. No steps were taken to ascertain whether there were any
facts to prove that the death of the Spaniard was due to violence;
but, according to the custom in Morocco, those parties upon whom it
was sought to fix suspicion were examined under severe torture, and
the application of the bastinado. A Jewish lad, about fourteen years
of age, who resided in the family of the deceased, was the first
person so examined (the Jews being the most unprotected portion of
the population). After persisting for a long time in the assertion
of his innocence, he at length yielded to the protracted agony, and
declared that poison had been administered. Again, under the influence
of torture, ten or eleven other persons, whose names were suggested to
him, were denounced by the lad as participators in the crime.
Most of these were arrested, but one of them only was submitted to
examination under torture. Though this measure was pushed to a fearful
extremity, no confessions of guilt could be wrung from him. The lad
also, when released from torture, uniformly asserted his innocence.
However, as he had confessed his guilt, and the man had been denounced,
both were condemned to death, doubtless to prove the readiness of the
Morocco Government to comply with the demands of its recent conqueror.
The lad was accordingly executed at Saffi, the execution naturally
producing great dismay amongst the Jewish population; but the man was
conveyed in a Spanish vessel to Tangiers, to be executed there. Nothing
is known of the reason which led to the adoption of this course, but
it seems probable that it was taken in order that the knowledge of the
circumstance might spread more rapidly and extensively through the
Moorish dominion. This public execution could not fail to impress the
people with a striking idea of the strength of the Spanish influence at
the Court of the Sultan.
The alarm felt by the Israelites at Tangiers was extreme, and as has
already been said, was forthwith communicated to Gibraltar.
Nine or ten individuals lay at Saffi, menaced with a fate similar to
that of their two brethren.
Sir Moses immediately sent a telegram to the President and Secretary of
the Board of Deputies of the British Jews, appointing a meeting with
them in London. At the time mentioned, these gentlemen came to him, and
he read them the dispatches he had received. It was then agreed to call
a meeting of Deputies for the earliest day possible. A letter was also
drawn up for the Foreign Office.
On the following Tuesday, a meeting of the Board of Deputies was held,
and Sir Moses was invited to proceed to Saffi, an offer which he
readily accepted.
_November 12th._--He went to the Foreign Office for his letters of
introduction, and also called at the Mansion House to see the Lord
Mayor and several of the Aldermen, who took a great interest in his
Mission.
_November 14th._--Prayers were offered up for him in all the Synagogues
in London and the country.
_November 16th._--We find Sir Moses at Dover, accompanied by Mr Haim
Guedalla, Mr Sampson Samuel, the Secretary and Solicitor of the Board
of Deputies, and Dr Hodgkin; proceeding to the Lord Warden Hotel, with
the intention of remaining there over night, in order to be ready
to leave the next morning for Calais. Many friends being anxious to
express their good wishes, they came in the evening to see him, and
remained till a late hour. Even then he did not retire, but continued
writing and making arrangements, until he was entreated by his
physician to take some rest.
CHAPTER XVIII.
1863.
THE MISSION TO MOROCCO--TANGIER--LIBERATION OF TWO
PRISONERS--DEPUTATION OF MOORS--SIR MOSES SUCCESSFULLY
INTERCEDES FOR THEM--DEATH OF SIR MOSES'
SISTER, MRS GOLDSMID--OPPRESSIVE REGULATIONS RESPECTING
THE JEWS IN MOROCCO--FAVOURABLE EDICT
OF THE SULTAN.
I shall now give the reader a _resumé_ of the Mission of Morocco, using
for the more important episodes Sir Moses' own words as contained in
his letters to the President of the Board of Deputies.
"You will recollect," he writes to that gentleman, "that we left
Dover on Tuesday morning, the 17th ult., and reached Madrid within
six days of our departure from London. I mention this in order that
the Board may understand that, to the best of our ability, we used
every effort to proceed with all possible celerity towards the
hoped-for accomplishment of the objects of the Mission. Considering
that some important matters calculated to lead to a prosperous issue
might receive attention at Madrid, I deemed it expedient with this
view to make some stay in that city. I waited on his Excellency, Sir
J.F. Crampton, our Ambassador at the Court of Madrid, on Thursday,
the 26th ult., and experienced from him a most kind and friendly
welcome. On the same day, his Excellency introduced me to the
Marquis of Miraflores, the Prime Minister of Spain, who gave me the
encouraging assurance that I need be under no apprehension of any
further steps being taken for the present against the unfortunate
prisoners at Saffi, the proceedings against whom, he stated most
emphatically, had not been influenced by any prejudice or ill-will,
on account of their religious persuasion; and the Marquis consented
to solicit Her Majesty the Queen of Spain to grant me the honour of
a private audience; he also, at my request, promised to give me a
letter of introduction to Don Francisco Merry y Colon, the Spanish
Minister at Tangier.
"On Monday, the 28th ult., in the afternoon, I had the honour (upon
the introduction of his Excellency Sir J.F. Crampton) to be presented
to Her Majesty, and to the King Consort, at a private audience. I
have reported to you, in a former letter, how gracious a reception
was accorded to me, but I may add that I shall never cease to bear in
mind the gratification I experienced on that interesting occasion.
I was received by their Majesties with the utmost courtesy and
kindness, and was joyfully impressed with the assurances of the King
Consort of their respect for all religions.
"During my stay at Madrid, I had the advantage of introductions to
his Grace the Duke of Tetuan, General Prim, several of the foreign
ambassadors, and other distinguished persons, by several of whom I
was favoured with letters of introduction for Tangier.
"Having, under the blessing of God, succeeded in effecting,
at Madrid, the objects contemplated, I left that city with my
companions very early the following morning (Tuesday, Dec. 1), _en
route_ for Seville, as I was desirous of handing to Don Antonio
Merry (the Russian and Prussian Consul at Seville, and the father
of the Spanish Minister at Tangier) a letter of introduction. We
travelled by railway to Santa Cruz de Mudela. On Wednesday, the 2nd
December, we left Santa Cruz, and proceeded by diligence to Andujar,
at which place we arrived the same evening. I was too exhausted
to proceed further that night, although my fellow travellers, Dr
Hodgkin and Mr Guedalla, in their kind anxiety to secure for me
a fitting resting-place at Cordova, continued their journey till
midnight by the same diligence, so that they might make the necessary
arrangements.
"We arrived at Seville on Sunday, the 6th inst. The following day I
delivered to Don Antonio Merry the letter of introduction to him with
which I had been favoured, and he very kindly gave me a letter to his
son, Don Francisco Merry y Colon, the Spanish Minister at Tangier.
"On Tuesday, the 8th inst., we left Seville by railway, and reached
Cadiz late the same night, where, after some delay, I ascertained
that a French steam frigate, the _Gorgone_, under the command of
Captain Celliér de Starnor, was lying off the port, and would proceed
the same night direct to Tangier.
"I lost no time in transmitting a request to Captain Starnor to allow
me and my companions to embark in his beautiful ship. This request
was at once most politely acceded to, and we were gladdened at 5 A.M.
the next morning, Friday, the 11th inst., with the tidings that we
had anchored off Tangier.
"We found, on our arrival at Tangier, that, owing to the care and
kindness of Mr Moses Pariente, the President, Mr Moses Nahon,
Vice-President, and the other members of the Executive Committee of
the Hebrew Congregation here, an excellent house had been prepared
for our reception; and we were greeted with a most enthusiastic
welcome by these respected gentlemen, and by the whole Jewish
population. And here I may be permitted to say, before reverting to
the more immediate purport of my Report, that I cannot sufficiently
express my grateful appreciation of the demonstrations of regard, and
evidences of goodwill and kind-heartedness we were daily experiencing
during my stay here, nor omit rendering a just tribute of praise
to the intellectual and educational advancement distinguishing the
gentlemen of our faith, and their families, resident at Tangier, with
whom I have had the good fortune to be placed in contact since my
arrival.
"Here also I have had the gratification to receive deputations from
our co-religionists of Gibraltar, Tetuan, Alcassar, Larache, Arzila,
and Mequinez. I have also received addresses from the Jews of Fez,
Azemor, and Mogador.
"On Sunday, the 13th inst., I had the pleasure to wait on Sir John
Hay Drummond Hay, K.C.B., the British Minister, and of conversing
with him, and also Consul-General Reade, on the subject of the
Mission. On the same day (accompanied by Mr Samuel), I placed in
the hands of Don Francisco Merry y Colon, the Spanish Minister, the
letter given to me by his father, also the letter of introduction
entrusted to me at Madrid, by the Marquis of Miraflores, and several
other letters, which I had obtained at Madrid.
"I am happy to say that I was most courteously received by the
Spanish Minister, who gave me his willing consent for the immediate
release of the two men, Shalom Elcaim and Jacob Benharrosh confined
at Tangier; and he also promised to place in my hands a letter to the
Moorish Government, intimating the desire of the Spanish Government
that the proceedings against the two unfortunate prisoners at Saffi,
'Saida and Mouklouf,' should be stopped. Within an hour of this
interview with the Spanish Minister, we had the gratification of
seeing the liberated prisoners, Shalom Elcaim and Jacob Benharrosh,
at our residence.
"Although my interview with the Spanish Minister took place late on
the afternoon of Sunday, yet, early in the forenoon of the following
day (Monday, the 14th instant), I had the gratification to receive
from him a note, expressing his satisfaction in complying with my
request, and containing the promised letter. Immediately on the
receipt of the letter I applied to Sir John H.D. Hay to introduce
me, with Mr Samuel, to Sid Mohammed Bargash, Minister for Foreign
Affairs at Tangier. Sir John accompanied us to the Minister, to whom
I presented the letter from the Spanish Minister, and who expressed
his pleasure at its contents, and promised to forward it instantly by
special courier to his Sovereign at Morocco. He stated, however, that
he feared a month would elapse ere a reply could be received.
"A letter to the Sultan was also transmitted at the same time from
the British Minister, representing the desire of our own Government
to the same effect as that of Spain.
"With the view to obtain the earliest possible release of the
prisoners, I requested that the order for their liberation might be
forwarded direct to Saffi.
"On the 16th instant we paid a visit of respect to the Rev. Mordecai
Bengio, the Chief Rabbi, and also on the same day had the pleasure
of being introduced by the British Minister, at their respective
residences, to the Ministers of the several Powers at Tangier
(France, Spain, United States, Italy, Portugal, &c.), to several of
whom I had letters.
"On my return from visiting the Moorish Minister I found awaiting for
me a deputation of upwards of fifty Moors, with their chiefs, from a
distant part of the country, urging my intercession for the release
from prison of one of their tribe, who had been in confinement for
two years and a half, on suspicion of having murdered two Jews.
As this unfortunate being had endured the horrors of a Moorish
prison for so long a period on mere suspicion, and without having
been brought to trial, I considered that his was a case in which
I might with propriety intercede; and I am happy to say that such
intercession was successful, that within a few hours his chains were
struck off, and he was brought to me by his tribe to return thanks
for his deliverance, and the chiefs gave me their solemn pledge that
they would be answerable for the safety of all Jews travelling by day
in their country.
"I am induced to place great reliance on this pledge, because it is
evident these men were unable to extend it for the safety of those
who should incautiously travel by night.
"I am thankful to say that from the religious authorities here of the
Catholics and the Moors I have also received evidence of respect and
goodwill.
"I know the Sultan is most kindly disposed towards his Jewish
subjects, and we may reasonably hope from this pleasing fact, and the
kind assurances I received from all the Representatives of Foreign
Powers in Tangier, that the Jews of Morocco may look forward to a
brighter future.
"It remains for me only to add that, although in effect the objects
of the Mission have, under God's blessing, been happily attained,
still I do not consider that its work will have been fully done, nor
that I ought to leave this vicinity until the actual liberation of
the prisoners. I feel certain that the Sultan will, immediately on
receipt of the despatches, give directions to that effect.
"I intimated in my telegram of the 15th instant that I contemplated
a visit to the Sultan at Morocco. This will be with the object of
thanking His Sheriffian Majesty for his gracious compliance with the
request of the British and Spanish Governments, for his favourable
disposition towards his Jewish subjects, and to entreat that His
Sheriffian Majesty will extend to them his favour and protection,
and direct the removal of the degrading grievances under which the
Jews of the interior are still suffering. With objects so important,
I shall not hesitate, before my return home, to encounter this long,
fatiguing, and hazardous journey."
Sir Moses had no doubt of the innocence of the two unfortunate men who
had been executed. "True," he says, "alas! we cannot recall the dead to
life, but it is consolatory to reflect that, out of the unhappy events
which gave rise to the Mission, good will follow; and it will indeed
be a subject of rejoicing to us all to learn of the future welfare and
prosperity of the vast Jewish population (nearly half a million of
souls) in the Moorish Empire."
_Tangier, December 21st._--Sir Moses sent to the President _pro tem._ a
copy of a draft of the instructions which Don Francisco Merry y Colon,
the Spanish Consul at Tangier, had directed to the Consuls, to the
effect that Her Majesty the Queen of Spain had been greatly pained to
hear that the Spanish Consuls in Morocco were accused of ill-treating
the Jews; that it was her wish the Consuls should aid and protect the
Jews, and avail themselves of every opportunity to prevent acts of
cruelty on the part of the Moorish authorities, and the infliction of
the lash or tortures to extract confessions.
From Tangier Sir Moses went to Gibraltar, and it was during his stay
there that the sad intelligence reached him of the death, at Nice, of
his sister, Mrs Goldsmid. He would have at once returned to England had
he not felt it a duty to continue his journey in the sacred cause of
suffering humanity; but the party lost the valuable co-operation of Mr
Guedella, the son-in-law of Mrs Goldsmid, as he had to start at once
for Nice. In a further report to the Board of Deputies Sir Moses says:
"Through the kindness of Earl Russell and the Naval Authorities here
and at Malta, H.M. ship the _Magicienne_, Captain Armytage, R.N., has
been sent from Malta to convey me to Saffi. She is now in port, and
her departure is fixed for to-morrow evening.
"We embarked on board the _Magicienne_, Captain Armytage, on Tuesday
evening, the 5th instant, and left the Port of Gibraltar early the
following morning. We arrived off Saffi the following Saturday,
the 9th instant, but it was not safe to land; we learned, however,
that the Saffi prisoners had been set at liberty on the preceding
Wednesday, the 6th instant.
"Not being able to land at Saffi, we proceeded onwards to Mogador,
and arrived here the following morning, the 10th instant.
"The Sultan's escort was awaiting us at Saffi, but had to follow us
here. The preparations for the journey to the City of Morocco are,
however, as yet very incomplete, and probably we may have to wait
here till Monday or Tuesday next, if not later. This, I can assure
you, is a great trial of patience.
"On Friday night, the 8th instant, while at sea, part of the rudder
of the ship broke, and on the following night we had a very heavy
gale.
"The whole of our party, consisting, in addition to myself, of Dr
Hodgkin, Mr Samuel, Captain Armytage, two of his officers, and
Mr Consul Reade, with servants, &c., are being most hospitably
entertained by Mr Abraham Corcos, one of the most opulent of the
Jewish merchants at this port. The whole of his house is placed at
our disposal."
On Tuesday, January 26th, Sir Moses wrote to the Board of Deputies:
"My last letter, dated the 14th instant, was addressed to you from
Mogador. We experienced considerable difficulty in effecting the
preliminary arrangements for our departure from Mogador, as a journey
through a desert country, for so large a party, needed great care and
foresight.
"At length we were enabled to fix on Sunday, the 17th instant, for
the day of our departure. The bustle of preparation lasted from an
early hour in the morning till between one and two in the afternoon.
The Governor and his officers accompanied us to the gates of the city
and for about an hour on our way; and our hospitable host, Mr Abraham
Corcos, the Chief Rabbi, the Second Rabbi, and several other members
of the Mogador Jewish Community, travelled with us the first day's
journey, and stayed with us during our first night's encampment.
"Were I to attempt even an outline of each day's events, I should
greatly exceed the limits of an official letter. Suffice it therefore
to say, that we happily accomplished our journey from Mogador to this
city in eight days, resting on the Sabbath. During this period we
were subjected to a broiling sun by day, and cold and occasionally
heavy dews and high winds by night. Nevertheless we have borne our
fatigues well. Fortunately we escaped rain; otherwise, apart from
every other inconvenience, we might have been detained for days
in staying to pass rivers; as it was, happily no such impediment
arose. We were met at a short distance from Morocco (at which place
we arrived yesterday at about 1 P.M.) by a guard of honour, and
we were all located in a palace of the Sultan, in the midst of a
garden; and I can assure you that the change, after sleeping under
canvas for so many nights, is most acceptable. The Jews here are not
allowed to walk the streets except bare-footed. It will be, indeed,
a happy event for them, if I can induce the Sultan to do away with
these degradingly distinctive marks, and also to place all his
subjects, irrespective of faith, on an equal footing. Whether there
is the remotest possibility of success in this, I am at present
utterly unable to say. I am assured by every one, that the moral
effect of my visit to Morocco will prove of advantage to my Moroquin
co-religionists."
On the 17th February, Sir Moses informed the President _pro tem._
of the Board of Deputies, by telegram from Gibraltar, that he had
succeeded in obtaining an Imperial Edict from His Sheriffian Majesty,
and forwarded a translation by post to London. I therefore invite
the reader's attention to the following translation of the address
presented on that occasion to the Sultan, as well as of the latter's
reply.
[Illustration: EDICT OF THE EMPEROR MOROCCO. _Vol. II., page
153._]
_The Address to the Sultan._
_To His Sheriffian Majesty_ THE SULTAN OF MOROCCO.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,--I come supported by the sanction and
approval of the Government of Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain,
and on behalf of my co-religionists in England, my native country, as
well as on the part of those in every part of the world, to entreat
Your Majesty to continue the manifestation of Your Majesty's grace
and favour to my brethren in your Majesty's Empire.
That it may please Your Majesty to give the most positive orders
that the Jews and Christians dwelling in all parts of Your Majesty's
dominions shall be perfectly protected, and that no person shall
molest them in any manner whatsoever in anything which concerns their
safety and tranquillity; and that they may be placed in the enjoyment
of the same advantages as all other subjects of Your Majesty, as
well as those enjoyed by the Christians living at the ports of your
Majesty's Empire: such rights were granted, through me, by His
Imperial Majesty Abd-ool-Medjid, the late Sultan of Turkey, by his
Firman, given to me at Constantinople, and dated 12th Ramazan, 1256,
and, in the month of May last, confirmed by His Imperial Majesty
Abdul Aziz, the present Sultan of Turkey.
Permit me to express to Your Majesty my grateful appreciation of the
hospitable welcome with which Your Majesty has honoured me, and to
offer to Your Majesty my heartfelt wishes for Your Majesty's health
and happiness, and for the prosperity of Your Majesty's dominions.
_Translation of the Imperial Edict._
In the Name of God, the Merciful and Gracious There is no power but
in God, the High and Mighty.
(L. S.)
Be it known by this our Royal Edict--may God exalt and bless its
purport and elevate the same to the high heavens, as he does the
sun and moon!--that it is our command, that all Jews residing
within our dominions, be the condition in which the Almighty God
has placed them whatever it may, shall be treated by our Governors,
Administrators, and all other subjects, in manner conformable with
the evenly-balanced scales of Justice, and that in the administration
of the Courts of Law they (the Jews) shall occupy a position of
perfect equality with all other people; so that not even a fractional
portion of the smallest imaginable particle of injustice shall
reach any of them, nor shall they be subjected to anything of an
objectionable nature. Neither they (the Authorities) nor any one
else shall do them (the Jews) wrong, whether to their persons or to
their property. Nor shall any tradesman among them, or artizan, be
compelled to work against his will. The work of every one shall be
duly recompensed, for injustice here is injustice in Heaven, and we
cannot countenance it in any matter affecting either their (the Jews)
rights or the rights of others, our own dignity being itself opposed
to such a course. All persons in our regard have an equal claim to
justice; and if any person should wrong or injure one of them (the
Jews), we will, with the help of God, punish him.
The commands hereinbefore set forth had been given and made known
before now; but we repeat them, and add force to them, in order
that they may be more clearly understood, and more strictly carried
into effect, as well as serve for a warning to such as may be
evilly-disposed towards them (the Jews), and that the Jews shall thus
enjoy for the future more security than heretofore, whilst the fear
to injure them shall be greatly increased.
This Decree, blessed by God, is promulgated on the 26th of Shaban,
1280 (15 February 1864). Peace!
CHAPTER XIX.
1864.
RECEPTION OF SIR MOSES BY THE SULTAN OF MOROCCO--ENTHUSIASTIC
WELCOME FROM THE JEWISH COLONY--HOME AGAIN--CONGRATULATORY MEETING AT THE
LONDON TAVERN.
The next letter Sir Moses addressed to the President _pro tem._ of the
Board of Deputies was dated Gibraltar, February 24th.
"On Wednesday, the 27th ultimo, I was visited by deputations from
the several learned Jewish bodies in the city of Morocco. I should
estimate the number of my visitors to have amounted to between three
and four hundred. I fear, from their appearance, that they are in
very poor circumstances; yet one cannot but admire their devotion to
the study of our Holy Law.
"On Sunday, the 31st ultimo, I received an official intimation that
the Sultan would give our party a public reception on the following
day.
"On Monday, the 1st instant, long before dawn, we could distinguish
the sounds of martial music, indicating the muster of the troops in
and about the environs of the Sultan's palace. At the early hour of
7 A.M., I had the honour to receive a visit from Sid Taib El Yamany,
the good and intelligent Oozier, or Chief Minister of His Sheriffian
Majesty, Sidi Mohamed Ben Abderahman Ben Hisham, the present Sultan
of Morocco. He expressed the pleasure of the Sultan to receive us at
his Court, and his Majesty's desire to make our visit to his capital
an agreeable one. Shortly after the departure of the Oozier, the
Royal Vice-Chamberlain, with a _cortége_ of cavalry, arrived at our
palace to convey us to the audience.
"You may recollect that our party, in addition to myself, consisted
of Mr Thomas Fellowes Reade, Consul to Her Britannic Majesty at
Tangier; Captain William Armytage, of H.M.S. the _Magicienne_, two of
his officers; Dr James Gibson Thomas Forbes and Lieutenant Francis
Durrant; my fellow-travellers, Dr Thomas Hodgkin, and Mr Sampson
Samuel; and Mr Moses Nahon, of Tangier, who had volunteered to
accompany us to Morocco, and to whom we are all deeply indebted.
"I have not stated in my previous letters that Senor José Daniel
Colaco, the Portuguese Minister at Tangier, kindly placed at my
disposal his chaise-a-porteurs to enable me to perform the journey
over the rough and stony plains of the interior of Morocco. To this
were harnessed two mules, one behind and one in front of the vehicle.
I believe I should not have been equal to the fatigue of travelling
on horseback, and even as it was, this mode of transit was very
trying and fatiguing.
"A quarter of an hour's ride brought us to the gates opening upon an
avenue leading to the courtyard, or open space, before the palace.
"This avenue, which is of very considerable length, was lined on both
sides by infantry troops of great variety of hue and accoutrements.
They were standing in closely serried rank, and we must have passed
several hundreds before emerging into the open plain. There a
magnificent sight opened upon us; we beheld in every direction masses
of troops, consisting of cavalry and foot soldiers. I should estimate
the total number assembled on this occasion at not less than six
thousand.
"We went forward some little distance into the plain, and saw
approaching us the Oozier, the Grand Chamberlain, and other
dignitaries of the Court. I descended from my vehicle, and my
companions alighted from their steeds to meet them. We were cordially
welcomed. We arranged ourselves in a line to await the appearance
of the Sultan. This was preceded by a string of led white horses,
and the Sultan's carriage covered with green cloth. His Majesty's
approach was announced by a flourish of trumpets; he was mounted on a
superb white charger, the spirited movements of which were controlled
by him with consummate skill. The colour of the charger indicated
that we were welcomed with the highest distinction.
"The countenance of His Majesty is expressive of great intelligence
and benevolence.
"The Sultan expressed his pleasure in seeing me at his Court; he said
my name was well known to him, as well as my desire to improve the
condition of my brethren; he hoped that my sojourn in his capital
would be agreeable; he dwelt with great emphasis on his long-existing
amicable relations with our country; he also said it was gratifying
to him to see two of the officers in its service at his Court.
"I had the honour, at this audience, to place in the hands of His
Majesty my Memorial, on behalf of the Jewish and Christian subjects
of his empire.
"After the interview we were escorted back to our garden palace with
the same honours as had been paid to us on our way to the Court, my
chair having a white horse led before it, as well on my going, as on
my returning, which is a high and distinguished mark of honour.
"The Oozier had invited us to his palace for the evening of the same
day; we were entertained with true oriental hospitality.
"In the course of the evening's conversation, we elicited from the
Oozier, the assurance of the Sultan's desire, as well as his own,
to protect the Jews of Morocco. He took notes of some particular
grievances which we brought to his knowledge, and promised to
institute the necessary enquiries, with a view to their being
redressed. Other measures were discussed, such as the enlargement
of the crowded Jewish quarters in Mogador, and the grant of a house
for a hospital at Tangier, all of which the Oozier assured us should
receive his favourable consideration.
"Arrangements had been made that the _Magicienne_ should meet us at
Saffi on the 8th instant, by which time we had expected we should
be able to reach that port on our return from the Capital; but I
had determined to await a response, favourable or otherwise, to my
Memorial to the Sultan; nor was it considered desirable that we
should proceed to Saffi. The surf there at all times runs very high,
and great danger might have been incurred in attempting to pass
through it, even if such attempt were deemed practicable.
"Under these circumstances, Captain Armytage resolved that he and Mr
Durrant should leave Morocco on Thursday, the 4th instant, to meet
his ship at Saffi at the time appointed, and to proceed therewith to
Mazagan and await our arrival there.
"All our party accompanied him and Mr Durrant on Wednesday morning,
the 3rd instant, on their farewell visit to the Oozier. I availed
myself of this opportunity to represent to the Minister my anxiety to
receive an early communication from the Sultan. The Oozier assured me
that it would be such as would be satisfactory to me.
"On Friday, the 5th instant, the Imperial Edict, under the
sign-manual of the Sultan, was placed in my hands.
"On the following day we received an intimation that His Majesty
would receive us on Sunday morning, the 7th instant.
"Soon after 7 A.M., on that day, the Vice-Chamberlain arrived at
our palace, with the same state as on the former occasion, and we
were conducted, with like honour, to the palace; there was a similar
display of troops, and this time the Emperor received us in a kiosk
in the palace-gardens; he was seated on a mahogany sofa covered
with green cloth. His Majesty renewed his friendly and courteous
assurance of welcome, and expressed his hope that we had been happy
and comfortable during our stay at his capital, and he renewed his
assurance that it was his intention and desire to protect his Jewish
subjects.
"He directed us to be conducted through his royal gardens by the
chief of that department; they are very extensive, abounding in
magnificent vineries, orange, olive, and other trees; there are two
lakes of ornamental water, on one of which is a pleasure boat, with
paddle wheels moved by mechanism. You may form some idea of the vast
extent of the gardens, from the fact that it took us several hours to
pass through some of the principal avenues.
"Immediately after quitting the royal gardens, we visited the Jewish
quarter. The crowd was enormous, our reception enthusiastic. The
narrow streets or lanes, through which we had the greatest difficulty
to make our way, were all but choked up with our numerous friends;
from every window, from the city wall, in fact wherever the eye
rested, we beheld groups of our brothers and sisters all uniting to
bid us welcome.
"We first went to one of the many Synagogues--the oldest and the
largest, (though, I regret to say, a very humble structure). Here
were assembled the Chief Rabbis and others to meet us; from thence we
paid visits of respect to Mr Corcos, a relative of Mr Abraham Corcos,
of Mogador, and Mr Nahon, a relative of Mr Moses Nahon, of Tangier,
two of our most respected co-religionists in the City of Morocco.
"The same evening we were again entertained by the Oozier.
"On Monday, the 8th inst., about noon, we bade adieu to the city
of Morocco, being escorted to some distance by a Guard of Honour
of horse and foot soldiers, some of whom accompanied us until our
arrival at Mazagan. The Sultan had provided me with a magnificent
pavilion tent; in fact, our horses, mules, provisions, &c., &c., were
all furnished at his expense. Mr Corcos, Mr Nahon, and several others
of the principal Jews of Morocco travelled with us during our first
day's journey, and encamped with us overnight....
"On Thursday, the 11th inst., we were met on our way to our night's
encampment by the son of the Governor of the District, accompanied
by some fine cavalry soldiers. He brought us an invitation from his
father to encamp for the night at his city, and pressed his request
so earnestly that we could not in reason refuse compliance. This,
however, involved considerable addition to our day's travel. We did
not reach our destination until nightfall, having accomplished on
that day a distance of about twenty-seven miles. The Governor, in
addition to the usual mona, supplied us with a magnificent repast of
cous-cous and other delicacies, which were pronounced by Mr Reade to
be very savoury.
"We were all very much exhausted by our day's hard work. During
the day I had been met by a deputation of about a hundred of our
co-religionists from Saffi.
"In compliance with an urgent invitation from the Governor of another
district, we consented to stay during Sabbath at his Palace, this
being within a day's easy journey to Mazagan.
"We were met, on our approach to the town, or rather walled village,
consisting almost entirely of tents and huts, by some of its
Jewish inhabitants, the females bearing banners composed of silk
handkerchiefs, embroidered muslin sashes, and other articles of
female finery. I was informed that the Governor is very kind to the
Jewish families. He appropriated one of his residences to myself and
friends. We remained in this place from the Friday afternoon till the
following Sunday morning, the 14th instant.
"The Governor presented me with a horse, and at the earnest entreaty
of one of my co-religionists of Saffi I was obliged to accept a like
gift from him.
"Here also I had the pleasure to see one of the liberated Saffi
prisoners, who satisfied me that there had not existed the slightest
cause for his imprisonment.
"When within about an hour's distance of Mazagan we were met by
Mr Octavus Stokes, the British Consul at that port, the principal
Christian and Jewish merchants, and by a procession of numerous
co-religionists, the females carrying a profusion of banners, and
vociferating their huzzas Moorish fashion, the shrill tones of which
were intended to demonstrate an enthusiastic welcome.
"We caught soon after a glimpse of the sea, and then were gladdened
with the sight of the _Magicienne_ lying off the port, awaiting to
re-conduct us to Gibraltar.
"As Captain Armytage was under the necessity of returning without
delay, we were unable to make any stay at Mazagan, but as a house
had been prepared by our Jewish friend for our reception, it was
arranged that we should stay there over night, and embark early
the next morning. Great preparations had been made for our evening
repast--one bullock, two sheep, and I know not how many turkeys and
fowls, with a profusion of other good things, had been supplied by
our co-religionists.
"On reaching Mazagan I forthwith proceeded to the Synagogue to offer
my grateful thanks to God for the prosperous issue of my mission,
and for His gracious mercy in permitting the members of our perilous
expedition to return thus far on our homeward travels in health and
safety. It had taken us seven days, exclusive of the Sabbath, to
travel from Morocco to Mazagan, the distance being about 120 miles."
In a letter, dated East Cliff Lodge, Ramsgate, 5th of April 1864,
addressed to the President _pro tem._, he gives the conclusion of the
narrative of his mission:--
"My letter to you of the 11th ultimo informed you of my desire to
place in the hands of Her Majesty the Queen of Spain a copy of the
Sultan's Firman. I have now the gratification to tell you that
on Friday, the 18th ultimo, I had the honour (accompanied by His
Excellency Sir John F. Crampton) to have a second audience of Her
Majesty, the King Consort being present. I presented to Her Majesty
a copy of the Imperial Edict of the Sultan of Morocco, with a
translation in Spanish, which were most graciously received by Her
Majesty.
"On Sunday morning, the 20th ultimo, I left Madrid, and travelled
by railway and carriage road for twenty-five hours continuously,
so that I might arrive in time at Bayonne to attend the service of
Purim at the Synagogue, which I was thus able to attend on Monday
evening, the 21st, and Tuesday morning, the 22nd ultimo. I reached
Paris on Thursday, the 24th, and on the following Thursday, the 31st
ultimo, through the kind offices of His Excellency Lord Cowley, I
had the honour of a private audience of His Imperial Majesty the
Emperor of the French, at the Palace of the Tuileries, and placed in
the hands of His Imperial Majesty a copy of the Sultan's Edict, with
a translation in French; these were accepted in the most gracious
manner. Doctor Hodgkin was present on the occasion. I left Paris
yesterday."
Scarcely had Sir Moses arrived in England, when hearty welcomes reached
him, not only from this country, but from all parts of the civilized
world.
Two thousand addresses, alphabetically arranged, in the Lecture Hall of
Judith, Lady Montefiore and Theological College, manifest in eloquent
terms the appreciation of the services rendered by a man nearly eighty
years of age.
At a public meeting, held at the London Tavern, on Wednesday, the 13th
April--Mr Alderman Salamon in the chair--the following resolutions
were unanimously adopted, on the motion of Sir Anthony de Rothschild,
seconded by Mr Gladstone:--
That Moses Montefiore, by his philanthropic zeal in undertaking, at
an advanced age, a laborious journey for the purpose of remonstrating
against the cruelties inflicted on the Jews at Tangiers and Saffi, and
by his successful representations to the Emperor of Morocco on behalf
of all non-Mahometan subjects of that Empire, has rendered an important
service to the cause of humanity, and that Sir Moses Montefiore has
thus added to the many claims which he has already established on the
gratitude and admiration of the Jewish community, and of his fellow
citizens at large.
It was moved by Sir Francis H. Goldsmid, and seconded by Mr Wolverley
Attwood,--
That an address expressive of these sentiments be presented, on behalf
of this meeting, to Sir Moses Montefiore.
It was moved by Mr John Abel Smith, seconded by Mr Sergeant (now Sir
John) Simon,--
That this meeting desires to express its deep obligation to Earl
Russell (Her Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) for
the readiness with which he afforded to Sir Moses Montefiore the
countenance and support of the Government, and to offer its earnest
thanks to Sir John Hay Drummond Hay (Her Majesty's Consul-General in
Morocco), to Mr Consul Reade, and to all those who personally aided in
carrying into effect the objects, and thus contributed to the success
of the journey.
It was moved by Mr Goschen, and seconded by Mr Jacob Waley,
That this meeting, bearing in mind the gracious reception accorded
by His Majesty the Emperor of Morocco to the representations of Sir
Moses Montefiore, Bart., wishes to record its high appreciation of the
desire shown by that enlightened Sovereign to extend his protection
and ensure justice to all classes of his subjects, without reference
to religious creed, and that this meeting would be gratified if Her
Majesty's Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs would communicate this
resolution to His Majesty through the British Consul-General in Morocco.
It was moved by Mr A. Cohen, and seconded by Mr Henry Isaac, that this
meeting contemplating with deep satisfaction the social and political
equality now happily enjoyed by all the subjects of Her Majesty, feels
pride and gratification in remarking how the example thus set has
contributed to induce other countries to adopt the same beneficent
principles.
SAMPSON LUCAS, }
SAUL ISAAC, } _Hon. Secs._
ERNEST HART, }
JULIAN GOLDSMID, }
Meetings of a similar kind were held by all the Hebrew congregations
and many public institutions in the British realm. Resolutions were
adopted, and copies of the same conveyed to Sir Moses by their
respective deputations; but he did not consider that he had yet
completed the work of the Mission.
He thought it desirable to address a letter to the Minister of State in
Morocco urging him to see that full effect was given by the Governors
and Pashas of provinces to the edict of the Sultan, and, in accordance
with his own views on the subject, he sent a letter in the Moorish
language to the Minister, of which I here give an exact translation:--
"GROSVENOR GATE, PARK LANE, LONDON,
"_June 1, 1864._
"TO THE ILLUSTRIOUS OOZIER SID TAIB EL YAMINY, Minister of State,
Morocco, &c., &c., &c.
"May it please your Excellency,--My heart is deeply impressed with
thankfulness to your Excellency for the kind letter which your
Excellency has so courteously transmitted to me in reply to that
which I had the honour to address to your Excellency on the 23rd
February last.
"Since my return to Europe I had the honour, while at Madrid, to
place in the hands of her Catholic Majesty the Queen of Spain, a copy
of the Imperial Edict of your august Sovereign, with a translation
in the Spanish language; and while at Paris, to place in the hands
of his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of the French a like copy, with
a translation in the French language; also on my arrival in London
I had the gratification to present to the Government of my beloved
Sovereign a like copy, with an English translation.
"The Imperial Edict of his Sheriffian Majesty has obtained a
world-wide celebrity, and has everywhere received the eulogies to
which it is so eminently entitled.
"The friends of humanity and civilization throughout the world
entertain the earnest hope and belief that your gracious Sovereign,
and that you, illustrious Sir, will cause that edict to be known and
respected by all the governors and officials in the empire of Morocco.
"There is too much reason to fear that there exists a disposition
on the part of some of these governors and officials to ignore or
disregard the benign commands of the Sultan, and that they are acting
in direct contravention of the Sheriffian Majesty's high and exalted
intentions, that his Jewish and other non-Mahomedan subjects shall be
permitted to enjoy the benefits so humanely secured to them by his
Sheriffian Majesty's glorious edict.
"These are indeed sad tidings. Oh, let not these oppressors be
allowed to persevere in their wrongdoing. I entreat the immediate
and effectual interposition of his Sheriffian Majesty and of your
Excellency. The Imperial Edict went forth as a beam of light to my
co-religionists in Morocco. Suffer not, I implore you, its brightness
to be dimmed, its effulgence to be extinguished. It imparted joy and
promise. Permit not that joy to be destroyed, that promise to remain
unfruitful.
"Hundreds of thousands of human beings in Morocco raised their
voices in praise and thankfulness to God for the benign desire of
his Sheriffian Majesty and of your Excellency to ameliorate their
condition, and to remove from them oppression and suffering. Let it
not be that their fond hopes are a vain shadow; that their cheering
anticipations of a brighter future are a delusive dream.
"How great and how sacred are the prerogatives of Majesty! It directs
its people's welfare, and their path is bedecked with flowers; it
forbears to punish their oppressors, and that path is beset with
thorns.
"I know full well, and have personally experienced the kindness of
your august Sovereign and of your Excellency, and therefore I rely
with firm faith on the generous promises which I have received, that
the Imperial Edict should be promulgated throughout the Moorish
empire, and its provisions strictly enforced.
"Happy, most happy are the nations dwelling in peace and security!
Glorious, most glorious are the rulers to whose wisdom and humanity,
inspired by Almighty God, the people look up for the perpetuity of
these blessings.
"Condescend, illustrious Sir, to consider these my humble words
spoken in the fulness of my heart and with most truthful earnestness.
"Deign to convey my assurances of respect to your august Sovereign,
and to receive with favour my wishes for his and your health and
welfare, and for the prosperity of the Moorish empire,--I have the
honour to remain, your Excellency's faithful and obedient servant,
"(Signed) MOSES MONTEFIORE."
Two months later the Minister sends a most satisfactory reply, of which
I also subjoin a translation:--
"Praise be to the only God. There is no strength and no power but in
God the Most High. From him who is the servant of God, the Secretary
of State, and the Noble Commander, whose name from God is SID TAIB
EL YAMINY, to the beloved, wise, and most benevolent SIR MOSES
MONTEFIORE, Bart.
"After rendering praise to God the Most High, we beg to inform you
that we have received your letter describing the gracious reception
accorded to you by the different monarchs, their appreciation of
the object which has been accomplished, and the advantages derived
therefrom. All mankind will give thanks to you for the readiness
and devotion to the good cause which you manifested by bringing the
present under the special notice of the great Powers.
"With regard to your statement respecting the affairs of the Jewish
subjects of our Lord, whom God may preserve in strength, we have to
observe that they are his subjects, and he--may God preserve him and
perpetuate his glory and greatness--does not like that they should
be pursued by acts of injustice and torment in their unfortunate
position; because God the Most High forbids injustice towards people
professing our religion, and He likewise forbids injustice toward
people professing any other religion.
"Our Lord--may God grant him support--has already commanded the
inhabitants of all the other provinces in his Empire, that his Jewish
subjects should be treated with kindness and strict justice, so that
no wrong whatever be done to any of them. He also rebuked them (the
inhabitants of all the other provinces of his Empire), by the power
and strength of God, for the injustice they have done. We have not
forgotten your polite attention, and the kindness evinced in your
letter; we shall never fail to watch rigorously the proceedings of
the officials in the provinces of our Lord, whom may God preserve.
"Completed in the month of Mohharam, in the year 1281 of the Hidjrah."
Sir Moses sent an address to the Spiritual Chiefs and Elders of the
Morocco Jews, counselling them to inculcate in their poorer and less
educated brethren, the necessity of uniform obedience and respect to
the Moorish authorities. The danger that the Jews might lose some
of the benefits conferred by the recent edict of the Emperor, by
exciting the hostility of the Moorish authorities by too independent
a tone in demanding the equal treatment with Mohammedans ordered by
the Sultan, was mentioned in letters from Barbary, and Sir Moses,
whose intercession had already done so much for the Morocco Jews,
wisely counselled patience under petty injuries and submission to the
authorities, as the best means of preventing the just and generous
intentions of the Sultan from being defeated by the fanaticism of his
Mohammedan subjects.
CHAPTER XX.
1864
SIR MOSES RECEIVES THE THANKS OF THE CITY OF LONDON--THE
PROJECTED SURVEY OF JERUSALEM--BAD NEWS FROM
ROME, HAMADAN, AND JAFFA--ENDOWMENT OF JUDITH
COLLEGE, RAMSGATE--DEATH OF LORD PALMERSTON.
_Thursday, October 6th._--We meet Sir Moses in the Guildhall,
surrounded by the most influential merchants and bankers of the City
of London, standing before the Lord Mayor, and receiving from him the
resolution of thanks voted by the Corporation.
The Lord Mayor, addressing Sir Moses, who remained standing on the dais
during the ceremony, said:
"Sir Moses Montefiore, this Court, as representing the citizens of
London, has from time immemorial voted the freedom of this City to
distinguished naval commanders and to renowned soldiers, who have
prized the honour exceedingly. It has also voted the freedom to
statesmen, to patriots, to philanthropists, and to those who have
devoted their time, their energies, and their money to alleviate
the sufferings of humanity. (Cheers.) To you, Sir Moses Montefiore,
a distinguished member of the Hebrew community, this great city
has voted a resolution of thanks, expressive of their approval of
the consistent course you have pursued for a long series of years,
of the sacrifices you have made, of the time you have spent, and
of the wearisome journeys you have endured, in order not only to
alleviate the sufferings of your co-religionists, but at the same
time to alleviate the sufferings and miseries of people of all creeds
and denominations (Cheers.) It gives me great pleasure, Sir Moses
Montefiore, to be the medium of presenting to you this resolution,
and of congratulating you upon being enrolled among those whom this
city has thought worthy to receive the tribute of their respect and
admiration. (Cheers.) This city has at all times been most anxious
on all occasions to evince its sympathy with suffering humanity,
irrespective of creed, of colour, and of country, and I beg to shake
you by the hand." (Cheers.)
Sir Moses Montefiore replied:
"Lord Mayor and Gentlemen of the Corporation, I am so deeply
impressed by the high compliment you have just been pleased to offer
me that I fear my emotion will incapacitate me from conveying to you
in adequate terms my thanks and gratitude.
"Vividly recalling how many, distinguished by their brilliant
achievements, in war, in science, in art, and by general service to
mankind, have enjoyed in your hall the cordial reception with which
you have this day greeted me, my heart glows with feelings of delight
that you have estimated so favourably my humble endeavours in the
cause of humanity.
"The Imperial edict which, through the Divine blessing, I had the
happiness to obtain from His Sheriffian Majesty the Sultan of
Morocco, securing to the Jews and Christians in his dominions the
same rights and privileges which are enjoyed by other classes of his
subjects, constitutes a bright epoch in the history of that Empire,
and must assuredly tend to advance its prosperity.
"Permit me to present for your acceptance a copy of this important
edict, and beg for it a record in the minutes of your Court.
"Mindful of my long and valued association with the Corporation of
the City of London, and of the high and responsible office to which
I was elected by the confidence of my fellow-citizens in the first
year of the reign of our beloved Queen, and remembering how nobly and
how successfully your ancient Corporation has toiled for religious
freedom, I am the more gratified by the distinguished honour I
have this day received--an honour I shall ever bear in grateful
remembrance.
"My Lord Mayor and Gentlemen. I thank you most heartily for your
kindness, and I offer you my earnest wishes for the continued
prosperity of this great Corporation, and for your individual
welfare."
Sir Moses, accompanied by the mover of the resolution, Mr Alderman (now
Sir) Benjamin Phillips, then retired from the hall amidst the cheers
and applause of the numbers who had assembled to witness the gratifying
scene.
A copy of the resolution, beautifully emblazoned with the city arms,
as well as those of the Lord Mayor and Sir Moses, and surrounded by
paintings representing the Missions of Sir Moses, may be seen in the
Lecture Hall of the College. It is greatly admired by visitors for its
elegant execution.
"Nothing," Sir Moses observes in his Diary, "could have exceeded
the courtesy of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council. I was
delighted with the Lord Mayor's address, and I am happy to say they
were pleased with my reply."
A copy of the edict of His Sheriffian Majesty and Sir Moses' speech had
been entered in the minutes of the Court, and a copy sent to each of
the members.
Sir Moses then attended the afternoon and evening service at the
Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, receiving congratulations from all
present.
In the Court Circular, dated Windsor Castle, June 20th, we find a
notice:
"His Highness Mustapha Pasha, the Turkish Ambassador, and Sir Moses
Montefiore arrived at the Castle to-day from London.
"Sir Moses Montefiore had an audience of Her Majesty."
We may infer, from the gracious receptions which Her Majesty on several
former occasions had given to Sir Moses, that, in the present instance,
she did not fail to manifest her approbation of his Mission to Morocco.
_September 25th._--We meet him at his favourite retreat, Smithembottom.
"I have great cause," he says, "for thankfulness. Since I was here in
November last, I hope that, by Divine blessing, I have been of some use
to my fellow-creatures, both Jews and Christians, and, I believe I may
add, 'Moors.' To God alone, who helped and sustained me, be honour and
glory. I believe that my dear Judith would have approved my conduct,
and, sure I am, had it pleased an all-wise Providence to have spared
her, she would have shared my fatigue and dangers, but it was otherwise
ordained, and I can only submit with humble spirit to the decree of
Heaven. My angel guide of so many happy years being no longer with me
on earth in mortal form, I sincerely pray the God of Israel to be my
guide, and to permit her heavenly spirit to comfort me, and keep me
in the right path, so that I may become deserving of the happiness
to rejoin her in Heaven when it shall please God to call me from the
world."
"A visit to Smithembottom," he remarks in his Diary, "is now to me very
similar to that of the solemn 'Day of Atonement,' with the exception of
fasting. I hope hours spent in serious reflection on the past incidents
of a long life tend to make me better, and constitute a great moral
lesson."
Sir Moses now contemplated establishing a college for the study of
theology and Biblical literature in Jerusalem. "I have," he says,
"with, I hope, the Divine blessing, resolved on establishing in the
Holy Land, in memory of my ever-lamented and blessed wife, a college
(Beth Hamedrásh), with ten members, to erect ten houses with gardens
for their dwelling, with a certain yearly allowance to them, and to
purchase and send them a good Hebrew library for their use." He hoped
to go there and purchase the land, and to lay the foundation-stone.
This idea, however, he soon relinquished for a similar institution in
Ramsgate, to which I shall have an opportunity further on in this work
to direct the attention of the reader.
_December 7th._--He received from Mr (now) Lord Hammond, of the
Foreign Office, by permission of Lord Russell, despatches from Sir
John Drummond Hay, and a letter from him, addressed to Sir Moses, also
despatches for his perusal from Athens and Corfu, all of which were
most satisfactory. "It was, indeed," Sir Moses says, "truly kind of
Earl Russell and Mr Hammond to favour me with the perusal of them."
Earl Russell, as well as all his successors at the Foreign Office,
have repeatedly afforded him opportunities to read despatches received
from their Ambassadors and Consuls at Foreign Courts, whenever they
contained any important communication regarding the Jews.
Sir Moses was enabled to attend his meetings in the city,
notwithstanding the great fatigue he had undergone during his
journey, and was as ready and eager as ever with his suggestions for
improvements in any measure of financial importance.
On the recurrence of the anniversary of his birthday, which this year
was the eightieth, he sent his usual gifts to communal schools and
charities in England, as well as to those in the Holy Land, conveying
to the latter his hope to pay them another visit soon.
Some readers who have attentively perused the narrative of Sir Moses'
Mission to Morocco, will perhaps say that since the issuing of the
Sultan's edict twenty-three years ago, His Sheriffian Majesty's
commands contained therein do not seem to have been very strictly
adhered to. The Moors say, and apparently with good reason, "To promise
is not the same as to perform." Their observation seems just, when
we find that, notwithstanding the promises made by the Sultan to Sir
Moses, he continued to receive complaints from almost every Hebrew
community of the oppression and ill-treatment to which they had been
subjected. Still one must bear in mind, that even in European countries
rights and privileges granted by a sovereign would be many a time,
intentionally or unintentionally, withdrawn from loyal subjects by
those appointed to carry out the will of the reigning monarch, were
it not for the numerous votaries of the cause of justice who are ever
ready to bring before the court those who thus wilfully violate the
rights of others. But such is not the case in Morocco. Even the lovers
of justice cannot always succeed in making known to the Sultan the
acts of cruelty committed by the local governors or military officers.
As this would necessitate long and tedious journeys before reaching
the Palace, and should they reach it in safety, there is yet another
difficulty to encounter in procuring evidence, witnesses being in
general very reluctant to testify against any man in power. Thus it
happens that injustice is practised by some of the local governors with
impunity; but there is every reason to believe that the Sultan himself,
as far as lay in his power, strictly adhered to the words of the edict.
The Sultan gave his word in the presence of the representative of the
English Government, and would not, if reminded of it by Her Majesty's
Government, withdraw his promise.
_East Cliff, February 6th._--Sir Moses, being anxious to see if
anything could be done through the medium of the English officers of
engineers then at Jerusalem, with regard to the water supply there, he
proceeded to London. "In spite of old age and weakness," he says, "I
would willingly undergo any fatigue and risk to benefit Jerusalem."
He called at Adam Street for a copy of the resolution on the subject
passed by the Committee of the Syrian Relief Fund during his absence,
went to the Athenæum to see Mr John Freeland, and called on Sir John
Macneil.
_February 9th._--He went to Southampton on a visit to the Ordnance
Survey Office, where he had a long interview with Sir Henry James
with reference to the survey of Jerusalem, then being carried out by
a party of engineers belonging to that department--a work in which,
as may readily be imagined, Sir Moses took the deepest interest. Sir
Henry presented him with a beautiful photograph of the wailing wall at
Jerusalem, with which Sir Moses expressed himself highly gratified.
_February 15th._--He attended a meeting of the Syrian Improvement Fund
Committee, Mr Layard, Mr Hodgkin, and several other members being
present, when £100 was voted for the use of Captain Wilson and the
engineers at Jerusalem towards the expenses of excavations, &c., for
the purpose of finding a mode of providing Jerusalem with a better
supply of water.
_February 16th._--Count P. de Strezelski wrote a letter, by desire
of Miss Coutts (now Baroness Burdett-Coutts), to learn whether they
could venture on some steps to improve the lamentable and humiliating
state of the Jewish community at Rome. In spite of the snow, Sir Moses
went to see the Count, and told him that he believed no good could be
achieved by agitation; but perhaps a mild and very quiet application,
personally made at Rome on behalf of the Jews, might be successful. "I
would," Sir Moses says, "if this plan was favourably received, go at my
own personal expense to Rome."
The Count, wishing to have Miss Coutts' advice, and Sir Moses being
himself desirous of expressing to her his thanks for her kind and
benevolent solicitude for the welfare of his co-religionists, they
drove to Piccadilly, but as Miss Coutts was not at home, the Count
promised to see her in the evening, and report to Sir Moses by letter
to Ramsgate.
Sir Moses then called on the President and Secretary of the Board of
Deputies in reference to the same subject. Both agreed with them as to
the impossibility of moving the Pope by public agitation, and would not
express any hope that good could in any way be obtained for the Jewish
inhabitants at Rome. However, Sir Moses says, "I am ready at all risk
to try it, if the mode I suggest shall meet with the approval of Earl
Russell, and I have his powerful support in my Mission. No time should
be lost."
_March 25th._--An alarming letter reached him from the Hebrew community
at Hamadan (the ancient city of Shooshan) in Persia. They were
suffering terribly from persecutions by the Persians, and appealed to
him for his intercession with the Shah in their behalf. "The weather
has been very rough and cold, with rain, wind, and sleet," he writes.
"I could not sleep last night for thinking of our poor suffering
brethren in Persia." Early in the morning he commenced making inquiries
regarding travelling in Persia, and left East Cliff for London to take
the letter he had received to the Chief Rabbi, who, he found, had
already received a similar one.
In order to gather further information regarding Persian affairs, he
went to see the lady whose son he had placed at the Bluecoat School,
and who was well acquainted with Teheran. "I found her," he says, "a
very intelligent woman, about forty years of age. She first went to
Persia when she was thirteen years old, and married there. She lived
in Persia twenty-six years, and had been to England three times during
that period. She went from Liverpool to Constantinople by sea, was then
about ten days on the Black Sea, and afterwards journeyed one thousand
miles on horseback to Teheran. She described the climate as being good,
but very hot in summer--too hot to travel by day."
_March 28th._--He called on Mr Layard (now Sir Austen H. Layard),
presenting him with his (Sir Austen's) bust, which Sir Moses had
ordered of Mr Wiener, a distinguished sculptor of Brussels. Sir Austen
received it with great pleasure. Sir Moses spoke of the letter from
Hamadan, and offered to go there to obtain a firman from the Shah,
if Sir Austen would give him letters. Sir Austen said he should have
every assistance, and as many letters as he wished, if he went, and
that he would write to Mr Alison, our representative at the Court at
Teheran. Sir Moses then gave him the translation of the Hamadan letter,
which Sir Austen read with great attention. Sir Moses said he intended
to start on the 1st of May, upon which Sir Austen informed him that
Mr Alison should be instructed to afford him every assistance and
information as to the best mode of reaching the capital.
"But could not some plan be found to save you from so long and
dangerous a journey?" asked Sir Austen. He proposed that Sir Moses
should write in his own name to the Shah, and state what he had
obtained from the Sultan at Constantinople and the Sultan of Morocco in
favour of their Jewish subjects, and to send him copies of the firman
and edict, with a petition for a similar edict from him. Sir Austen
said he would forward Sir Moses' letter to the British Minister at
Teheran to present it to the Shah, which he thought would answer the
purpose, and save him great fatigue and risk.
Sir Austen presented him with a most beautiful copy of his large
work, containing an account of his researches in connection with the
excavations at Babylon. Sir Moses asked for one of his smaller works
instead, but Sir Austen said, "You have had your way, and now I must
have mine." After mature consideration, and acting upon the advice
of Sir Austen, Sir Moses gave up the idea of a journey to Persia,
but wrote an address to the Shah, praying for a firman in favour of
his brethren, and Lord Russell was good enough to forward it to its
destination through Mr Alison, the British Minister at Teheran.
Having abandoned the scheme of building a Theological College in
Jerusalem, he was determined to have one near his Synagogue in
Ramsgate, in memory of his wife, and made an agreement with this
object with a local builder. "May God in His mercy and goodness," he
prays, "grant that the inhabitants of the intended College may devote
themselves to the study of His Holy Laws, and may they find peace and
happiness in their dwellings." On Saturday evening, the 24th of June,
the eve of the new moon of Tamuz, 5625 A.M., he laid the foundation
stone of the College, in the presence of his relatives and friends.
In the same month he made the first remittance of £50 to the inmates
of the Juda Touro Almshouses in Jerusalem. In the succeeding years he
considerably increased these remittances, and continued forwarding them
up to his death. To Mr Hyde Clarke of Smyrna he sent a similar sum, to
be distributed by that gentleman among the indigent sick at that place;
and to Jerusalem he forwarded a case of medicines for the Dispensary.
_August the 27th._--Sir Moses had scarcely despatched his appeal to
the Shah on behalf of his brethren at Hamadan, in Persia, when a
heartrending cry came from the Holy Land, an unusual combination of
misfortunes having befallen them. "No rain had fallen for many months,
the harvest was spoilt, locusts covered the ground for miles around,
the cholera had broken out in all its fury, famine and plague reigned
supreme in the Holy Cities.
"The fatal disease commenced its ravages on the coast of Egypt, and
raged furiously in Alexandria; with intense virulence it advanced to
the city of Jaffa, and devastated it. The corpses of the dead lay in
the streets unburied, the living fled on every side, and the once
bustling seaport town was stricken with terror and awed into silence.
All the towns and villages between Jaffa and Jerusalem were affected.
The gates of the latter were closed, so that none could come out or go
in. The city was in a state of siege, and the inspectors of quarantine
surrounded it.
"The representatives of all the congregations combined to do all in
their power to alleviate the distress, but their funds were exhausted,
the plague showed no signs of abating, and they sent forth their
piteous cry for help to their brethren abroad."
The Chief Rabbi and Sir Moses at once invited the attention of the
London Committee of Deputies of the British Jews to the distressing
condition of the Jews in Palestine, asking their powerful aid, and
suggesting that they should issue an appeal to all the congregations in
the British Empire. To this the Board of Deputies readily agreed, and
immediately published an appeal in all the leading papers. The result
was most satisfactory. The contributions to the appeal fund amounted
to a large sum, and, knowing the willingness of Sir Moses to assist
personally in the administration of the same, the Board invited him to
proceed to Jerusalem for that purpose.
Sir Moses, without hesitation, disregarding his advanced age and feeble
state of his health, accepted the invitation, and promised to proceed
to the Holy City as soon as the necessary preparations for such a
journey would permit.
Before giving the reader a full account of this fresh journey to the
Holy Land, I have still to bring to his notice some entries in his
Diary of the current year.
_October 19th._--"The _Times_ of to-day," he writes, "gave me the
mournful intelligence of the death of that great and good man, Lord
Palmerston. I most sincerely grieve at his loss. I have had very many
interviews with his Lordship, and he was on every occasion most kind
and friendly. He was ever ready to attend to any representation I had
to make on behalf of the Board of Deputies. On my return from Morocco,
the last time I spoke to him, he was kindness itself. Peace to his
honest soul. May he rest in Heaven."
_November 1st._--Sir Moses endowed the Judith College; and on the 15th
of the same month he considered the constitution of the same, which he
subsequently submitted to his friends to ascertain their views on the
subject.
_December 31st._--Notwithstanding the severity of the weather, he
frequently went to town and attended the meetings of companies and
associations.
CHAPTER XXI.
1866.
SIXTH JOURNEY TO THE HOLY LAND--A NEW JEWISH CENSUS--THE
PLAGUE OF LOCUSTS--DEATH OF DR HODGKIN--ARRIVAL
IN JERUSALEM.
_January 26th, 1866._--Sir Moses had the satisfaction of hearing from
the Foreign Office that the grievances of which the Jews of Persia
complained, and which were happily now about to be removed, where
unknown to the Shah. Sir A. H. Layard thus addresses him on the subject:
"FOREIGN OFFICE, _January 26th, 1866_.
"DEAR SIR,--I have much pleasure in informing you, by direction of
the Earl of Clarendon, that it appears, from a report which has this
day been received from Her Majesty's Minister in Persia, that in
consequence of his representations with respect to your petition to the
Shah, His Majesty has addressed an autograph letter to the Sipeh-salar,
in which he signifies to his Prime Minister that it has come to his
knowledge that his Jewish subjects suffer from oppression; and that
being contrary to his wishes, the Sipeh-salar is strictly enjoined to
see that the Jews are henceforward treated with justice and kindness."
When this communication became known, Sir Moses received many letters
of congratulation on his success; but the appreciation of his exertions
only prompted him to expedite as much as possible his preparations for
his next journey to Jerusalem.
_February 17th._--He attended Divine service, at eight o'clock in the
morning, at the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue. The Lord Mayor, Sir
Benjamin Philips, was present, and opened the Ark containing the Sacred
Scrolls of the Pentateuch, when a special prayer was offered up for a
prosperous journey for Sir Moses. In the afternoon he attended Divine
service at the great Synagogue of the German Congregation, where the
Chief Rabbi offered up a special prayer, which was also done in all the
other Synagogues.
_February 18th._--He went for a day's retirement to Smithembottom. "I
find," he says, "I am gradually getting weaker, but I am indeed most
grateful for the many blessings I have so long enjoyed."
_February 26th._--Sir Moses left Ramsgate for Dover, where he met Mr
and Mrs Sebag (now Sebag Montefiore), Dr Hodgkin, and the writer, who
were to be his companions on this journey.
I shall now give the reader an account of the Mission, but for the more
important facts I shall use his own words as addressed to the Board of
Deputies.
On Tuesday morning, the 27th February, we left England, travelling
_viâ_ Paris and Marseilles to Alexandria. On arriving at this
world-famous city, we repaired to the Synagogue, the Kenees
Eleeyahoo, which is built on the spot where it is said the celebrated
Temple of Alexandria, or Onias, once stood (modern authors maintain
that the "Temple of Onias" was at a place known by the name of
"Tel-el-yahood"), and there offered thanks to our Heavenly Father
for having guided us safely to the shores of Egypt. On stepping into
the boat at Alexandria Sir Moses hurt his foot. This necessitated
a stay of a few days, which he devoted to the arrangement of all
the documents which might be required for use in the Holy Land, and
also to receiving information brought to him by Háhám Joseph Burla
and other persons from Jerusalem. On Sunday, the 18th of March, we
left Alexandria, and arrived at Jaffa the next day about 1.30 P.M.
On landing Sir Moses was received by his Excellency the Governor
of the town, by the Judge, the Commander of the Troops, and the
representatives of the various religious denominations. Numerous
deputations called to congratulate him on his safe arrival. Mr Consul
Moore, who came purposely to welcome him, most kindly made all the
necessary arrangements for the journey to the Holy City. In order to
ascertain the cause of the destitution which there prevailed, and
to devise proper plans for removing it, Sir Moses caused certain
statistical forms and documents to be prepared, in which returns were
to be made of the number of synagogues, colleges, schools, charities,
and institutions belonging to our co-religionists in the Holy Land,
as well as the ages, property, occupations, and families of its
inhabitants. A similar method was adopted by Sir Moses in 1838.
For the purpose of having the blanks in these papers properly filled
up, they were distributed amongst the representatives of the several
congregations in the Holy Land, then present at Jaffa, and messengers
were despatched with like papers to the authorities of distant
congregations.
It was Sir Moses' intention to proceed to Jerusalem after only one
day's sojourn at Jaffa, but this intention was frustrated by the
illness of Dr Hodgkin. "Being most reluctant to leave him," Sir Moses
writes, "I remained with him up to the latest moment, until it became
absolutely necessary to depart for Jerusalem, in order to arrive
there in time for the Passover holidays. At this time I received
descriptions of the sufferings and fearful loss of life occasioned
to our unfortunate brethren by the recent outbreak of the cholera.
Very frequently these afflicting narratives were interrupted by the
appearance upon our windows of the new and still green locusts, which
we were informed were the much dreaded forerunners of another bad
season. Many a morning, before sunrise, we heard the rattling of the
drum to awaken the inhabitants of Jaffa to the fulfilment of their
duty, each to collect a measure of locusts before daybreak, so that
the threatening enemy might be destroyed, for the appearance of these
locusts is the more dreaded on account of the belief that it always
brings in its train some epidemic disease, the woeful consequences of
which had so recently been experienced.
"While at Jaffa I had frequently expressed my strong desire either
to remain there with my lamented friend, to take him with me to
Jerusalem, or to relinquish my journey thither, and return with
him to Europe; but all my friends assured me that it would be most
imprudent for Dr Hodgkin to travel at that time, and that the best
and only advisable course was to let him remain in the house of Mr
Kyát, the British Consular Agent, under the most kind and watchful
attendance of that gentleman and of his family, with whom he had
been staying since our arrival at Jaffa. Advice so earnestly urged,
I could not but follow. Accordingly, on Sunday, the 25th of March,
having previously secured the professional services of Dr Sozzi,
the physician of the Lazaretto, and left my own English servant,
and likewise engaged another, to be constantly in attendance on my
esteemed friend, I reluctantly quitted Jaffa for Jerusalem, after
paying a farewell visit to my friend, in the full hope of being soon
rejoined by him, and having for this purpose left for his convenience
the Takhteerawán,[5] which the Governor of Jerusalem had kindly sent
to Jaffa for my own use. This hope, however, was not destined to be
realised. Unfortunately the state of health of my lamented friend had
not been, previously to his departure from England, as satisfactory
as his friends could have wished; and, indeed, he left home to
accompany me on my journey, in the hope and belief that the voyage
and change of air would prove beneficial to him. I have at least
much consolation in reflecting that all that could be done was made
available for the preservation of his valuable life.
"It has pleased the Almighty to take him from us, and that he
should not again behold his loving consort and beloved relatives;
he breathed his last in a land endeared to him by hallowed
reminiscences. To one so guileless, so pious, so amiable in private
life, so respected in his public career, and so desirous to assist
with all his heart in the amelioration of the condition of the human
race, death could not have had any terror.
"I trust I may be pardoned for this heartfelt but inadequate tribute
to the memory of my late friend. His long and intimate association
with me, and with my late dearly beloved wife, his companionship in
our travels, and the vivid recollection of his many virtues, make me
anxious to blend his name, and the record of his virtues, with the
narrative of these events.
"On leaving Jaffa, I was escorted on my way by the dignitaries of
the town, accompanied by a large number of persons, cavasses, and
soldiers. They proceeded a few hours' ride, until we reached the
village of Ramlah. On approaching this village, we were met by its
governor with troops, and, thus escorted, entered Ramlah, and took
up our abode there at the Russian Hospice, where we found all the
comforts a traveller could desire. On Monday, the 26th of March, we
continued our journey as far as Aboo Goosh, supposed to be the Kiryát
Yĕárim of Scripture, where Abinádáb dwelt, in whose house, on the top
of the hill, the Ark of the Lord had been placed, when taken from
the Philistines of Beth Shémásh. The present chief, Mahommed Effendi
Aboo Goosh, a man of great authority and importance, sent his brother
to invite us to his house, and subsequently came himself to request
the acceptance of his hospitality, a request with which I readily
complied. The house of our host was situate on the summit of the
hill, and the road to it was so rough and precipitous that I thought
many a time my Takhteerawán would break to pieces. The fatigue,
however, which I endured was amply compensated by the cordial
hospitality with which I was welcomed.
"Many deputations from Jerusalem and Hebron had arrived during the
night, and on our leaving the village of Aboo Goosh, at an early
morning hour, there could be seen from the neighbouring hills a
considerable number of persons directing their course towards us,
and not far from the Village Colonia I had the pleasure of again
meeting our excellent Consul, Mr Noel Moore, who came from Jerusalem
to welcome me. I was told, as we proceeded, of the great sufferings
which the people of Jerusalem had endured during the prevalence of
the epidemic, and was assured in glowing words of the benefit which
the people anticipated from my visit, expecting, as they did, to
receive direct relief from me. This clearly proved the difficulty
and delicate nature of the task that lay before me, for my principal
object in visiting Jerusalem was not so much to afford pecuniary aid
to the people, as to ascertain what could be done for them, so as to
remove the more permanent causes of their trouble.
"Every moment brought new comers, until a few hours' journey from
the Holy City, the road and the adjacent hills became covered with
a concourse of people of all the different denominations. His
Highness, Izzet Pasha, the Governor of Jerusalem, sent forty horsemen
and cavasses, headed by their officer. My old friend, Akhmed Agha
Dizdar, formerly the Governor of Jerusalem under Mohammad Ali, also
came with his grandson and a number of his followers, the Rev. Haïm
David Házán, the Háhám Báshi, mounted on a beautiful Arab steed,
accompanied by the members of his ecclesiastical court--the spiritual
heads of the German congregation--the Rev. Samuel Salant, the Rev.
Meyer Auerbach, and all the members of their ecclesiastical court. I
believe, I may say without exaggeration, there were to be seen all
our brethren from Jerusalem who were capable of leaving the city,
headed by the representatives of their synagogues, colleges, and
schools, all hailing my approach with the exclamation,[6] 'Bárookh
Hábá,' 'Blessed be he who cometh.' By the roadside stood hundreds of
children, singing Hebrew hymns, which had been specially composed
for the occasion, and in which were recited the sufferings of Zion,
and the hope in Israel's future. I particularly noticed forty boys
from the Simon Edlen von Lämels school, whose healthy and neat
appearance, and beautifully harmonious voices, added greatly to the
impressiveness of a scene not easily to be forgotten. In truth, what
I then beheld, not without deep emotion, firmly convinced me that a
sincere interest in the welfare of the Holy Land does not, and will
not fail to arouse in the hearts of its inhabitants an enthusiastic
acknowledgment.
"We alighted for a short time to recite the customary prayers at
the site where the pilgrim or traveller first obtains a glimpse of
the Holy City, and afterwards proceeded to tents prepared for our
reception by the Háhám Báshi. Here refreshments were provided, and
congratulatory hymns chanted, but I would not tarry, being anxious
without delay to enter within the walls of Jerusalem; and again we
were met by crowds of persons crossing from the Hebron road, who
joined in procession towards the Jaffa Gate. On our arrival at the
gate, we halted to listen to the prayer of one of the chief officers
of the synagogue, in which he invoked God's blessing on the messenger
from a distant land, a prayer to which the vast concourse of persons
responded with a heart-stirring 'Amen!'
"My first duty on entering Jerusalem was to repair to the synagogue
'Kenees Istambooli,' there to render thanks to my Heavenly Father for
having permitted me to see Jerusalem this the sixth time; then after
prayers and thanksgiving from all present, we proceeded, amid shouts
of joy from the people, to the estate known as 'Kérém Moshe Vĕ
Yĕhoodit' situate on the Hill of Gichon.
"I had previously made known my willingness to receive communications
from every individual desirous of addressing me, either on his own
behalf or on that of the people in general. I had also appointed
stated times for the reception of all who might wish to address me
personally, and every available moment was employed in collecting
from all sources information that might be useful.
"A guard of honour from the Governor, as well as the cavasses of the
English Consul and of the Háhám Báshi, were stationed day and night
around our dwelling.
"The first day of our arrival was devoted to the distribution of the
remittances, which had been entrusted to me by several friends of
Jerusalem, with a special request to dispense the same to the poor.
"I also despatched letters and messages to persons who might be able
to furnish useful information, and thus amidst a numerous assembly
of visitors joining in the evening prayers, the first day's visit to
Jerusalem terminated."
[Footnote 5: A Sedan chair]
[Footnote 6: Hebrew script]
CHAPTER XXII.
1866.
SIR MOSES' NARRATIVE CONTINUED--THE JERUSALEM WATER SUPPLY--SCHEME
FOR ISOLATING LEPERS--DEPUTATION FROM SAFED--THE JEWS AND
AGRICULTURE--UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS BY A PRETENDED AUSTRIAN CONSUL.
Sir Moses continues his narrative as follows:--
"Wednesday morning, the 28th of March, at 10 A.M., having been
appointed for my first visit to his Excellency, Izzet Pasha, I
proceeded to his palace, accompanied by Mr Consul Moore, Mr Sebag,
and Dr Loewe, and was received by his Excellency with the greatest
kindness and respect. In the course of my conversation with the
Governor, the scarcity of water in the city was the subject more
particularly adverted to, and his Excellency described the works
he had benevolently originated and superintended, with the view of
insuring a sufficient supply of that indispensable element. This
important topic will be more particularly referred to in a subsequent
part of this report. I will now only mention that the scheme which
the Governor had designed, and had already begun to carry out, was
to turn the three water reservoirs, generally known as the Pools
of Solomon, into two reservoirs, and to increase the force of the
fall of the waters from Urtas, in the vicinity of Etham into these
pools, by which means it was expected that within a few weeks a
plentiful supply of water would be secured to the city. The Governor,
however, seemed to intimate that there were difficulties in the way,
arising from the want of sufficient pecuniary means, and I thereupon
considered that having regard to the extensive and permanent
advantages, sanitary and otherwise, which would result from an
adequate supply of water to the Holy City, I should be carrying out
the intentions and wishes of the generous contributors to the Holy
Land Relief Fund, and of your Honourable Board, by devoting a portion
of the fund to this object. I placed, therefore, at the disposal
of the Governor the aforementioned sum of £200 in the name of the
donors to the Relief Fund, adding thereto £100 as my own individual
contribution.
"The Governor likewise mentioned to me the desirability of the
removal beyond the city gates of persons unhappily afflicted with
leprosy, and that to provide a proper place for their reception
would probably involve an expense of £1500. Although sensible of the
beneficial consequences likely to result from the proposed plan,
I did not consider myself justified in devoting to it any portion
of the Relief Fund which had been entrusted to me, and therefore
contented myself with contributing from my own private purse, £100,
to serve as a nucleus for further subscriptions towards the required
sum.
"During the conversation with his Excellency the Governor, I was
much pleased with the friendly sentiments he expressed towards our
English Consul in Jerusalem. 'Not only,' said he, 'do I entertain
the highest regard for Mr Moore in his capacity as representative
of the English Government, but I consider him a valued friend, an
enlightened statesman, and an accomplished scholar, in every respect
deserving the regard and attachment of all who have the pleasure of
his acquaintance.'
"On Thursday, March 29th, hearing of the sufferings of the poor,
and their inability to provide all the necessaries of life during
the approaching festival, I forwarded £100 to the Háhám Báshi, for
the poor of the Portuguese and Morocco communities, and I also
transmitted the like sum to the representatives of the German
congregation, for a similar purpose.
"During the first and second days of the Passover, I visited the
Touro almshouses. I satisfied myself that the inmates were fully
deserving of the advantages they were enjoying. These almshouses
are situated in the most healthy part of the suburbs of the Holy
City; scrupulous attention is paid to the preservation of order
and cleanliness, and the inmates are cheerful and happy, devoting
a portion of their time to religious observances and study; but
nevertheless, not neglecting the following of industrial pursuits.
I conversed with most of the inmates, who were mechanics, and found
there was no hesitation or reluctance in doing the hardest work
with the object of earning a sum, however small, towards their
maintenance. The inmates apply themselves to a variety of trades.
"The evidences of the industrial activity of the Israelites afforded
me much satisfaction. I was also gratified to observe the healthy
appearance of themselves and their children, more especially as most
of them are unable to incur the expense of providing themselves
and their families with animal food, except on the Sabbath. These
almshouses are so highly esteemed that even many inhabitants of the
city seek permission for a short sojourn there, for the recovery of
their health; and I even found that some of the back offices, only
intended for lumber rooms, had been actually, though without my
knowledge, appropriated as dwellings for several families.
"On Sunday, the 1st of April, the Governor of Jerusalem, accompanied
by his officers, honoured me by returning my visit. On this occasion
the condition of Jerusalem was fully and freely discussed; it was
estimated that at least fifteen per cent. of the poorer population
had been cut off by the cholera, the fearful ravages of which were
mainly attributable to the confined and unhealthy dwellings of the
poor, the insufficiency of water, and the impoverished state of the
inhabitants.
"The Governor during this visit kindly gave me permission to erect an
awning for the 'wailing place' near the western wall of the Temple,
so as to afford shelter and protection from rain and heat to pious
persons visiting this sacred spot.
"Monday, April 2nd, was the day which had been fixed for the
reception of the representatives and spiritual heads of the several
Congregations, and invitations had been previously sent to secure
as full and complete a representation as possible. At the appointed
time I had the satisfaction of finding that the invitation had been
cordially responded to on all sides, and of seeing myself surrounded,
in the presence of Dr Loewe and Mr and Mrs Sebag, by several hundreds
of the most respectable of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. There was
the Háhám Báshi, with the members of his Ecclesiastical Court; the
Revs. Meyer Fanadjil and Benveniste, together with some of the most
influential members of the Portuguese or Sephardim Congregation; the
Rev. Samuel Salant and Meyer Auerbach of the Perooshim and Warsaw
Congregations, and the Chief Rabbis of all the various communities
almost without exception, as well as the representatives of all
charitable institutions and colleges, with their officers.
"Having bid them a hearty welcome and expressed the delight I felt at
being amongst them for the sixth time, I proceeded to observe that
the object of my present visit was not so much that of rendering them
momentary relief by the distribution of money amongst their poor,
as to ascertain from them the most effectual measures which could
be adopted by their friends in other parts of the world, whither
my words might reach, in the hope of removing the real and more
permanent causes of poverty amongst my brethren in the Holy Land. I
concluded by assuring them of the ardent love I entertained for the
holy territory and its pious inhabitants, and by entreating them to
assist me freely and fully with all such advice and information as
might directly or indirectly further the object and purpose of my
mission.
"The Háhám Báshi was the first who, according to my request,
proceeded to enlighten me with his views. The reverend gentleman said
that, in his opinion, an increase in the number of proper dwellings
for the poor, and occupation in agricultural pursuits, would be the
safest remedy for securing the salubrity of the place and the comfort
of its inhabitants. The gentlemen in his retinue, the Revs. Fanadjil
and Benveniste, were of the same opinion; but, added the latter, the
cause of their (the Sephardim's) great poverty was to a great extent
the consequence of the heavy burden of debt which the Congregations
had incurred, and were obliged to incur from time to time,--a burden
which weighed most heavily on them. The Rev. Samuel Salant was next
addressed, and he entirely endorsed the opinion of the Háhám Báshi.
After attentively listening to all the speakers, I gathered that
there was a general consensus of opinion that increased accommodation
for the poor, providing them with remunerative occupation, the
granting of facilities for leaving the Holy Land to those who were
desirous of emigrating, the establishment of building and loan
societies, and permission to open butchers' shops, were some of the
most essential means that could be devised to alleviate the then
distressful condition of the inhabitants.
"The representatives subsequently showed me documentary evidence
to prove that, if a remittance of, say, £100, or 12,025 Egyptian
piastres, is forwarded to Jerusalem (which is not a frequent
occurrence), the average amount to which each recipient becomes
entitled is about 4 piastres, or 8d sterling!
_Tuesday, April 3rd._--I appointed for the reception of a deputation
from Safed, representing sixty families, numbering three hundred
souls, all of whom most earnestly prayed to be afforded the means of
devoting themselves to agriculture.
"The documents which they brought with them were accompanied by
certificates from Mr J. Miklasiewicz, the Austrian Consul at Safed,
who testifies to the sincerity of the wish expressed by these three
hundred people; whereas in a publication of the Rev. Dr Macleod, to
which I shall have soon more particularly to refer, the gentleman,
who professed last year to be the Austrian Consul in the same city,
is reported to have accused its Jewish inhabitants of 'being idle,
lazy, and suspicious.' Of the other grave accusations contained in
the same periodical, I shall speak at length in the sequel, and
will now but point to the pregnant fact that the name of the Rev.
Dr Macleod's informer, who professed to be the Austrian Consul at
Safed, is stated by that rev. gentleman to be Mieroslowski, whereas
I have clearly ascertained that no one bearing that name has filled
the Consular Office in that city. In fact, one of two conclusions
seems inevitable: either an almost miraculous change has within the
period of one year come over the character of the Jews at Safed,
or the Rev. Dr Macleod has been deceived by the story of an artful
impostor; nor is it, perhaps, difficult to decide which of these
two conclusions is the more probable. I need scarcely say that the
certificate transmitted to me by the actual Austrian Consul at Safed
was a source of the highest gratification to me, and I am sure it
will be so to yourself and all our brethren, who may have read the
statement which Mieroslowski, or some one assumed to be holding the
office of Austrian Consul, is said to have made in reference to the
Jews at Safed.
"Applications for employment in agricultural pursuits were also about
this time handed to me from the people of Tiberias and the Bokea:
the latter suffered terribly during the last war or contest between
Joseph Kareen and Daoud Pasha; their cattle, the produce of their
fields, and all the property they had in their houses, and even their
wives, having been forcibly taken away from them. I assisted them
with a small amount, and promised to make their case known to my
friends.
"On Wednesday, April 4th, believing that I should be rendering a
service to the poor in the Holy Land by providing them with necessary
funds for emigration from Jerusalem and its neighbourhood, I
requested that the parties mentioned at the general meeting by some
of the representatives of the congregations should be brought before
me, and on this occasion I witnessed a scene which seems not unworthy
of narration. At the appointed hour a young widow was introduced to
me, apparently twenty or twenty-two years of age. Her husband had
died recently from the cholera, leaving her with three children,
the eldest five or six years, and the youngest three or four months
old. The history of her own life was simply as follows:--She herself
was left an orphan when of tender age, and was adopted as a foster
daughter by a person who at present officiates gratuitously as a
reader in a small synagogue. He happened to have another orphan in
the house, a boy, and when both grew to what is called in the East
a mature age, it seemed to him that a most suitable union might
be formed between those two orphans, and accordingly they were
married under the roof of this charitable man. After their marriage
they maintained themselves respectably, and lived happily together
until the husband fell under the fatal scourge of the cholera. The
foster-father then provided a home for the destitute widow and her
children. This consisted of one small room, which I had previously
visited, when I was delighted with its cleanliness, as well as
with the interesting appearance of the children. Having, among
other matters, conferred with my co-religionists on the subject of
facilities for emigration in fitting instances, I thought this a most
deserving case, and offered the widow my aid in providing for the
departure of herself and family from Jerusalem to join her relatives
or friends in Germany, who were believed to be in comfortable
circumstances. To my surprise, she declined to avail herself of
my assistance, though in the most grateful terms. As a faithful
representation of her feelings, and that of many other dwellers on
the sacred soil, I will here, as nearly as possible, transcribe her
words. She said: 'God has granted me the high privilege to breathe
the hallowed atmosphere of the land of our forefathers, Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob. He has caused His grace and mercy to descend upon
me by bringing me, when an infant, unto this sacred spot, whence the
radiant glory of His divine law emanated. He has permitted me to
tread on that hallowed ground on which our prophets and our teachers
lived, and taught me the words of lasting truth. Am I now to leave
it, and take my children away from Zion, where we truly believe and
daily expect "Truth and Peace" again to rule? No; I would rather
starve together with my children, whilst kissing the dust in the Holy
City of Jerusalem, than live in plenty elsewhere.'
"Applications were made to me by various persons for the necessary
means to enable them to leave the Holy City; but, on making inquiry,
I found that in all these cases the applicants had merely temporary
objects in view, without any intention to remain away permanently,
and I, therefore, did not deem it my duty to do more than aid them
with a trifle, in order to relieve them from their immediate distress.
"Thursday, the 5th of April, was devoted to the examination of
documents having reference to several plots of ground in the suburbs
of Jerusalem, offered to me for purchase, either for building
purposes or for cultivation. I requested Dr Loewe and Mr Sebag,
to make a personal survey of these properties, and to ascertain
particulars as to their extent, value, and price, with which request
they kindly complied. I had also caused memoranda to be made as to
valuable houses, within the Holy City, offered for sale. The notes
having reference to these negotiations have been carefully preserved,
so as to be made available for future guidance.
"But soon I was to sustain a heavy affliction. After having left
Jaffa I constantly received telegrams about the state of Dr Hodgkin's
health; and when I was informed that the symptoms had become more
alarming, I begged my friend Captain Henry Moore to proceed to Jaffa
in the company of the physician of Jerusalem, Dr Chaplin. They at
once complied with my request, and remained at Jaffa with my lamented
friend until the period of his decease, the melancholy tidings of
which I received during the night of the 5th of April. Having already
referred to this sad event, I shall not again dwell thereon, except
to say, that it overwhelmed me with sorrow and cast a gloom over me
which I vainly sought to dispel.
"On Friday, the 6th of April, I attended the afternoon service in the
Sephardim Synagogue belonging to the Almshouses and conversed with
the inmates, eliciting from them much useful information.
"On Saturday, the 7th of April, in the course of the day, some
youths were introduced to me for the purpose of being examined
in the various subjects of their studies. When their father, who
accompanied them, was asked why he had not placed them to learn some
useful trade, he replied:--'Before we provide our children with the
means of attending to their temporal wants, we deem it our duty to
promote their spiritual welfare. They must first learn the Word of
God, to serve them as a guide and beacon of hope in all their worldly
vicissitudes.' He also brought others of his children who were
already engaged in learning trades.
"There are two Synagogues attached to the Touro Almshouses, one of
them for the Sephardim, which I had already visited, the other for
the Ashkenasim; to-day I visited the latter. On my way thither, a
young woman passed us with a large book in her hand, and, on my
inquiring what it was, she informed me it was a Hebrew Psalm Book,
with several Commentaries of ancient authors printed in Hebrew-German
characters. I requested her to read one of the Psalms with the
Commentary, this she did with great fluency and without hesitation.
I have often had occasion to admire the ability of many females in
our community of Jerusalem, not only in respect of their household
duties and in needlework of every description, but also in Hebrew
lore. I was on one occasion addressed by the mother of two or three
children who solicited aid, and, to my surprise, she spoke to Dr
Loewe and myself in the Hebrew language with elegance and facility.
Subsequently I ascertained that she was a Portuguese, the widow of
a German Rabbi, who had recently died and left her in straitened
circumstances.
"Intermarriages between Sephardim and Ashkenasim, are, I am happy to
say, no longer of rare occurrence in the Holy Land.
"In the evening, a short time after prayers, a large concourse of
persons proceeding from the Jaffa gate, with lights and music,
approached my residence, desiring to illuminate it; but in my then
state of mind, I was indisposed to any such joyous demonstration.
Mr Selig Hausdorf, who headed the procession, assured me that their
object was to show the grateful appreciation in which they held the
generous benefactors I represented.
"Although I could not consent to the intended illumination, I
willingly received my kind visitors. They recited to us psalms and
poetical compositions; and I afterwards obtained, in conversation
with them, much useful information relating to the wants and
condition of their community.
CHAPTER XXIII.
1866.
VISIT TO THE MOUNT OF OLIVES--SITE OF THE HOLY TEMPLE--DR NORMAN
MACLEOD'S CHARGE--SIR MOSES' INQUIRIES--DR MACLEOD'S RETRACTATION.
"On Sunday morning, April 8th, wishing to examine some documents
uninterrupted by visitors," says Sir Moses, "I determined to leave
home therewith, and to direct my steps to the Mount of Olives. I left
my residence at an early hour, in the company of Dr Loewe. Proceeding
towards the Damascus gate, we passed the Grotto of Jeremiah, the
Tombs of the Kings, and went thence towards the Báb-el'-Asbát. We
then crossed the Valley of Kidron, and finally reached the Mount of
Olives, to the highest point of which we ascended. From thence we
had a most beautiful view of the Dead Sea, and of the wild scenery
of the heights of Moab, and having rested there for a short period,
we descended on foot, and stopped at a large tree. From this spot
we obtained a fine view of the Mosque of Omar--the hallowed spot
formerly occupied by the Holy Temple--and remained here two hours,
engaged in the examination of the documents and plans I had brought
with me. We then continued to descend the mountain till we reached
the Valley of Jehoshaphat. Here we were met by Khasin, the sheikh
of the village of Siluan, who described to me the sufferings of
the Jews during the visitation of the cholera, and showed me the
newly constructed graves, a most affecting sight, whilst another
sheikh spoke to us of the many noble instances in which the Jews had
heroically assisted one another during the period of calamity.
"That sheikh, as well as another such dignitary, who happens to have
some landed property near the burial-ground, still expects presents
from the Jews who visit the cemetery. Formerly they committed great
outrages on the dead whenever their demands were not satisfactorily
responded to; but at present, thanks to the protection of the Turkish
Government, these barbarities have been put an end to. I continued
my wanderings in the Valley of Jehoshaphat for some time, listening
now and then attentively to communications from the Arab sheikhs,
and towards evening returned with much useful information to my own
dwelling. In the evening the messengers whom I had despatched to
Safed after my arrival in the Holy City returned, bringing letters
from the Rev. Samuel Helir and Samuel Abu, to say that they would
cheerfully comply with my wish, and come to Jerusalem as soon as
possible. My object in seeking an interview with these gentlemen was
to obtain an explanation from them respecting a statement of the
Austrian Consul at Safed, which has been widely circulated through
the medium of a monthly magazine entitled _Good Words_, edited by the
Rev. Norman Macleod, D.D., one of Her Majesty's Chaplains.
"That statement was not less than a direct accusation brought against
the spiritual heads of the Safed Congregation for having inflicted
the punishment of death on a Spanish Jewess the day before the Rev.
Dr Macleod had arrived in that place.
"I had already heard a most satisfactory refutation of that foul
accusation from several trustworthy persons of Safed, but I would
not rest until I had received all the particulars from the spiritual
heads of the congregation themselves, and was anxiously awaiting
their arrival.
"On Monday, the 9th of April, I paid return visits to the Consular
authorities and to the Háhám Báshi. I also called upon the Protestant
Bishop, the Rev. Dr Gobat, whose unvarying courtesy, enlightened
views, profound learning, and warm zeal for the welfare of the
inhabitants of the Holy City, no one who has enjoyed the honour of
his acquaintance can fail to appreciate.
"The new Synagogue, called the 'Khoorbát Rabbi Yehooda Hakhássid,' is
a noble edifice. Whilst resting at the Mount of Olives I could see
its cupola overtopping all other buildings in the Jewish quarter.
Great praise is due to the perseverance and skilful management of the
Building Committee. They had to collect the funds for the erection
of the Synagogue in very small sums and at long intervals; yet,
notwithstanding the many obstacles with which they had to contend,
they at length, by their energy and patience, happily succeeded in
accomplishing their labours.
"It was very gratifying to me to know that I had been the bearer of
the firman from the late Sultan Abd-ool-Megid, granting permission
for the erection of this synagogue, and that I had had intrusted to
me considerable remittances to be applied for that pious purpose. On
the present occasion I was permitted to be the bearer of a silver
ornament for a sacred scroll of the Pentateuch, an offering from Mr
Aaron Silverman, of Birmingham; and I had the gratification, with my
own hands, to append it to a scroll of the law in the holy edifice.
"The synagogue of the Volhynian congregation will also, when
completed, be a fine structure. In connection with this synagogue,
there will be a hall for vestry meetings, rooms for a college and
library, the secretary's office, and a public bath.
"The before-mentioned dispensary, established by me in the Holy
City about twenty-five years since, was of great service during
the cholera, and afforded the needful remedies to many hundreds of
persons. It is well regulated; there is a register containing entries
of all prescriptions, with the signature of the physician under
whose order they had been dispensed; and every drawer, case, barrel,
and bottle is distinctly labelled with the name of its contents, as
in Europe. I was greatly pleased to learn that a youth, a native
of Jerusalem, had been recently apprenticed in the Dispensary, and
that he was acquitting himself of his onerous duties to the entire
satisfaction of the community.
"The house recently erected by the Institution of Bikoor Kholim is
as yet in an unfinished state. Great praise is due to the members of
that institution; they attend the poor in sickness, and provide for
their requirements, endeavouring to soothe their sufferings with the
most affectionate solicitude.
"The many experienced persons with whom I had consulted, being
unanimously of opinion that no greater boon could be bestowed on the
poor than the erection of additional dwellings, a suitable site had
been selected for that purpose contiguous to the Touro almshouses,
and I had appointed Monday, the 9th of April for laying the
foundation stone of the dwellings, which I propose shall be erected
with the surplus proceeds of the Holy Land Relief Fund, placed by the
Board at my disposal.
"The fixed hour for laying the foundation stone now arrived, and the
ground became full with thousands of people of all creeds, anxious to
witness the ceremony.
"Dr Loewe repaired to the spot where the stone was to be laid, to
arrange all that was necessary for the occasion, and soon afterwards
I proceeded, in the company of Mr and Mrs Sebag, and many of our
friends, to the enclosure intended for the new buildings. On my
arrival I was received by all the representatives of the community
who had previously assembled there, and the air resounded with the
words, 'Blessed be he who cometh in the name of God.' After a short
pause, Dr Loewe, to whom the conduct of the religious ceremony had
been entrusted, commenced reciting the service. He then read the
inscription of the scroll to be deposited in the cavity of the
foundation stone, which was afterwards signed by myself, Mr and Mrs
Sebag, and others of my friends present. I then deposited the scroll
in the cavity, and proceeded to lay the stone with the customary
formalities. Dr Loewe offered up a prayer composed by him for the
occasion, imploring the blessings of heaven on the future edifice,
and on those who should generously aid in providing the poor with
suitable dwellings. He also offered up special prayers for His
Imperial Majesty the Sultan Abd-ool-áziz and the Turkish Government,
for our gracious Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the
Governor of Jerusalem, and the Consuls.
"I deem it a pleasing duty to record that many of the people
expressed great pleasure on hearing the prayer offered up for
England's beloved Queen, and the Jerusalem Jews, on hearing Her
Majesty's name, exclaimed, 'It well behoves us to pray for the
English Government. Are we not under a heavy debt of gratitude for
the powerful aid which they have given unto us in Damascus and
Morocco.'
"In commemoration of the interesting proceedings of this day, I
forwarded £100 to be distributed amongst the poor of the Sephardim,
and £100 amongst the poor of the Ashkenasim.
"How deeply the feeling of charity is implanted in the hearts of the
poor of our community in the Holy Land towards each other has often
been noticed, but some striking evidence of this was afforded us in
the course of this morning, and I cannot refrain from mentioning one
or two instances.
"Two young orphans entered the room; their pleasing and healthy
appearance attracted my notice. 'Who takes care of you? and in whose
house do you live?' I asked. They replied, 'We are under the care
of and reside with Jacob Aaron Kalisher.' I inquired who he was,
assuming him to be in easy circumstances, but I was informed that
far from this he was actually very poor, that his business of a
whitewasher was only lucrative at Passover time, when every Jewish
inhabitant has his dwelling thoroughly cleansed and whitewashed, but
that during the remainder of the year there was very little work for
him. Being desirous of seeing this benevolent man, I sent for him. He
came, and his appearance, notwithstanding his poverty, was not by any
means careworn; on the contrary he seemed cheerful and happy, and as
though possessed of independent means.
"'Are these two orphans under your care, and do you support them;' He
replied, smiling, 'Yes.' 'Have you any children of your own?' 'Yes,
seven.' 'Why, then, have you burdened yourself with the maintenance
of these two orphans in addition?' He replied, 'Their parents were my
next neighbours, and when I saw them left fatherless and motherless,
it appeared to me that it was my duty to protect them, and that they
should share my home with my own children. Thank God, they are well
and happy, sharing our food when I and my children have any, and when
we have none enduring hunger alike with ourselves.' Subsequently a
widow, in almost destitute circumstances, was introduced to me. She,
likewise, had taken two orphan children under her care. Then another
poor man was introduced, who had also taken upon himself the support
of several helpless orphans.
"Assuredly these noble characteristics distinguishing the poorest
of our community in Jerusalem, will entitle them to our admiration,
sympathy, and assistance.
"After the persons just mentioned had left, our cavasses next
announced the arrival of the pupils belonging to the Simon Edlen von
Lämels institution. They were forty in number, accompanied by their
master. I was much pleased with their appearance and demeanour,
which would do credit to any European institution. They sang some
beautiful hymns, and gave me a full account of their course of
study. I presented to each of them a small sum, exhorting them to
cling faithfully to their religion, to be grateful to their noble
benefactress, and emulous to give her satisfaction by their progress
and good conduct.
"Thursday, April 12th, was fixed by me as the day for the enquiry
into the accusation which is reported to have been brought against
the Jews of Safed by an Austrian Consul of that city, an account of
which was published in the monthly magazine, _Good Words_, part xii.,
December 1, 1865. The representatives of the Safed congregation had,
as I have already mentioned, come from Safed to Jerusalem, and on
this day I invited them to lay before me fully the facts connected
with the matters referred to in the accusation.
"I accordingly commenced by reading to these gentlemen the whole
of the account given by the alleged Austrian Consul concerning the
Jews of Palestine in general, and of those in Safed in particular,
and I called their attention to the note at the bottom of page 915,
which runs as follows:--'One terrible story was to the effect that
the punishment of death had been inflicted on a Spanish Jewess the
day before we (the Rev. Dr Macleod and his party) reached Safed, for
a crime in which one of the Rabbis who tried and condemned her was
himself notoriously implicated. We begged the Consul to make further
enquiries on the subject. This he did, assuring us that all he
heard was confirmed by an intelligent Jew, who, though he hated the
proceedings, feared to speak. Such is the reign of terror.'
"Thereupon the Rev. Samuel Abu and Samuel Helir, who were the
representatives of the German and Portuguese congregations of Safed,
made to me the following statement:--
"'A Damascus woman, divorced from her husband, came to settle in
Safed, where, after a six months' residence, she was married to a
person of the name of Masood Tabool, a goldsmith by trade, with whom
she went to live in a house opposite to the Synagogue.
"'This dwelling being in a locality frequented by the Jews, morning
and evening, her conduct was necessarily open to public observation,
and as her mode of life was only consistent with the bad reputation
she had brought with her from Damascus, she herself seems to have
become apprehensive of evil consequences, and removed to the house of
a person called Bekhor Namias.
"'On Sabbath morning, during Divine Service in the Synagogue, the
wife of Bekhor Namias, who had not left home, observed a Turk of the
name of Abdallah Greri, enter the woman's private apartment (an act
which, in the East, and particularly in the Holy Land, is deemed to
be utterly inconsistent with every sense of decency and morality),
and there he remained some time. Mrs Namias, not doubting the immoral
object of so unusual a visit in her own house, hastened to the
Synagogue and gave information to the heads of the congregation of
what she had witnessed. No doubt existing as to the woman's guilt, a
number of persons, enraged at her immoral conduct, severely chastised
her, in accordance with the not uncommon mode of dealing with immoral
persons in the East.
"'It being against the laws of the Jews that a husband should
continue to live with an adulterous wife, Massood obtained a divorce,
and the divorced wife is now living in Damascus in the house of her
own father.
"'There has been no trial, no punishment of death, nor was the Rabbi
in the slightest degree implicated.
"'Indeed, no Jewish authority in the Holy Land, nor in any part of
the world, has ever passed sentence of death since the close of the
great Sanhedrin in Jerusalem.'"
This statement having been made to me by these two reverend
gentlemen, with whom I have had the pleasure of being in
correspondence for nearly thirty years, on charitable and
congregational matters, and who were and still are the heads of the
congregations of Safed, corroborated by two other gentlemen, Aboo
Charaz and Isaac Friedman, strongly recommended by Mr Miklasiewicz,
the Austrian Consul himself, as worthy representatives of sixty
families, and testified by the Rev. Mordecai Halevi Ashkenazi, well
known to me as the former messenger to England from the congregations
of Safed and Tiberias, I have not the least doubt about the falsehood
of the accusation brought against our brethren.
"To me and to your Honourable Board, it must afford sincere
gratification that the cruel slander which has been so widely
circulated by the _Good Words_ of the Rev. Dr Macleod, has been thus
proved to be utterly devoid of truth, and I am confident that a
gentleman of the high character of Dr Macleod will sincerely regret
to have inflicted so serious an injury on an innocent community."
I may be permitted, perhaps, to interrupt the reader in the perusal of
Sir Moses' report, by stating that on his return from the Holy Land,
he sent a copy of the information he obtained in Jerusalem, respecting
the Safed affair, to the Rev. Dr N. Macleod, and had the pleasure of
receiving an acknowledgment from him, which, I think, will be read with
much satisfaction. The letter addressed to Sir Moses on the subject is
as follows:--
"ADELAIDE PLACE, GLASGOW, _October 19th, 1866._
"MY DEAR SIR.--I thank you very cordially for your courteous letter,
and for the copy of your Report which you were so good as to send
to me. I have read all your Report with the greatest attention, and
dissent altogether from what is personal to myself.
"I shall have very great satisfaction, indeed, in publishing,
possibly in _Goods Words_, but certainly in the cheap edition of my
'Eastward,' and in both, if you wish it, your contradiction of the
story regarding the Safed woman. I have no doubt whatever, that my
informant was imposed upon.
"But I have as little doubt that my informant was the Austrian
Consul, though I may (how I cannot tell) have made a mistake about
his unpronounceable name, by trusting possibly to my memory, and
not having rightly taken it up at the time. Nevertheless, he was
the Consul. We were living in his house; the official arms were,
as I have stated, hung up at the end of his room; he read to us
several official documents which he had sent to his Government, and
narrated the story in the presence of our party. We rejected it as
too shocking to be true, and insisted that he should make further
enquiries, and only when he professed to have done so, and again
assured us of the fact, did I feel justified, as travellers, in
recording the fact and noting the evidence on which it was received.
"Forgive me for saying that I think you should have asked the present
Consul whether he had ever lodged our party (we having paid him),
or given any such information? If not, who was Austrian Consul at
the time? or who represented him in his official residence? And if
the present Consul did give us this information, on what evidence
was it founded? I do not object to the _ex parte_ statement of the
Rabbis. But, in justice to myself and the Consul, his statement
most certainly should have been obtained, and opportunity given him
to verify or to contradict all his stories. I may also state that
he described the fights for charity-money to have been sometimes
continued for days, and to the effusion of blood; this may also
be false. But other parties besides those implicated should, when
possible, be heard.
"But I have no wish to make this a controversy. I shall give your
contradiction to the story. I have received an affidavit to the same
effect, made before Consul Rogers of Damascus, and a letter from him,
expressing his disbelief in it, which I may also publish. In any
case, I shall act justly.
--With deepest respect, and sincerest goodwill, I remain, yours
faithfully,
"N. MACLEOD."
With regard to the desirability of making further inquiries of the
Consul himself, and of hearing the evidence from other persons besides
those implicated, it must be observed that Sir Moses had this time not
been able to go to Safed. Had he been there, he would undoubtedly have
made the inquiries suggested by the Rev. Doctor. On the other hand, it
must be borne in mind that Sir Moses did not appear in the Holy Land
as a judge, with the power of cross-examining the Austrian Consul, and
therefore could not have made such inquiries until the latter had come
forward and offered voluntarily to assist in clearing up the matter.
All Sir Moses wanted to ascertain from the representatives of the Safed
Hebrew Congregation was, whether the accusation brought against them
had any foundation in truth? And if not, that it should be refuted by
undoubted evidence.
He had long known the character of the representatives as spotless,
and was in the habit of placing the utmost confidence in them on all
important occasions. This, and the circumstance that the woman who was
said to have been executed by order of the Rabbis was still living at
Damascus--a fact which has been testified by the Consul of that place
and several other persons who had seen her there--ought to be admitted
as the most striking evidence in favour of the representatives of the
community.
CHAPTER XXIV.
1866.
DEPARTURE FROM THE HOLY CITY--RETURN TO ENGLAND--VISIT
TO BARON BRUNNOW AND LORD CLARENDON--FRIGHTFUL
OUTBREAK AGAINST THE JEWS IN PERSIA--FRESH
COMPLAINTS FROM MOLDAVIA.
Continuing the narrative of his travels, Sir Moses says:--
"On Friday, the 13th of April, being desirous of leaving some
pecuniary relief from myself for each of the synagogues, colleges,
schools, and various charitable institutions, with their respective
representatives themselves, I had previously made an arrangement
to see them on that day, but a restless night and a constitution
enfeebled, partly by the incessant work, and partly by the grief I
acutely felt at the loss of my late friend Dr Hodgkin, compelled me
to alter my plan, and instead of personal interviews I had to satisfy
myself with addressing these gentlemen by letters, forty-two of which
were despatched to the authorities and their accredited secretaries,
accompanied by my humble offerings for the benefit of all the
charitable institutions in Jerusalem.
"It was late in the afternoon, and the place was still crowded, but
I considered now the object of my visit to Jerusalem realised, and
retired to my own room to prepare for Sabbath.
"On Saturday, April 14th. after the morning service, I took a walk
round the garden, and was much pleased with the improvement of the
place since my last visit to Jerusalem.
"I regret, however, not being able to report the same of the land
of Jaffa, which has been unfortunately let to persons who, being
unable to resist the threatened attacks of the neighbouring Arabs,
deserted the place altogether. The consequence is that the houses
are completely demolished and the trees destroyed. I am at present,
however, in communication with the Chief Háhám of the Morocco
Congregation in Jerusalem in reference to this matter. If sufficient
funds can be obtained for the purpose, I hope to see four or five
families established at that now deserted place, who will apply
themselves sedulously to the cultivation of the land, which is of
considerable value, and ought to be immediately secured by a fence to
mark its boundaries.
"As soon as the evening prayers were over, I gave orders for our
departure. The whole of Saturday night was spent in communicating
with a number of people who brought letters, or had some verbal
communication to make, but as the morning dawn appeared, I wound my
way towards the Jaffa Road, and took my departure from the Holy City,
more deeply than ever impressed with its sacred reminiscences and its
perennial beauty, and more fervently than ever offering prayers for
its future welfare. 'As a seal I set thee on my heart, as a seal on
my arm, if ever I forget thee, O Jerusalem, may my right hand forget
her cunning.'
"We arrived, after a long day's journey, at Ramlah, where again we
took up our abode in the Russian Hospice. All the way from Jerusalem
to Jaffa we were followed by agriculturists from the Bokea, who were
anxious to lay their case before me in hopes that I would at once
afford them relief. I could, however, do no more than assure them
that all should be done to make their situation known, and to arouse
sympathy in their favour.
"On the following day, Monday, about noon, we left Ramlah for Jaffa,
and on approaching the avenue at the entrance of that city were
again met by the Governor, Judge, and Commander of the troops, with
a numerous retinue. But I would not proceed into Jaffa until I had
first visited the place which enclosed the mortal remains of my dear
friend, Dr Hodgkin. That spot is at present surrounded by a strong
railing, but will, I trust, soon be covered by a granite column, for
which I gave orders on my return to England, as a mark of my respect
and esteem. We embarked the same evening on board the _Rosetta_,
and on Wednesday, the 18th of April, arrived at Alexandria. The
same night we went on board the _Tanjore_, which, by the blessing
of heaven, brought us, after a most pleasant voyage, on Wednesday
evening, the 25th of April, to Marseilles."
Before proceeding to notice the entries in his Diary after his arrival
in England, we have to record two incidents in connection with his
homeward journey, which he in his narrative left unnoticed.
Sir Moses' state of health, during the last few days of his sojourn in
Jerusalem, manifested symptoms of great weakness, and it appeared most
desirable to his travelling companions that he should leave the place
as soon as possible. There were, however, none of the large steamers
in the Jaffa harbour, and it was only with some difficulty that a
few berths could be secured on board a small one. Unfortunately, the
accommodation there was far from being comfortable. We had on board
1500 sheep, a dozen horses, and many oxen. There was no railing round
the deck, where we had our places, except a rope or chain passing
through iron stancheons. The sea was very rough and boisterous; the
ship rolled terribly; and every now and then the towering waves,
as they rushed on deck, swept some of the sheep, horses, and oxen
overboard. Sir Moses could not go down into his cabin, and remained the
whole night sitting on deck. The old man of eighty-one did not utter a
single murmur; he bore the exposure to the raging elements, and endured
the anxiety, which was felt by every one on board, with calmness and
resignation. By the mercy of heaven we arrived safely at Alexandria,
and we at once went on board the _Tanjore_, Captain Brooks. There Sir
Moses found comfort and rest after the dangers he had braved. The sea
was calm, the company agreeable. Theatrical performances, dances,
and concerts beguiled the otherwise long and tedious hours on board
ship, and it was on occasion of one of these concerts that Sir Moses
experienced a most agreeable surprise. One of the band, handing round
the programmes of the concert to the passengers, brought one to Sir
Moses, which contained, amongst others, the following pieces:--
Hymn, -- "Yigdál Elokim Kháy," -- _Unknown._
Hymn, -- "Adón Olám," -- _Unknown._
These are two hymns in the Jewish Prayer-book. Sir Moses hardly
expected to find them in a programme of music on board the P. and O.
Company's steamship _Tanjore_. He therefore thought that possibly some
Hebrew scholar among the passengers might have written the words in
Hebrew for the amusement of the travellers, some of whom were Oriental
scholars from India. But, when after a valse the ancient Hebrew hymn
was intoned to a well-known melody, which may be heard on Sabbath and
festivals in the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in London, he was
much affected, and softly sang the words to himself.
He considered it a mark of great attention on the part of those who had
arranged the programme, and expressed himself in grateful terms for the
pleasant surprise.
_May 9th._--Sir Moses arrived at Ramsgate. Next day he proceeded to
Brighton, thence to Lewes to pay a visit of condolence to Dr Hodgkin's
brother. On the 14th he was again at the Alliance, and on the 17th he
called on Baron Brunnow.
"He received me," Sir Moses says, "most kindly. Though much engaged,
he heard my report of the Russian Hospice, and expressed a desire that
I would write him and he would send my letter to the Emperor, who, he
said, was always pleased to hear that his efforts for the happiness
of others had been successful. I then called at the Foreign Office,
and was received by Lord Clarendon; thanked him for his letters of
introduction to the British Consul at Syria, and for the letters he had
procured for me from the Turkish Government through Lord Lyons. I gave
him an account of my visit to Jerusalem, the kindness I had received
from Mr Moore, the distinguished manner in which I had been received
by the Governor of Jerusalem, and the anxiety his Excellency has
evinced for the improvement of the condition of the Jews in Jerusalem.
I informed his Lordship that great improvements had already been made
there, and on my arrival at Jerusalem I found that the land was much
better cultivated, and that there were many more buildings than on the
occasion of my last visit. Lord Clarendon said that if I sent him in
writing all that I had said, he would take the opportunity of thanking
the Turkish authorities, in the name of the English Government, for
their reception of me. I then spoke of the great kindness and attention
I had received from Mr Moore, of the friendship he evinced during my
trouble (the loss of my friend, Dr Hodgkin), of the esteem in which Mr
Moore was held by persons of all classes without distinction of faith.
Lord Clarendon asked me to write this to him also, and said, 'It is
seed that shall produce fruit.' Nothing could have been more kind than
his Lordship's reception of me."
_June 3rd_.--He went to his favourite retreat, Smithembottom, for a
few hours' reflection on the past and the future, but not until he
considered he had discharged all the duties in connection with his last
mission.
_July 24th_.--A granite pillar was bought by him for the tomb of his
lamented friend, Dr Hodgkin, and sent to Jaffa at his expense.
_August 13th_.--On calling at the Foreign Office he had the
satisfaction of being permitted to peruse two despatches, dated
Teheran, 10th and 11th of June, from Mr Alison. The latter had been
most active in his powerful appeal to the Persian Government in favour
of the Jews, but a few months later dispatches were again given to
him to read which caused him acute sorrow. "I called at the Foreign
Office," he says, in his entry of the 1st of November, "and gave Mr
(now Lord) Hammond a copy of my report. He said he had written to me
yesterday, but I had not yet received his letter."
An opportunity was then afforded to him to read several dispatches from
Mr Alison at Teheran, giving an account of another frightful outbreak
against the Jews at Benfarouch. Many of them were killed and had their
houses plundered and destroyed. In fact, the whole of the Jewish
population of that place were homeless and starving, and crying aloud
for mercy. The Shah's officer was beaten, and the head of the Moslem
population declared that he was king there, and that not a Jew should
remain alive in the place. The authority of the Shah had disappeared,
and the ministers of England, France, Russia, and Turkey had declined
to make any further remonstrances to his government. "Heaven protect
the poor Jews." I begged Mr Hammond to advise me what I could do for
them. He said, "Nothing; that I must wait with patience, and he would
let me know when they had further dispatches." I offered to go to
Persia, but he said, "It was not possible, I could do no good."
In a letter Sir Moses addressed to me in reference to the outbreak
against the Jews at Balfaroosh, he writes: "Lord Clarendon has sent Mr
Alison a telegram to express to the Shah the full assurance felt by Her
Majesty's Government that the persons who have committed the outrage
in question will be severely punished, and that the Jews at Balfaroosh
and elsewhere throughout Persia will be protected from ill-treatment
and persecution." "Alas," he continues, "I am not yet finished with one
effort in favour of our brethren when a new misfortune occurs."
_November 5th._ He went to the Isle of Thanet Union at Ramsgate;
visited all the rooms, and the infirmary, &c.; distributed parcels
containing tea and sugar, in addition to gifts in money among 340
persons present. The inmates were always pleased to see him, as he made
it a rule to speak a few kind words to them.
He was in the habit of visiting the Union and other charitable
institutions in Ramsgate regularly every year, when his health
permitted him to do so, and always remembered the inmates on the
Queen's Birthday and on other festive occasions.
_December 4th._--Sir Moses went to Dover to meet the Rev. Dr Artom,
the spiritual head of the Spanish and Portuguese congregation, on
his arrival after election. A few days later he had the pleasure
of receiving a kind note with an offer of £100 from Miss Burdett
Coutts towards the fund to be raised for the supply of water and
the improvement of the dwellings of the Israelites in Jerusalem.
Subsequently he devoted much time to making arrangements regarding his
land at Jaffa.
When Sir Moses, a few months earlier, in a moment of weariness, almost
overwhelmed by the frequent appeals to his sympathizing heart from
his oppressed and suffering brethren in foreign lands, said, "Alas,
I am not yet finished with one effort when a new misfortune occurs,"
he little thought that he would so soon have again to set out on a
mission, and so give up the comforts of home. But the unexpected often
happens, and Sir Moses did not think that he would be exempted from the
usual lot of mankind; especially as so many thousands of his fellow
beings placed their confidence in him, knowing that he would hasten
to their help, as long as one spark of hope was left to remove their
grievances.
In the first few months of this year he pursued his occupations in
their usual order in the city, and when at Ramsgate, where he generally
enjoyed the company of relatives and friends, his favourite theme was
the improvement of the college buildings by the enlargement of the
lecture hall. But even this pleasure soon became clouded by the news of
the death of his brother-in-law, Mr Benjamin Cohen, the father of Mr
Arthur Cohen, Q.C. Both he and Lady Montefiore were greatly attached to
him. He was a man of exceptional goodness of heart, most agreeable in
manners; endearing himself to all who associated with him.
Soon after this mournful event he received by the kindness of Lord
Stanley, from the Foreign Office, various extracts from reports
referring to Hamadan, dated February 22, 1867. "The Jews," Mr Alison's
agent writes, "are this year much more ill-treated than last year. Many
of the Jews have run away from this province."
Mr R. T. Thomson in his notes on "The Jews of Oroomiah," writes, on
February 1, 1867, "There are two hundred families of Jews residing
in the town of Oroomiah. The revenue which they pay to the Persian
Government annually is fixed at four hundred tomans, but their master
Rejjeb Ali Khan, son of Fazzan Agha, takes six hundred tomans besides
sundry fines and other small exactions. It was agreed about twenty
years ago that they should pay ten tomans annually, in lieu of forced
labour. This sum is regularly exacted, and the forced labour likewise,
which consists of clearing snow from the houses of the Master and his
friends, removing rubbish, and clearing their courtyards.
If a Jew dies, and has no son to succeed to his property, the will
of the deceased is set aside, and the Master takes possession of his
property.
"Rejjeb Ali Khan, who returned from Tabreez to Oroomiah last summer,
demanded, while I was at the latter town, 120 tomans, the greater part
of which he had then collected, and he absolutely refused to reckon
this sum as part of the regular taxes. A deputation from the Jews left
for Tabreez last summer to petition the authorities there, but the son
of the Master heard of their departure, and they had been seized and
brought back to Oroomiah.
"As an example of the unfair manner in which these taxes are imposed,
the case of one Jew may be cited, who during last year paid twelve
tomans as his share, though there are only four persons living in his
house, and also that of his brother, who lives by himself and has no
shop, and yet had to pay six tomans."
Lord Stanley approved of Mr Alison's exertions in favour of the Jews
and Nestorians, and desired him to take every suitable opportunity of
strongly pressing upon the Shah and his Ministers the interest felt by
Her Majesty's Government in both these classes of his subjects, and
their earnest hope that the Shah would extend to them his protection,
redress any wrongs which they may suffer, and make his Moslem subjects
clearly understand that any act of violence and wrong on Jews or
Christians would not only entail upon them personal punishment, but the
payment of pecuniary compensation to the sufferers.
Notwithstanding the representations of the British Government, however,
complaints of oppression continued to arrive from various places
in Persia, appealing for help, and the anxiety of Sir Moses became
considerably increased by the cry of anguish which reached him from
Moldavia.
"On the 4th of May last," the supplicants say in their letter to
him, "a decree was issued by the Minister to expel all the Jews from
the villages of Moldavia as coming under the category of vagabonds.
Scarcely was the edict made known, when the Minister himself arrived
here; in another moment the enemies of Israel filled the streets and
public places, seized every Jew, without distinction, that came in
their way, crying out, 'He is a vagabond;' bound him hand and foot
with chains, beat him unmercifully; drove out alike old and young,
chased them out of the city, and delivered them over to the mercy of
the soldiery to drive them beyond the frontier.
"A cry of anguish from the women, and like lamentations from the
men, went up to Heaven. Old men and children, women with children
at the breast, cry aloud, but there are none to pity, none to look
with compassion. They have been driven from all the villages, made to
leave their possessions, their goods and chattels, in the hands of
their enemies, and have escaped only with their lives.
"The heads of the congregation here have entreated the Minister
to withdraw the decree, but in vain have they supplicated.
Non-Israelites have also sought justice for the Jews, but they have
pleaded to a deaf ear. He seeks only their expulsion.
"In three days the prisons were overcrowded with our brethren. Their
persecutions for a while abated, still we were in fear and trembling
lest every moment they should be renewed with fresh vigour, for the
decree has not yet been recalled.
"A great evil threatens us, the hatred increases every day and every
hour--there is none to stay the hand. We therefore make known to you
these our troubles and distresses, beseeching you with burning tears
to aid us all in your power, and to defend the cause of the oppressed
Israelites who are driven from the land of Moldavia.
"May the Creator of heaven and earth, the God of Israel, help us.
"Trouble upon trouble! During the last three days soldiers have been
going about the streets molesting the Jews, and with their swords
they injured a woman with child. Her cries brought persons to her
rescue, and those who endeavoured to take the weapons from the
soldiers were seized, thrown into prison, and charged with attempting
to murder the soldiery. We have no one to look to for help except our
Father in Heaven and His servant Moses. The chief matters we dare not
venture to write, out of dread and apprehension, for we are as sheep
in the hands of the slaughterers."
Sir Moses received numerous petitions to the same effect from Galatz
and Berlad, which he forwarded to the London Committee of Deputies of
the British Jews. The British Government took every opportunity to help
them, yet no redress could be obtained, and the cries of the sufferers
continued.
CHAPTER XXV.
1867.
SIR MOSES ACCEPTS A MISSION TO THE DANUBIAN PRINCIPALITIES--ACTION
OF THE BRITISH, RUSSIAN, AND
PRUSSIAN GOVERNMENTS--PRINCE BISMARCK'S OPINION--DEATH
OF SIR MOSES' BROTHER, HORATIO.
Sir Moses then addressed the following letter to the President _pro
tem._ of the Board of Deputies of British Jews:
"GROSVENOR GATE, PARK LANE, "_30th June_ 5627 (1867).
"MY DEAR SIR,--It is with deep regret that I have to place in your
hands further despatches received from Jassy, from which it would
appear that the position of our unfortunate co-religionists in
Moldavia still continues most distressing. You will be pleased to
submit these communications to the Board of Deputies without delay.
"The several memorials which I have received from Moldavia solicit
so frequently and so urgently my personal presence there, that if,
in the opinion of your Board and that of our community, it should be
considered that my presence in Moldavia might prove of utility to
those who in their misery apply to us for sympathy and aid, I should
feel it an imperative duty, at whatever personal risk and sacrifice,
to respond to the appeal thus piteously made.
"There can be no doubt that, as the delegate of our community, any
representations that I might be entrusted to make as its organ would
acquire great force and significance, while I should be encouraged
by the consciousness that I should be acting, not only in accordance
with my own sense of duty, but also as the exponent of the earnest
wishes of your Board and of the Jews at large, that so unhappy a
state of things as is now existing in Moldavia as affecting the
Jews of that Principality, may, under the blessing of the Almighty,
speedily cease."
The President _pro tem._ immediately convened a meeting, at which
the Deputies expressed their deep sympathy with the sufferings of
the Moldavian Jews, and entreated Sir Moses to undertake a Mission
to the Principality, in the hope that his presence there would be as
successful in relieving the grievances of our unfortunate brethren
in that country as it had been in his previous Missions to Damascus,
Russia, Morocco, and the Holy Land.
Sir Moses, in accepting the Mission thus urged upon him, had every
possible support from the British Government. The Russian Government
also manifested their sympathy with the sufferers, and expressed their
approval of his going to Bucharest.
Baron Brunnow sent him a copy of a despatch to that effect, which he
had received on the subject from Prince Gortchakoff, dated Tsarkoé
Séla, 12th July 1867, which I subjoin in the original French:--
Copie d'une dépêche de S. Exc. Mr. le Chancelier Prince Gortchacow
à l'Ambassadeur de Russie à Londres, en date de Tsarkaé-Sélo, le 12
Juillet 1867:
"MR. LE BARON,--Dès la réception de la dépêche de Votre Exc., sub 155
je me suis empressé d'informer notre Consul-Général à Bucarest de la
résolution de Sir Moses Montefiore de se rendre à Bucarest pour y
plaider la cause de ses co-religionnaires. D'ordre de Notre Auguste
Maître, j'ai invité le Baron d'Offenberg à prêter à cette mission
d'humanité tout le concours qui pourra dépendre de lui.--Recevez, &c.,
(Signé) "GORTCHACOW."
The Prussian Government, as will be seen in the copy of a letter
from Lord Loftus to Lord Stanley, as forwarded to Sir Moses through
Lord Egerton, also supported the cause. Lord Egerton transmitted
for his information a copy of a despatch which he had received from
Her Majesty's Ambassador at Berlin, in which the latter reported a
conversation he had had with Count Bismarck on the subject of the
persecution of the Jews in the Danubian Principalities:--
"In obedience to the instructions of your Lordship's despatch, No. 20
of the 31st ultimo, the Ambassador writes: 'I have brought under the
notice of Count Bismarck the subject of the ill-treatment to which
the Jews have been subjected in the Danubian Principalities, and I
requested His Excellency to furnish the Prussian agent at Bucharest
with the necessary instructions to enable him to co-operate with Her
Majesty's Consul-General in behalf of an unoffending and peaceable
class of inhabitants, whom it behoved every civilized government to
protect from acts of violence.
"Count Bismarck said that the Prussian Government would readily
co-operate with Her Majesty's Government in this humane work.
"Last year, on a similar occasion, instructions of a like nature had
been given to the Consul at Bucharest, and he would again renew them.
"His Excellency observed that the difficulties of Prince Charles were
great. He was anxious to establish order and a legalised state of
things. But he was not always able to carry out his wishes.
"He felt confident that the ill-treatment to which the Jews had been
exposed was most repugnant to the feelings of Prince Charles, and
that His Highness would do his utmost for their protection.--I have,
&c.,
(Signed) "AUGUSTUS LOFTUS."
On July the 20th he received letters of introduction from the Foreign
Office to Mr (now Sir John) Green, and was informed at the same time
that the British Government had written to Paris, Vienna, and St
Petersburg about his journey to Moldavia.
_July 27th._--Prayers were offered up in the Synagogues of the united
congregations of the British Empire for the success of Sir Moses'
Mission to Jassy, and two days later we find him at Dover, at the Lord
Warden Hotel, surrounded by his travelling companions--Mr Arthur Cohen,
Q.C., M.P.; Captain (now General) Henry Moore, of the Bombay Staff
Corps; Mr James S. Daniel of Ramsgate, his medical attendant; and the
writer. The following morning he crossed over to Calais, and in the
evening he and his party arrived at Paris, where they stayed at the
Hotel Meurice.
_August 3rd._--Sir Moses received a letter from Mr Fane, the British
Ambassador, appointing the following day for an audience with the
Emperor at the Tuileries, of which the following is an account in Sir
Moses' own words:--
"This day, Sunday, the 7th of August," he writes in his Diary, "I had
the honour and happiness of an audience with His Imperial Majesty the
Emperor Napoleon III. His Majesty received me most courteously, shook
me by the hand, and said he was glad to see me again. I expressed my
sincere thanks for the honour of the audience, tendered to His Majesty
the expressions of the heartfelt gratitude of my co-religionists of
England for His Majesty's powerful intercession on behalf of their
brethren in Moldavia, and prayed His Majesty to continue his gracious
efforts, so as to allow me to enjoy the invaluable benefit of His
Majesty's support. The Emperor said I should have his support, enquired
when I purposed leaving, and said Bucharest was a long journey. He
again shook me by the hand on my taking leave. It was impossible for
any person to have evinced more kindness than was shown me by His
Majesty. After leaving the Palace I left a card at the British Embassy
for the Hon. Mr Fane. He called on me at the Hotel Meurice, and I told
him all that had passed at my audience with the Emperor. He was much
pleased, and said that he should write home, and that what I had said
was the same language as that of the Marquis of Moustier, the Foreign
Minister."
We left Paris on the 6th of August, and travelled through Strasburg,
Stuttgart (where Sir Moses was greeted by Dr Von Mayer, the Chief
Rabbi), Donauwörth, and Ratisbon, and reached Vienna on the 14th,
stopping at the Hotel Munsch.
"Accompanied by Arthur Cohen and Dr Loewe I paid a visit to Lord
Bloomfield, the British Minister at the Court. He was very courteous,
but said the Emperor would leave Vienna this evening. Lord Bloomfield
rode with me to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, but he was out. I
afterwards called on the Russian Minister; he was at Ostend. Being
greatly fatigued and very weak, on my return to the hotel I soon
retired to rest.
"_Vienna, August 15th._--This morning my kind nephew, Arthur Cohen,
and my friend, Dr Loewe, communicated to me the intelligence they
had received yesterday of the loss I had unhappily sustained by the
demise of my dear brother Horatio. He was relieved from all suffering
and called to eternal glory not many minutes before I took my fast on
Sunday night (August 10th--Ab. 10th, the anniversary of the destruction
of the Temple of Jerusalem). He was a very charitable man, a good
husband and father. We entertained the most affectionate regard for
each other.
"_Vienna, August 16th._--Last night I received a telegram from Mrs
Arthur Cohen to the effect that Dr Jenner had said it was dangerous for
Arthur to go to Bucharest, and that consequently she could not give her
consent to his going with me. I regret this decision on his account as
well as my own. I thus lose the companionship of a very amiable and
talented relative and friend at a time I stand most in need of his
assistance.
"I am losing my strength, and am anxious to get on my voyage to
Bucharest.
"The British Ambassador, Lord Bloomfield, paid me a long visit, and the
Austrian Minister left his card."
_Sunday, August 18th._--We left Vienna on board an Austrian steamer
for Pesth, and proceeded to Bucharest, where we arrived on Thursday,
the 22nd inst., taking up our quarters at the Hotel Otettelichano.
Sir Moses at once called on Mr Green. The latter returned his visit
the next day, and went with him to the Prince. On his return from the
palace he received a visit from the prefect of the place.
_Saturday, August 24th._--Sir Moses invited several members of the
Hebrew community to be present at divine service, which on that day was
held in his drawing-room, the distance of their place of worship and
the overpowering heat of the day preventing him from walking there and
joining the congregation.
Subsequently the Foreign Minister, also the two private Secretaries
of the Prince, Monsieur Friedlander and Monsieur Picot, called, and
when these had left, deputations from various Hebrew educational
institutions and charitable societies came to pay their respects, and
to thank him for the great fatigue he had undergone on their behalf.
_Tuesday, August 27th._--"I suffer greatly," Sir Moses says, "by this
climate, the heat of the weather deprives me of strength. Nevertheless,
the hope of success cheers me. The reports constantly made to me of the
serious aspect of affairs in this country, and at the intended outbreak
against my co-religionists, are very alarming, more particularly as
they are repeated to me by Mr Green, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, as
well as by many other Christians." Mr Hertz, the Director of the bank,
came to inform Mr Green that money had been distributed among the mob
to attack us, and to slaughter the Jews.
Still Sir Moses did not lose heart, but directed his attention to the
petition he was about presenting to the Prince, of which the following
is an exact copy:--
"BUCHAREST, _27th August 1867_.
"TO HIS SERENE HIGHNESS PRINCE CHARLES I., Reigning Prince of Roumania.
May it please your Serene Highness,--Statements having been
circulated in England and elsewhere that my co-religionists in
Roumania were no longer in the enjoyment of that tranquillity and
safety to which they had, thanks to the Almighty and to the honour
of this nation, been accustomed for several generations, I bethought
me that as on other occasions and in other lands I had succeeded in
restoring confidence among my co-religionists, so in Roumania on
the present occasion I might do good by my presence among them. But
before carrying out this resolution, I obtained the sanction of it
from Her Britannic Majesty's Government, and through Her Majesty's
Government, the approval of the Governments of Austria, France,
Italy, Prussia, and Russia. I now, on behalf of my co-religionists
in England, my native country, as well as on the behalf of those
in every part of the world, with all humility entreat your Serene
Highness to be pleased, through the Government of your Serene
Highness, to warn all evil disposed persons not to molest the Jews in
any manner, and to give positive orders that the Jews dwelling in all
parts of the United Principalitica shall enjoy perfect protection in
all which concerns the safety of their persons and their property.
Permit me also to express to your Serene Highness my grateful
appreciation of the enlightened sentiments of religious toleration
of which your Serene Highness has always given proofs in matters
concerning Jewish subjects of your Serene Highness, and in offering
your Serene Highness my humble thanks for the personal honour
conferred on me by listening to the manifestation of my anxiety with
respect to the welfare of my co-religionists. Allow me to tender
my heartfelt wishes for the health and happiness of your Serene
Highness, and for the prosperity of the United Principalitica.--I
have the honour to be, with the profoundest respect, the most
obedient, humble servant of your Serene Highness,
(Signed) "MOSES MONTEFIORE."
_Wednesday, August 28th._--A copy of the journal _Natinuea_ was this
day sent to Sir Moses, containing a harangue addressed by the editor
to the people of Roumania. I give a full copy of it, that the reader
may form an idea of the dangerous position in which Sir Moses found
himself, and appreciate the courage and perseverance he manifested in
the task before him:--
"Two weeks ago we announced to our readers the arrival of a wealthy
Israelite from London, Sir Moses Montefiore, and now this personage,
who is in possession of the keys to all the doors of the Cabinets of
Europe, actually arrived yesterday in our capital. We understand that
M. Crémieux is to follow (if he has not arrived already). Need we
tell our Roumanian brethren what these people want in our beautiful
country? Is it possible that the Roumanians should be so simple, so
foolish, so led away by the friends of the Hebrews, so betrayed by
those who secretly sell the soil of our ancestors? Can our brethren
be indeed so indifferent to their natural interests, so blinded by
some Jewish journals written in the Roumanian language, as not to
penetrate into the real intentions of these persons amongst us? What
they strive at just at a time when anarchy prevails in the land, and
the ministers are ignorant of their mission, and resign just at a
moment when the Hebrews enter the land? No! No! No! Ye Roumanians;
ye descendants of those who knew how to preserve this beautiful
land in all storms, who knew how to defend and rescue it from the
claws of the Goths, the Huns, Turks, Poles, Hungarians, Germans,
&c.; ye descendants of these noble ancestors, you know as well as
we what these Hebrews want here, and who has brought them here.
You will indeed still have in your veins sufficient of the blood
of your ancestors not to permit that the land should fall into the
hands of the Hebrews! There will yet be found in Roumania patriotic
voices, whose echo will carry the cry of despair of this poor and
betrayed nation into the Cabinets which are occupied with the future
of Roumania, and which are engaged in rescuing this land from the
hands of the enemies of civilization, that have no other design
than money--money--and again money! and thus the ruin of the simple
Roumanian people.
"We have watched the steps of the enemies, who mean to surprise us,
and to transform our land into a Palestine; we have watched all their
steps and traces, and followed them without intermission, and to-day
we call to all Roumanians: sleep not! and more especially it is the
commercial classes, who daily suffer grievous wrong, and are brought
near their ruin--and indeed only through these bloodsuckers, the
Hebrews--to those we call, sleep not, assemble, consult--hasten, all
ye commercial men of Roumania, to the common consultation as to what
is to be done, in order that we may not awake one fine morning and
see the crown lands, to the value of hundreds of millions, bought
by the Hebrews, as is to be expected from the measures taken by the
present Government.
"The unfortunate Roumanian peasants, who have defended and preserved
this sacred soil with rivers of their blood, and have maintained
it by their language, religion, and sweat, in what cries and
lamentations would they burst forth when seized by the claws of the
Hebrews, as the innocent bird cries out when caught by the teeth
of the poisonous serpent of India. 'Awake ye Romans,' was lately
sung in the Halls of the Athenæum, on the field of literature and
nationality. Awake ye Roumanians! let us all awake and assemble
on that field upon which the sentiment of all political, social,
national, and patriotic duty calls, the duty not to allow the
naturalization of the Hebrews, of those outcasts, which even our
Redeemer Jesus Christ has cursed, that they should possess no
country, no home; were we to allow their naturalization, then all
Crown domains now exposed to sale, to the ruination of the country,
this sacred treasure of our fathers would fall into the hands of the
Hebrew bankers! ... and then! ... Roumania would become a Palestine,
and the free Roumanian, the Christian Roumanian would become the
slave of those outcasts! ... and Roumania will be the land of the
Hebrews and not of the Roumanian.
"Merchants and Brethren of Bucharest! Merchants and Roumanian
Brethren of the Mountains! (Wallachia). Do you not see in what
net our brethren beyond the Milkor (Moldavia) have been caught?
Do you not hear the cries and lamentations of those brethren who
have been sold to the Jews, by the protection of some Ciokois? ...
Shall you suffer political privileges to be given to the Hebrews,
so that nothing will be left in your hands wherewith to carry on
your commerce; neither the meat, nor the egg, nor the fruit of the
tree, nor the berry of the vine, nor the fruit of your garden, nor
the onion, nor the maize, ... not even the drop of wine which the
Christian stands in need of for preparing the Lord's Supper--as is
done in Moldavia? Shall you suffer any longer the groans of your
brethren beyond the Milkor (Moldavia), and their sighs under the
lacerating claws of the Hebrews, without raising your powerful
voice--powerful, for it is the voice of God! without demanding that
the rights and the soil of Roumania remain intact? No! Oh no! You
will not suffer that! The God of our Fathers will be with us, will
assist us in cutting the thread of those machinations by which our
land is to be bartered away to the Hebrews! ... May God be with us!
"Citizens of the Capital! and especially ye merchants and brethren
of Bucharest, ye who in common with us have welcomed our brethren
of the literary society, it is incumbent upon you to take the
initiative, and through your example to call out all Roumanians for a
common action, as a welcome to the noble Israelite, Montefiore; that
Hebrew--whom even our Minister of State, Mr Stefan Golesku, is said
to have received at the gates of the capital with great splendour.
"Let this action consist in our signing this day three petitions:
one to His Serene Highness, the Prince, a second to the House
of Deputies, and a third to the Senate, in which we demand the
fulfilment of the following four points:--(1) That of the Crown
domains nothing be sold, but vineyards and small fields situate at a
distance, which prove only injurious to the State; (2) All Hebrews
who have come into the land since 1848 provided with passports, and
who have no industrial occupation, shall be sent by the Government
to the land from whence they have come; (3) All Hebrew proprietors
of factories, where Roumanian workmen are employed, as also those
who carry on a trade, as tinmen, tailors, &c., all men of the higher
sciences--shall be tolerated in the land; provided, however, that
they enter upon the path of civilisation, for which the Government
will take the necessary measures. As to the privileges of these
Jews, they will be limited to those prescribed by the civil law; (4)
Henceforth no Hebrew shall have permission to enter the land for the
purpose of settling in it.
"This is the policy and wish of the journal _Natiunea_, in respect of
the Hebrews, and we believe it is the wish of all true patriots of
Roumania, who have at heart the welfare of their country.
"The signature of the above petitions takes place from to-day at the
office of this Journal; let all Roumanians hasten to sign them! For
the facility of citizens, lists for signature will be laid out before
the Theatre and in St George's Place.
"We hope the communities of the united and indivisible Roumania will
send, within a few days, thousands of signatures to the office of the
_Natiunea_, a committee will then be formed to send the petitions to
their respective places.
"To work! to work! ye Roumanian Brethren! and may God be with us!"
CHAPTER XXVI.
1867.
RESULT OF APPEALS TO ROUMANIAN BIGOTRY--PERILOUS POSITION OF
THE MISSION--COURAGEOUS CONDUCT OF SIR MOSES--AN ENTERPRISING
CONTRACTOR--SATISFACTORY END OF THE MISSION.
The _Natiunea_ having given notice to the Prefecture of its intention
of publicly securing signatures to the above petitions, the following
reply was received:--
"In reply to your notice, No. 3915, without date, I hasten to inform
you that in Roumania, no lists for signatures may be laid out in the
streets and public places, except on the occasion of the plebiscite,
and I do not believe that it is permitted to a private gentleman to
open such plebiscites. The right, however, of petition and meeting
in houses is granted to every Roumanian. If Government were to allow
any one to place subscription tables in public places or streets it
might easily occur that adversaries, entertaining opinions differing
from those expressed in the lists, might come forward, and the police
might hardly suffice to maintain public order. The leading article of
your last Journal has already found many adversaries, and these could
avail themselves of the opportunity to disturb the public peace,
which the Government could by no means suffer, more especially as
your ideas rest upon no sound basis, and the Government feels itself,
without your assistance, sufficiently powerful to protect the right
of the land."
The editor of the Journal _Speranta_ called to say that he was told in
the Public Garden, "we should run away, as the people were now going to
kill Sir Moses."
Reverting to the Diary I find the following entry:--"I feel very weak
and poorly to-day, the air is excessively hot, and I am vexed with
sinister reports and intended outbreaks against the Jews.
"About two o'clock I received, as did likewise Dr Loewe, Captain Moore,
and Mr Daniel, the honour of a card of invitation from His Serene
Highness the Prince, to dine to-day at the Palace.
"We arrived at the Palace a few minutes before half-past five. Mr Green
soon arrived, and he presented my companions to His Serene Highness.
"Prince Charles (now His Majesty, the King), was most courteous and
kind to us. We dined in the Palace, contrary to His Highness' custom.
He generally dined, he told me, in his garden, but was fearful I might
take cold. I sat on the Prince's right; he was exceedingly courteous,
and spoke on many subjects. He had been in Morocco, in the year 1862,
during the Spanish war, in Gibraltar, and twice in England. We had an
excellent entertainment, and his military band played some beautiful
pieces in the garden during dinner.
"The Prince and all the party went into the garden afterwards, and
I had the honour of smoking a cigar with him. Coffee, cigars, and
liqueurs were handed round. We returned much pleased.
"_Thursday, August 29th._--This morning the chief officer of police,
and Monsieur Soveser, Chef de division au Ministère de L'intérieur,
called, and arranged with Sir Moses to accompany him to-morrow to see
the Christian charitable institutions in the city, in accordance with
the wish he expressed yesterday to His Highness. He then rode to Mr
Green's, and had the great benefit of half-an-hour's conversation with
him. 'I hope,' Sir Moses says, 'I satisfied him that the object of my
visit to Roumania was limited entirely to obtain from the Prince and
his Government their assurance that the Jews should enjoy security
of their persons and their property, and be treated kindly and with
justice.'"
On his return to the hotel an extraordinary scene of tumult and uproar
presented itself.
Notwithstanding the reply of the Prefecture to the Notice No. 3915
given by the editor of the _Natiunea_, informing him that in Roumania
no lists for signature may be laid out in the streets and public
places, except on the occasion of the Plébiscite, a table was placed,
with the lists in question for signatures, in front of the windows of
the apartments occupied by Sir Moses, and thousands of people crowded
round the table, many of them approaching towards the windows in the
most threatening attitude. Some persons from the hotel then suddenly
entered the room occupied by Sir Moses, terror-stricken at what they
had seen and heard in the streets, calling his attention to the crowds
at his window, and saying, "They want to take your life."
[Illustration: Sir Moses addressing the threatening populace from the
Hotel at Bucharest. _Vol. II., page 205._]
Most persons in Sir Moses' position would have manifested great fear
and excitement, but this was not the case with him. He went to the
window facing the enraged populace, opened both wings, and placed
himself right in front of it, and I had the privilege of being
permitted to place myself at his side.
"Fire away," he said, "if you like. I came here in the name of justice
and humanity to plead the cause of innocent sufferers." They stared at
him first for a few minutes. Then the shouting and tumult increased,
but still he did not move.
Ultimately the crowd, threatening and shouting, dispersed. In the
evening Mr Halfon, the banker, called. With tears in his eyes, he
cried, "We shall all be massacred."
Monsieur A. Halfon, the President of the Comité de l'Alliance Israélite
de Bucharest had strongly advised Sir Moses not to come to Moldavia
at all, as by doing so he might hurt the feelings of the Prince, the
Government, and the Roumanian population. Sir Moses, however, having
before him the appeal of the Hebrew communities in Moldavia, who
strongly and repeatedly supplicated him to plead their cause before the
Prince personally, did not consider himself justified in following the
advice of Mons. Halfon, especially as Mr Green had made a statement to
the effect that it was the opinion of some persons in Bucharest "that
the wealthy class among the Hebrew community, having no cause whatever
to complain, would not like to join the middle and poorer classes, who
publicly complain of the grievances they have to endure."
At the foot of the page I give an exact copy of Monsieur A. Halfon's
letter.[7]
The tears of the banker, and the threatened massacre of the Jews, did
not affect in any way the indomitable courage of Sir Moses. "Are you
afraid?" said he to M. Halfon; "I have no fear whatever, and will at
once order an open carriage, take a drive through the principal streets
and thoroughfares, go even outside the town, and drive near some public
garden. Every one shall see me; it is a holy cause; that of justice and
humanity. I trust in God; He will protect me."
One of the attendants entering the room, Sir Moses gave the order for
an open carriage, with two lights in front, so that his person might
be seen by everybody. Within ten minutes' time the carriage was ready
at the door. I had the honour of being invited to take a drive with
him and sit by his side. Monsieur Halfon, dreading the consequence of
what he deemed so rash an act, returned to his house. The people in the
hotel, as well as all those who had been watching the house from day
to day, as if they expected some extraordinary event to occur, placed
themselves along the street in two rows, right and left. Hundreds of
new-comers did the same; but we continued our drive without taking any
particular notice of them. We had been driving for nearly two hours,
and all went on peaceably enough; but there was one carriage, as we
drove along outside the town, which appeared purposely to follow us in
every turn we made. Not feeling quite so calm and easy as Sir Moses,
I suggested we should halt and inquire the object of the gentleman in
the rear carriage following us. Sir Moses consented to our doing so. We
were a good distance from the town, on the public road. No lamps were
to be seen except the two in front of our carriage. It was rather an
exciting moment. Upon asking that gentleman, in the Roumanian language,
whether there was any particular reason for his following so closely to
our carriage, he jumped out quickly, and, with an air of determination,
proceeded towards Sir Moses, which made me feel even more uncomfortable
than before, apprehending as I did the sight of a revolver or a dagger.
But happily, to my great relief, he commenced addressing Sir Moses, not
in Roumanian, but in German.
His object in following Sir Moses, he said, was to find an opportunity,
in a convenient, secluded place, to request him to intercede in his
behalf with his Serene Highness Prince Charles, that he would grant him
the continuance of the privilege to light the town with oil-lamps!
It was late when we returned to the hotel, where we found a woman of
ladylike appearance and manner of address waiting to see Sir Moses. She
would not give her name for political reasons, and was very pressing in
her request to have an interview with Sir Moses on a political subject.
A military officer also came to have some private conversation with
him, likewise on a political subject. He was unknown to the persons
in the hotel, nor could his name be ascertained. Sir Moses would not
see either of them, and it was with great difficulty they could be
persuaded to leave the hotel.
_Friday, August 30th._--"I am," Sir Moses says, "most anxious, weak,
out of health, and vexed to the heart. No one can imagine the extreme
pain of my situation. Political factions strive to create confusion by
my presence in this place."
In the evening, however, he had the satisfaction of receiving from
the Prince a reply to his petition, which cheered him up again. His
Highness thus addressed him:
"MONSIEUR LE BARONNET,--J'ai reçu votre lettre du 27 Août dernier
et j'en ai pris connaissance avec un vif intérét. Comme j'ai eu
l'occasion de vous le dire de vive voix, les vœux que vous formez
pour vos co-religionnaires sont déjà accomplis. Les Israélites sont
l'objet de toute ma sollicitude et de toute celle de mon gouvernement
et je suis bien aise que vous soyez venu en Roumanie pour vous
convaincre que la persécution religieuse dont la malveillance a fait
tant de bruit n'existe point. S'il est arrivé que des Israélites
fussent inquiétés, ce sont là des faits isolés, dont mon gouvernement
n'entend pas assumer la responsabilité. Je tiendrai toujours à
l'honneur de faire respecter la liberté religieuse et je veillerai
sans cesse à l'exécution des lois qui protégent les Israélites
comme tous les autres Roumains dans leur personne et dans leurs
biens.--Veuillez recevoir, Monsieur le Baronnet, l'assurance de ma
considération très distinguée,
"CHARLES."
"Sir MOSES MONTEFIORE, Bart." "COTROCENI, le 18/30 Août 1867."
_Saturday, August 31st._--Sir Moses attended Divine service in his
drawing-room, the minister of the Spanish and Portuguese community
officiating. At the conclusion, Sir Moses showed the letter of the
Prince to all present, and it caused great satisfaction.
In the course of the day he paid a visit to Mr Green, and in the
evening the Prince's Secretary called, remaining with us nearly two
hours. Speaking to him of the disturbances of last Thursday, and
the threatening attitude of the populace, he said, only a few days
previously two persons had been murdered in the public street in
daylight, and the friends of peace and order on hearing it expressed
great satisfaction that none of our party had hitherto been molested.
We then showed him the letters we had received from persons who gave
their full names and addresses, suggesting even that we should make
enquiries as to the correctness of their statement to the effect that
it was intended, and had been arranged, to make an attack on the life
of Sir Moses; upon which the Prince's Secretary observed, "Threatening
letters of the kind are sometimes sent to the Prince himself, even
pointing out the place where an attack is to be made on him; but His
Highness shows no fear, and proceeds even to the very spot at the hour
named for the attack."
_Sunday, September 1st._--We all went to the Palace to take leave of
the Prince. His Highness repeated to Sir Moses all that he had stated
in his letter, and regretted the unfortunate occurrence which had
taken place in front of his hotel. In the room in which we assembled
before we were conducted to the presence of the Prince, we were told
that when the populace a year or two ago had attacked a Jewish place
of worship, His Highness, from his private purse, paid all the damage
done. His Highness expressed himself most graciously to Sir Moses, and
the latter reiterated his gratitude to him in his own name and in that
of the Board of Deputies of the London Committee of British Jews for
the gracious reception His Highness had accorded him and the gentlemen
who accompanied him on his Mission.
On leaving the Palace Sir Moses called on the Consuls, all of whom
evinced great satisfaction with the Prince's letter, and returned home
to indite a letter to Mr Green, of which the following is a copy:--
"BUCHAREST, _30th August 1867_.
"MY DEAR SIR,--It is with sincere satisfaction I beg to hand you
enclosed a copy of the reply I have had the honour to receive from
His Serene Highness Prince Charles to my petition of the 27th
instant in reference to my Mission to this country on behalf of my
co-religionists.
"May I now beg the favour of you to communicate its contents to Lord
Stanley, with my grateful thanks to his Lordship and Her Majesty's
Government for the powerful aid they so kindly granted me?
"As the object of coming to this country was not to make enquiry
regarding past unfortunate events, but to obtain for my brethren
dwelling in Roumania security for the future, and fully relying
on the honoured words of His Serene Highness Prince Charles, 'Les
Israélites sont l'objet de toute ma sollicitude et de toute celle
de mon Gouvernement,' ... 'je tiendrai toujours à l'honneur de
faire respecter la liberté religieuse et je veillerai sans cesse a
l'exécution des lois qui protègent les Israelites comme tous les
autres Roumains dans leur personne et dans leur biens,' I consider
my object happily accomplished, and feel confident that his Lordship
will be pleased with the result.
"I deeply regret that the state of my health, with other
considerations, prevents my going to see my co-religionists at Jassy,
otherwise I would at once have proceeded to that city.
"Allow me to take this opportunity to tender you my heartfelt thanks
for your valuable advice and assistance which have so materially
contributed to the satisfactory issue of my humble labours in the
cause of humanity.--Believe me, my dear Sir, with great esteem, yours
very faithfully."
Sir Moses informed the Board of Deputies in London by telegram of all
that had occurred. Subsequently he paid visits to the representatives
of the Hebrew community at Bucharest in order to ascertain what
foundation there was for the pretended dread expressed by the
editor of the _Natinuea_ that Bucharest would be converted into a
second Jerusalem. He also inquired about the Synagogues, charitable
institutions, and schools. He was told that they had a large number
of places of worship, colleges for Hebrew and theological subjects,
hospitals and societies for the sick, loan societies for the poor,
irrespective of creed, societies for providing shelter for travellers
and fuel and clothing for the poor, and a large number of schools for
boys and girls, rich and poor.
"To a person unacquainted with the spirit which pervades Jewish
institutions," he says, "the expression of dread that 'Bucharest'
might be converted into 'a second Jerusalem' in the face of so
considerable a number of houses of prayer, colleges, and charitable
institutions, cannot be a matter of surprise; but he who knows the
principles--heavenly principles revealed on Sinai which breathed
the 'breath of life' into every act of benevolence performed, into
every sentiment of truth expressed in institutions similar to those I
have now seen, and of which you have given me the particulars--would
entertain no such feeling of uneasiness. On the contrary, he would
rejoice if, in the sense of peace, loyalty, and humanity in general,
Bucharest were to make itself deserving, in the language of the
non-Roumanian visitors, of the appellation of 'a second Jerusalem,' and
the reason of it is obvious: the more Synagogues, the more prayers are
offered up for the preservation of the life of the reigning monarch
and the prosperity of the country; the more colleges for religious
instruction, the more efficient the promulgation of the law of God:
'Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself' (Lev. xix. 18); the more
charitable institutions, the more aid, comfort, and consolation for the
poor and suffering. 'Jerusalem' is the emblem of peace, as the word
'Shalom' indicates, and Bucharest, nay, the whole country under the
sway of His Serene Highness, the reigning Prince, would become renowned
as an abode of peace for all his loyal subjects, without distinction of
creed or nationality."
The street was now thronged with thousands of his co-religionists, and
many houses presented the appearance of an impromptu illumination.
[Footnote 7: Under date of August the 6th, 1867, he addressed him
as follows:--
TRES VÉNÉRABLE BARONNET,--J'ai pris la liberté de vous adresser
aujourd'hui le telegramme suivant:
"Informé de votre projet de venir ici, je vous prie d'arrêter votre
depart jusqu'à reception de ma lettre de ce jour," et je m'empresse
de porter à votre connaisance les raisons pour lesquelles j'ai
pensé devoir arrêter votre voyage.
1º. Et tout d'abord pour ne point vous soumettre, à votre age, que
le bon Dieu vous prolonge pour bien d'années encore, aux fatigues
d'un pareil voyage.
2º. Pour ne-point blesser l'amour propre et la subtibilité de notre
Prince, de notre gouvernement et de la population roumaine.
Le Prince autant que ses Ministres nous font toutes les promesses
pour le bien de nos correligionaires.
Quand aux persécutions dont nos frères furent victimes, il nous
reste à ésperer qu'elles ne se représenteront de plus, vu que les
appuis de nos frères à Paris, Londres, et Vienne n'ont pas manqué
de produire par les journeaux l'effet desiré.
Notre opinion est donc de ne point vous déranger pour venir dans
nos contrées.
Veuillez très-respectable Baronnet continuer à nous aider de loin
et d'accord avec le très-honorable Monsieur Crémieux; ce serait
beaucoup mieux, nous le pensons, pour notre cause.
Voici l'humble opinion du Comité de l'Alliance Israélite d'ici et
de votre devoué que a l'honneur, très vénérable philantrope, de
vous presenter ses civilités les plus respectueuses.
Le Président du Comité de l'Alliance Israélite de Bucarest.
A. HALFON.]
CHAPTER XXVII.
1867.
GIURGEVO--RUSTSCHUK--SISTOVA--NICOPOLIS--BUDA-PESTH--RETURN TO
ENGLAND--ADDRESSES OF THANKS FROM BUCHAREST--LOCAL HONOURS AT RAMSGATE.
It had been Sir Moses' intention, when setting out on his Mission, to
proceed direct to Jassy, but he was advised to go to Bucharest first,
and to place the petition in the hands of Prince Charles. Having now
accomplished this, and received from His Highness the assurance that
justice should be done, and help rendered to those who stood so much
in need of it, he prepared to go to Jassy and other places, in order
to make known to the Governors, Judges, and high functionaries, the
promises made by the Prince, and the gracious sentiments expressed by
him towards the Jews, but the excited state of the country precluded
the realisation of that wish.
On the day after the uproar in front of the Hotel Otetteliano, being in
a state of great anxiety, I went, without the knowledge of Sir Moses,
to Mr Green, showing him the threatening letters I had received, and
describing to him minutely all that had happened. Whilst expressing
deep regret and sympathy, he did not hold out any prospect of seeing
the excitement of the populace abate as soon as he would have wished,
nor could he suggest any means by which at that moment the cause of the
agitation might be removed.
As for Sir Moses going to Jassy, he said that was quite out of the
question. Were he to insist on doing so, he (Mr Green), as the English
Consul General, might perhaps accompany him himself, and Prince Charles
and his government would undoubtedly do all in their power to protect
him. Nevertheless, he thought there was no guarantee for his personal
safety nor for that of his co-religionists.
Mr Green, after my interview with him, expressed to Sir Moses
personally the same views on the subject, and the latter, not because
he apprehended any danger to his own life, but to avoid giving cause
for any dangerous outbreak against those whom he came to help, was
reluctantly compelled to relinquish the idea of proceeding to Jassy.
The same evening Sir Moses had the honour of receiving His Highness'
portrait, accompanied by a flattering letter. This mark of gracious
attention on the part of the Prince greatly pleased Sir Moses.
The portrait may be seen now in the Lecture Hall of Judith, Lady
Montefiore's Theological College, most suitably placed above a tableau
representing a number of His Highness Roumanian subjects,--pupils
assembled at a public school at Botuschau, Roumania, celebrating the
one hundredth anniversary of Sir Moses' birthday.
We left Bucharest for Giurgevo in the evening, escorted by cavalry
as a guard of honour. We had had similar protection at Bucharest,
ever since the gathering of the populace took place, and soldiers and
commissioners of police were posted in the hotel, some of them even
near the apartments of Sir Moses. One of the soldiers was pointed
out to us as being an Israelite, and a fine handsome fellow he was.
The presence of these men did not prevent certain suspicious looking
persons from entering the apartments of Sir Moses, unexpectedly, at
very inconvenient moments. How that happened could not be explained.
We arrived at Giurgevo by eleven o'clock A.M. A large number of
deputations were announced to Sir Moses, and he began to receive them,
but the day was oppressively hot, and accompanied by a sandstorm, which
made itself unpleasantly felt even in the room, so that Sir Moses was
obliged to desist and take some rest. The next day he visited the
German and Portuguese Synagogues, also several Jewish and Christian
schools, leaving souvenirs for the pupils and teachers, and gifts for
the charitable institutions. Two commissioners of police and a guard
of honour remained with us night and day until our departure on the
24th September, when we went on board the _Danube_ steamer, on our
return to England. We cast anchor at Rustschuk, and remained there over
night, Sir Moses having in this place also to receive many deputations,
who brought information respecting their schools and charitable
institutions.
_Friday, September 6th._--We continued our journey to Thurn Severin,
thence we steered our course to Sistova and Nicopolis. The situation
of the town is very picturesque, Nicopolis resting partly on the brow
of a range of cliffs and partly in the bed of a narrow valley. Sir
Moses intended remaining there to rest on the Sabbath, but as it was
still early in the day, he continued on board till we reached Drenkova,
where, as soon as the boat stopped, he went on shore.
Sir Moses, as the reader will remember from what I stated on this
subject before, was a great admirer of the beauties of nature. On his
setting out on this journey from Pesth, he expressed great delight
with the scenery at several places on the Danube, and he considered it
a great compensation for the trouble, fatigue, and anxiety he had to
endure in the course of the present Mission to be enabled to enjoy so
grand a sight. As we went further up the stream, the scenery became
still more beautiful. Near a place called "Palanka," the Hungarian
Mountains in the Upper Banat almost touch the Servian Chain on the
opposite bank, causing the bed of the river to contract to such an
extent as to turn the latter into a torrent, which increases in
impetuosity till the boat nears the famous rock of Baby Kaly. At this
spot the roaring of the waters, the upheaved rocks, the flights of
eagles ever hovering in the air in all directions, strike the ordinary
traveller with awe. Sir Moses was the first to express his fervent
devotion to the Creator of the Universe, and his rapturous delight at
the sight presented by the wild grandeur of the country. "Emblems on
earth," he calls them, "of rigorous justice, blended with calm mercy in
the realms of heaven."
When our boat passed through the whirlpools, not far from the famous
cavern "Piscabara," we were exposed to great danger. The bed of the
Danube is here formed of numerous masses of perpendicular rocks,
between which it is necessary to steer with the utmost caution. There
was only one narrow channel through which vessels could pass, and
then only one at the time, and had ours been met by another coming in
an opposite direction, they would both have been carried away by the
violence of the stream, and dashed to pieces by the water rebounding
from rock to rock.
Every one on board anxiously watched the soundings of the pilot in
silence. Whilst Sir Moses was looking down the narrow channel as the
vessel glided along, the Captain accosted him with the words, "There is
not more than a foot and a half of water now in the channel," to which
Sir Moses calmly, in the words of Isaiah, replied, "It is the Eternal
God, who maketh a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters. When
thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, said the Lord,
and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee." He added, "I
admire the mighty works of the Creator, but no fear of danger enters my
heart."
His attention was called to the remains of the road cut by Trajan on
the Servian side of the river, along the side of the rock, and to a
tablet commemorating the conquest of Dacia by the Roman Emperor. It is
in the form of a tablet, held by two genii, on each side of which is a
dolphin, while in the centre is the Roman eagle. The words
"Imp. Caes. D. Nervae, filius Nerva Trajanus.
Germ. Pont.--imus,"
may still be seen.
On reaching New Orsova, we saw the ruins of the bridge built by the
same Emperor, after his victory over the Dacian King Decebatus. The
remains of the arches are still visible at low water, and the towers
on each side of the river apparently still in the same position. The
bridge, we were informed, consisted of twenty-two stone piles, with
wooden arches, the river being shallow, the current gentle, and the
whole width not more than 443 feet. Thereupon Sir Moses observed:
"I have seen the spot where the ancient city of Tyre lies under
water, the tops of its public buildings one might almost imagine to
be still visible. I also visited the land where the gigantic palaces,
the figures of the mighty Pharaohs, and the houses of assembly for
idolatrous worship are in utter ruins. All that is false," he says.
"All institutions intended for keeping the people in darkness, shutting
out from them the light of God, encouraging and upholding the practice
of injustice, teaching oppression of the poor, innocent, and helpless,
have been ordained by Him, who is the Father of us all, to disappear
entirely from the surface of the earth. I look upon the Roman remains
in this locality as only one of a thousand other striking evidences of
the fulfilment of the Word of God vouchsafed unto us by his prophets."
All on board flocked around him, listening in reverential silence
to the words he spoke in his pleasing and impressive tone; and,
overtopping them all by his lofty figure, he had the appearance, as
he stood among them, of an ancient patriarch addressing his loving
children.
The "Iron Gate," or "Demirkapi," as the spot is called by the Turks,
was another object to which his attention was directed, and called
forth his admiration; but it is too well known to need any further
description here.
The place selected by Sir Moses for resting on the Sabbath was
charming. The view presented by the river and the adjacent rocks was
grand and imposing, and delighted him all day long. He now felt greatly
relieved from the fatigue and anxiety which, during the last few weeks,
had so enfeebled his health.
In the evening, about nine o'clock (September 7th), we went on board
the _Szechenyi_ steamboat, and arrived the following Monday at Pesth
and Buda. On Tuesday we left Pesth for Vienna, where we arrived
the same day. Sir Moses called on Lord Bloomfield, on the Russian
Ambassador, on the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Herr von
Beust, and again received deputations from various communities. On
Thursday he bade farewell to his friends, and proceeded _via_ Salzburg,
Munich, Strassburg, and Paris to Dover and Ramsgate, where he arrived
on Friday, the 20th, and went at once to Synagogue to render thanks to
heaven for his safe return.
Among the numerous letters which awaited him at East Cliff was one
from the representatives of the Portuguese and German congregations
at Bucharest, in which the following passages, translated from the
original Hebrew, show the gratitude of his brethren, and the high
appreciation of his presence among them in a time of great trouble.
"In all generations," they say, "thorns and thistles have grown up in
the vineyard of the Lord, but the Almighty delivered us from them;
also, in our generation, and in our land, our enemies have embittered
our lives and resolved upon the extermination of our remnant, fear
and dread surrounded us, our lives were in constant peril; this was
our portion and our lot.
"In our affliction we have called on our brethren to have compassion
on us, but none of them took it to heart, until it came to your ears,
Father of Israel. As your prototype Moses, son of Amrám, you stood
by us in the time of our troubles, and for the benefit of all our
brethren you pleaded our cause before princes, and, as rain from
Heaven causes the plants to grow, so your words entered the hearts of
princes and caused beautiful fruits of salvation to flourish.
"Be our lot whatever it may, we rejoice in the consoling hope that
Israel has not been forsaken. We have our shield amongst us, and
we may rest in safety, for 'when Moses held up his hand, Israel
prevailed.'
"It is with the sincerest pleasure that we now come to express our
heartfelt gratitude, and to narrate some of your good deeds, as it is
written, 'Withhold not good from them to whom it is due.'
"When you heard that our enemies rose up against us, you left the
care and comfort of your habitation, the city wherein your heart
delights to dwell. You came to behold our troubles, and we have seen
your face as though we had seen the face of a godly man, for the seed
which you have sown will, with the assistance of God, bring forth
delightful fruit; therefore we say of you as was said of Cæsar, 'He
came, saw, and conquered.'
"We beg likewise to thank you most sincerely for the money which you
left for the helpless and needy, and the support of the hospital. May
the words be applied to you, 'He that giveth unto the poor shall not
lack.' We call aloud, 'Happy London, Sir Moses dwelleth amongst you.'
"We cannot sufficiently express all the good which you have done
for us, but we all give praise and glory to the godly man who, in
his eighty-fourth year, has come to see our encampment in this
wilderness. May the Almighty lengthen your days, and may your
strength be as your days.--Signed by
"J. L. WEINBERG. M. G. POPICZ. LEON B. LÖBEL.
"M. MOSCOWICZ. B. L. WISNER. EM. BUCHNER.
"D. M. COHENISEN. A. E. GASTER.
"_Representatives of the German Congregation._
"JOSEPH HALFON. ELIAS JOS. COHEN. JONA JOSEPH.
"_Representatives of the Portuguese Congregation._"
Monsieur Halfon, the banker, to whom, before leaving Bucharest, Sir
Moses had sent £200 for distribution among Christian and Jewish poor,
also addressed a letter to him, conveying the thanks of the Mayor of
Bucharest, and those of the Hebrew community, for his kind donations.
"Since your departure," Mr Halfon writes, "no representation or
complaint has reached me from any person. I am convinced of its being a
happy prelude of the fruits of your philanthropic voyage."
The sentiments expressed in these letters afforded Sir Moses particular
satisfaction, inasmuch as he was mindful of Monsieur Halfon's former
advice to him not to come to Moldavia at all. Now he hears from the
representatives of both the German and Portuguese communities of that
place, and of the President of the Alliance himself, that his presence
amongst them was not only desirable but most urgent.
The difference of opinion on the subject which manifested itself
previously to Sir Moses' arrival may perhaps be explained by what
had been stated in the British Consul's letter to Lord Stanley, to
the effect that the more wealthy class of the Jews in Roumania had
apparently not much reason to complain of ill-treatment.
Sir Moses now made his reports to Lord Stanley, Baron Brunnow, and the
London Committee of Deputies of the British Jews. The latter, six days
later (26th September), at a special meeting, adopted a resolution,
that "The Board can well appreciate the amount of peril and the great
anxieties to which its venerated colleague must have been subjected in
seeking the accomplishment of his arduous undertaking--doubtless the
blessing of Providence, his perseverance, his untiring energy, and his
wise discretion, have on this, as on previous occasions, enabled him
to succeed; and the Board expresses its ardent hope that this honoured
champion of Israel may be long spared to enjoy the esteem and love of
his co-religionists, and the friends of humanity throughout the world."
_September 27th._--It being near the time for the celebration of solemn
festivals in the Hebrew community, Sir Moses invited to East Cliff a
number of relatives and friends, who spent many happy days with him.
On his return to London he attended the meetings of his companies and
various communal institutions.
_Thursday, October 10th._--The Deputy of Ramsgate having received a
numerously signed requisition to call a public meeting for the purpose
of requesting Sir Moses to sit for his portrait to be placed in the
Town Hall, proceeded to East Cliff to make the request. Sir Moses
consented, and at a meeting of the Committee, Mr S. A. Hart, R.A., was
appointed to paint the portrait. It was to be a very large picture,
nine feet long. A resolution was also passed to the effect that an
address should be presented to Sir Moses on the 21st November.
In appreciation of the attention paid to him by his Ramsgate friends,
he invited the Deputy, two of the Committee, and the clergymen of St.
Laurence and St Peter's to dine with him and his friends from London,
including Mr Hart, the artist, on the day fixed for the presentation
of the address, and at the same time sent £100 to the treasurer of the
charity schools of Ramsgate to be divided amongst the children.
_December 12th._--He had an interview with Mr Jackson, Her Majesty's
Consul-General in Syria, on the desirability of appointing an English
Consul at Haifa for the better protection of the Jews, and he addressed
Lord Stanley on the subject. Hearing that Mr and Mrs Eldridge had
seen a very neat and light carriage, which pleased them greatly, he
considered it a great pleasure to be permitted to present them with
the same as a token of appreciation of the Consul's kindness, and the
protection afforded to Sir Moses' co-religionists.
The Diary of this day has an entry referring to a narrow escape he had
from personal danger. On his way through Smithfield to Fitzroy Square
in a cab, his footman being on the box with the driver, a butcher's
cart drawn by a runaway horse ran into them. The terrified driver
sprang from the box, leaving them to their fate; but fortunately
the furious animal turned aside at the very moment when it appeared
impossible for them to escape. "Another mark," he says, "of God's
goodness and providential protection."
He attended a special meeting of the Middlesex Magistrates to consider
what steps should be taken in consequence of the late outrage at the
House of Detention, a collection being afterwards made for the relief
of the sufferers.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
1868.
SERIOUS OUTBREAK AGAINST THE JEWS AT BERLAD--SIR MOSES
APPEALS TO THE MOLDAVIAN GOVERNMENT--THE REPLY--REPRESSIVE
BILL AFFECTING THE JEWS--THE GALATZ
INCIDENT--LORD SHAFTESBURY AND SIR MOSES--VISIT TO
THE SOUTH OF FRANCE.
During the latter part of December 1867 and nearly the whole of January
1868 he was confined to his chamber at Ramsgate by a severe attack of
bronchitis, and was just about to start by the advice of his medical
attendant for Tunbridge Wells or Reigate for the improvement of his
health, when, unfortunately, a report of a serious outrage caused him
to abandon the idea.
"I passed a restless night," he says, "and was very weak this morning,
but my letters were brought to my bedside about nine o'clock this
morning. Among them a letter from the Foreign Office, with a copy of
a despatch from Mr Green, Her Majesty's Consul-General at Bucharest,
dated 15th January, giving an account of a serious outbreak against the
Jews at Berlad in Moldavia."
After the assurance given to him by the Prince and his Ministers, and
the powerful support which had been promised by the British Government
and all the Great Powers, he was not at all prepared to hear so soon
of another outbreak in Moldavia, and the communication he now received
caused him great pain.
He immediately wrote to the Foreign Office to ask an audience of Lord
Stanley on the subject, and next day started for London, where he at
once proceeded to the Foreign Office to see Mr Hammond, taking with him
all the letters which had reached him in the morning from Moldavia.
Being informed that the Jews there had not applied to the English
Consul for advice and protection, he at once sent a telegram to the
Chief Rabbi of Berlad, urging him to appeal to the British Consul at
Bucharest.
_Tuesday, January 28th._--He called on Lord Stanley, accompanied by the
President of the London Committee of Deputies of the British Jews. His
Lordship received them most courteously, and said he had done all he
could, and would continue to do so.
_Wednesday, January 29th._--Sir Moses addressed a letter to Prince
Charles, and despatched it, by Lord Stanley's permission, through the
Foreign Office. Monsieur Stefan Golisue, Minister for Foreign Affairs,
sent a reply, of which the following, with the exception of a few
sentences, is a translation:--
"BUCHAREST, _7/19th February 1868_.
"SIR,--His Serene Highness Prince Charles I. has shown me the letter
which you have addressed to him, in favour of the Jewish population
of Roumania, in consequence of the troubles which happened at Berlad.
In requesting me to answer it, His Highness has also charged me to
thank you, sir, for your good wishes, and for the kind sentiments you
were pleased to express. In conformity with the declaration contained
in the speech from the throne, and true to the sentiments of equity
which this declaration attests--sentiments which you, sir, are good
enough to acknowledge and to praise, His Highness is determined not
to permit that any class of his subjects, whatever may be their
religion, shall ever be molested with impunity on account of their
creed, or for any other cause.
"Our august Sovereign also desires me to assure you, that those of
your co-religionists who have suffered in the troubles of Berlad will
be indemnified for all losses legally certified to have been caused
by these most regrettable occurrences, into which a most searching
enquiry will be made, in order to find out their real authors.
"Although I deplore as much as you, sir, these sad occurrences, it
is still my duty to caution you against the exaggerated accounts of
the same, given by several public organs. I am able to assure you
that, although most regrettable, they are far from having the gravity
which has been incorrectly attributed to them.--With the assurance of
my highest regard, I have the honour to be, sir, your very obedient
servant, "STEFAN GOLISUE."
Sir Moses published this letter in the _Times_, and, with a view of
further impressing upon the Roumanian Government the necessity of
putting a stop to the reported outrages, addressed the Minister for
Foreign Affairs in a suitable letter, at the same time enclosing him a
copy of the _Times_.
No stronger words, it will be seen, could be used than those given in
the Minister's letter regarding the good intentions of the Roumanian
Government. Unfortunately, however, in the very same month, and again
three months afterwards, reports of violence and organised measures of
oppression in Moldavia reached England, France, and Germany.
In a telegram from the Jewish community of Jassy, dated March 26th,
information is given to the effect that "thirty-one Radical Deputies,
including the President, have presented to the Chamber the following
Bill, which has been at once sent to the Sections:
"_1st._ The Jews shall not reside in the country. For residence in
the town, they must first obtain a special licence.
"_2nd._ The transgressors shall be treated as vagabonds, and expelled
by the municipalities.
"_3rd._ The Jews shall not buy nor sell houses.
"_4th._ The Jews shall not farm lands, forests, vineyards,
enclosures, pastures, mills, distilleries, public-houses, and inns.
"_5th._ The Jews shall not contract for any undertakings, nor be
partners with Christians for such objects.
"_6th._ The Jews shall not exercise any commerce without a licence
from the municipality; the transgressors shall be punished with
fines, and their suits shall not be entertained by the authorities.
"_7th._ The Jews shall not sell beverages and eatables, except to
their co-religionists.
"The Jewish committees shall be suppressed, and the laws contrary to
this act abrogated."
The news referring to Monsieur Bratiano's circular had already been
received by Her Majesty's Government long before it had been carried
out at Jassy, and no time was lost in transmitting proper instructions
to the Consul-General of Her Majesty's Government at Bucharest.
Before long the unfortunate occurrence at Galatz brought one more
cry of anguish and prayer for supplication. On July 14th, ten
Israelites, after being brought to Galatz from Jassy a few days
before, ill-treated, and employed at the vilest and most degrading
labour, were, by order of the Prefect, together with an eleventh
fellow-sufferer and co-religionist, carried to the opposite side of
the Danube, and there abandoned in the swamps and morasses, exposed
to the wind and weather, without food or shelter. These people were
then daily carried backwards and forwards--to one shore by the Turkish
soldiers, and to the other by the Roumanians. Three days later one of
the unfortunates was already missing, having undoubtedly met his death
in the swamps. On Sunday morning the ten were again brought over by the
Turks, but the Roumanian soldiers prevented them with their bayonets
from landing, and two (an old man and a young man) were carried away by
the stream and drowned. Seeing this, the officer on duty allowed the
remaining eight to come on board, but no further. Of those saved, one
was suffering from illness, and another had become insane.
The Austrian Consul, Monsieur Kremer, on hearing of it, took up the
matter, and immediately sent two boats from the Austrian ship of war to
the place to fetch the eight left alive, and to search for the bodies
of the dead. Of the bodies, but one (that of the old man) was found.
On the approach of the Austrian boats, the eight unfortunate sufferers
were taken to the guard-house, and afterwards set at liberty.
The British Government sent instructions to Mr Green, but the Roumanian
authorities laid the whole blame upon the Turks. Lord Stanley continued
sending the despatches from the Consul-General to Sir Moses almost as
soon as they arrived, for which favour Sir Moses always expressed his
deep gratitude; but the state of his co-religionists in Roumania caused
him much anxiety.
A gleam of hope, however, regarding the condition of the Jews in
another part of the world, came to gladden his heart.
A communication was made to him from Saffi in Morocco, referring to
the Jews at Abdá, the substance of which I copy from the _Times_ of
Tuesday, February 18th, 1868:--
"Letters received at Gibraltar from Saffi bring tidings that Hádj
Dris, the commissioner, who was sent by the Sultan to that port
to make an investigation into the circumstances of the murder and
robbery of several Jews in the province of Abdá, has caused a
letter from the Sultan to be read in public to the two Governors of
Abdá, expressing His Majesty's severe displeasure on account of the
atrocities. The Sultan desires that the Jews should be guarded from
harm, and well treated, and reminds his officers that the Prophet
ordered the Mahommedans to protect them. His Majesty adds, 'Whos
ever shall kill a Jew we shall put him to death.' 7500 Spanish
dollars have been given as compensation to the Jews, and the Moors
who were suspected of having committed the crimes, but against whom
there was not evidence to justify their being put to death, have
been sent in chains to Morocco, to be there imprisoned during the
Sultan's pleasure. The Consular officers at Saffi were requested
to attend a meeting of the Moorish authorities and principal Jews
of the town, when this satisfaction was offered to the Jews and
cheerfully accepted by them. It said, that the British, French, and
other Governments had made sundry representations and remonstrances
to the Sultan on the subject of atrocities, which led to these
proceedings. The Sultan has afforded another proof of his intention
to give practical effect to his promise to Sir Moses Montefiore,
that equal justice should be administrated to his Mahommedan and
Jewish subjects. He has offered a reward of 100 Spanish dollars for
the apprehension, dead or alive, of the murderer of the Austrian
interpreter at Tetuan, and ordered that any Moor sheltering or giving
food to the murderer shall be treated as an accomplice."
"If a monarch, ruling over an Empire so far away from Europe, the
land of civilization, acts so energetically in the cause of justice
and humanity, and expresses publicly his severe displeasure to the
officers in charge of the administration of the law of the country,
how much more," says Sir Moses, "is there every reason to hope that
His Serene Highness, Prince Charles, himself a most enlightened
ruler among the Potentates of Europe, who has repeatedly expressed
his disapproval of acts of injustice, will not rest in his humane
exertions until, even more effectively than the Sultan of Morocco is
always able to do, he will have secured to all who dwell under his
sway, irrespective of their religious convictions, full protection
and the rights and privileges to which every loyal subject is fully
entitled."
Sir Moses having done his utmost for the welfare of his brethren in
the East, with what conspicuous success has already been seen, he now
turned his attention to the affairs of the Hebrew community in England.
_Monday, May 11th._--He writes: "I feel rather better; have
more energy, and very anxious to be, if possible, useful to my
co-religionists. Therefore am reluctant to refuse the proffered
appointment of President of the Board of Deputies of the British Jews,
as perhaps it may be the means of promoting the general unity of all
the Jews in England." "I think," he adds, "our Members of Parliament
should be _ex officio_ members of the Board, as the best medium of
expressing the sentiments of the Board in the House of Commons. To-day
I went over the House of my dear Judith College, and was pleased with
it. I wish Dr Loewe would come and at once set it afloat."
It appears to have been the great object of his desire to secure the
strict adherence to the Statutes, enrolled by him in Chancery, on the
26th of February 1866, for the regulation of the College; for, on his
referring again in his Diary, four months later, to that institution,
in an entry dated East Cliff, Thursday, July 16th, 1868, he writes:
"After deep consideration, and with the sincere desire that it may
be the means of securing more entirely the fulfilment of my wishes
respecting the conduct of the persons selected to fill the buildings
of my dear, dear Judith College, and the strict performance of their
duties, I have added Dr Loewe to the Trust of the property, in the room
of my lamented friend Benjamin Cohen."
He now occupied himself with the selection of the various objects
necessary for the internal fittings of the College, such as
book-cases, desks, and forms, made after a model he had seen at the
great Exhibition of 1851. Kind relatives and friends sent him costly
presents, such as a beautiful velvet curtain, embroidered with gold,
for the Ark, and a mantle for the scroll of the Holy Law, from his
sisters, Mrs Gompertz and Mrs Cohen; handsome embroidered covers for
the pulpit from his nieces, Mrs Sebag-Montefiore and Mrs H. Guedalla;
a splendid picture representing the vision of Ezekiel, painted
and presented by Mr Hart, R.A., and many other suitable objects,
all of which gave Sir Moses great pleasure. He himself deposited
in the College whatever he thought interesting to the student of
Jewish history, out of his own large collection of valuable objects.
His ardent desire to promote the study of Hebrew and theological
literature, and his great exertions to ameliorate the lot of his
brethren wherever they were persecuted, earned for him the high esteem
even of those not belonging to his own faith. As an instance, I will
only state that in this year steps were taken by one of the highest and
most esteemed in the land to raise Sir Moses to the peerage.
The late Earl of Shaftesbury, a man of unshaken belief in Scripture, in
Christian dogma, and in prayer, entertained sentiments of the highest
respect for Sir Moses.
Mr Edwin Hodder, the author of "The Life and Work of the Seventh Earl
of Shaftesbury," referring to the desire of his Lordship to see Sir
Moses raised to the Peerage, thus writes (vol. iii. p. 234):
"To Mr Gladstone, the new Premier, Lord Shaftesbury preferred a
similar request to one he had made without effect to Mr Disraeli when
he was Prime Minister. It was as follows:--
LORD SHAFTESBURY _to_ THE RIGHT HON. W. E. GLADSTONE.
_December 22nd,_ 1868.
"DEAR GLADSTONE,--The new arrangements you have made in respect of
certain young peers in the House of Lords will prove, I doubt not,
very beneficial.
"But I have an impulse, which I cannot restrain, an impulse both
from opinion and feeling, to suggest another movement; and I make it
far less on the presumption of tendering advice than of disburdening
myself of a strong desire. The Jewish question has now been settled.
The Jews can sit in both Houses of Parliament. I myself resisted
their admission, not because I was adverse to the descendants of
Abraham, of whom our blessed Lord came according to the flesh,
very far from it, but because I objected to the mode in which that
admission was to be effected.
"All that is passed away, and let us now avail ourselves of the
opportunity to show regard to God's ancient people.
"There is a noble member of the house of Israel, Sir Moses
Montefiore, a man dignified by patriotism, charity, and
self-sacrifice, on whom Her Majesty might graciously bestow the
honours of the Peerage.
"It would be a glorious day for the House of Lords when that grand
old Hebrew were enrolled on the lists of the hereditary legislators
of England.--Truly Yours,
"SHAFTESBURY."
Mr Disraeli (Mr Hodder writes) had replied in a "gushing" letter,
expressing his great willingness to do anything, but stating that he
was, for obvious reasons, less than any other Prime Minister in a
position to grant the request.
Mr Gladstone replied that the case should be carefully "considered,"
and made enquiry as to what Sir Moses Montefiore's fortune was supposed
to be, and whether he had children, but there he allowed the matter to
rest.
It was a great disappointment, the same author writes, to Lord
Shaftesbury, who had the highest admiration for the character of the
great Hebrew philanthropist. The admiration was mutual, and lasted to
the end of their lives.
On one occasion, he relates, Sir Moses sent to Lord Shaftesbury a
cheque for £95 to be used for the Field Lane Ragged School, or any
other purpose he might think proper. It seems a curious amount. It was
sent on the day that his wife would, had she lived, have attained her
95th year.
The last letter Lord Shaftesbury ever received from Sir Moses
Montefiore was written with his own hand in his hundredth year, and was
as follows:--
SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE _to_ LORD SHAFTESBURY.
"EAST CLIFF LODGE, "RAMSGATE, _July 9th, 1884_.
"MY DEAR LORD SHAFTESBURY,--Your able appeal in this day's _Times_ on
behalf of the fund to provide the means of giving the poor children
of the Ragged Schools a day's enjoyment in the country has this
moment been read to me, and, sympathising as I do with the desirable
object, I enclose, with very much pleasure, cheque for £15, with the
hope that the appeal may be both liberally and cheerfully responded
to.
"Believe me, my dear Lord Shaftesbury, that I am delighted with the
opportunity thus afforded me of evincing my heartfelt appreciation
of the noble and benevolent works in which you have for a very long
period taken so benevolent an interest.
"May God help you and prosper your labours. Hoping you are in the
enjoyment of good health.--I am, my dear Lord Shaftesbury, very truly
yours,
"MOSES MONTEFIORE."
Lord Shaftesbury sent the letter and cheque to Mr Kirk, the Secretary
of the Ragged School Union, with the following note:--
"_July 12th, 1884._
"DEAR KIRK,--You may keep the letter as a record of a man in his
hundredth year, who can feel and write like one of five-and-twenty.
Do not suppose that I have omitted to thank him. That grand old
Hebrew is better than many Christians.--Yours,
"SHAFTESBURY."
Having during the last two months often complained to his medical
attendant of being weak and unwell, the latter advised a change of
climate. Accordingly, on the 6th of November, accompanied by Mrs
Gompertz, his sister, Mrs Helbert, his sister-in-law, and Dr Canham,
his physician, he left England on a visit to the south of France and
Italy.
CHAPTER XXIX.
1869.
THE PRINCE OF WALES AND SIR MOSES--CONSECRATION OF
JUDITH COLLEGE--NAPOLEON III. A PRISONER OF WAR--SERIOUS
CHARGES AGAINST THE JEWS OF DAMASCUS IN THE
_TIMES_ NEWSPAPER--SIR MOSES' ANSWER--DEATH OF SIR
MOSES' SISTER, MRS GOMPERTZ.
On January 1, 1869, Sir Moses was in Rome, and on March 4th at San
Remo. There Sir Moses and Mrs Gompertz were preserved from a serious
accident. They had been traversing the sides of very steep mountains,
and after entering French territory commenced a long drive down the
hills. Sir Moses had cautioned the driver to go "piano, piano," more
than once, as he felt very nervous, but when they had nearly reached
the level road, not far from the French Custom-house, a great rut in
the road broke the hind wheel of their carriage, and they were thrown
with a great jerk on the side. At first Sir Moses thought they were
in a ditch, but "Heaven did not expose them," he says, "to such a
misfortune." The coachman pulled up, and they were soon released from a
perilous situation.
A few minutes after the accident a very neat open carriage arrived
at the spot. The occupant, a lady, alighted, and most kindly and
courteously obliged Sir Moses and his sister to enter her carriage.
"She was only taking a drive," she said, "and they must go to Mentone
in it;" which they did, and were most thankful to her for her kindness
to them.
That lady was a Mrs Coste. "I shall never forget her kindness," Sir
Moses observes.
It may truly be said that the frequent rescues from perilous positions
with which Providence favoured Sir Moses recalls part of a verse in
which Solomon says (Prov. xxiv. 16), "A just man falleth seven times,
and rises up again."
Sir Moses returned home on March the 10th, the change of climate
appearing to have much improved his health, and he was again able to
attend to his occupations.
Having noticed in the daily papers a report of great distress among the
peasants in Russia, he called (April 14th) on Baron Brunnow, requesting
him to forward a letter from him to Prince Obelesko, the Governor of
Kowno, in Russian Poland, with £100 for the sufferers of all religious
denominations. His Excellency most cheerfully expressed his willingness
to accede to his request to distribute this sum. The Governor of Kowno,
in acknowledging the receipt of this donation, conveyed to Sir Moses
the special thanks of the Emperor himself in most gracious terms.
_May 31st._--This being the day appointed for the annual inspection of
St Bartholomew's Hospital by the Governors, the Prince of Wales, as
President of the Hospital, and the Princess of Wales, accompanied by
the Crown Prince of Denmark, paid a visit to the Institution, and took
part in the ceremony. The Governors mustered in unusual number on the
occasion.
The _Times_, giving a full account of the ceremony, and the reception
of the Royal party, notices that "during their tour of the wards the
Prince recognized the venerable Sir Moses Montefiore among the company,
and paused to present him to the Princess."
_August 29th._--Three gentlemen, selected from a number of applicants
for admission into Judith, Lady Montefiore's Theological College, were
this day introduced to him.
Each of them had filled the office of spiritual head of a congregation
for several years. Their learning, as well as their unblemished
character, was vouched for by high authorities.
Sir Moses received them with much cordiality, assuring them that it
would be a cause of much happiness to him if he were to see them happy
in the College.
He told them that the College was intended:--
(1.) As a memorial of his sincere devotion to the law of God as
revealed on Sinai and expounded by the revered sages of the Mishna and
the Talmud.
(2.) As a token of his love and pure affection to his departed consort,
Judith Lady Montefiore, of blessed memory, whose zeal and ardent
attachment to the religion of her forefathers adorned all her actions
in life.
It had for its objects:--
(1.) To promote the study of the Holy Law.
(2.) To provide for the accommodation of ten persons distinguished for
their learning in the Holy Law, as well as for their high moral and
religious character.
"It is my distinct wish," he continued, "that admission as members of
the College should be given to all Israelites, from whatever part of
the globe they may happen to come, provided their learning and moral
and religious character qualify them for the College.
"Only in case of there being among the candidates British-born subjects
and foreigners, both alike qualified by their learning and character,
should preference be given to the British-born subject.
"Students having completed their classical studies in a college or
university in England, or in any other country, who desire to qualify
for any of the high offices in the Synagogue and the community, are
admitted to all the lectures free of charge after having passed an
examination in Hebrew and Theological subjects to the satisfaction of
the Principal and Director of the College."
_Saturday Evening, September 4th._--The new members were invited to
witness the completion of a sacred scroll of the Pentateuch, which
was effected by Sir Moses, who, in the presence of his relatives and
friends, wrote the last verse of the Book of Deuteronomy.
On Monday, September 6th, corresponding to the first day of the year
5630 A.M., the consecration of the College took place, in the presence
of all the members of the community, the readers of the Synagogue,
and of relatives and friends of Sir Moses specially invited for the
occasion.
A procession was formed, headed by Sir Moses bearing the sacred scroll
of the Pentateuch. After him came the members of the College and the
readers of the Synagogue, carrying books containing the Scriptures and
Commentaries thereon, whilst the rear was brought up by the general
company, and all proceeded towards the College door. As Sir Moses
approached he exclaimed, in the words of the Royal Psalmist, "Open unto
me the gates of righteousness, I will go in and praise the Lord," upon
which the doors were immediately opened from within, and all present
entered, ascending the staircase leading to the Lecture Hall.
Sir Moses, and those who carried the volumes of the Scriptures, made
seven circuits round the hall, chanting impressively seven psalms. At
the conclusion of the last Sir Moses ascended the pulpit, and expressed
his great happiness to see the day on which his ardent wishes had been
realised. He also dwelt on the noble character and exalted virtues of
her in whose memory the College had been established.
After him, the Principal of the College addressed the assembly,
concluding with a special prayer for the prosperity of the new
institution.
Sir Moses then declared the College open, and from that day to the end
of his life there was no break in the prescribed order of duties. The
members attended regularly, lectures were delivered on every Sabbath,
and on special occasions during the week addresses on literary or
historical subjects were given to the general public. Often when the
state of his health permitted he would himself attend the lectures, his
presence always attracting a large number of visitors.
About the end of December he was present at the laying of the first
stone of the Orphans' Home at Broadstairs, by Mrs Tait, the esteemed
wife of Dr Tait, late Archbishop of Canterbury, on the land given by
Mrs Tait for that purpose, adjoining the Archbishop's residence. The
weather was most unfavourable; there was, nevertheless, a numerous
attendance of nearly all of the most distinguished families in the Isle
of Thanet.
The Archbishop had been very ill, and he was for this reason not able
to be present at the ceremony. Sir Moses drove to Stone House to
enquire, and on hearing from Mrs Tait that his Grace was progressing
favourably, left his card and an envelope, enclosing two cheques for
the Orphanage,--£50 from himself, and £50 in memory of his beloved wife.
During the month of January 1870 Sir Moses was frequently confined to
his room by indisposition, and daily visited by his medical attendant.
This, however, did not prevent him from having the daily papers read to
him. It was a habit with him to read himself, or to have read to him,
two of the leading journals every day whilst at dinner when no special
guest happened to be present.
_Wednesday, January 26th._--The _Times_ gave an account of a dinner
to the Archbishop of Syra and Tenos in the Jerusalem Chamber at
Westminster Abbey.
The Dean, in proposing the toast of the evening, "The health of the
Archbishop of Syra and Tenos," introduced two sentences, which appeared
to be of peculiar interest to Sir Moses.
"We are seated," the Dean says, "in the chamber of Jerusalem. What
happier name or place to receive the representative of those far-off
Eastern Churches of which Jerusalem is the mother and mistress?"
"It is useful even for Englishmen to be reminded, by the presence of
our guest, that there is a land more dear to us from our childhood
even than England; that there is a city more sacred even than Rome, or
Geneva, or Westminster: that land is the land of the East, and that
city is Jerusalem."
Sir Moses, though in a state of great weakness of body, on hearing
the above read to him, roused as by an electric flash, raised himself
from his couch, and, addressing the person who had just been reading
to him, exclaimed with great emotion: "And what ought Israel to think
of Jerusalem? How ought we to receive the representatives of our
communities in the Holy City when they come to visit us? What ought our
attachment to be to the land of our forefathers? Ought it not indeed to
be at least as intense as that of the venerable Dean of Westminster?
I wish every one of my young friends of the rising generation would
read the words of the Dean, and be reminded, even as Englishmen, of the
words of the Royal Psalmist, 'If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my
right hand forget its cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue
cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my
chief joys' (Ps. cxxxvii, v. 5 and 6)."
A few weeks later he received a communication from Jerusalem, reporting
another season of famine, drought, and ravages by locusts, and he lost
no time in sending a copy of the letters he had received to the daily
papers, stating that he would take charge of any donations in aid of
the sufferers.
His appeal was most successful, and he had the happiness of becoming
the medium of rendering early help to thousands of suffering families.
The month of July was devoted to a short trip to Belgium, where
he visited the chief stations of the Gas Company, of which he was
President.
This was a most eventful year. Queen Isabella of Spain, dethroned in
1868, resigned her crown in favour of her son, Alfonso, Prince of
Asturias; but the Spanish people elected the second son of King Victor
Emanuel, Prince Amadeo, in preference; and the Franco-German war broke
out, in consequence of the candidature of the Prince of Hohenzollern
for the Spanish throne.
_August 3rd._--Sir Moses attended the Board meetings of the Alliance
Marine, and Alliance Life and Fire Insurance Company, and of the
Imperial Continental Gas Association. "The political horizon," he
says, "is most threatening, our shares dreadfully depressed." The bank
unexpectedly raised the rate of interest to six per cent.
_August 12th._--He entertained the greatest fears for the Emperor
Napoleon. On September 3rd he read the despatch referring to the
capitulation of General Wimpffen at Sedan. "I am deeply grieved for the
Emperor of the French. I believe him to have been a sincere friend of
England, and a lover of peace. He was basely betrayed into the war to
secure his succession."
_September 8th._--Sir Moses received an invitation to the consecration
of the new Synagogue of the British Jews. It was signed by the late Mr
Simon Waley, Warden. Feeling a sincere and deep anxiety for the unity
of the Jews, he sent to Mr Waley, and expressed his wish to see unity
happily restored before the day of consecration, with his hope that he
and his brother, with Dr Adler, the Chief Rabbi, might accomplish the
object he had so much at heart.
But Sir Moses was not permitted to indulge long in the pleasures of
promoting communal and charitable objects at home, his attention being
most unexpectedly drawn to a matter of serious consequence abroad,
which required his immediate exertions.
As the hundred-headed Hydra is that terrible monster, "Hatred of race,"
even in the present enlightened age, it requires the labour of a modern
Hercules to destroy it. This is unfortunately shown by the insertion of
a letter in the _Times_ on October 31st, 1870, addressed to the editor
by Mr E. H. Palmer, of St John's College, Cambridge, and Mr C. F.
Tyrwhitt Drake.
"The massacre of Christians at Damascus ten years ago," these gentlemen
write, "created an excitement over the whole of Europe, but with
Tien-tsin and Sedan to engross the public attention, such a trifle as a
fresh outbreak in Syria has been quite overlooked.
"The events to which we allude occurred shortly after we had left the
country, but we have received full details from both native Christians
and Mahommedan correspondents in Syria.
"On August 26th it was rumoured in Damascus that a general massacre
of the Franks by the Moslem inhabitants was contemplated, and affairs
actually assumed so serious an aspect that most of the Christians
precipitately fled from the town. Open menaces were uttered, the
fanatical part of the population became clamorous, and evidently
bent on mischief, and indeed the danger seemed imminent since the
authorities took no step to suppress the popular agitation, when,
thanks to the energetic conduct of Her Britannic Majesty's Consul,
upon whom the management of the affair devolved, as the other European
representatives retired from the scene of action, who seems to have
himself addressed the Turkish soldiery, and insisted on proper steps
being taken by the Government, the riots were quelled, and a most
serious calamity averted.
"One of the causes which appears most to have excited the fanaticism
of the mob was the presence, in the streets of Damascus, of crosses
chalked up on the most conspicuous places. On subsequent inquiry by
the Government, this was discovered to be the work of the Jews, the
same people who, during the former massacre, distinguished themselves
by standing at the doors of their houses, and voluntarily offering
lemonade to refresh the Mahommedans, hot and weary with the slaughter
of the Christians, and who, in many well authenticated instances,
offered aid and concealment to the terror-stricken Christians, and then
brought in the Turks to murder them.
"Some three hundred of these Jews are under the protection of various
European Consulates, and can thus with impunity laugh at the authority
of the Turks, and wreak their hatred on the co-religionists of their
protectors.--We are, Sir, yours obediently,
"E. H. PALMER, St John's College. "C. F. TYRWHITT DRAKE."
"_October 27th._"
Sir Moses at once sent the following letter:
_To the_ EDITOR _of the "Times."_
"SIR,--I read with pain and surprise the letter which appeared in
your paper of yesterday, bearing the signatures of Mr E. H. Palmer
and Mr C. F. Tyrwhitt Drake.
"I am astonished, and I regret that gentlemen so intelligent as I
assume Mr Palmer and Mr Drake to be, should be so ready to give
credence to any absurd rumours that may be propagated against my
co-religionists. I am in possession of authentic information which
proves that these gentlemen have been entirely misled by their
correspondents in Syria, and that the charges against the Jews, to
which they have given currency in your influential columns, are
devoid of truth.
"As regards the outbreak that occurred at Damascus ten years ago, it
is enough to state that I have been an active member of the Syrian
Relief Fund from its establishment in 1860, and I can confidently
assert that until now I have never heard of the cruel accusations
brought against the Jews of Damascus in the letter of your
correspondents.
"I am sure, Sir, that you will sympathize with me when I express my
sincere regret that at this late period of my life, notwithstanding
the spread of education and the principles of religious toleration,
I should still have to refute such idle charges, and I am confident
that you will not be disinclined to insert in your paper this my
reply.--I am, Sir, yours faithfully,
"MOSES MONTEFIORE."
"_'The Times,' November 2nd, 1870._"
Messrs Palmer and Drake then wished to know what was his authentic
information. To this Sir Moses replied by another letter in the
_Times_, dated November 9th.
Subsequently three other gentlemen addressed the Editor of the _Times_,
one under the signature of S. H. S., the other a Christian clergyman
and a native of Syria, the Rev. Dr Anton Tien, K. C. M., Cumberland
Terrace, Gravesend; and the third, also a native of Syria, Mr Selim
Bustros, a Christian merchant, residing at Liverpool.
The letters are as follows:
_To the_ EDITOR _of the "Times."_
"SIR,--I have watched with great interest the correspondence in your
columns about the Damascus Jews.
"I was in Constantinople at the time of the Syrian Massacre in
1860, and translated for the British and American Governments the
Arabic documents relating to that subject; in none of these did I
find anything to implicate the Jews, nor in the letters of my noble
friend, Abdel Rader, when he made his own simple statement of the
affair, and the course adopted by him for the protection of the
Christians.--Yours faithfully,
"A. TIEN."
"_November 14th, 1870._"
_To the_ EDITOR _of the "Times."_
"SIR,--Having the advantage of possessing accurate knowledge of all
the details concerning the outbreaks in Damascus, 1860, being there
at the time, I can fully corroborate all that Sir Moses Montefiore
has written you in exculpation of the Jews. No greater mistake could
be made than to suppose that the Jews were in any way responsible for
the troubles of that country; but even if they were, what object is
to be gained by reviving a matter that is so long out of date, unless
it be to excite hostility against them?
"I am a Christian native of Syria, and without egotism may say that
my name is well known throughout that country, therefore I have no
other object in addressing you these lines, than to remove the false
impression that is likely to be made on the minds of your readers
less acquainted with the facts of the matter than myself, by the
perusal of the communications made to you by your correspondent, Mr
Drake.
"Syria is, happily, now free from the spirit of fanaticism, and a
perfect unity of sentiment pervades all classes of the community.--I
remain, Sir, yours obediently,
"SELIM BUSTROS."
"LIVERPOOL, _November 11th, 1870._"
Sir Moses concluded his December work by distributing £100 among
the poor of Ramsgate, who, he had just been informed, were in great
distress.
_January 8th, 1871._--The Hon. Benjamin Franklin Peixotto, who had just
been appointed American Consul in Roumania, was now in England, on his
way to Bucharest. He came to see Sir Moses, and acquainted him with
his proposed mode of action in matters concerning the Israelites in
Wallachia. "He is a very agreeable and highly educated gentleman," the
entry of that day records, "and should he act as he speaks, I hope he
will be successful in the object of his appointment."
In the course of the conversation which Sir Moses had with the Consul,
the Juda Touro Almshouses in Jerusalem were mentioned, and this little
incident alone was sufficient inducement for Sir Moses on the following
day to send £100 for distribution among the inmates in commemoration of
the visit of the Consul, a countryman of the benevolent founder of the
Almshouses.
During the following three months Sir Moses suffered great anxiety on
account of the illness of his sister, Mrs Gompertz. In order to be near
her, Sir Moses went to London, but was taken ill himself. Her death
in March affected him greatly, but with pious resignation he submits
to the will of God, only adding, "she was a devoted daughter, wife,
and mother, a loving sister, and a friend to all in need! May we all
benefit by her bright example. It is a sad loss to me."
_April 7th._--Sir Moses received the news of an outbreak against
the Jews of Odessa, but fortunately the disturbance was quelled by
the troops, and there was therefore no further occasion for him to
intercede on their behalf. In reply to the telegram he received on
that subject, he expressed his confidence that His Imperial Majesty's
Government would secure the safety of the Jews and punish the
evil-doers.
"I should like," he says, "to go to St Petersburg to thank the Emperor
for the prompt measure that had been taken by the Government at Odessa
to put an end to the outbreak against the Jews."
_June 22nd._--Sir Moses received Her Majesty's command to be present at
a concert at Buckingham Palace, but the state of his health would not
allow him to come up to London.
CHAPTER XXX.
1871.
FAMINE IN PERSIA--SIR MOSES ASSISTS IN THE WORK OF RELIEF--LORD
GRANVILLE'S AID--THE TABERNACLE AT RAMSGATE--PROFESSOR
MAX MÜLLER--ILLNESS OF THE PRINCE
OF WALES.
_July 22nd._--A despatch reached him from Captain Henry Jones, Her
Britannic Majesty's Consul-General at Tabriz, Persia, of which the
following is a copy:--
"BRITISH CONSULATE-GENERAL, TABRIZ, PERSIA, _June 5, 1871_.
"SIR,--Knowing your sympathy for the sufferings of your
co-religionists everywhere, I take the liberty to address you on
behalf of the Jews of Shiraz, who are at present reduced to great
want and misery through the famine which is now devastating Persia.
They number, I learn, about three hundred families, and have always
suffered great oppression at the hands of their Mussulman masters;
you may conceive how abject and degraded is their position when you
hear that their protector is the public executioner.
"My informant assures me that unless relief comes very speedily,
sickness and starvation will shortly annihilate the entire community.
Their sufferings must indeed be extreme when they have impressed
their Mussulman fellow-subjects, usually so callous and indifferent
to the distress of others.
"The Persian Government will do nothing. Were they even to relieve
the sufferings of the Mussulman population their means would be
exhausted. The few Europeans dwelling in Persia have already given
what they could in aid of the starving Christians of Isfahan, and
as these wretched Jews know not where to look for help, and have no
one to plead their cause, I consider it my duty to bring their case
to your notice, trusting it may be in your power, in some degree, to
relieve them.
"There are several colonies of Jews in Persia, at Uroomia, Hamadan,
Yezd, I believe, and elsewhere, all oppressed and trodden down, as
are all their co-religionists in these regions. None, however, are
enduring the frightful amount of suffering which is borne by the Jews
of Shiraz.
"In the event of their co-religionists in England taking steps to
alleviate this great misery, I would recommend their communicating by
telegram (as speedily as possible) with Her Majesty's representatives
at Teheran, who will appoint some trustworthy agent at Shiraz to
distribute their bounty among the most necessitous of the sufferers
there.--I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant,
(Signed) "HENRY M. JONES, _Consul-General_.
"Sir MOSES MONTEFIORE, Bart., &c., &c."
Sir Moses, without delay, addressed to Captain Jones a reply, of which
the following is a copy:--
"GROSVENOR GATE, PARK LANE, LONDON, _July 2, 1871_.
"SIR,--I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your esteemed
letter dated the 5th ult., in which, prompted by a noble feeling of
humanity, you have brought to my notice the present unfortunate state
of my brethren in Shiraz, caused by the famine now prevailing in
Persia.
"I lost no time in laying your communication before the Board of
Deputies of British Jews in London, in hopes that they would, as far
as may be in their power, endeavour to alleviate the sufferings of
the above city. In the meantime, however, I request you will allow me
to hand you, per enclosed three 'lettres de crédit circulaires,' one
hundred pounds sterling as a humble offering of myself. £50 of this
sum I should entreat you to give to the Jews, £25 to the Christians,
and £25 to the Mussulmans in Shiraz.
"With regard to the great oppressions to which the Jews generally
have been subjected in Persia, I beg leave to state that by the kind
intercession of Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador in Teheran I was
permitted in the year 1866 to lay my humble petition on behalf of
the Jews before His Majesty the Shah Nazr-ed-din, and had at that
time the high gratification of being informed, through Her Majesty's
Government, that the Shah had given immediate orders to the Sipeh
Sálár to the effect that every possible care should henceforth be
taken of the Jews, so that no injustice whatever be done any more
to them. It is for this reason a matter of deep regret to me, and
as I have no doubt to every friend of humanity, to hear that the
high officer under whose special care the Jews had then been placed
should have ceased to act in accordance with the strict orders of His
Majesty the Shah.
"Being anxious to impress on the minds of my brethren in Shiraz the
gratitude they owe to you for having made known their state of misery
to the Jews in England, I have addressed the enclosed letter to the
spiritual head of their community, and will deem it a great favour if
you will kindly have it forwarded to the proper authorities.
"I need not assure you how fully I appreciate your advocacy on behalf
of my brethren. Every lover of justice will admit you have rendered a
great service to the poor and oppressed; the consciousness alone of
so noble an act is no doubt the highest gratification to you.--I have
the honour to be, Sir, with great esteem, your most obedient servant,
(Signed) "MOSES MONTEFIORE.
"Captain H. M. JONES, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul-General, Tabriz."
Sir Moses lost no time in communicating the sad intelligence to the
Board of the London Committee of Deputies of the British Jews, who
resolved:--"That the President be requested to forward a copy of his
letter to the Board, with extracts from the letter of Captain Jones,
and a copy of his letter in reply, to the President of every Jewish
congregation in the United Kingdom, and to urge on such President, in
the name of the Board, to take the speediest steps in order to obtain
subscriptions from the congregation over which he presides and from
individual congregants in aid of the sufferers, and that this Board
desires to record its high appreciation of the benevolent feelings of
which Captain Jones' communication affords such gratifying evidence."
Sir Moses readily complied with the request of the Board, and a very
considerable amount was collected.
With reference to the kindness evinced on this occasion by the British
Government, he makes an entry in his Diary under the date of July 28th
as follows:--
"With feelings of gratitude to the God of my forefathers for all the
mercies to the children of His Covenant, and for His blessings on
my anxious efforts to relieve the sufferers by famine and sickness
in Persia, I received this forenoon a letter from Mr Odo Russell,
informing me that Lord Granville had the pleasure to comply with my
request to forward to Her Majesty's Minister, Mr Alison, at Teheran
my letter and enclosed £250. His Lordship's benevolence and kindness
will cause the distribution of the money at least one month sooner than
otherwise it could have been done, and consequently be the saving of
much time. God bless him and the British Government!"
_July 29th._--Sir Moses attended the morning service in his Synagogue,
breakfasted with some friends at the College, and at 2 P.M. attended a
lecture delivered by the Principal in the Lecture Hall. On his return
to East Cliff he had the satisfaction of finding a telegram from Her
Majesty's Minister at Teheran, to the effect that Sir Moses' telegram
of the 21st July had been received, and £250 sent to Shiraz as desired.
He commissioned Michael Angelo Pittatore, a distinguished artist, to
paint the likeness of Mr Almosniuo, the able secretary during a period
of fifty years of the Spanish and Portuguese Congregation in London,
and that of his wife, the esteemed and indefatigable president of the
infant school of that congregation. He also commissioned the artist to
paint the portrait of the writer of these Memoirs, the first Principal
of the College founded in memory of Lady Montefiore, and presented the
picture to that institution.
In October, on the approach of the Tabernacle holidays, Sir Moses
had his Tabernacle erected in accordance with his annual custom. In
former times he used to have it in a picturesque part of his park, but
as he and Lady Montefiore advanced in years he found it necessary to
choose a more sheltered spot, and he therefore had it erected in the
quadrangle of East Cliff Lodge. Those of my readers who have never
seen a tabernacle, as it is called in England, may be interested in a
description of one.
It is in the form of a good-sized garden-house, with a movable roof
and ceiling of lattice-work, thickly covered with fresh evergreens.
The walls of the one constructed under the direction of Sir Moses
were hung with tasteful draperies, the windows and door had beautiful
curtains, and on the walls were large mirrors and appropriate pictures
and scripture texts in gilt frames. A thick carpet was laid down on the
floor; flowers and garlands were also distributed wherever practicable.
From the centre of the roof a silver lamp with seven branches was
suspended; the table underneath was laid out with handsome bouquets and
flowering plants in beautiful pots; whilst there was no lack of choice
refreshments in gold, silver, and crystal vessels. During this festival
a number of relatives and friends dined with him in the Tabernacle
every day, and his Christian neighbours and acquaintances considered it
a great treat to get an invitation to the dinner.
On the date of this entry I noticed among those present at dinner,
Mrs Warre, a lady from Ramsgate held in great esteem by Sir Moses on
account of her charitable disposition; Mrs Max Müller, a niece of Mrs
Warre, and her husband, Professor Max Müller.
"When I was sitting in the Palace, at the table with the Emperor of
Germany," said Professor Max Müller, "my mind was engrossed with the
idea that I was in the presence of the Emperor Charlemagne. Now,"
he said, "sitting in the Tabernacle at the table with Sir Moses
Montefiore, I can fancy myself in the presence of the Patriarch
Abraham, sitting in his tent, where his hospitality was accepted by
angels, and gladdened the heart of all comers."
This observation was sufficient inducement for Sir Moses to speak on
subjects connected with the locality of the tent of Abraham: the Holy
Land, the Sacred Scriptures, and men of learning in ancient history
and literature. Professor Max Müller, on his turn, spoke of Chevalier
Bunsen, the author of "Egypt's Place in Universal History;" also of
Professor Bernays of the University of Bonn (son of the late Rev.
Isaak Bernays, Spiritual Head of the Hebrew community at Hamburg).
"My friend, Professor Bernays," he said, "is a strict observer of the
dietary laws of the Pentateuch, and I greatly esteemed him for his
learning and nobility of character. He used to come and stay with me,
on which occasions he was in the habit of bringing with him his own
cooking apparatus."
Sir Moses thereupon remarked, it was now admitted by medical men of
great eminence that the dietary laws of the Pentateuch contributed
greatly to the health and long life of those who observed them.
This, to the best of my recollection, is the substance of the
conversation which passed between Sir Moses and Professor Max Müller.
Grace, in Hebrew, having been offered up after the repast, the company
withdrew to take a walk in the garden, whilst Professor and Mrs Max
Müller, after taking leave of Sir Moses, repaired to Lady Montefiore's
Theological College.
They remained there for some time, inspected the books, manuscripts,
and testimonials in the Library and Lecture Hall, and apparently were
much pleased with what they saw. The Professor signed his name in the
visitors' book in Sanscrit, giving literal translation of "Oxford" in
the word "Gaoghat;" and a few days after his visit to the College he
addressed Sir Moses in a letter, of which the following is a copy:
"PARKS END, OXFORD, _10th October_ 1871.
"DEAR SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE,--Coming from Oxford, the city of
colleges, I was so much struck with the new College of which you have
laid the foundations at Ramsgate, and particularly with the excellent
library which Dr Loewe has collected for you, that I should feel
honoured if you would allow me to contribute a small mite to your
library treasures.
"As I learnt from Dr Loewe that some of my publications would be
welcome to the students of your College, I have taken the liberty
to send you by railway two volumes of my lectures on the Science of
Language, and those volumes of my essays under the title of 'Chips
from a German Workshop.'
"I do not expect that you would find time to look at these books,
but it would give me pleasure if you would glance at pp. 372 _seq._
of the first volume of my essays, where is an essay on Semite
Monotheism. I have tried to vindicate the character of Abraham as the
true founder of Monotheism against the theories of Renan and others.
"Allow me to thank you in my wife's name and my own for the kindness
with which you received us under your hospitable 'tent.' I can assure
you that it was to both of us a most interesting day, and that it
will long keep its place in our memory.
"My wife wishes to be kindly remembered to you, and I remain, with
sincere respect, yours truly,
"MAX MÜLLER."
_December 10th._--"There has been for nearly a week past but one topic
of conversation, the illness of His Highness the Prince of Wales, and
upon every face there is written a look of concern and sorrow, as the
illness of the Prince has gone to the heart of every one." Sir Moses
sent a telegram to the Háhám Báshi at Jerusalem, to have prayers
offered up in all the Synagogues there, and in the holy cities of
Hebron, Tiberias, and Safed, for his recovery, and for the health and
happiness of the Queen, and all the other members of the Royal family.
"I hope," he writes in his Diary, "this will be done to-night in all
parts of the Holy Land, and may the God of Israel hearken to their
prayers. Amen, amen."
To this telegram he received the following reply:--
"'My help cometh from the Lord, who made Heaven and earth. Seek the
peace of the City, for in the peace thereof shall ye have peace.'
Jerusalem, 2nd day of Tebet 5632 (December 18th, 1871).
"May peaceful salutations, like the dew of Heaven, descend on Sir
Moses Montefiore, Bart., the zealous promoter of peace. Amen.
"We beg to inform you that your telegram, dated the 28th of Kislev
(Sunday, 10th December), reached us just about the time for the
afternoon prayers. We immediately made its contents known to our
brethren belonging to the several Ashkenázim congregations in the
Holy City, and despatched special messengers to the Sephárdim and
Ashkenázim congregations dwelling in the Holy Cities of Hebron,
Tiberias, and Safed. We then, conjointly with our learned and pious
colleagues, assembled in the great Synagogue, gave orders to light
up the candelabra in all the Synagogues in the Holy City, opened the
portals of the Holy Ark, and offered up a most fervent prayer for
the speedy and perfect recovery of His Royal Highness Albert Edward,
Prince of Wales, invoking the Holy One (blessed be His name!) to make
him live, to grant him health, to strengthen him, and to renew his
youth. We also sent a congregation of pious and learned men to pray
the whole night at the tomb of our mother, Rachel (may her merit
protect us!), while, at the same time, we ordered a congregation of
equally pious and learned men to call upon our God at the western
wall of the ancient Temple, from which spot, we are told by our
ancestors, the Divine glory never departed. And when we had concluded
our heartfelt prayers for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, we
implored God to cause His blessings to descend on Her Majesty, the
mighty and most virtuous Queen Victoria (may her glory be exalted!),
on Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, and on every member
of the Royal family. Oh! that our prayers may have been favourably
received in Heaven, and that we may yet hear the good tidings, the
Lord hath strengthened the Prince of Wales upon his bed of sickness,
and has completely restored him to health! With sincere wishes for
your own lasting happiness, crowned by the blessing of peace,--We
remain, esteemed Sir Moses, yours faithfully,
"ABRAHAM ASKENASI. HÁHÁM BÁSHI."
_December 14th._--Sir Moses writes: "Accounts of the Prince of Wales
are more favourable; the bulletin of the afternoon confirms our hope
for his recovery. It is impossible to describe the deep anxiety felt
by all classes in England, indeed, in all parts of the world, for
the Prince, the Princess, and our gracious Queen, and all pray most
ardently for the Prince's recovery."
_December 15th._--"With every hour telegrams happily continue to be
more favourable."
"The Eternal God," Sir Moses writes, "listened to the prayers of many
millions of Her Majesty's loyal subjects in all her vast dominions. The
precious life of the Prince of Wales is saved! May it be preserved for
very many years!"
_December 27th._--A telegram from the Secretary of the Relief
Committee at Ispahan reached him, acknowledging the receipt of one
of his letters, with remittance, and adding that of the 1700 Jews of
the community in Ispahan, 1200 were starving, and reporting further
heartrending details.
"This is work," Sir Moses says, "for next year, but I hope, _D.V._, to
be able to accomplish it."
CHAPTER XXXI.
1872.
PETITION TO THE SHAH--OUTRAGES IN SMYRNA--SECOND
MISSION TO RUSSIA--VISIT TO STOCKHOLM--INTERVIEW
WITH THE CZAR ALEXANDER II.
From January to July 1872 Sir Moses, as President of the Board
of Deputies of the British Jews, was engaged in an extensive
correspondence with many congregations and individuals in England, as
well as in other parts of the world, and subscriptions to the fund for
the relief of the famine-stricken Jews in Persia continued to flow
in. The Board was most active. The sum of £10,850 had already been
remitted, and distributed among the sufferers in Teheran, Shiraz,
Ispahan, Bushire, Uroomia, Hamadan, Yeza, Demarend, Gilpaigon, Kashan,
and Bagdad; but cries for more help, and appeals for rescue from the
hands of oppressing governors and officials continued daily to arrive,
and it was deemed expedient to petition the Shah in the matter.
Sir Moses, without delay, addressed a letter to His Majesty, of which I
subjoin a copy.
To His Most Gracious Majesty NAZER-EDDIN SHAH, the Mighty Ruler of
Persia, exalted Glory and lasting Peace.
"May it please your Majesty,--Relying on the magnanimous and most
noble principles of justice and mercy which adorn the life of your
Majesty, I ventured to lay at the foot of your Majesty's throne,
on the 22nd day of Rámádan, 1282 A.H., by Charles Alison, Esq.,
Her Britannic Majesty's Minister in Teheran, an humble petition on
behalf of my co-religionists residing under your Majesty's benign and
glorious sway in Persia, and had the happiness of receiving from Her
Britannic Majesty's Government a communication to the effect that,
in consequence of the representations which Her Britannic Majesty's
Minister in Teheran had made, your Majesty had most graciously
written an autograph letter to the Siphesálár, informing him that the
Jews should henceforth be treated with justice and kindness.
"Emboldened by the gracious reception your Majesty has given to
my most humble prayer, I crave now your Majesty's permission to
tender the offerings of most heartfelt gratitude of many thousands
of my brethren dwelling in Her Britannic Majesty's dominions, and
to entreat your Majesty further to extend your Majesty's powerful
protection towards the Israelites residing in your Majesty's vast
realm, especially at the present moment, when the papers throughout
Europe spread the report that my brethren are greatly oppressed by
a number of officers, who do not understand the noble and humane
intentions of your Majesty--officers who, it is said, give to an
apostate from the religion of his forefathers (against the will of
your Majesty, whose sole glory consists in securing perfect happiness
and justice to all your Majesty's subjects, without regard to their
faith and social conditions)--the right of claiming and taking
possession of all the property that may have been left at the demise
of any of their relatives still adhering to their ancient religion,
causing thereby the greatest possible distress to those of my
brethren, who prefer death to apostasy from their religion.
"All friends of humanity and civilisation look up with a feeling of
the utmost anxiety to the vigilant eye of the Mighty Ruler of Persia,
and are longing to hear that your Majesty, as on a former occasion,
received graciously the most humble prayer of an Israelite, who,
whilst invoking the Creator of the Universe, the Father of all, that
the glorious reign of your Majesty may be exalted by justice and
mercy, the guardian angels of your Majesty's throne, begs leave to
subscribe himself with reiterated expressions of the most profound
gratitude, your Majesty's most humble and most obedient servant,
(Signed) "MOSES MONTEFIORE."
Sir Moses wrote to Lord Granville at the same time, entreating him to
recommend his petition to the Shah's gracious consideration; and on
January 30th Lord Enfield, by direction of Earl Granville, informed Sir
Moses that his Lordship would comply with his wish.
_February 18th._--He received another letter from Her Majesty's
Minister at Teheran to the effect that the Jews at Bushire, Shiraz,
Ispahan, Teheran, Hamadan, and Oroomia were suffering greatly from
famine, relief being most urgent. He was very anxious to go himself to
Persia.
_February 22nd._--We read the following entry in his Diary:--"I went
to the Foreign Office, and found that Mr Hammond had been confined
to his house for the last two months with the gout. I drove to his
residence, where he received me most kindly. I returned the despatches
Lord Granville had kindly sent for my perusal, and then I spoke of my
desire to go to Persia to endeavour to ameliorate the condition of
the Jews. He said the journey was too difficult for me, and would not
permit it. Lord Granville would willingly afford me all the assistance
I required. 'After the 1st of April,' Mr Hammond continued, 'the Red
Sea was closed, the season was already too far advanced, travelling
in Persia was most difficult.' He was against my going at my time of
life; he thought I must be eighty. I was obliged to own to being in my
eighty-eighth year. He was indeed most kind and friendly. When I said
I was going by way of Egypt, he said jestingly that the British Consul
had great power, and he would put me in prison, and in Egypt there was
no Magna Charta. I ought not to go. And what did my nephew, Mr Joseph
Meyer Montefiore, say to it? he asked. I replied that my nephew said it
was evident I wished to be buried in Persia. It is impossible for any
friend to have spoken more kindly than Mr Hammond. He promised to send
my letter to Lord Granville."
_February 23rd._--His Lordship wrote Sir Moses a most kind note, almost
forbidding his going to Persia, but in the most flattering terms. He
intimated that Sir Moses could have the letters he desired.
_February 27th._--Sir Moses was very weak and too unwell to leave the
house to attend Divine service, held in all places of worship, to
render thanks for the recovery of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. He had,
however, the happiness, he writes, of seeing the grand procession pass
his house. "Long may they live," he observes; "it was a glorious sight,
and the hearts of all England glow with delight."
_May 15th._--A telegram from the Hebrew community of Smyrna, and from
Mr Cumberbatch, Her Majesty's Consul in that city, informed him of very
serious outrages committed by foreign Greeks upon the Jews of Smyrna,
and upon others on the Island of Marmora, and implored the help of the
Board of Deputies, but most fortunately the British Government had
already most humanely interposed. The Turkish Government followed their
example, and punishment was vigorously meted out to the guilty, perfect
tranquillity being restored throughout the island.
Sir Moses was much pleased with the promptitude and energy exhibited by
the Sublime Porte, and in his own name and that of the Board, conveyed
to Earl Granville and Mr Consul Cumberbatch the deep gratitude he felt
for the action they had promptly and readily taken.
Every preparation for the journey to Persia had now been made. The
writer, who was to have accompanied him, had already gone to Ramsgate
to arrange with him all matters connected with the journey, and then
proceeded with him to London to make the necessary purchases.
Sir Moses, however, on arriving at Park Lane, felt greatly fatigued.
He retired early to rest, but had a very bad night, and complained of
indisposition.
Being informed in the morning that, according to the latest accounts,
the interior of Persia was actually overrun with bands of marauders,
he was reluctantly induced to abandon his projected journey, at the
earnest solicitations of persons occupying high official positions in
this country, who assured him that such a journey would be perilous,
even to a young man, and could be undertaken by him only at the risk of
his life.
His active philanthropy, however, could not let him rest. If the
journey to Persia was to be deferred, a journey to Russia, he thought,
might be undertaken without risk of life, and might render good service
to the cause of his brethren in that country.
Five or six months prior to this date he had received letters from
several Hebrew congregations in Russia, requesting him to proceed to St
Petersburg and offer the Czar his own congratulations, and those of his
brethren in England, on the occasion of the bi-centenary of the birth
of Peter the Great. Sir Moses readily consented, and on the 20th of
June he informed the Board of Deputies, that, if they should determine
to vote an address of congratulation to the Emperor of Russia, he would
have great pleasure in presenting it to the Czar in person.
The Board at first hesitated to encourage the President at his advanced
age to undertake such a long and fatiguing journey, but ultimately
resolved to accept his offer. As soon as Sir Moses became acquainted
with their decision he commenced making his preparations.
On Wednesday, July 10th, Count Brunnow, the Russian Ambassador, paid
him a visit at Park Lane, and subsequently sent him letters for St
Petersburg and Stockholm. On the 11th, accompanied by his medical
friend, Mr James S. Daniel, of Ramsgate, and myself, he left London for
Hull.
The full particulars of this Mission are given by Sir Moses in his
Report to the London Committee of Deputies of the British Jews, and I
copy them from the original manuscript:--
"On Friday, the 12th July," he writes, "we embarked at Hull in the
steam-packet _Orlando_, for Gothenburg, thence to proceed _via_
Sweden and Finland to St Petersburg.
"Before leaving the port, a special messenger from London brought me
a letter from a gentleman of high authority, informing me that the
cholera had broken out, and was at that time raging in St Petersburg.
Grave as this intelligence was, I resolved that no fear should impede
my onward course. Placing my firm reliance in the Almighty to protect
me and my companions during our intended journey, and to vouchsafe
the realisation of my heartfelt wishes for the success of my Mission,
I cheerfully prepared for the Sabbath.
"On Monday morning, the 15th July, we arrived at Gothenburg, where
we were enabled, after some difficulty, to take the train for
Stockholm, which place we reached at about six o'clock that evening.
I lost no time in calling on his Excellency, Monsieur de Giers,
the Russian Ambassador, in order to deliver to him the letter from
Count de Brunnow. I also called on the English Ambassador, but both
these gentlemen being at their summer residences, some distance
from the town, I was unable to see them that day. The following
morning I again called on Monsieur de Giers, and he received me
with the utmost courtesy and attention. To facilitate and expedite
the journey, he put me in communication with Monsieur Moeurius, the
Russian Consul-General at Stockholm, and being anxious to reach my
destination with the least possible delay, I requested that gentleman
to telegraph to General Nordenstam, at Helsingfors, to engage a
special train to take me on to St Petersburg, and the Ambassador
himself telegraphed to that city to secure apartments for me at the
Hotel Klée. Her Majesty's Consul, Mr G. R. Perry, also in the absence
of the Ambassador, assisted me in my arrangements.
"During my short stay at Stockholm I had the gratification of
receiving the most satisfactory accounts of our brethren in that
city. The Chief Rabbi, Dr L. Lewysohn and the representatives of the
community, Dr Lamm, Consul Davidson, and Mr Wolner, favoured me with
full particulars of all their communal institutions. Their Synagogue,
which is one of the finest in Europe, and their schools are well
attended. Many non-Israelites resort to this place of worship, to
listen to the eloquent preaching of the minister, and the study
of Hebrew and the Talmud was diligently cultivated by the learned
Gentiles in Sweden.
"Here again the journals of that city gave an alarming account of
the unsatisfactory state of the public health in St Petersburg; but
after due consideration we decided to resume the journey. Towards
evening we went on board the _Dagmar_ steamship, which brought us
on Thursday, the 18th July, at about 6 P.M., to Helsingfors, whence
we immediately departed by special train, travelling the whole
night, and at an early hour on Friday morning we entered the railway
terminus at St Petersburg, where the carriages and attendants of the
hotel were awaiting our arrival.
"At the earliest possible moment I called at the British Embassy to
present the letter from Earl Granville to Lord Augustus Loftus, but
his Excellency being away from St Petersburg, Mr Egerton opened the
letter, and told me he would communicate with the Russian Minister
for Foreign Affairs, and that Lord Augustus Loftus was expected to
arrive soon from Finland.
"I then called on Monsieur de Westmann to deliver the letter from
Count Brunnow. His Excellency received me with marked kindness
and urbanity, and after some conversation he observed, 'We were
acquainted with the object of your visit to our city before your
arrival. The Emperor will receive you, and we shall endeavour to
render everything as easy and agreeable to you as possible. His
Imperial Majesty is at present absent from St Petersburg, but I shall
seek his orders regarding the day and place, when and where he will
receive you.'
"I need scarcely say how grateful I felt to our Heavenly Father for
having thus, only a few hours after my arrival in St Petersburg,
enabled me to receive from the Russian Minister such kind and
assuring expressions, and deeply sensible of the goodness of the
Almighty, who had succoured and protected me and my companions, I
prepared with gladness for the Holy Sabbath.
"Monsieur de Westmann afterwards requested me to send him a copy of
the address which it was my intention to present to the Emperor, it
being probable that His Majesty would ask for it on the following
day, when his Excellency would receive his commands as to my
audience. I at once forwarded the desired copy by the hands of
Dr Loewe, and I had subsequently the satisfaction of hearing the
Minister's perfect approval of the address.
"During the day I was favoured with visits from the Rev. Dr Newmann,
Chief Rabbi, the Rev. Isaac Baser, and the representatives of several
congregations in St Petersburg and other towns. I took occasion to
read the papers and documents which had been left with me for my
attentive perusal. In the afternoon several of our brethren came to
the hotel, and joined us in our Sabbath prayers. I noticed among them
two who had been with me on a similar occasion twenty-six years ago.
At that time they were serving in the army; they are now enjoying all
the advantages of free citizenship.
"The following day I received a letter from Monsieur de Westmann,
informing me that the Emperor would come to St Petersburg on the 24th
July, on which day he would receive me in the Winter Palace at eleven
o'clock in the morning. His Excellency instructed me that I was to
enter by the gateway known as 'Le perron de Sa Majesté Imperiale
l'Imperatrice,' and requested that Dr Loewe should be with him on
Monday morning at eleven o'clock. Dr Loewe accordingly called at the
Bureau of the Minister at the appointed time, when his Excellency
expressed in the kindest terms his solicitude for my health. He also
took Dr Loewe into an adjoining saloon, pointing out to him most
minutely the gateway through which I should have to enter the Palace.
"Having been informed of the arrival of Lord Augustus Loftus, I
called on his Excellency, and had a long and most interesting
conversation with him on all subjects connected with my visit to
St Petersburg, which afforded me the most gratifying evidence of
his Lordship's wise and sound judgment on all matters affecting the
welfare of our brethren, not only within the dominions of the Czar,
but in every part of the world.
"On Wednesday at the appointed hour I proceeded to the Winter
Palace, accompanied by Dr Loewe. We ascended in a lift to the great
ante-room of the Emperor, into which we were immediately ushered.
There we found his Excellency Monsieur de Westmann, the Imperial Lord
Chamberlain, the Imperial Grand Maître des Cérémonies, and several
other distinguished personages, who entered into conversation with
me on various subjects of importance to our co-religionists. After
an interval thus agreeably passed, his Excellency the Minister for
Foreign Affairs was summoned before the Czar, and soon afterwards I
was conducted into the presence of His Imperial Majesty, to whom, in
the name of your Board and its several constituent congregations, I
presented the address, of which the following is a copy:--
"'To His Imperial Majesty ALEXANDER THE SECOND, Czar of all the
Russias.
"'May it please your Imperial Majesty,--Impressed by the deep sense
of gratitude for the numerous acts of grace which your Imperial
Majesty has been pleased to extend to our brethren who have the
happiness to dwell under your Imperial Majesty's exalted rule, and
prompted by the ardent desire to join the numerous hosts--friends
of enlightenment and civilisation--who hasten to tender their
felicitation on Russia's great day of gladness and joy, we, the
London Committee of Deputies of British Jews, on behalf of ourselves
and the several congregations we respectively represent, humbly
approach your Imperial Majesty to lay at the foot of your Imperial
Throne the tribute of our sincere and heartfelt congratulations on
the occasion of the two hundredth anniversary of the birth of your
Imperial Majesty's august ancestor, the Emperor Peter the Great.
"'Glorious and renowned were the deeds of the beatified Monarch.
He was "the father of his people," and the author of all that was
right and just in the vast Empire which he ruled; but all the good
he effected would have vanished had not Eternal Providence ordained
his spirit, the spirit of wisdom, justice, and humanity, to descend
on his august offspring; and it is in this heavenly mercy that we,
your Imperial Majesty's humble servants, discern a special cause for
felicitation.
"'Already, in the year 1846, Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart., the
President of our Board, had the distinguished honour to receive
personally from your Imperial Majesty's august father, the Emperor
Nicolas, the expression of his ardent desire for the happiness and
welfare of all classes of his Imperial Majesty's subjects, and you,
Sire, have been selected as an instrument of Providence to emancipate
millions of human beings, to foster education, to encourage the arts
and sciences, and to promote free intercourse between man and man, by
opening the gates of your Imperial Majesty's vast Empire to persons
of all religious denominations.
"'Most fervently, therefore, do we invoke the Creator of the universe
to prolong the days of your Imperial Majesty and those of your most
illustrious family, so that you, Sire, may have the felicity of
seeing all your wise and noble plans for the prosperity and peace
of your Imperial Majesty's subjects realised; and likewise the
gratifying opportunity of listening for a period of long duration to
the hallowed hymns of gratitude from the millions of your faithful
and loyal subjects, in which--we venture to hope your Imperial
Majesty will graciously condescend to accept our assurance--none can
join with more fervour than our brethren in your Imperial Majesty's
Empire and the London Committee of Deputies of the British Jews,
"'Signed on behalf of the Board,
"'MOSES MONTEFIORE, _President_.'
"His Imperial Majesty, who conversed most fluently in the English
language, received me with the utmost grace and kindness. He adverted
to the circumstance of my having had an audience with his august
father in the year 1846, and expressed himself most graciously on
every subject having reference to my Mission. His Imperial Majesty
also graciously spoke to Dr Loewe. Nor can I here omit to record
my grateful appreciation of His Imperial Majesty's consideration
in having come from the seat of the summer manœuvres to the Winter
Palace, expressly to spare me fatigue in consequence of my advanced
age, and having there received the address of which I was the bearer.
I quitted the Palace with a heart overflowing with gratitude, for
indeed I am at a loss for words in which adequately to describe the
gracious sentiments which his Imperial Majesty and the members of the
Government evinced towards me."
CHAPTER XXXII.
1872.
CONTINUATION OF SIR MOSES' NARRATIVE--SATISFACTORY
REPORT WITH REGARD TO THE CONDITION OF THE
ROUMANIAN JEWS--ARRIVAL IN BERLIN--RETURN TO
ENGLAND--VISIT OF THE SHAH TO ENGLAND.
Continuing his narrative, Sir Moses says:
"On my way to the hotel I was enthusiastically greeted by hundreds of
our brethren who were awaiting my return from the Palace, and whose
faces were radiant with joy and gladness. After a brief rest, I again
set out to pay my farewell visits to the British Ambassador, Lord
Augustus Loftus, and his Excellency Monsieur de Westmann, left cards
with those who had honoured me with visits, and then proceeded to the
Synagogue, into which, however, the hour being late, I was unable to
enter. Returning again to the hotel, I addressed to his Excellency
Monsieur de Westmann a letter, in which I offered to his Excellency
the expression of my warmest thanks for the gracious reception
accorded me by His Imperial Majesty, and also for the exertions of
his Excellency in aiding me to obtain the object of my Mission,
requesting him at the same time, in commemoration of the happy event,
to distribute a trifling sum among the necessitous inhabitants of the
city.
"To this letter I received the most gratifying reply. His Excellency
promised to comply with my request, and to convey to the Emperor the
prayers and wishes I had expressed for the long life and enduring
happiness of His Imperial Majesty.
"On Thursday morning, the 25th July, I received at the hotel many
deputations and private gentlemen, who had solicited an interview;
read all letters, books, and documents which had been left for
my special notice, and having satisfied everyone to the best of
my ability, I left St Petersburg for Königsberg, attended by the
blessings and good wishes of hundreds of people, who followed us to
the railway station.
"It will doubtless be a source of gratification to your Board to
learn that during my short stay in St Petersburg I had the happiness
of seeing a considerable number of our co-religionists in that city
distinguished by decorations of different grades from the Emperor.
I conversed with Jewish merchants, literary men, editors of Russian
periodicals, artisans, and persons who had formerly served in the
Imperial army, all of whom alluded to their present position in the
most satisfactory terms. All blessed the Emperor, and words seemed
wanting in which adequately to praise his benevolent character.
The Jews now dress like ordinary gentlemen in England, France, or
Germany. Their schools are well attended, and they are foremost in
every honourable enterprise destined to promote the prosperity of
their community and the country at large.
"There are three Synagogues in the city, each presided over by a
Rabbi, who delivers sermons in German or Russian. The utmost decorum
prevails during Divine service. In St Petersburg and throughout
Russia great efforts are being made to provide education for those
who require it. In order to bring it within the reach of those who
are best acquainted with the Hebrew language, maps are printed with
the names of the places in Hebrew letters, and educational works of
all kinds are translated into Hebrew.
"Looking back to what the condition of our co-religionists in
Russia was twenty-six years ago, and having regard to their present
position, they have now indeed abundant reason to cherish grateful
feelings towards the Emperor, to whom their prosperity is in so great
a measure to be attributed; and if there yet remain restrictions,
the hope may be surely entertained that with the advance of secular
education among them those disabilities will be gradually removed.
And here I would place on record my earnest tribute of admiration
for the marked improvements which have taken place in Russia since
my visit to that country in the year 1846. I rejoiced to observe
in every department of the State signs of vigour and prosperity,
the happy result of the wisdom, justice, and toleration which have
distinguished the Emperor's beneficent reign.
"But before resuming the narrative of my homeward journey, I would
advert to the exceeding kindness evinced by Her Majesty's Ambassador
at the Court of Russia, Lord Augustus Loftus, by Mr Drummond and Mr
Egerton, who omitted no opportunity of facilitating the object of my
Mission. I am also much indebted to Mr Mitchell, Her Majesty's Consul
in St Petersburg, for his obliging attentions. I shall ever cherish
towards Monsieur de Westmann and Lord Augustus Loftus sentiments
of profound gratitude for their great attention and courtesy to me
during my stay in the Russian capital.
"We departed from St Petersburg, travelling all night in order
to reach Königsberg in good time for Sabbath. On arriving at the
station at Kowno we were saluted by the Chief Rabbi, the Rev. Reuben
Schnitkind, the Rev. Isaac Elkhanan Spekter, and Drs Schapiro and
Klazco, who were surrounded by many hundreds of our brethren, all
eager to learn the result of my Mission. I therefore requested Dr
Loewe to address them in Hebrew, and they were overjoyed with the
communication made to them. They referred to the address which I
had presented to the Czar, and invoked the Almighty's blessing on
behalf of your Board. It appeared that our route had been made known
from place to place, inasmuch as we were met by large numbers of
our brethren who were awaiting our arrival at each station where
the train stopped. At Wilna we were greeted by the representatives
of the Hebrew congregation, consisting of the Rev. Isaac Eliahu
Landau, the Rev. Mordecai Straschun, and Mr Abraham Parness, son of
my late friend the Rev. Chaim Nachman Parness, who were accompanied
by an immense concourse of people. Here, as in Kowno, I entered into
conversation with those who had come to welcome me, not only on the
subject of my Mission but also upon matters relating specially to
their own community, and I had the pleasure to leave them with mutual
expressions of satisfaction and goodwill.
"We reached Königsberg on Friday afternoon (the 26th July), and
were met at the railway terminus by thousands of our brethren, who
made the streets of the city ring with their shouts of joy as they
accompanied me to the hotel. Mr D. H. Aschkanasi, a zealous friend
of the Holy Land, presented me with a congratulatory address from
the representatives of the three Russian congregations in that city,
and the Rev. H. Weintraub, the well-known composer of sacred music,
offered his services to invite a number of gentlemen to attend Divine
service in our apartment. At the appointed hour I had the happiness
of hearing the Sabbath hymn beautifully chanted by Mr L. Löwenstein,
in the presence of a full congregation, and, it is scarcely necessary
to add, that after a fatiguing journey, occupying a day and night, I
enjoyed to the utmost the peace and repose of the Sabbath.
"In the morning we attended Divine service, and in the course of the
day the representatives of the German congregation, headed by the
City Council, Dr Hirsch, Dr Samuelsohn, Mr Solomon Feinberg, and many
others, called on me to offer their congratulations, apologising for
the unavoidable absence of the Rev. Dr Bamberger, the spiritual head
of the congregation.
"They entered into full particulars of their exertions on behalf
of our brethren in Russia during the time of the great distress
occasioned by the failure of the harvest, and I was much pleased with
the account they gave of their praiseworthy efforts to succour their
less fortunate co-religionists.
"A telegram also reached me from the Rev. Dr Rulf, and the
representatives of the Hebrew congregations in Memel, expressing
their appreciation of your Board's exertions in the sacred cause of
religion and humanity, and tendering me their best wishes upon my
safe return from Russia.
"It may not be inopportune if I refer to a pleasing incident which
occurred at Königsberg, evidencing the anxiety of our co-religionists
in that city to evince their approbation of the solicitude of your
Board for the welfare of our brethren abroad. After dinner, on the
Sabbath day, as we commenced singing the Sabbath psalm, we were most
agreeably surprised by the charming voices of the first Cantor of the
Synagogue and the members of his excellent choir. They had obtained
permission to enter an adjoining apartment without my knowledge, and
watching the moment of our commencing to intone the psalm, they took
up the next verse and chanted the whole of it, in the presence of
hundreds of people within the hotel and adjoining garden, all eagerly
listening to the charming psalmody.
"On the following morning (July 28th) I proposed to return the
visits of those gentlemen who had been kind enough to call on me;
but the number of people surrounding my carriage became so great,
and the streets were so thronged, that, fearing an accident, I was
reluctantly compelled to relinquish my intention, and return to the
hotel.
"'The daughters in Israel,' in Königsberg, being equally desirous of
evincing their appreciation of a good cause, gracefully presented
me, by the hands of twelve young ladies, with a beautiful poem and a
laurel wreath.
"In the afternoon we left Königsberg for Berlin, and with a view to
expedite our return to England, we again travelled all night. At
about four o'clock in the morning, on July 29th, whilst we halted at
Kustrin, I was apprised of the presence of the Rev. Dr Hildesheimer,
one of the Chief Rabbis of Berlin, who, I was informed, had purposely
come there to bid me welcome in the name of his community, and to
conduct me in his carriage to Berlin. This mark of attention I
fully appreciated, but I could not permit the Rev. Doctor to be
further disturbed. We alighted at the terminus at Berlin about six
o'clock, and I entered the city in company with the Chief Rabbi
and his son. The former expressed, in the name of his community,
the high admiration for the active and energetic steps taken by
your Board whenever the occasion for its interposition on behalf of
our brethren in foreign countries existed. Early in the forenoon I
called on the English and Russian Ambassadors, but unfortunately
they were both absent from Berlin; I then paid a visit to the Chief
Rabbi, to express my thanks to him for his courtesy and kindness, and
subsequently entered the Synagogue over which he presides. There I
was told that, spacious as the edifice is, every seat was let, and
that the congregation intend to build a larger one.
"Not having taken the necessary rest after an entire night's
travelling, I felt somewhat indisposed from the effects of
over-fatigue, but I would not delay my journey, and proceeded the
next day (July 30th) to Hanover. Here I had the opportunity of
making the personal acquaintance of the Chief Rabbi, the Rev. Dr
Meyer, the esteemed successor of the Rev. Dr Adler, our own highly
respected Chief Rabbi. Dr Meyer had just returned from Berlin,
whither he had been summoned by the Government, to assist in the
deliberations of the conference held in that city, upon the subject
of the improvements which it was in contemplation to introduce
into the regulations and government of educational establishments.
I also had the advantage of ascertaining the condition of the
Hebrew institutions in Hanover. I visited the Synagogue, which is a
beautiful building, and I was assured by a gentleman present that
although it was at first intended to divide the Synagogue by a glass
partition into a larger and smaller house of prayer, so as to enable
the congregation to say prayers in the latter on week-days, yet the
number of worshippers was so great that the plan was necessarily
abandoned.
"On leaving Hanover we travelled _via_ Cologne, Aix la Chapelle, and
Ghent, to Ostend, where, on the 8th August, we embarked for Dover,
and immediately on our arrival in that port I proceeded with Dr Loewe
to the Synagogue, where I gave utterance to my heartfelt gratitude
to our Heavenly Father for the innumerable mercies He had vouchsafed
to me and my companions during our journey, and for His goodness
in having permitted me once again to return to the happy shores of
England, conscious of having, with His Divine aid, attained the
object of my Mission.
"During my journey I had frequent opportunities of receiving from
our brethren assurances of the rapid increase of their Synagogues,
schools, and charitable institutions, and as indicative of the
improved spiritual and social condition of our co-religionists
abroad, I may notice that amongst the many thousands of Jews with
whom I came into contact, I observed the most charitable and
benevolent dispositions, an insatiable thirst for knowledge, a pure
and religious zeal, and a high degree of prosperity."
_August 10th._--Sir Moses remained at East Cliff Lodge for a few days,
and then proceeded to London to attend the boards and committees of
all the companies and institutions with which he was connected, the
fatiguing journey to Russia not appearing to have affected his state of
health at all.
_September 6th._--He called on Count Brunnow to show him the report
on his visit to St Petersburg before presenting it to the Board of
Deputies. "The Ambassador," Sir Moses says, "having read every word of
it in the most careful manner--it was more than half-an-hour before
he had finished--said it was complete, but thought I should record my
warmest acknowledgments to the Emperor, who, in consideration of my
advanced years, to save me fatigue of going to him at the Palace, some
distance in the country, came purposely to the city to receive me. I
immediately made the addition his Excellency so kindly suggested."
_December 21st._--Sir Moses submitted a report of the Persian Relief
Fund, the total amount subscribed and collected being nearly £20,000,
and he records in his Diary his great delight at the success of the
appeal, and his gratitude to the Board and to all who co-operated with
him and the Deputies in so good a cause.
_January_ 1873.--The ninth anniversary of Sir Moses' visit to the
Sultan of Morocco was now at hand, the day being usually distinguished
by a special service and an address in Judith College, Ramsgate. This
year, in consequence of the arbitrary conduct of a judge at Saffi,
Sir Moses found it necessary to remind His Sheriffian Majesty of the
promise he made to him on that memorable occasion. At the request of
the Board of Deputies, he addressed a petition to the Sultan Mooli
Abd-er-Rakhman.
The following is a translation of the principal paragraphs bearing upon
the case:--
"LONDON, _10th February_ 1873 (5633 A.M.).
"May it please your Sheriffian Majesty (here follows the preamble,
and a short reference to the former visit). Lately, however, rumours
have reached me that one Sidi Mohammed ben Sidi Tayibbi, a judge
of Saffi, unmindful of the terms of your Majesty's gracious edict,
and of the duty of his high office, has ventured to oppress and
ill-treat the Jews of that town, and has instigated others to injure
and oppress them, whereby it has come to pass that their lives are
embittered, and they have no security for their persons or their
property.
"Emboldened by the gracious reception which your Majesty afforded
me in the year 1280, and by the beneficent and humane terms of your
Majesty's edict, I humbly entreat your Majesty to cause the conduct
of the said Sidi Mohammed ben Sidi Tayibbi to be investigated, and to
deal with him according to the result, so that all your governors,
administrators, and judges in your Majesty's dominions may know that
your benevolent designs towards my brethren remain unchanged."
The letter being written in the Moorish language, concludes, according
to Eastern fashion, with a prayer for the Sultan.
_May 26th._--A deputation from the Jews of Ispahan waited on Sir Moses
to present letters from the elders of their community, giving him long
and interesting descriptions of the state of their country. Sir Moses
received them with great kindness, presenting them with souvenirs
of their visit to him, and assured them of the great exertions made
by their brethren in England, and in other parts of the world, to
ameliorate the condition of the Jews in Persia.
_June 11th._--He went to Manchester, by invitation of the
representatives of the Spanish and Portuguese Hebrew Community there,
to be present on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of
the first Portuguese Synagogue in that city, and remained there several
days.
In June the Shah of Persia came to England, and this gave Sir Moses an
opportunity to request an audience of that monarch, which was readily
granted.
Accompanied by a deputation from the Board of Deputies of British
Jews, Sir Moses presented a memorial to the Shah at Buckingham Palace,
soliciting His Majesty's protection for his Jewish subjects. The Shah
assured the deputation that he wished for the happiness of all his
subjects, and would give orders that no injustice should be done to the
Jews. Later on he sent the following letter, through his Minister in
London, to Sir Moses:--
"I am commanded by His Majesty the Shah to acknowledge the receipt of
your memorial, praying that favour and protection may be generally
extended to the Jews in Persia. His Majesty has always manifested
solicitude for the welfare of his subjects, without distinction
of class or creed; and he will take care that no injustice or
undue severity is shown to the Jewish community, whom you rightly
characterise as loyal, peaceable, and industrious citizens. His
Majesty thanks you for the good wishes you have expressed in regard
to him.
(Signed) MALCOLM."
Sir Moses, thinking it would be useful to make the good intentions of
the Shah known to the Jews in Persia, as well as to the Persian public
in general, had this letter translated into the Persian and Hebrew
languages. He also addressed a letter of his own to the representatives
of the Hebrew community in Persia; and having had the English, Hebrew,
Persian, and his own letter lithographed on one large scroll, forwarded
copies to hundreds of Hebrew communities in Persia, with instructions
to have the scroll affixed to the principal entrance of their
Synagogues.
In his letter he calls the attention of the Jews to the good intentions
of the Shah, and enjoins them to pray for his life and happiness, and
the prosperity of the country in which they live.
Copies of all the foregoing are preserved in Lady Montefiore's College.
_October 23rd._--In commemoration of the visit of Sir Albert Sassoon to
one of the schools of the Spanish and Portuguese community in the month
of May in this year, Sir Moses caused a special medal to be struck.
Sir Moses was delighted to see the son of Mr David Sassoon, to whom
the Jews are indebted for schools, colleges, and synagogues in Bagdad,
Bombay, and other places, taking the same interest in education as his
father had done before him, and he gave expression to his sentiments
in a letter which he wrote to Sir Albert when sending him one of the
medals for his acceptance.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
1873.
ADDRESS TO THE CZAR ON THE OCCASION OF THE MARRIAGE
OF THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH--THE CZAR'S
REPLY--DEATH OF SIR MOSES' SISTER, MRS COHEN--SIR
MOSES READS HIS OWN OBITUARY--HE RESIGNS HIS OFFICE
AS PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DEPUTIES.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews, on the occasion of the betrothal
of the Duke of Edinburgh to the Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna of
Russia, voted an address of congratulation to the Emperor of Russia.
Sir Moses, as President of the Board, himself offered to take the
address to St Petersburg and present it to the Emperor in person,
but Count Brunnow, on becoming acquainted with Sir Moses' intention,
persuaded him not to undergo the fatigue of travelling, and the journey
was reluctantly abandoned. His Excellency himself forwarded the address
to the Emperor.
Monsieur de Westmann, acknowledging the receipt of the address in the
name of the Emperor, wrote to Count Brunnow as follows:--
"Les sentiments dont cette adresse contient l'expression, dans
une circonstance si chère au cœur de Sa Majesté Impériale, L'ont
profondément touchée. Elle a été particulièrement sensible au désir
manifesté par Sir Moses Montefiore de se rendre lui-même en Russie,
pour être l'organe des felicitations de ses co-religionnaires.
Sa Majesté Impériale n'a pu qu'approuver l'attention que vous
avez eue d'epargner à Sir Moses Montefiore les fatigues d'un si
long voyage. Elle m'a donné l'ordre exprès de lui faire parvenir
ses remercîments par l'intermédiaire de Votre Excellence et de
l'assurer qu'ayant conservé le meilleur souvenir du séjour de
Sir Moses à St Petersbourg, Elle maintient invariablement les
dispositions bien-veillantes qu'Elle lui a témoignées tant pour lui
personnellement que pour ses co-religionnaires, dont il a plaidé la
cause avec tant de chaleureux dévouement.
"Veuillez, Monsieur le Comte, faire part à Sir Moses Montefiore de
ces sentiments de notre Auguste Maître et recevez, &c."
During the next three months the serious illness of his sister, Mrs
Cohen, caused Sir Moses great anxiety. All the time he could spare
from official duties he passed by her side, trying to alleviate her
sufferings, and to cheer her by his conversation. But the dread
decree had gone forth, and in spite of all that was done for her, she
succumbed to the malady. On the 29th of October we read the following
entry in Sir Moses' Diary:--
"It has pleased the God of our fathers to relieve my dearly beloved
sister from all suffering. She was called to eternal glory this morning
at seven o'clock, expiring without a sigh, passing from earth to Heaven
most peaceably in a sound sleep. Oh, may my end be like hers! Peace be
to her soul! 'The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the
name of the Lord.'
"It is a sad loss to me. She was the youngest of nine children. I, the
oldest, by the mercy of God, still remain, I hope for the purpose of
doing some good.
"May God comfort my dear sister's children, bless and preserve them.
Amen."
_October 31st._--"My dear sister," he says, "looks calm and happy,
free from all pain. God rest her soul! The coffin had a covering of a
neatly-made glass." "My sister," he continues, "desired to be clothed
in the gown and cap I gave her as a present on the New Year.
"_November 4th._--Her mortal remains were taken to the grave this
morning. There was a very numerous attendance of friends. I was too
weak to follow to the grave."
During the seven days of mourning he received a great many visits of
condolence. He sometimes felt poorly, had a cough, and his hand was
unsteady for writing, but, "Thanks to the God of our fathers," he
says, "My head is clear." "May God's blessing continue to me now and
evermore. Amen."
_November 27th._--The entry in his Diary reads as follows:--"I feel
very weak and low, but have had great pleasure to-day by the receipt
of a most kind and pleasing letter from His Grace the Archbishop of
Canterbury, written last evening immediately on his return from a visit
with Mrs Tait and their family to my dear Judith College, where they
had passed more than two hours.
"Believing the perusal of the letter would be pleasing to our esteemed
Chief Rabbi, I have sent it to him."
The following is a copy of this letter:--
"STONEHOUSE, ST PETER'S, THANET, _November_ 26, 1873.
"MY DEAR SIR MOSES,--I have just now returned from a most interesting
visit with Mrs Tait and all my family to the College near your house.
I must write a few lines to thank you for your kindness in arranging
for our reception. Dr Loewe was most kind in explaining to us all the
various objects of interest and treasures accumulated in the College.
"I beg to thank you for the kind presents of the report on the famine
in Persia, of the statutes of the College, and of a copy of the
Shah's letter.
"It is a cause of much regret to us that you should have suffered
the affliction which has lately visited you, and which has prevented
us from seeing you during our stay here. My son especially was most
anxious to express to you personally how much he feels indebted for
the letters of introduction with which you furnished him for his late
visit to the East.
"Trusting that God may long preserve your life, and that He may keep
you and guide you in all your ways.--I am, my dear Sir Moses, very
faithfully yours,
"A. C. CANTUAR."
Whilst His Grace was proposing and drinking the health of Sir Moses
in the College, and the latter at East Cliff was expressing his
gratification at the visit of the Archbishop to the College, the people
in Ramsgate were lamenting the supposed sudden death of Sir Moses.
Indeed, _The Kent Coast Times_, Thursday, November 27, 1873, had a
paragraph to that effect. Sir Moses, on being told of it, and having
subsequently read that paragraph himself, said, pleasantly, "Thank God
to have been able to hear of the rumour, and read an account of the
same with my own eyes, without using spectacles."
_April 16th._--The representatives of the several Hebrew congregations
in Jerusalem addressed a sorrowful letter to Sir Moses respecting a
famine which threatened to destroy the lives of many inhabitants in the
Holy City.
"A wet and stormy season at its beginning ruined the prospects of the
early crops, which should have been reaped on the plains of Sharon
towards Jaffa and down the Ghor, the Jordan Valley, and around Jericho.
In ordinary times ample food is obtained from these wide plains, but
this year the Jordan flooded its banks, and all about Ramlah on the
western side of the hills was a swamp. The consequence has been famine,
actual famine, and in deep distress the Jews of Jerusalem utter a cry
of anguish to their well-tried friend."
Sir Moses gave publicity to the letter he had received, and several
daily papers had leading articles on the subject. He and others did
all they could to alleviate the distress, but seeing how often similar
calamities befel the people in the Holy Land, he wished to ascertain
from the best informed and most trustworthy persons in that country
the best means of securing for them some permanent help either in the
direction of agriculture or mechanical work or some suitable business.
Accordingly Sir Moses addressed the Háhám Báshi and the representatives
of the several Hebrew congregations in Jerusalem.
"It has ever been my earnest desire," he writes, "since I first
had the opportunity of becoming acquainted with the state of great
poverty and distress that prevailed among you, to ameliorate your
condition and cause salvation to spring forth in the Holy Land by
means of industrial pursuits, such as agriculture, mechanical work,
or some suitable business, so as to enable both the man who is not
qualified for study, but fully able (by his physical strength) to
work as well as the student, who, prompted by a desire to maintain
himself by the labour of his hands, may be willing to devote the day
to the work necessary for the support of his family, and part of
the night to the study of the Law of God, to find the means of an
honourable living.
"Already in the years 5599 and 5626 I entreated you to assist me with
your wise and judicious counsel, and begged of you to point out to me
the right path. I then forwarded to you statistical and agricultural
forms to enable you to record therein all the information required,
and you most cheerfully complied with my request, and gave me all the
particulars referring to these subjects.
"I on my part made known to all my friends and acquaintances the
information I received from you; but, unfortunately, from various
causes I met with little success in asking for assistance to carry
out this great work, and your condition remained the same as before.
"Having again this year noticed all the troubles and hardships you
had to undergo from scarcity of bread, and from want of means to
procure it, I thought I would again try to ascertain whether any
of your suggestions regarding the best mode of ameliorating your
condition, either by agriculture or by mechanical work, within or
without the house, or some suitable business pursuits, if clearly
and distinctly set forth to our brethren, might not, under present
circumstances, be more favourably received, and induce them more
readily to hasten with their succour to a most deserving class of
people, so as to procure lasting comfort among you.
"Let me therefore entreat you to fully acquaint me with your views
on this subject: point out to me what I am to do in order to hasten
thereby the cause of bringing salvation into the land. Consider well
which is the proper path, appearing most clearly to you, to produce
the remedy you stand in need of.
"By doing so you will comply with the wishes of your brethren, who
love and kiss, as it were, the dust of the Holy Land.
"Be strong and of good courage. Do not say 'Our words are of no
avail,' but send speedily a reply to him who holds you in great
esteem, and prays for the welfare of his people."
To this letter Sir Moses received replies from the congregations of
Jerusalem, Jaffa, Safed, Tiberias, Haiffa, giving full particulars
respecting the matters to which he had referred, and these letters
he subsequently submitted to the Palestine Committee of the London
Committee of Deputies of the British Jews. At the end of May the Board
of Deputies of British Jews sent a deputation to Sir Moses to again
request his acceptance of the Presidency over that body. Sir Moses was
very reluctant to accept duties which the state of his health might
not permit him adequately to fulfil, but the solicitations of the
deputation prevailed upon him, and putting his trust in God to help
him, he again accepted the honourable office.
During this year the Fishmongers' Company of London held a meeting, at
which, on the motion of the Prime-Warden, Mr W. C. Venning, the freedom
of the Company was unanimously voted to Sir Moses; and at the end of
June a deputation from the Company, headed by the Prime-Warden, came to
Ramsgate to present the document to him, enclosed in a golden casket of
beautiful workmanship.
_July 1st._--He had the honour of being graciously invited by Her
Majesty the Queen to an evening party at Buckingham Palace, but was
prevented by indisposition from availing himself of it.
_July 6th._--"I should have been pleased," Sir Moses writes in his
Diary, "had I been strong enough to go to London. I feel a deep
interest in the question now under consideration of the London
Committee of British Jews, for assisting our brethren to cultivate
land in Palestine. I am confident if capital could be raised for the
purpose, the people, the country, and the contributors would all be
greatly benefited by the work. I should suggest that a million sterling
should be obtained by 1,000,000 of £1 subscriptions, and I believe I
could obtain, within one year, that sum for the purpose from the Jews
in the four quarters of the globe."
_July 26th._--"I feel deep anxiety on the subject of the projected
scheme for agriculture in the Holy Land. I would suggest that a
committee should be sent to Jerusalem, Safed, Tiberias, and Hebron to
report. I should be willing to accompany the commissioners at my own
expense, should it be the desire of the Board of Deputies."
_August 4th._--Finding his health failing, he resolved to resign the
Presidency of the Board. His nephew, Mr Joseph M. Montefiore, came down
to him, and Sir Moses acquainted him with his wish. Before he left,
Sir Moses read to him the letter which he afterwards posted to him as
Vice-President of the Board, and of which the following is a copy:--
"EAST CLIFF LODGE, RAMSGATE, "_August 4th_, 5634 (1874).
"MY DEAR JOSEPH MAYER MONTEFIORE,--It is with unaffected pain that I
have to place in your hands my resignation of the Presidentship of
the London Committee of Deputies of the British Jews.
"The considerations which have urged this step have reference to my
state of health, which is, unfortunately, such as utterly to preclude
that unremitting attention on my part to the duties of the office
which their responsible nature demands.
"In retiring from a post which it has been my distinguished privilege
to occupy during a lengthened period, I can only assure you that I do
so with great regret, and with every earnest wish that, under your
able direction, the Board may long continue to exercise its powerful
influence for the good of the community, and that every blessing may
be enjoyed by yourself and those esteemed friends who represent so
worthily the congregations of this kingdom.--I have the honour to be,
my dear Joseph Mayer Montefiore, yours very truly,
MOSES MONTEFIORE."
I now quote from the Board's First Annual Report of its proceedings to
its constituents, Session 5634, p. 9.
"Considering Sir Moses Montefiore's lengthened association with the
Board, his exalted character, his potent influence in the councils
of monarchs and of ministers, and the rare judgment and tact which
he exhibited in directing the affairs of the Board, the Deputies
contemplated with deep concern and regret the possibility of his
retirement from their body."
Earnest efforts were again made to induce him to alter his
determination, but unfortunately without avail, and, bearing in mind
Sir Moses' advanced age, and that he had retired on the ground of
failing health, it was felt it would not be right to persuade him
further to retain an office involving at times arduous and responsible
duties.
In parting with its venerated President, the Board expressed its
sentiments in the following resolutions, which, being engrossed on
vellum and emblazoned, were signed by every Deputy, and presented to
him.
"Resolved unanimously--
"That this Board accept with profound regret the resignation by Sir
Moses Montefiore, Bart., F.R.S., of the office of President, which he
has held with so much honour and distinction since the year 1841.
"That during that long and eventful period this Board has had the
proud satisfaction of co-operating with Sir Moses Montefiore in many
of his numerous benevolent undertakings in the cause of civilization
and humanity.
"That by his unremitting and successful efforts on behalf of the
weak and persecuted, Sir Moses Montefiore has kindled a spirit
of enlightenment and toleration in foreign countries, which has
already led to a material improvement in the condition of oppressed
nationalities.
"That by these means Sir Moses Montefiore has acquired for himself a
glorious and imperishable renown, and the enduring gratitude of his
co-religionists.
"That this Board will ever cherish the remembrance of its association
with Sir Moses Montefiore, whose wise and discreet counsels have
prompted the efficiency and success of its labours, and whose uniform
urbanity and kindliness of manners have won for him the affectionate
regard and admiration of his colleagues.
"That it is the earnest wish of every member of this Board that Sir
Moses Montefiore may yet enjoy many years of happiness and repose,
cheered by the consciousness of having devoted himself to the
promotion of the welfare and prosperity of his fellow-creatures.
"(Signed) [Members of the Board.]"
"It was still felt," the Board reports, "that something more
was required to satisfy the feelings of affection and gratitude
entertained by the Board and its constituents towards Sir Moses
Montefiore.
"A Committee was therefore appointed to consider and report as to the
best mode of recording his long and valuable services in a permanent
and useful form. It was thought, moreover, that our co-religionists
in all parts of the world would gladly seize the opportunity
of acknowledging the invaluable services rendered by Sir Moses
Montefiore in vindicating on so many memorable occasions the rights
of our brethren, and in protecting and assisting the suffering and
oppressed, without distinction of creeds or nationality."
Sir Moses was invited by the Board to indicate the nature of the
memorial which would be most congenial to his own feelings, and, when
a deputation from the Board awaited upon him at Park Lane, he at once
recommended works for the improvement of the condition of the Jews of
the Holy Land.
It had happened that during the session Colonel Gawler, F.R.G.S.,
had submitted to Sir Moses Montefiore a scheme for the promotion of
agriculture and other industrial occupations in the Holy Land by means
of colonisation. Sir Moses Montefiore had referred the scheme to the
Board, who had appointed a Special Committee, by whom it was carefully
considered. Acting on a report from this Committee, the Board came to
the conclusion that, whilst Colonel Gawler was entitled to its warmest
thanks for the benevolent zeal which he had evinced in the matter, his
scheme was of too vast a character to be undertaken by the Board with
any reasonable prospect of success; but the Committee suggested an
undertaking for permanently improving the condition of the Jews of the
Holy Land, by the promotion of industrial pursuits, the erection of
improved dwellings, and the acquisition and cultivation of land on a
moderate scale, strongly urging at the same time that the funds which
might be raised should be entirely devoted to the assistance of those
who were really desirous of helping themselves, and that no portion
whatever should be applied in almsgiving.
These suggestions were carefully considered by the Board, and were
adopted, and were found to be most pleasing to Sir Moses Montefiore.
The Deputies therefore formed themselves into a Committee of the whole
body for the purpose of carrying the proposed objects into effect.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
1874.
UNVEILING OF THE BUST OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY
AT ST PETER'S ORPHANAGE--SIR MOSES ON JEWISH CONVERSION--THE
MONTEFIORE TESTIMONIAL--PREPARING
TO START ONCE MORE FOR THE HOLY LAND.
_November 14th_.--Mr Weekes, the sculptor, who five months previously
had submitted to Sir Moses a model of the bust of the Archbishop
of Canterbury, which, with the consent of his Grace, Sir Moses had
commissioned the sculptor to execute, now reported that it was ready
for being unveiled at the Orphanage at St Peter's, Thanet. Sir Moses,
believing that it would be a source of gratification to the Archbishop
to see the bust of Mrs Tait placed in the same institution, wrote to
that lady, asking her to allow him to give the sculptor an order to
that effect. Mrs Tait's reply is as follows:
"STONEHOUSE, ST PETER'S, THANET, _November 15th_, 1874.
"MY DEAR SIR MOSES,--Most deeply do we feel the kindness of your
request in wishing me also to sit to Mr Weekes for a bust to be
placed in St Peter's Orphan Home. I shall gladly comply, and
thankfully accept your great kindness.
"We are truly grieved to hear of your being so unwell, and I shall
be thankful if you find yourself well enough to join our party at
luncheon on the 17th, without risk.
"Dr Loewe has promised to be with us, and will say a few words for
you, should you be unable. He will also let me know if you have other
friends you may wish to be present.
"The bust of the Archbishop is beautifully executed, and will, I am
sure, be much admired.--Believe me to be, my dear Sir Moses, yours
most sincerely, "CATHERINE TAIT."
"The Archbishop joins in very kind regards."
Sir Moses was too unwell to leave Park Lane, and great disappointment
was felt by all present at the ceremony.
The Archbishop and Mrs Tait, however, were present to witness the
proceedings. The Dean of Canterbury and most of the clergy resident
in the neighbourhood, nearly all the clergy in the Westbere Deanery,
many of the Sandwich Deanery, and a great number from other parts of
the county, also attended. The company included several ladies. The
bust was placed in the dining-hall, and the juvenile inmates of the
institution were seated at one end of the room. A published report says:
"Dr Loewe attended as the representative of Sir Moses Montefiore, and
unveiled the bust. It bore the following inscription:--
A Bust
of ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL TAIT,
Archbishop of Canterbury,
Primate of all England,
Presented to
ST PETER'S ORPHAN AND CONVALESCENT HOME
by
Sir MOSES MONTEFIORE, Bart.
1874.
"Dr Loewe began by reading the following letter from Sir Moses to Mrs
Tait:--
"'I find with sincere regret that the state of my health precludes
the possibility of my travelling, and will thus deprive me of the
great pleasure and privilege of paying my respects to you and to the
Archbishop at the Orphanage to-morrow, but allow me to assure you
that, although I cannot be present, my fervent prayers will be united
to those of your guests, who entreat the blessing of God on the noble
institution in which they are assembled, and on its distinguished and
benevolent founders.'
"Dr Loewe then said he was sure the regret expressed by Sir Moses at
being prevented attending this interesting ceremony was equalled by
that of the company at being deprived of the presence of the great
philanthropist. Sir Moses, whose heart always glowed with love and
zeal for the cause of humanity, had watched with deep interest the
great exertions and sacrifices made by that excellent lady, Mrs Tait,
and her highly-esteemed husband, the Archbishop, for the purpose of
calling this noble institution into existence.
"Dr Loewe then unveiled the bust, and concluded by calling down the
blessings of heaven upon the Archbishop of Canterbury, upon his most
excellent consort, and his most amiable family. 'May he enjoy perfect
health, and be in possession of every prosperity that this world can
possibly give; may he live to see the time "when the earth will be
full with the knowledge of the Lord, even as the waters cover the
sea," when truth, peace, and light will be the guardian angels of
every man's house, when all will be united in enjoying happiness,
sitting, as it were, under their own vine and fig tree, with all
the blessing that God might bestow upon them. I believe, ladies and
gentlemen, I have conveyed the sentiments of Sir Moses Montefiore.
I need only say that I myself, and, I am sure, all of you cordially
endorse the words which have fallen from my lips in the name of Sir
Moses.'
"The Archbishop said--
"'I beg to express my best thanks to all who are here present for their
kindness in coming to this Orphanage to-day, and I would return my
very best thanks to Sir Moses for his great kindness, and for the
very flattering opinion he has formed of our efforts here. Dr Loewe
has most kindly represented him in his absence. This is not the
first instance of his kind consideration for this charitable work
which we have received. On the very first day when the foundation
stone of this building was laid, Sir Moses Montefiore was present,
though at his advanced age he might have well stayed away on a
bleak, wintry day. Five years ago he was present here. Although
prevented from joining our religious services, he showed that he
was desirous of co-operating with us in every way in which he could
do so conscientiously. In his carriage he drove close to where our
Christian meeting was assembled, and joined in those Psalms of David
which have been the solace of his life, and he ended that day by
a large and handsome contribution to the charitable work which we
were undertaking at that time. To-day he has kindly sent you this
work by Mr Weekes, of which of course I can say nothing, except that
I hope I may very faintly reflect the majestic appearance of that
bust. (Laughter.) We have greatly to thank Mr Weekes for the pains
and trouble he has taken with this work. We have greatly to thank Dr
Loewe for the way in which he has performed his part as Sir Moses
Montefiore's representative and friend of many years. But we have
especially to thank the Great Giver of all good that He has so far
prospered this work as to bring it to the degree of accomplishment
it has now attained. I have said it was on a bleak, wintry day, five
years ago, that the foundation stone was laid. I was not present,
for it had pleased God to lay me on a bed of sickness, and I could
hardly have expected I could live to be present five years after on
such an occasion as this. Thank God, as I do with my household, this
day for all His past mercies. Sir Moses Montefiore--and Dr Loewe, in
expressing his sentiments--has been kind enough to speak of me in
this matter. I am glad he has spoken of my wife, because I feel that
it is to her that the whole prosperity of this institution is owing,
and I will venture to say, though her husband, and in her presence,
I believe there is scarcely another woman in England who, under the
difficulties she has had to contend against, would have been able to
bring the institution to that degree of accomplishment to which it
has now attained. In England we still live under the barbarous law
which makes the property of the married woman over to her husband,
and therefore I cordially appropriate all that Dr Loewe has said of
her virtues, and take them as if they were my own.
* * * * *
"'In conclusion I beg to return our best thanks to Sir Moses
Montefiore for his kindness; tell him we shall certainly offer our
prayers that his long life may be blessed, that as he has advanced
far beyond the age which the Psalmist regards as the age of man, he
may have comforts and blessings poured upon him, and may be kept in
such health as his age allows.'"
Sir Moses, to whom I made a full report of the
proceedings at the Orphanage, requested me to call on the Archbishop
and express his gratitude to His Grace for his great kindness towards
him, upon which the Archbishop addressed Sir Moses as follows:--
"STONEHOUSE, ST PETER'S, THANET,
_21st November 1874._
"MY DEAR SIR MOSES,--Dr Loewe called yesterday to deliver your
most kind message. Kindly and well as Dr Loewe performed his part
on Tuesday, there was, I assure you, a universal feeling of regret
that you were not present.
"You have heard from the published account, and privately, how
happily the day passed.
"It was bright sunshine, and all things seemed propitious. Your
absence and its cause were the only drawbacks.
"How different a day it was, through God's goodness, from that day
five years ago when you kindly attended at the laying of the first
stone of the Orphanage!
"Trusting that your health will be restored, and that all the best
blessings from above may rest on you and yours.--I am, my dear Sir
Moses, yours very truly, "A.C. CANTUAR."
"Mrs Tait joins in all best wishes and in thanks."
Some clergymen of the Church of England who were present at the
ceremony called on Sir Moses, and, in the course of conversation, the
question of the conversion of the Jews was raised.
As a proof of how carefully Sir Moses retained in his memory what he
had once read, I will give the reader an opportunity of hearing Sir
Moses' opinion on the subject:--
He said to his visitors: "I have once read a book entitled 'Three
Letters humbly submitted to the consideration of His Grace the Most
Reverend the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of all England
and Metropolitan, on the inexpediency and futility of any attempt to
convert the Jews to the Christian faith in the way and manner hitherto
practised, being a general discussion on the whole Jewish question.'
The Rev. John Oxlee, Rector of Molesworth, Hunts, is the author. In
it he asks: How can it have happened that for seventeen hundred years
and more the Gospel should have been freely announced and offered to
the acceptance of the Jewish people without any corresponding effect?
what rational hopes may now be entertained of their speedy conversion
by the enthronement of a Protestant Jewish bishop at Jerusalem; and
what proper steps ought henceforth to be taken so as to lead to a happy
consummation?
"I ascertained," Sir Moses continued, "from the perusal of these
letters that even Christians were enjoined not only to inculcate in
others but to perform themselves the very smallest of the Mosaic
precepts (p. 26).
"'The Scribes and Pharisees,' the author, quoting from the New
Testament, says, 'sit in the seat of Moses; all, therefore, whatsoever
they bid you observe, that observe and do.' 'Here,' he says, 'we have
it explicitly enjoined on the disciples not only that they should hold
fast the written law of Moses, but that they should also admit the
authoritative interpretations of the Mishnical doctors, so as to pay
all due deference and respect to their solemn decisions.'
"With regard to the words of the Prophet Malachi, the Rector observes,
'Here in the very last of all the prophetic charges to be found in the
Old Testament, the future and perpetual observance of the Mosaic Law
is solemnly and emphatically enjoined on the children of Israel, as a
thing never to be forgotten, together with all its special enactments
whether relating to faith or discipline.
"'How then,' the Christian divine asks, ' can we conscientiously exhort
the Jew (on his embracing the faith of the Gospel) to forsake and
abandon the law which was not only commanded by God, and enforced by
the very last of the Jewish prophets, but also strictly enjoined and
practised afterwards by the founder of the Christian religion and His
twelve disciples?' 'Christianity,' he says, 'was never intended to
supplant Judaism, nor the Christian hierarchy to interfere with the
sacred functions of the Aaronic priesthood' (p. 29)."
The visitors would not argue the subject in question, but were pleased
to have had an opportunity of hearing Sir Moses' views.
_December 2nd_.--Sir Moses suffered for six weeks from a severe and
troublesome cough, requiring the frequent medical attendance of his
neighbour, Dr Billing, but he was eventually sufficiently restored to
health to leave Park Lane for Ramsgate.
_February 8th_, 1875.--The Sir Moses Montefiore Testimonial Committee,
numbering 102 members, advertised their first list of 412 subscribers.
"Remitted £150 to Jerusalem to complete the Touro Houses. Blessed
be the memory of Mr Touro, nevertheless his legacy has cost me
£5000."--_Extract from Sir Moses' Journal bearing date 18th March_ 1875.
_May 11th_.--He went to London to see Lord Tenterden at the Foreign
Office, informed him of his intentions to go to Jerusalem, and
requested Lord Derby to give him letters of introduction to Her
Majesty's Consuls.
_May 25th_.--Prior to his departure from England he attended the
meetings of all his various companies in the city, thus, at the age
of ninety, giving evidence of his intellectual powers in matters of
finance. We shall now follow him on his seventh journey to the Holy
Land, and find that in all matters connected with the welfare of his
brethren in that country, his judgment and counsel were as clear and
sound as at the time when he was in the prime of life.
On his return from his seventh pilgrimage to the Land of Promise, Sir
Moses printed, but did not publish, a "Narrative of a forty days'
sojourn in the Holy Land," in which he stated what his object was in
undertaking so fatiguing a journey at so advanced an age, and I propose
giving the reader extracts of the most important passages in Sir Moses'
own words.
He says:--
"With the intention of assisting the London Committee of Deputies of
the British Jews in their endeavours to improve the condition of our
brethren in the Holy Land, I presented the reply which I received to
my letter, addressed to the authorities in the Holy Land on the 29th
July 1874, to the Palestine Committee of that Board, by whom they
were subsequently published for circulation among their members.
"However satisfactory," he continues, "these letters may have been
to me, and to all those who, like myself, had the opportunity of
knowing the Holy Land, there were still some who expressed great
doubts regarding the correctness of all the statements made therein,
and being afraid lest such doubts, when spread amongst the Hebrew
communities, might damp the ardour of those who appeared ready
to offer a helping hand in the great object in view, I resolved,
notwithstanding the entreaties and remonstrances of dear relatives
and esteemed friends, to proceed at once to Jerusalem, so as to be
enabled to confer personally with those who had addressed to me
the letters in question, as well as with others whom I had not the
opportunity of seeing during my former visits to the Holy Land."
Sir Moses continues--
"I purpose in this my narrative of a forty days' stay in the Holy
Land, simply to state what I have seen and what I have heard, and to
accompany all important statements by documents emanating from the
several communities, or from other persons of undoubted veracity,
confirming, in every respect, the highly favourable opinion I have
hitherto entertained of our brethren in Palestine.
"_June 15th_.--After having offered up my prayers in the mausoleum of
her who, like a guardian angel, so often sustained me on my journeys
with her loving affection and judicious counsel, I left East Cliff
about mid-day for Dover."
Sir Moses was accompanied on this self-imposed Mission by Ed. Aikin,
Esq., M.R.C.S., Ed. Samuel, Esq., and by the writer of this.
CHAPTER XXXV.
1875.
SEVENTH VOYAGE TO PALESTINE--RECEPTION AT JAFFA--ARRIVAL
IN JERUSALEM.
"It was my intention," he says, "to lose as little time as possible,
and I was fully prepared to leave Dover, _en route_ for Brindisi,
the next day, but a strong gale sprung up which detained us till
Thursday, when, by the blessing of God, a calm sea and a blue sky
made us enjoy one of the finest passages across the Channel.
"The fine weather now accompanied us all along our journey, like the
pillar of cloud during the day and the pillar of fire during the
night in ancient times, and with a heart full of gratitude, I may now
say that during full three months, whether on land or on sea, the
pleasure of the journey was enhanced by the most delightful weather.
"By the advice of my medical attendant I was only permitted to travel
short stages, but I endeavoured at all places where I had to stop on
the road, to confer with the Jewish communities, where such existed,
and to ascertain their intentions regarding Jerusalem.
"It was in the ancient Hebrew community of Venice that a subject
closely connected with the interests of the Holy Land was first
broached to me. Signora F. C. S. Randegger-Friedenberg, the authoress
of a work entitled 'Strenna Israelitica,' had an idea of establishing
a female agricultural school in the Holy Land, at an annual outlay
of thirty thousand Austrian florins, and I promised to put her in
communication with those most interested in promoting industrial
schemes.
"I presented my letter of introduction to the Vice-Admiral, the Hon.
Sir James Drummond, who assured me of his willingness to do anything
I might require for facilitating my journey, but informed me at the
same time that the cholera had broken out in Damascus, and that the
spread of that epidemic along the coast was greatly apprehended.
This unexpected news at first somewhat startled me, for I well knew
the danger to which we should be exposed in a hot climate, in the
most unhealthy season, but I soon recovered my former resolution. It
appeared to me that I had a certain duty to perform--a duty owing to
our religion, and to our beloved brethren in the Holy Land. Nothing,
therefore, I made up my mind, should prevent me proceeding on my
journey. I communicated my resolution to the Vice-Admiral, who kindly
expressed his hopes for my safe return.
"Returning to the hotel I heard that the sad news of the cholera
being in Syria, and the necessity of remaining in quarantine on
leaving that country, had also reached my _compagnons de voyage_, and
they all entreated me to give up the idea of going to the Holy Land.
But I would not yield, nay, with every persuasive word of theirs to
make me return, my resolves to proceed became stronger.
"_Thursday evening, July 1st_.--This being the eve of the anniversary
of the opening of my Synagogue in Ramsgate and the laying of the
foundation stone of the College erected to the memory of my lamented
wife, we proceeded to the Synagogue, where we recited the Psalms we
usually read in our own Synagogue and College, at the conclusion of
which Dr Loewe offered up an especial prayer for the occasion.
"I must not here omit to mention a pleasing incident which made me
think of the large hearted benevolence which our ancestors in the
Bevis Marks Synagogue extended even to their brethren in remote
countries. Signor Soave, the professor of a school belonging to the
Spanish congregation of Venice, was engaged in searching for some
ancient Hebrew, Portuguese, and Spanish documents, when he happened
to find a letter addressed to the treasurer of an association known
by the name 'Kuppath Pidyohn Shebuyim,' or 'Fund for the Redemption
of Captives,' instituted by the Portuguese congregation of London. It
is dated the 1st of Iyar 5465 (May 1705), and the treasurer therein
makes a remittance of sixty ducados de Banco towards the assistance
or redemption of three Hebrew slaves brought to Venice in a Maltese
vessel.
"On the 2nd July we went on board the _Geelong_, and after a
delightful sail of six days, touching Ancona and Brindisi, reached
Alexandria on the 8th, where I experienced great kindness at the
hands of Messrs Kataui Bey, Baron Menasce & Sons, Messrs Abraham Piha
and Pariente.
"On the 9th of July we embarked on board the _Ettore_, an Austrian
steamer. As we were steaming out of the harbour my spirits became
buoyant in the extreme. God granted me His special blessing to find
myself again on the road to Jerusalem. The sea was calm as a lake,
not a ripple could be seen on its glowing mirror. The declining sun
reminded me of the approaching Sabbath. That day has always been a
particular object of delight to me. By the kindness and civility
of the people on board I was never interrupted in any way in the
performance of my religious duties. Every Friday as the Sabbath was
about setting in, I could light my Sabbath lamp, which I always
carried with me, and I often had the gratification of seeing the
seven lights (emblems of the six days of creation and the seventh day
of rest) burn as late as midnight, undisturbed by the motion of the
vessel, even when going at the rate of eleven knots an hour.
"On the morning of July the 10th we entered the harbour of Port
Said, and here I am desirous of pointing out the importance of land
in the vicinity of Jaffa to the agriculturist or general trader in
Palestine. The passengers from Europe to India, or from India to
Europe, generally avail themselves of the opportunity to go on shore
after a long and fatiguing journey, and are glad to pay a high price
for a basket of strawberries, pears, or apples, or a bunch of grapes
or vegetables. The stewards of any of those large steamers, I was
told, pay a high price for fruit of the above description. Should it
ever be in the power of the well-wishers of Zion to send a European
gardener to the land they may happen to own in Jaffa, they would
surely find a good market in Port Said.
"While on board the _Ettore_ I had the advantage of making the
acquaintance of Mr Julius Loytved, the Danish Consul at Beyrout, a
gentleman who takes a great interest in the Colonies established by
the Würtemberg people in Khaifa and Jaffa. He gave me a description
of what they have already accomplished, the numerous houses they have
built, and the land which they so successfully cultivated. He also
gave particulars regarding the British Syrian schools, established
at twenty-two different places in Syria, at the cost of £2372, 7s.
5d. per annum, comprising the payment of teachers, pupil teachers,
Bible-women, wages, board, clothing, furniture, rent, travelling,
postage, sundries, and building repairs.
"Hearing from that gentleman how liberally all the institutions for
social improvement in Syria are supported by the English people, it
struck me that if the well-wishers of Zion were to become acquainted
with the zeal and liberality which other nations display towards the
improvement of the condition of the people in Syria, they might be
moved thereby, and well exclaim: 'Are we to stand in the background
neglecting our Talmud-Tora schools, colleges, and benevolent
institutions in the Holy Land, while the adherents of other creeds
are actively bestirring themselves to make every possible sacrifice
for the cause they advocate?'
"At four o'clock P.M. Her Majesty's Vice-Consul at Jaffa (Signor
Amzalak), accompanied by his son, two káwásses, with their official
batons and several attendants, approached our ship. It was a source
of high gratification to me to see one of my brethren, a native of
the Holy Land, filling so high and honourable an office. I knew
his father well. He was one of the most worthy and charitable of
our brethren in Jerusalem, and I was now much pleased to have the
opportunity of evincing my regard for his son, whose abilities and
high character had been so honourably acknowledged by the consular
functions entrusted to him.
"In giving these and other particulars in connection with all my
movements in the Holy Land, my object is not to satisfy any selfish
feeling. I desire only to convey to the friends of Zion an idea of
the kindness and attention which our brethren are ever ready to
bestow on their well-wishers, and the great encouragement the Turkish
Government is always prepared to offer to those who in reality seek
to promote the interests of Jerusalem.
"According to our previous arrangements, we disembarked just before
sunset. The boat was brought quite close to a most convenient
landing, which had been expressly constructed for the Emperor of
Austria when he visited the Holy Land. A detachment of soldiers,
drawn up in two lines, commanded by the Kaimakam, presented arms.
Deputations from the several congregations in Jerusalem, Jaffa, and
Hebron bade me welcome, and tendered their congratulations on my safe
arrival, and a large concourse of people almost overwhelmed me with
their salutations. I entered a comfortable European carriage, which
conveyed me first to the tomb of my much lamented friend, Dr Hodgkin,
then to Signor Amzalak's country house, situate on the high road to
Jerusalem.
"It must have been about seven o'clock in the evening when we
arrived. The lady of the house, surrounded by a most amiable young
family and some friends of the house, gave us a friendly welcome. A
refreshing beverage, consisting of almond and rose water, was handed
round, and ten minutes afterwards a dinner was served in the best
European style. An almost endless variety of dishes, partly Syrian,
partly French, were handed round by waiters dressed in the French
style, who spoke French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Arabic.
All this might have made us forget that we were in the Holy Land
had we not been reminded of it every now and then, either by the
overpowering heat or the bite of an intruding mosquito.
"After having procured statistical accounts from the congregation, my
work at Jaffa was confined to seeing the estate known by the name of
Biárá, which was bought in the year 5615 (1855) for the promotion of
agriculture among our brethren.
"_13th July_.--Though somewhat indisposed, I would not lose the
opportunity of seeing the deputations which arrived from various
parts, and gathering from them as much information as possible. With
regard to the value of land, I learnt, for instance, that some land
outside the walls of Jerusalem, 100 yards in length and 50 yards in
breadth, sold for 25,000 piastres, equal to £207. The remainder of
that property has been sold for building purposes.
"Near this property there is some land, measuring 19,000 square
yards, containing seventy olive trees and five hundred vines; also
three small rooms and a cistern 10 × 16 × 12 yards; the whole being
offered at the price of £1600.
"To prevent the possibility of preparing for my reception at the
Biárá, I requested Dr Loewe to go there the next day at an early
hour, and report to me the state in which he found it.
"When the Biárá was bought in the year 5615 (1855), there were not
less than 1407 trees, bearing oranges, sweet lemons, lemons, citrons,
pomegranates, apples, peaches, almonds, dates, apricots, mulberries,
pears, figs, and bananas, and I was anxious to know how many we have
now in the garden.
"I also begged him to visit the Würtemberg estate, which is only a
very short distance from the Biárá.
"Accordingly he started on the 14th July, at six o'clock in the
morning, for the Biárá, inspected the houses, the garden, and the
adjoining field, examined the well and cistern, and made a rough
sketch of the estate; went to Saroona to inspect some of the houses
and fields, and returned in the afternoon with a most satisfactory
report.
"From statements reported in England I expected not to find a
single tree in the garden, the house in ruins, and the cistern and
water-wheel destroyed, but I was now fortunately able to convince
myself that such was not the case. It was arranged that I should
proceed the next day to the Biárá, accompanied by the English
Vice-Consul and every one of my own party, so as to be enabled to
have a complete inspection of the place.
"_July 19th_.--A deputation from Khaifa came to Jaffa to present
personally the statistical accounts referring to their community
which I had requested them in a special letter to prepare for me.
Towards the afternoon I invited the Khaifa deputation to enter my
room, and I examined the valuable documents they presented to me, and
there was every reason to be satisfied with the work they brought.
"Those gentlemen described the state of their congregation as being
in every respect satisfactory. They have four Synagogues and several
charitable institutions, maintain their poor, and do not partake of
any share of the contributions from abroad. They scouted the idea
that many persons came to Khaifa and Safed to escape military service
in their own country, and to obtain a share of those charitable gifts
which, it is said, are so abundantly offered to them by our European
brethren. The Deputies felt most indignant at such a report, and on
their return home the Elders addressed a letter to me, of which the
following is a short extract:
"'We beg leave to inform you that we all live here, thank God, in
perfect peace and unity; all of us conjointly listen to the voice of
our spiritual guides. We all consider it our utmost duty to observe
the laws of God, and there is no schism whatever in our community.
With regard to your inquiry respecting soldiers who, it was said,
were in the habit of coming to our place to settle among us with a
view of being maintained by the communal charities, allow us, sir, to
assure you that there have never come such persons to our place; any
report to that effect has no foundation in truth. As for ourselves,
we are all, thank God, maintaining our families by the work of our
hands; none of us partake of any charitable gift except the orphan
and the widow, and even these are supported by our own charitable
institutions, not by any charity coming from abroad.'
"Mesrs Jacob ibn Simool and Samkhoon called upon me for further
instructions regarding the Biárá. I repeated to both the assurance of
my satisfaction with their honest work, and promised to communicate
with them on my return to London. Mr Jacob ibn Simool, whom I may
call the father of the poor in Jaffa, called my attention to several
deserving cases of distress in the community, to which I observed,
'Why do the persons in question not work?' My object in putting this
question, I said, was not because I for myself ever doubted their
industrial habits, but to find the opportunity of convincing others
of the truth of my assertions, there being some persons who consider
the Jews in the Holy Land as an idle set of people, preferring the
bread of idleness to that of industry.
"On hearing this he almost burst into tears, denying the truth of
such accusations. 'Well,' I remarked, 'supposing I would offer a
trifle, say sixpence or a shilling, to any poor man to go out into
our Biárá and there fill the large cistern, which, according to Mr
Aikin's calculation, would take fifty-eight hours to fill, would any
of them do it?' 'Ah!' he replied, 'there would be fifty who, without
a moment's hesitation, would proceed at once to do the work.' I took
him at his word, and said, 'Well, let it be done to-day.' It was
about mid-day when this conversation took place. Messrs Simool and
Samkhoon went to town, and I requested Dr Loewe, Mr Aikin, and every
one who was with me, to proceed in the afternoon to the Biárá.
"On their arrival they found the courtyard adjoining the water-wheel
almost crowded by a number of poor, not less than thirty sitting
on the ground, eight of them alternately rising to turn the wheel,
while the others were singing in chorus Psalm cxxviii., in which the
verse, 'Thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands, and it shall be
well with thee,' occurs. Presently a number of them took out of their
pockets some little prayer books, and began singing Psalm cxix.; and
there prevailed as much gladness and joy among them, notwithstanding
the perspiration which streamed down their faces whilst they were
running round and round the wheel, as if they had been engaged in the
most easy and entertaining work. As the time drew nigh the evening,
Minha prayers were offered up by all present, and their melodious
voices might almost have been heard by their Würtemberg neighbours
in Sanoora. Subsequently they all dispersed in different corners to
select a place of rest for the night, as they still had to work some
time before the tank would be full of water. The next morning being
fast day (17th of Tamuz), they proposed rising at a very early hour,
so as to be able to do the work before the heat of the day became
too overpowering. Wednesday morning the water that filled the tank
was overflowing and irrigating the garden in all directions. Messrs
Simool and Samkhoon were delighted to have been able to prove the
correctness of their statement. As for myself, I never entertained
a doubt of the persevering industry of my brethren, but my object
was, as has already been stated, to convince others who were of a
different opinion.
"_22nd July_.--At an early hour this morning I ascertained from my
medical attendant that I might now venture, under great care, to
resume my journey. Though I had but little sleep during the night,
and felt very weak, I hastened, nevertheless, to give orders for our
departure.
"As I took my seat in a carriage, a large concourse of people pressed
around us, but the soldiers and káwásses soon cleared the way and
enabled us to proceed.
"We were rather disappointed at the state of the roads, which
appeared to be out of repair, and it took us three hours to reach
Ramlah.
"At about four o'clock in the morning we reached Colonia, almost
exhausted from fatigue, but I remained firm in my resolution, and
after a stay of half-an-hour, without descending from the carriage,
proceeded on my journey.
"At five o'clock in the morning we were already saluted by friends
who had come forward to greet us on our approach, and half-an-hour
afterwards we halted at the spot whence a full view might be had
of the Holy City. There we pronounced the customary blessings,
surrounded by an increasing number of people from all directions."
CHAPTER XXXVI.
1875.
WELCOME TO JERUSALEM--SATISFACTORY REPORT ON THE
CONDITION OF THE POPULATION IN THE HOLY CITY--SIR
MOSES' RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THEIR WELFARE.
"As we now continued moving towards Jerusalem, I had continually to
look right and left to see the number of new houses, some of them
very large buildings. As we proceeded all the occupants came out
of their houses, and I had the happiness of seeing hundreds of our
brethren lining the fronts of their dwellings. Presently my attention
was directed to the presence of my highly esteemed friend, the Rev.
Sam. Salant, a gentleman who had been one of my correspondents on
matters connected with the Holy Land for the last thirty-five years.
Proceeding a little further on the road, a new Synagogue was shown to
me; it was surrounded by a number of houses, occupied, I was told,
by fifty families. Again a plot of ground was pointed out to me as
belonging to a person who intended building sixty houses on it.
Coming near the Upper Gikhon pool, not far from the windmill which I
had built on the estate, 'Kérém-Moshé-ve-Yehoodit,' eighteen years
ago, my attention was directed to two other windmills recently built,
which I was told gave a good profit to the Greeks who owned them.
"Great was my delight when I considered that but a few years had
passed since the time when not one Jewish family was living outside
the gate of Jerusalem--when not a single house was to be seen; and
now I beheld almost a new Jerusalem springing up, with buildings some
of them as fine as any in Europe.
"When my carriage reached the Jaffa gate I was obliged to alight.
Neither the streets nor the pavements in Jerusalem, the driver
observed, are as yet prepared for carriages.
"Not having given any information of the time of my intended arrival,
my friends did not order a sedan chair to be in readiness for me, so
it was a rather difficult and painful task for me to walk along the
street to the house prepared for my reception, but the káwásses soon
led the way to my apartments.
"Here the Háhám Báshi, the Rev. Meyer Auerbach, and the Rev.
Samuel Salant presented an address of welcome, and when they had
concluded, I assured them of the great delight I felt in finding
myself surrounded by men of such distinction, and that I would see
them as often as possible. As soon as they left I made the necessary
arrangements for the reception of the representatives of the several
communities, the wardens of the Synagogues, and the committees of all
the charitable institutions, fixing the day and hour I intended to
see them.
"On leaving my apartments to inspect the adjoining rooms and tents
for the accommodation of my party, I noticed a number of porters
bringing in heavy luggage, and speaking, or rather shouting, as they
moved along, in not less than five or six languages--German, Spanish,
French, Arabic, Turkish, and Hebrew. I was delighted to find that
they all belonged to the Hebrew community, because their conduct
afforded another proof of the injustice of the accusation against
our brethren of Jerusalem that they are unwilling to work. Looking
up at the roofs of the adjoining houses, I observed almost as many
people--men, women, and children--as I saw in the street below, all
of them offering me their salutations. They appeared to me to be
good-looking and neatly dressed. Some of them dropped down letters
and poems, specially composed in honour of my arrival. They were,
however, requested by the káwásses to withdraw from near our terrace,
lest their presence might be considered an intrusion.
"Entering the large reception room, I had a beautiful view of the
east, north, and south of Jerusalem. I could see several very fine
buildings on the Mount of Olives, many new and lofty houses all
along the north, and some cupolas of Synagogues. As I looked out of
the window I could almost see into the rooms of several families
who lived near the house I occupied, and it was a source of much
gratification to me to witness the affectionate manner in which the
children were treated, and the industrious habits of the inmates.
"_26th July_.--In the course of the day I received visits from Mr
Noel Moore, Her Majesty's Consul in Jerusalem, an enlightened public
servant and an accomplished scholar, whom I have the pleasure to
number among my friends, as well as from his Highness Aziz Bey, the
brother of his Excellency the Governor of Jerusalem, accompanied by
George Palet Effendi. The former expressed regret that no notice
had been given of the day I intended to enter Jerusalem, or my
friends, he said, would have come to meet me. He brought me the
cordial welcome of the Governor, observing, in the name of his
Excellency, that as my state of health would not allow me to call
on the Governor, the latter would gladly come to pay me a visit
without ceremony. In reply to this most kind offer, I begged Aziz
Bey to assure his Excellency that, however grateful I must feel to
the Governor for his condescension, I could not accept that honour,
as I should thereby be deprived of the opportunity to pay that
tribute of respect which I was desirous to pay his Excellency, as
the representative of the Turkish Government, to whom I was anxious
to present the Vizierial letter so kindly procured for me from
Constantinople.
"Most of the gentlemen whom I had the pleasure of seeing were old
acquaintances, and have been in correspondence with me. They gave
me pleasing accounts of their synagogues, colleges, and charitable
institutions, and submitted to me a number of letters and documents
referring to communal matters, which I promised should have my
special attention. I was much struck with the appearance of the
representatives of the Gurgistan (Georgia) congregation. They only
settled in Jerusalem five years ago, and now number two hundred
souls, all of whom came to the Holy Land by special permission of
the Russian Government. Some of them wore decorations. One, by name
Eliahu ben Israel, had three, which he received, one from the late
Emperor Nicholas and two from the present Emperor Alexander. When
I enquired of their chief how they came by these special marks of
distinction, he told me, that during the war of the Russians with
the Circassians, the Jewish soldiers fought most bravely, and,
when all the people in the town of Kutais deserted the place, the
Jews remained, and with their blood defended the Treasury of the
Russian Government. The soldier with the three decorations, Eliahu
ben Israel, said that he received, on each occasion when those
decorations had been given to him, an embrace from the Emperor.
It was quite a sight to see those handsome stalwart men, some in
Caucasian and some in Circassian costume, relating the adventures of
a Caucasian war.
"Considering that in the presence of these brave men in Jerusalem,
certain persons should have brought forward accusations of cowardice
and desertion against our brethren, it made me almost shed tears.
Surely, I thought, Russia, Austria, Prussia, France, Italy, and other
countries would give them quite a different character.
"I was next favoured with a visit from Dr Schwartz, Director of
the Rothschild Hospital in Jerusalem, inviting me to visit all the
institutions called into existence by that distinguished family,
famous throughout the world for their unbounded benevolence.
"Dr Puffeles, the Director of the Hospital known by the name of
'Báté Kholim,' now entered, and in the course of conversation, gave
me a pressing invitation to see the Hospital under his direction,
especially as that institution had been permitted by me to take
possession of the Dispensary which I had established thirty-two years
ago (in 1843) in Jerusalem, and placed under the care of a medical
attendant.
"Presently Astriades Effendi, the Mayor of Jerusalem, was announced.
I had the pleasure of knowing that gentleman during my visit to the
Holy City in the year 1866. He spoke enthusiastically of the great
improvements which have taken place since that time. Under the
present regulations all houses must be built, he said, according to
the plan approved of by the Government, the great object being to
have proper roads in all directions. It is part of his duty to see
the law in question properly carried out, but he finds it difficult
sometimes to convince builders of its utility and importance.
Speaking of the houses which had been built by the Prussian
Government for the accommodation of lepers, he observed that they
were insufficient for the number now in Jerusalem.
"_July 28th_.--Preceded by soldiers and káwásses, I repaired to the
Synagogue called 'Beth-Ha-Kenesset Istambooli,' presided over by the
Rev. Háhám Báshi, then to the great German Synagogue, 'Beth Jaacob,'
the Guedalla College, and the fine public baths.
"_July 29th_.--My medical attendant declared it impossible for me
to leave my chamber, and I was most reluctantly obliged to send
apologies to his Excellency the Governor, and to the English Consul,
for not calling on them at the previously appointed hour. All my
letters were now placed before me for my perusal, and I requested
Dr Loewe to have his horse saddled, in order to go and inspect all
the land outside the city which had been offered for sale. In the
afternoon the Governor sent his secretary, George Balet Effendi, to
express his regret at my indisposition, offering again to come to
me, especially as his official duties would call him away to Gaza,
where he would have to remain perhaps several days. This kind and
condescending offer, however, I again begged, for the reason already
stated in this narrative, with a sense of deep gratitude, to decline,
as I fully hoped to be yet able to pay first my respects to him.
"Towards the evening Dr Loewe returned with full particulars
regarding the land he had seen, having arranged that I should be put
in possession of all the plans and exact measurements of each field,
so as to enable me fully to judge of its value and usefulness for the
object in view. All the various schools, institutions, foundations,
trusts, soup-kitchens, and other charitable establishments were
visited, and carefully inspected.
"_Friday, August 6th_.--I had occasion to see the work of eight
mechanics--a watchmaker, an engraver, a lithographer, a sculptor,
a goldsmith, a bookbinder, and carpenter, and all did their work
most satisfactorily. The watchmaker, Joshua Fellman, into whose
hands I put a valuable repeater for repairs, put it in a very short
time in excellent order. The same man, in addition to his skill as
watchmaker, displays also great talent as a Hebrew caligraphist. He
presented me with a grain of wheat, on which he wrote nineteen lines,
forming an acrostic on my name. The engraver engraved for myself
and several of my party Hebrew inscriptions in the best style. The
lithographer, Mr David Spitzer, a native of Hungary, lithographed a
number of cards for me after a pattern I gave him of a London-made
card. I could scarcely find out the difference between the one and
the other. The sculptor, to whom I gave the order in the evening to
prepare two stones for me, with inscriptions of the verse, 'For thy
servants take pleasure in thy stones,' &c. (Ps. cii. 15), accompanied
by the date of my sojourn in Jerusalem, did the work in one night.
The goldsmith made a number of rings, tablets, and cases; the tinman
made two large cases for my books and papers; the bookbinder bound
the statistical accounts in very good style, and the carpenter gave
equal satisfaction--he did his work as well as any English carpenter.
"I was again greatly disappointed when my medical attendant would
not allow me to leave my apartment, and I was obliged to commission
Dr Loewe and Mr Aikin to do the work I was so anxious to have done
myself, to inspect the Touro almshouses, the windmill, and the whole
of the estate Kérém-Moshé-ve-Yehoodit.
"On their return they told me they had been in every one of the
houses, and spoken to all the inmates. They found all the apartments
remarkably clean, and the occupants, with the exception of one,
in the full enjoyment of health. They also entered the four new
houses, for the occupation of which I have already nominated four
deserving families, and assured me that they were well built, and in
every respect like the old houses. They ascended to the top of the
windmill, and found everything perfect, with the exception of the
mill-stones, which are a little worn, but not to such an extent as to
prevent grinding. The garden and the wall all round they considered
to be in perfect order.
"I was particularly pleased with their account of the windmill, as I
had a double object in building it--to benefit the poor and encourage
industry. According to paragraphs V. and VIII. in the agreement, 'The
poor shall always have their wheat ground at a reduced price; they
are to pay for each measure two páráhs less than the charge would be
to any other person not classed among the poor; and when both poor
and rich come at the same time to have their corn ground, precedence
should always be given to the poor.'
"I then proceeded to the Synagogue, and was there most agreeably
surprised with the magnificent appearance of that noble edifice.
It is a hundred feet high from the floor to the cupola; contains
a number of communal offices, a college for the study of the
Holy Law, and in an adjoining building also a public bath. I was
received on entering the Synagogue by the representatives of several
congregations.
"I was told that the whole building had been built by the hands
of Jews. Every kind of work, it was further observed--that of
the carpenter, blacksmith, glazier, embroiderer, goldsmith, or
engraver--all had been done by the Jews in Jerusalem. I noticed
some beautiful silver ornaments for the Sepharim, especially a
massive silver crown, and when I enquired where it had been made,
the man who had done the work was introduced to me. The Synagogue
was full in every corner, but owing to the excellent arrangements no
inconvenience was felt.
"I made arrangements to start the following day for Ramlah at an
early hour, but gave orders that my intentions should not be made
known to any of our friends and acquaintances; and the next day,
Wednesday, 8th of August, between four and five o'clock in the
morning, I was on the road to Jaffa. My esteemed friend, the Rev.
Samuel Salant, and a few more still managed to see me, so I bade him
and those with him a sincere good-bye. Dr Loewe and Mr Aikin followed
us on horseback.
"I found the road much better; it appeared to me as if most of the
impeding stones had been cleared away. We continued our journey till
mid-day, when we had a halt of two hours at Bab-el-Wad, and then
proceeded to Jaffa.
"On Sabbath we again saw Port Said. On Sunday and Monday we were in
the quarantine harbour at Aboukir, and the following Saturday we
found ourselves in the harbour of Naples. On 13th of August we landed
at Firoul; there we remained five days in quarantine. On Saturday
morning, at half-past six, we entered the harbour of Marseilles, but
did not land till half-past seven in the evening, when we proceeded
at once to the Synagogue, and thence to the railway which took us to
Paris. There again I repaired to the House of God to offer thanks
for his boundless mercy to me; and on the 9th of September I had the
happiness of entering my own Synagogue at Ramsgate, after an absence
of three months.
"In concluding this narrative, I feel it my pleasing duty to inform
all friends of Zion that I again have had every opportunity to
convince myself of the correctness of those statements which had
been made in the 'Replies' I received to my inquiries on the 15th
October '5634'. The great regard I have always entertained towards
our brethren in the Holy Land has, if possible, increased, so that if
you were to ask me, 'Are they worthy and deserving of assistance?'
I would reply, 'Most decidedly.' 'Are they willing and capable of
work?' 'Undoubtedly.' ' Are their mental powers of a satisfactory
nature?' 'Certainly.' 'Ought we, as Israelites, in particular to
render them support?' 'Learn,' I would say, 'if your own Sacred
Scriptures do not satisfy you, from non-Israelites what degree of
support those are entitled to who consecrate their lives to the
worship of God. Go and cast a glance upon the numerous munificent
endowments, upon the munificent institutions, upon the annual
contributions, not only in Jerusalem, but in every part of the
world--not only by individuals, but by almost every mighty ruler on
earth. Notice the war which has broken out within our recollection
respecting the privilege of repairing a house of devotion, all
for the sole object of supporting religion. And are we Israelites
to stand back and say, We are all practical men; let everybody in
Jerusalem go and work? We do not want a set of indolent people who,
by poring over books, teaching the Word of God, think they are
performing their duties in life, and wait for our support!' The Jews
in Jerusalem, in every part of the Holy Land, I tell you, do work;
are more industrious than many men in Europe, otherwise none of them
would remain alive; but when the work does not pay sufficiently, when
there is no market for the produce of the land, when famine, cholera,
and other misfortunes befall the inhabitants, we Israelites, unto
whom God has revealed himself on Sinai, more than any other nation,
must step forward and render them help, raise them from their state
of distress.
"If you put the question to me thus: 'Now we are willing to
contribute towards a fund intended to render them such assistance as
they require; we are ready to make even sacrifices of our own means,
if necessary. What scheme do you propose as best adapted to carry
out the object in view?' I would reply, 'Carry out simply what they
themselves have suggested; but begin in the first instance with the
building of houses in Jerusalem. Select land outside the city; raise,
in the form of a large square or crescent, a number of suitable
houses, with European improvements; have in the centre of the square
or crescent a synagogue, a college, and a public bath. Let each house
have in front a plot of ground large enough to cultivate olive trees,
the vine, and necessary vegetables, so as to give the occupiers a
taste for agriculture.
"The houses ought to pay a moderate rental, by the amount of which,
after securing the sum required for the payment of a clerk and
overseer and the repair of the houses, there should be established
a loan society, on safe principles, for the benefit of the poor
working-class, the trader, agriculturist, or any poor deserving
man. Two per cent. should be charged on each loan, so as to cover
thereby the expenses necessary for a special clerk and the rent of an
appropriate house.
"If the amount of your funds be sufficient, build houses in Safed,
Tiberias, and Hebron on the same plan; establish loan societies on
similar principles of security.
"And should you further prosper, and have £30,000 or £50,000 to
dispose of, you will without difficulty be able to purchase as much
land as you would like in the vicinity of Safed, Pekee-in, Tiberias,
Hebron, Jerusalem, Jaffa, and Khaifa, and you will find in all those
places a number of persons who would be most willing to follow
agricultural pursuits.
"And if you now address me, saying, 'Which would be the proper time
to commence work, supposing we were ready to be guided by your
counsel?' my reply would be, 'Commence at once; begin the work this
day if you can.'
"Our brethren throughout Europe, Persia, and Turkey have been
roused by your promises, which have been made known to them in the
most hopeful terms by Hebrew, German, French, Italian, and English
periodicals. You led them to cherish the hope that you would surely
make no delay in proceeding to ameliorate the condition of the Sons
of Zion. They now cry out, 'Here we are, give us land, give us work,
you promised to do so. We are willing for the sake of our love to
Jerusalem to undertake the execution of the most laborious tasks;'
but the representatives of the community have no answer to give;
they simply, with a cast-down countenance, say, in the words of King
Solomon: 'Clouds and wind without rain.'
"You are then, I repeat, in sacred duty bound not to disappoint them
any longer. Begin the hallowed task at once. He who takes delight in
Zion will establish the work of your hands. "MOSES MONTEFIORE."
Sir Moses now received numerous congratulations on his safe return from
his seventh pilgrimage to the Holy Land, in reply to which he said,
that it was a source of much happiness to him to witness the greatly
improved condition of his brethren, and he would always be ready to go
there again should his presence in Jerusalem be required.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
1876.
CONGRATULATIONS ON HIS RETURN TO ENGLAND--THE
TESTIMONIAL FUND--PALESTINE COLONIZATION FUND--UNVEILING
THE BUST OF MRS TAIT--BAD NEWS FROM
EASTERN EUROPE--MUSURUS PASHA'S ASSURANCES.
The Executive Committee of the Sir Moses Montefiore Testimonial,
engaged since the beginning of 1876 in promoting the object in view,
held frequent meetings to consider the best means of carrying out
his wishes. They advertised in English, German, and Hebrew papers
for qualified persons to act as their agents in the Holy Land, and
succeeded in securing the services of a qualified gentleman anxious to
help the good cause. It was decided that the fund should be devoted to
the purchase of ground in the Holy Land, to the erection of houses,
and generally to the encouragement of agriculture and of industrial
pursuits.
Those of my readers who are subscribers to the Testimonial Fund will
no doubt be glad to learn the progress which has been made up to
the present year, 1887, and I will therefore at once give them the
substance of all the information I have received on the subject before
proceeding to record any incident of the year 1876.
A report of the said Committee, dated February 16th, 1883, states that,
"After great consideration and careful investigation they acquired two
plots of land in a very favourable situation, outside the walls of
Jerusalem, at a cost of about £1000, and entered into contracts with
two building societies for the erection of suitable dwellings on the
site.
"The members of one of their societies, the 'Mishkenoth Israel,' belong
to the German Hebrew community at Jerusalem, and those of the other,
the 'Ohel-Moshe,' to the Portuguese Hebrew community.
"The basis of these contracts is, that as the work progresses, the
Committee undertakes to make advances free of interest, in proportion
to the progress, as certified by their local architect. Thus, the
society, 'Mishkenoth Israel,' in consideration of sums amounting in
all to £2600, to be advanced to them by the Committee, have undertaken
to erect eighty single or forty double houses, as well as a synagogue,
cisterns, baths, and such other buildings as may be considered
necessary for the common use of the inhabitants of the houses. It has
been agreed that this advance shall be repaid within fifteen years, and
upon such repayment the houses are to become the absolute property of
the Society, but that, on the other hand, the buildings for common use
are always to remain the property of the Committee, and the name of
Sir Moses Montefiore is to be inscribed on the group of buildings as a
lasting tribute to his memory.
"As regards agricultural undertakings in the Holy Land, the Committee
have not yet felt justified in entering upon or giving pecuniary
support to enterprises of that character.
"With reference to industrial pursuits of a miscellaneous kind, the
Committee, besides promoting, to some extent, wood carving and weaving
at Jerusalem, have also expended various sums of money, and bestowed
much attention on the manufacture of tiles and bricks in Jerusalem;
and ultimately, in December 1884, they let the machinery and plant to
the authorities of the Rothschild School in the Holy City, for the
purpose of aiding deserving persons desirous of being taught the art of
brick or tile making. They have reason to anticipate very satisfactory
results from promoting in this manner the manufacture of articles
likely to come into general use in the East.
"The Committee further state the important fact that, since May 1880,
no expenses whatever of management have been incurred beyond the salary
of their agent at Jerusalem."
In addition to the above particulars, I am enabled to state, by the
information I received on February 21st, 1887, from the present
treasurer, that in round numbers the Committee have spent £6200 on 160
houses and buildings, the best of the kind in the Holy Land, and that
they have now a little over £2000 left.
Since the matter has been with him (1882) not one penny has been spent
in office expenses. Until last year they paid their agent in the Holy
Land £200 a-year, but this has now been reduced to £100 a-year.
They are spending about £360 in erecting fences round the centre
buildings, reserved as the present property of the Committee of the
Testimonial Fund.
It would, undoubtedly, have been a cause of much satisfaction to
Sir Moses to have seen some encouragement given to agricultural
undertakings, even on a small scale, but the Committee not feeling
justified in adopting this course, he expressed his appreciation of
their decision with gratitude.
In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Committee (February 28th,
1876), he says: "Conjointly with other well-wishers of Zion, I fully
appreciate their labours, as well as their frequent sacrifices of
valuable time and convenience to the hallowed cause of religion. May
they all, I fervently pray to Heaven, reap the high reward vouchsafed
unto those who seek to establish peace and happiness in the city of the
Lord, and may they become living witnesses of the speedy restoration of
Zion to its former effulgent glory."
However, after his return from Jerusalem, a meeting was held on the
15th of December 1875, by the Palestine Society, as a preliminary to
the formation of a Palestine Colonization Fund, at which, in conformity
with a resolution proposed by Mr Jacob Montefiore, it was agreed
that a deputation of members of the society and friends of the cause
of Palestine should wait on the Turkish Ambassador. Accordingly, on
Tuesday, December 21st, by special appointment, a number of gentlemen
represented to his Excellency the growing desire in this country to
promote the colonisation of Syria and Palestine by persons of good
character (more especially Jews), willing to devote themselves to
agriculture and industry, in response to the invitation put forward
a few years ago by the Turkish Government. Pointing out the great
financial improvement likely to result from such utilization of waste
lands, the deputation asked if the conditions originally offered to
foreign settlers by the Ottoman Government, together with the various
firmans published from time to time for the benefit of the subjects of
His Majesty the Sultan, would now be applicable to foreign immigrants.
His Excellency pointed out in reply, that foreigners were at liberty
to purchase land or other property in any part of Turkey, and to
remain under the protection of their own Consuls; or they might take
advantage of the offers of the Turkish Government, and receive grants
of land, becoming amenable to Turkish law, and in all respects being
Turkish subjects. His Excellency added that the Ottoman Government
had taken great trouble to promulgate these conditions, which, he
regretted to say, had not as yet been responded to. The principal
points in these conditions are, that the settlers are exempt from all
taxes, territorial or personal, for twelve years; they are exempt also
from military service, but pay the tax in lieu thereof after twelve
years. After twenty years they acquire a title to their lands, and
are at liberty to dispose of them as they please. By the recent "Hát"
(firman), the Ambassador said, the following privileges are secured:
the power of electing judicial and administrative bodies, the power of
electing the collectors of tithes, freedom to religious communities to
control their own affairs, and free power of holding and bequeathing
property.
The names of the members of the deputation, and of those noblemen
and gentlemen who, not attending, signified their cordial sympathy
and approval, revived in Sir Moses the hope that, notwithstanding
the present disinclination of the Testimonial Committee to encourage
agriculture, the time might yet arrive when they would gladly avail
themselves of a favourable opportunity to promote his long cherished
scheme.
The Diary of 1876 contains but very few entries. He complains of being
weak and unwell, but his indisposition does not prevent him from seeing
friends and attending to all his correspondence, which increased daily.
He was occasionally present at Divine service in the Synagogue, and at
the lectures delivered in the College, and often contemplated having a
telephone between these two sacred buildings and his own chamber, so
as to enable him to join the congregation in prayer, and listen to the
lectures, when prevented by illness from leaving his couch.
He took his regular drives whenever the weather was favourable, enjoyed
the fine view of the sea when in his room, telling the friends who
happened to be with him of the approach of a vessel long before they
were able to see it, and never failing to have at least two of the
principal daily papers read to him.
_June 17th._--The reader will probably remember that in the year 1874
Sir Moses requested Mrs Tait to sit for her bust, to be placed in the
Orphanage of St Peter's. It was now unveiled on the occasion of the
opening, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, of a new convalescent home in
connection with the St Peter's Orphanage. The ceremony was performed by
Dr Loewe in the name of Sir Moses Montefiore, who sent a cheque for one
hundred guineas to the Archbishop for the institution.
His Grace acknowledged, on the part of Mrs Tait and the friends of
the institution, in feeling language the compliment which had been
paid to Mrs Tait and himself, and passed a high eulogy on the general
benevolence and kind-heartedness of Sir Moses, wishing him in his old
age all the blessings which God could endow him with.
Sir Moses' absence was deeply regretted by all present; unfortunately
indisposition prevented his joining the numerous assembly. I give a
copy of the letter he addressed to Mrs Tait on that occasion:--
"MY DEAR AND ESTEEMED MRS TAIT,--I sincerely thank you for your and
his Grace's invitation to be present at the ceremony of the 8th inst.
I feel I cannot promise myself that happiness. Nothing, however, but
want of health would prevent my enjoyment of that gratification.
"May you and his Grace live many years to witness the good effect of
your admirable institution, which is so calculated to afford relief
to the destitute and suffering. I hope you will allow me the pleasure
of adding the amount of the two enclosed cheques to its funds, one in
the name of my beloved wife, and one in my own.
"With my profound respects to yourself and the Archbishop, and kind
regards to your amiable family.--I am, most truly yours,
"MOSES MONTEFIORE."
The Archbishop sent the following letter in reply:--
"STONEHOUSE, ST PETER'S, THANET, _June 12, 1876_.
"MY DEAR SIR MOSES,--I must not delay longer to thank you very
heartily for the pleasure you gave to Mrs Tait and myself and our
girls and my son, not to mention all connected with St Peter's Home,
by the kind present which was unveiled last Thursday.
"We regretted your own absence, but Dr Loewe kindly and efficiently
represented you. Mr Weekes unfortunately was not present, but all
admired the excellent way in which the bust was finished, and I hope
you will assure him of our thanks.
"Your generous donation in your own name and in that of her who is
so dear to you, came most opportunely to complete the payments for
the new building, which, I trust, with your kind help thus given, and
that of other friends, may long be a blessing to the suffering.
"I trust by God's blessing that your health continues good, and that
the summer weather is favourable to your restoration.
"With kind regards from all our party here, and from my son, who is
in London.--I am, my dear Sir Moses, ever yours sincerely,
"A.C. CANTUAR."
The year 1877 was charged with serious events, which fully engaged his
attention.
Being informed in the month of January of the great distress then
prevailing among the Turkish soldiers in consequence of the war in
Bulgaria, and the great political changes following to the death of the
Sultan Abdul Aziz, Sir Moses forwarded a generous donation, in aid of
the sufferers, to the Ambassador of the Sublime Porte in London.
A few days later he communicated to the Board of Deputies the sad
intelligence he had received, that in the villages of the district of
Vaslui, Moldavia, three hundred Jewish families had been robbed of the
greater portion of their effects, and driven from their homes by order
of the Prefect. The Board, on having the facts verified, sought the
intervention of the British Government, which was immediately accorded,
the result being that the Prefect and three of his sub-prefects were
superseded.
To relieve the sufferers in their distress, Sir Moses and Baron Lionel
de Rothschild transmitted generous donations to the scene of trouble.
The Board of Deputies also organised a fund for the relief of the
sufferers, and remitted a considerable portion of the amount collected,
by telegram, for distribution among the refugees.
_February 1st._--He received a letter from his Excellency Musurus
Pasha, conveying to him assurances of the favourable intentions of His
Majesty the new Sultan, Abdul Hamid II., towards his Hebrew subjects.
"MY DEAR SIR MOSES,"--(the Ambassador writes, under the date of 17th
February 1877)--"According to the intention which I expressed to you
in my letter of the 4th ultimo, I communicated to the Sublime Porte a
copy of the letter which you did me the honour to address me on the
1st ultimo, and I have now received the instructions of the Imperial
Government to return you its thanks for your generous donation to the
fund for the relief of suffering among the Turkish soldiers, and for
the good feeling expressed in your letter, and to assure you, at the
same time, that the solicitude of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan
will be always extended to the Israelites equally with the other
communities of the empire.--Believe me, dear Sir Moses, yours most
sincerely,
"MUSURUS."
The Sultan has kept his word up to this day, and there is every reason
to hope he will continue to do so. Some of the Jews under his rule fill
high offices of State, others are employed as professors in Government
schools, and all enjoy the same privileges as other subjects of his
empire.
_April 14th._--Sir Moses received a letter from the Secretary of the
Board, in which a desire was expressed to ascertain his views as to
the best mode of dealing with certain matters referred to in a letter
addressed to the Board, referring to the ill-treatment of the Jews in
Fez.
"I have received," he replied, "a communication from Mr A. C., of
Mogador, containing complaints similar to those to which you allude,
and my reply to him was that the letter which the Jewish community of
Mogador had received from the Prime Minister in the name of the Sultan,
appeared to me a striking proof of the Sultan's intentions to afford
justice to every one of his Jewish subjects.
"In the letter Mr A. C. has addressed to me, he states that they had
appealed to the Sultan, who, in reply to their petition, promised to
personally investigate the nature of their complaint, and moreover
added that he would in no instance suffer any injustice to be done to
any of his subjects.
"I forwarded," Sir Moses writes, "to Mr C. a copy of a letter which I
had addressed to all the Jewish communities in the Barbary State on
my return from Morocco in the year 1864, advising them to act on all
occasions in strict accordance with the suggestions therein given. If
you refer to other acts of ill-treatment at the hands of the Moslems of
which the Jews have to complain in Morocco, then I say, if the Board
of Deputies should deem it proper to entrust me with a Mission to the
Sultan, I shall regard the confidence they would thus repose in me as a
high compliment, and should be ready to start at a moment's notice."
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
1877.
ACCUSATION AGAINST JEWS IN THE CAUCASUS--AFFAIRS IN
SYRIA--ANTI-SEMITIC MOVEMENT IN PRUSSIA--DEATH
OF JOSEPH MEYER MONTEFIORE--ASSASSINATION OF
ALEXANDER II.
In June he sent despatches to the Board which he had received,
referring to the serious persecution and cruel treatment to which
the Jews of Zargkoon, in Persia, had been subjected for the purpose
of compelling them to forsake their religion. At the instance of Sir
Moses, the Foreign Office had humanely interposed with satisfactory
results, and the despatches he received bore testimony to the
satisfaction experienced by the Jewish inhabitants of Zargkoon at the
steps which had been taken to ameliorate their condition.
In the same month, in consequence of appeals for pecuniary assistance
which had reached him from the Jewish inhabitants of the Holy Cities of
Jerusalem, Hebron, Tiberias, and Safed, he sent £200 to be distributed
among the deserving poor in Jerusalem, and £107, 15s. for distribution
among the inmates of the Juda Touro Almshouses. To the other Holy
Cities he likewise made his offerings in proportion to the number of
the inhabitants and the greatness of distress.
On July 30th Mr Weekes, the sculptor, presented him with a bust he had
made of him, and which the artist afterwards sent to the Exhibition.
_February 3rd, 1878._--He devoted some of his leisure hours to Lady
Tobin's works, and was much pleased with the varied descriptions she
gives of the land of inheritance and Bible scenes visited by her and
her husband, Sir Thomas Tobin, with the noble object of elucidating the
Sacred Scriptures.
_July 16th._--Lord Beaconsfield returned from the Berlin Congress,
with the news that he had secured "Peace with Honour." Sir Moses, in
common with a number of distinguished personages, met him and Lord
Salisbury on their return at the railway station, and joined in the
congratulations to the British Plenipotentiaries on the accomplishment
of their task.
_November 3rd._--The accounts of the war in Afghanistan induced him to
make frequent inquiries respecting the origin of the Afghan people. He
happened to know Dr Ernest Trumpp, a Würtemberg Protestant theologian
and distinguished Oriental scholar, who in the year 1858 had lived for
some time at St Peter's, near Ramsgate. He used frequently to visit
Sir Moses' Synagogue, with the object of ascertaining the correct
Portuguese pronunciation of the Hebrew language. From that gentleman,
as well as from letters written by an English officer, who had been
with the English army at Candahar, Sir Moses had an opportunity of
learning many particulars respecting the character of the Afghans,
which were not very complimentary to them. "Well," he said to his
friends, "if the Afghans really are as described in this letter, they
must either have forgotten the religious tenets practised by their
ancestors, or have never been the descendants of that Semitic race to
which it is said they belong," and he inquired no further after them,
except with regard to their political position in relation to India.
Sir Moses also thanked Lord Beaconsfield for having, in the name of
the English Government, caused the insertion of a clause in the Treaty
of Berlin, to the effect that, on condition of Roumania conceding
citizenship to the native Jews, her independence should be recognised
by the Powers. Lord Beaconsfield seemed greatly pleased at seeing Sir
Moses, and the meeting between them appeared most cordial.
1879.--He deplores the great loss he sustained by the death of Baron
Lionel de Rothschild. "I have known him," he says, "from his earliest
youth, and ever entertained the highest esteem and regard for him." He
also laments the demise of their Ecclesiastical Chief, Rev. Dr Artom.
It was likewise a year of great sorrow and anxiety to him, owing to
a dreadful accusation brought against the Jews of Kutais, Caucasus.
Letters and telegrams were sent to him from St Petersburg, Tiflis, and
Kutais, stating that the trial was to take place on the 11th May. He
sent a telegram to St Petersburg, to the effect that he was ready to
start for the Russian capital to plead the cause of the accused before
the Emperor, and also wrote to the counsel for the defence, offering to
proceed to Tiflis should his presence there be desirable. Happily there
was not a shadow of truth in the accusation brought against the poor
Jews, and in the end they were acquitted.
He received a communication from one of the gentlemen who pleaded their
cause, as follows:
"MOST ESTEEMED SIR,--Your letter, which was a pleasant surprise to
me, has reached me but very recently, because being addressed to
Koutais, and I being at Kiew, it has followed my steps throughout all
Russia, while after leaving the Caucasus I travelled on business from
town to town.
"I cannot find words to express my thankfulness for the honour and
moral assistance, of which your letter has been so eloquent an
expression, especially as the cause which actuated your noble heart
in addressing this letter is common to us. I too am of Jewish origin,
and your name was known to me from my early childhood, when I learnt
to connect it with all that refers to disinterested humanity and
manly championship of the cause of our oppressed brethren. How sweet
to my heart to feel myself associated with the great deeds of your
glorious life!
"I do not think it necessary that you should trouble yourself with so
fatiguing a journey as the one to Tiflis. Our unfortunate brethren
have been discharged for the present, and though the Procurator has
put in his protest against the judgment, and the affair is to be
tried again at the Court of Appeal early in the autumn at Tiflis, I
firmly hope that it will end with a final discharge, justice working
tolerably well in Caucasia. If, however, it should be otherwise,
then, but not till then, we shall require your generous assistance,
and beg you to come to St Petersburg. Meanwhile I will believe in the
power of Truth and Reason.
"I implore you not to be disquieted, and to receive the assurance of
the highest esteem and deep devotedness of yours, &c.,
"L. KUPERNICK."
In token of gratitude, these gentlemen sent him their photographs,
which he placed in his library, the Gothic room.
Though suffering from illness, Sir Moses never relaxed his efforts on
behalf of those who stood in need of his counsel and intercession,
and he was constantly in correspondence with friends who were engaged
in similar projects of peace and charity. Baron G. von Bleichröder of
Berlin communicated to him satisfactory accounts of certain measures
adopted by the Government in favour of communities in Roumania and
Kutais, and Sir Moses hastened to thank him for it in a suitable letter.
_April 22nd._--A telegram from Safed, Holy Land, brought the news of
the great distress that now prevailed, and he at once forwarded £100
to his Excellency Musurus Pasha, with a request to send the money to
the Governor of Safed as a contribution towards the relief of the
distressed Moslems of that place. The following is the Ambassador's
acknowledgment:
"IMPERIAL OTTOMAN EMBASSY, LONDON, _24th April 1880_.
"MY DEAR SIR MOSES,--I shall be very happy indeed to transmit your
generous gift to his Highness Midhat Pasha, Governor-General of
Syria, to whom I will send a copy of your letter, and I shall fulfil
an agreeable duty in making known to the Imperial Government this
fresh proof of your sympathy.
"I am truly sensible of your good wishes towards my august Master and
myself personally, which are the more precious as coming from one
who is known to all the world for his high character and goodness of
heart, and whose philanthropy is attested by so many munificent acts.
"Our long friendship renders it unnecessary for me to dwell on the
high esteem which I have for you, or to assure you of my goodwill
towards the whole of the race, of whom you are such an honoured
and illustrious member.--Believe me, with every good wish and the
greatest respect, my dear Sir Moses, yours most sincerely and
faithfully,
"MUSURUS."
Subsequently he received a very kind letter from Midhat Pasha,
enclosing a list of names of all the Moslem recipients of his gift,
with full particulars of the mode of distribution adopted by his
Highness. Midhat Pasha, Sir Moses remarked, if permitted to remain
a few years in Syria, would introduce most salutary reforms in that
country. But unfortunate circumstances soon called him away from
Damascus, his sphere of action causing him to end his days not far from
the tomb of his Prophet.
Towards the end of May Sir Moses was highly gratified by the maiden
speech delivered in the House of Commons by Baron Henry de Worms. The
Baron belonging, like Sir Moses, to the Conservative party, Sir Moses
wrote him the following letter of congratulation:
"EAST CLIFF LODGE, _May 25th, 1880_.
"MY DEAR BARON HENRY DE WORMS,--I cannot refrain from expressing to
you the great pleasure I derived from the speech you delivered in the
House of Commons. You showed yourself as a faithful defender of the
cause of religion, and I fervently invoke the blessings from Heaven
upon you for having thus boldly raised the standard of Truth in the
presence of the mighty of the land.
"I shall be glad to convey to you personally the sentiments of
delight which fill my heart, and hope to have the opportunity
of doing so by paying you a visit as soon as I am able to go to
town.--With kind regards, I am, my dear Baron de Worms, yours very
truly,
"MOSES MONTEFIORE."
In reply to his letter, the Baron wrote:
"HOUSE OF COMMONS, _27th May 1880_.
"DEAR SIR MOSES,--Amongst the many kind letters I have received,
congratulating me on my first attempt in the House, none has so
deeply touched me as yours, coming from one whose name is a household
word, not only in our own community, but throughout that civilised
world where true philanthropy and real religion are recognised and
appreciated. Your letter has made a lasting impression on me, and in
the struggles of political life, praise and encouragement are not
alone the rewards of success: they are the incentives to deserve and
attain it.
"As soon as you return to London, I shall do myself the pleasure of
calling upon you.--I am, dear Sir Moses, very truly yours,
"H. DE WORMS."
_June 13th._--He was informed by Baron von Bleichröder of Berlin, of
the anti-Semitic movement in that city, upon which he expressed his
views in the following letter, dated June 13th:
"DEAR BARON VON BLEICHRÖDER,--Your communications referring to recent
Sectarian movements and Anti-Semitic Leagues in your own country and
other parts of Europe present a cause of serious consideration. I
entertain, however, the hope that by prudence and discretion on our
part, and increased enlightenment based on principles of humanity
among non-Israelites, an improvement in the condition of our brethren
will ultimately be effected. In the meanwhile we must not relax our
earnest activity, and, when occasion requires it, hold up high the
banner of our religion, for we must always bear in mind that 'it is
not by might nor by power that Israel prevails, but by the Spirit of
God, the Lord of Hosts.'"
In the month of July he felt unable to address letters to his friends
in his own handwriting, and on the occasion of sending the Archbishop a
contribution of £100 towards the Sunday School Fund he was compelled to
address His Grace through his secretary.
For the same reason he declined re-election as Vice-President of the
Jews College.
"The unsatisfactory state of my health, induced by a very severe
attack of bronchitis," he writes to the Secretary of the College,
"precludes almost the possibility of my attending the meetings, &c.;
and as I cannot do so, I consider it my duty, in the interests of the
institution, to withdraw my name from the Council." He addressed a
similar letter to the Secretary of the Board of the London Committee
of Deputies of the British Jews, in which, for the same reasons, he
resigned his honorary membership of the Board.
The Jews at Bach Kali, in the Vilayet of Van, Asia Minor, whose
unfortunate position required his immediate intercession, made him,
however, forget his resolution to withdraw from the sphere of communal
work, and we find that in the same month he addressed Lord Tenterden on
that subject in eloquent and powerful language.
His Lordship having transmitted to him a letter from the Hebrew
community of that place, Sir Moses writes to Lord Tenterden: "I will
not fail to give its contents my earliest and best consideration. I
have a vivid and grateful recollection of your Lordship's kindness to
me when I had occasion some years ago to seek the powerful aid of the
Foreign Office in behalf of my suffering co-religionists in Persia."
In the month of October he was deeply grieved by the sudden death,
whilst almost in the prime of life, of his nephew, Mr Joseph Meyer
Montefiore, who had succeeded him as President of the Board of Deputies.
On March 15th, 1881, the news of the terrible death of Alexander II.,
Emperor of Russia, gave a great shock to Sir Moses, and he hastened to
express deep sympathy with the Russian Ambassador in London and his
friends in St Petersburg, recalling the gracious reception given to
him by his late Imperial Majesty when in the Russian Metropolis, and
deploring the awful calamity.
_April 10th._--The dreadful earthquakes in the Island of Chios pressed
with peculiar severity upon the poor, and Sir Moses immediately sent
£300 to his Excellency Musurus Pasha, with the request to transmit the
sum to the Governor of the Island for the relief of the distressed,
irrespective of race or creed. Sir Moses availed himself of this
opportunity to convey to the Ambassador his sentiments of deep
gratitude towards the Government of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan for
the protection which the inmates of the Juda Touro Almhouses and the
lessee of the windmill had enjoyed. "From the time," he says, "when
I laid the foundation stone of those buildings up to the present day
there has not been a single complaint made by them, as far as I know,
of any unjust act, and I feel the greatest pleasure in congratulating
your Excellency on the very satisfactory state of the administration of
justice in the Holy Land.
"It is more than twenty years," he continues, "since those almhouses
and the windmill were built, and it was said at that time that there
could be no security for people living outside the walls of the Holy
City, but I always relied on the justice and protection which the
Turkish Government so often manifested, and it has now been proved that
I was right."
Musurus Pasha in reply says:
"MY DEAR SIR MOSES,--Manifold feelings of pleasure were evoked within
me by the perusal of your kind letter of yesterday, enclosing a
cheque for £300 towards the relief of the sufferers by the earthquake
in the Island of Chios, irrespective of race or creed; pleasure at
knowing that the noble heart of a friend for whom I have ever felt
the highest esteem still responds to the call of suffering humanity;
that his spirit of justice still impels him to bear testimony to
the tolerance and impartiality shown to his race by my Government
and country; that his good wishes are again offered for the welfare
of my Sovereign and myself; in a word, that time has not dimmed the
feelings or judgment of one whose virtues are known to all.
"I have already sent the cheque to be exchanged for a draft on
Constantinople, and, by to-morrow's post, it will be my grateful duty
to forward the latter to my Government, with a copy of the letter by
which your munificent donation was accompanied.
"I shall also not fail to bring to the knowledge of His Imperial
Majesty the Sultan, personally, the feelings which you have expressed
towards his person and throne.
"Meanwhile, with best wishes and the highest consideration and
respect, I have the honour to be, my dear Sir Moses, yours very
sincerely,
(Signed) "MUSURUS."
_April 11th._--He received a letter from the Jews of Safed, Holy Land,
enclosing an address to Her Majesty, in which they humbly expressed
their gratitude for the protection granted to them by the English
Government. On the same day he complied with their wishes, writing to
Earl Granville, as follows:--
"MY LORD,--I beg leave to hand your Lordship the accompanying letter
addressed to Her Majesty, which has been forwarded to me by the
representatives of the Jewish community at Safed, Holy Land, with
the request to have the same transmitted to your Lordship for Her
Majesty's gracious reception.
"The letter expresses their sincere gratitude for the renewal of
protection which has recently been granted to them by Her Majesty's
Government.
"I still remember with heartfelt thanks the kind sentiments your
Lordship was pleased to evince towards me on the occasion of my
intended journey to Persia, and hope your Excellency will extend that
kindness to me for the sake of my brethren in Safed, by causing their
letter to be placed before Her Majesty, for whose long and glorious
life they fervently offer up their prayers to Heaven, in which I
most sincerely join.--I have the honour to remain, my Lord, your
Lordship's most obedient and humble servant,
"MOSES MONTEFIORE."
CHAPTER XXXIX.
1881.
PERSECUTION IN RUSSIA--LORD GRANVILLE'S SPEECH--PROJECT
OF EMIGRATION TO AMERICA--DEATH OF DEAN
STANLEY AND OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
Numerous letters now arrived from all parts of the Continent describing
the Anti-Semitic movement in Germany; hundreds of communications
reached him also from Russia, describing in heartrending language
the attacks made upon the Jews during the riots in various towns and
villages. Some of his Russian correspondents attributed them to the
Anti-Semites in Germany. These people, they said, had entered into a
league with similarly prejudiced persons in Russia, who, discontented
with the results of their own business transactions, or of their
professions, gave vent to their disappointment by attacking the Jews
who peacefully followed their own pursuits. Others of Sir Moses'
correspondents traced these disasters to the neglect of local governors
and other officials to afford protection to those who stood most in
need of it. There can be no doubt that the Anti-Semitic movement in
Germany very greatly assisted those engaged in sowing the seeds of
hatred, and in promoting ill-feeling against the Jews in Russia.
Towards the end of April the Jews were openly attacked by the populace
at Argenau, in Prussia, their intention having been publicly advertised
beforehand, and the instigators of the riots having signed their names
to the placards. It appears that this was the signal for the members of
their league in Russia to begin the attack, for, on the same day, four
hundred Jews were plundered at Elizabethgrad, many of them ill-treated
and some killed, the riots continuing in various towns and villages.
According to a tabulated statement, giving full particulars of the
persecutions, the number of places where the Jews had to suffer in
Russia amounted to 167.
A writer in the _Times_ says: "Ever since the German Anti-Semites
raised an outcry against their Jewish fellow-citizens, it had been
feared that the movement would spread to Russia, and there take a form
more adapted to the less civilised state of the country when, before
the assassination of the Czar on March the 3rd had roused all Russia
to the highest pitch of excitement, it was confidently predicted that
the approaching Easter would see an outbreak against the Jews. It
was said afterwards, that the prediction was aided in its fulfilment
by Panslavist emissaries from Moscow, who planned all the subsequent
troubles.
"It is at least certain that rumours of a rising had reached
Elizabethgrad, and caused the heads of the Jewish community, who form
a third of its thirty thousand inhabitants, to apply for special
protection from the Governor. No notice was taken of the appeal, and on
Wednesday, April 27th, the dreaded outbreak took place."
Numerous meetings were held in London, Manchester, Liverpool,
Birmingham, and other important towns in England, on the continent
of Europe, and in the principal cities of America, to consider the
position of the Russian Jews, with special reference to the necessity
of sending delegations of their respective committees to Russia. Some
thought emigration from Russia would be the best means of helping the
sufferers. A million sterling, they said, could easily be collected
from the Jews of the whole world, which would go far towards meeting
the expenses of emigration; and many of the emigrants would be able to
furnish a portion of the necessary funds themselves; but the question
rose: "Will the Government permit the emigration of so many subjects?"
Then it was asked: "Where are our brethren to be sent to?" Some
suggested Bosnia, some America, others the Holy Land. There was a great
difference of opinion among the members of the various committees, as
to what should be done in the present terrible crisis.
_May 23rd._--A numerously attended deputation of the Representatives
of the Board of Deputies, conjointly with those of the Anglo-Jewish
Association, waited on Lord Granville at the Foreign Office, for the
purpose of invoking the good offices of the British Government to stop
the outrages on their co-religionists in the Russian Empire.
His Lordship, referring to certain questions which had been raised by
the deputation, said:
"It appears to me that the questions which have been raised are
three. It is quite clear, as stated, that they are more or less
connected one with the other. The first is the general question of
the laws imposing great disabilities upon the Jews in Russia. Now it
is clear that, however intolerant, however unjust, however impolitic
such laws are, yet it is competent for any independent state to
maintain those laws, if it seems fit to them. I maintain with regard
to myself, that one of the strongest political convictions I have
ever had in a public life, now extending to a good many years, was
that in favour of the great measure of the emancipation of the
Jews--(cheers)--and all I need say of that is, that it has been a
source of great satisfaction to me to see the enormous change which
has taken place since that was effected. Why, I have seen melt away
like snow all those prejudices, not only political but social, which
certainly, when I first came into public life, were extreme. I am
glad to find that the members of this deputation have followed the
example of their predecessors; and I think I can say for myself, that
I am not aware of not having taken advantage of any opportunity in my
power of doing what I thought judicious for the improvement of the
position of the Jews, in countries where they are less favoured than
in our own. At the same time it must be remembered that all nations
are jealous of interference with their internal concerns, and this
is especially so with regard to the great Powers of Europe. I had
only last week to make a speech connected with Russia, with regard
to our refusal to join in a conference on another subject, and I
then pointed out how exceedingly sensitive we are in this country
in anything which appears like compulsion from foreign countries,
with regard to our internal legislation. I even quoted an instance
where a popular Minister was turned out of office for proposing
that which every one agreed was quite right, merely from the idea
that he had been instigated to the task by a foreign power. While
remembering this, we may consider what is the best to be done. Now I
am myself perfectly convinced that it would not be judicious to make
official representations on this subject to the Russian Government.
I agree with the speaker who said that the prejudices are greatest
amongst the mass of the people; but I do not agree with those who
have said that a strong representation from a foreign Government
would strengthen the hands of the Russian Government. I think that in
many instances it might weaken the hands of the Government, who, I
believe, are infinitely more enlightened than the mass of the people
on the subject. I feel very strongly that if any representations are
made, they should not be official representations, and moreover, that
they should not be public. With regard to the second question of the
fearful riots, and the destruction of the property of the Jews, I can
only say I believe the statements that have been made, and that I
share the feeling of sorrow that must be common to all that have read
them, and I cannot help believing that that is the feeling of the
Russian Government, and of the higher classes of that country." The
noble earl then read a short extract from the information received
from Mr Wyndham and our Consul at Odessa in regard to these riots,
which were believed to be instigated by the Nihilists, and which had
led to great destruction of property and some loss of life. "It is
announced that the riots have been suppressed, and that no less than
1000 persons had been arrested on account of them. After that I do
not think you can be of opinion that the Russian Government has any
complicity with these outrages. No better proof can be afforded of
the good feeling of the Russian Government than the cordial reception
lately given by the Emperor to a deputation of Jews. Such a thing
as that would have been absolutely impossible in the reign of the
Emperor Nicholas, and I think you may take it that the Emperor is
horrified at these proceedings, and is desirous of putting them down."
Mr Arthur Cohen, Q.C., M.P., who had now become President of the Board
of Deputies, gave Sir Moses a full account of all that had passed at
the interview with his Lordship, and subsequently at the meeting of the
Board. Sir Moses wrote to him under date of 24th May, as follows:
"MY DEAR ARTHUR,--It was most kind of you to devote so much of your
valuable time to furnishing me with particulars on a subject which
has occupied my mind for many years.
"When I had the honour of an audience with the Emperor Nicholas in
the year 1846, His Majesty observed the laws of Russia did not permit
Jews to sleep in St Petersburg. I said, 'I trust your Majesty will
see fit to alter them,' and the reply was, 'I hope so.' Twenty-six
years later, on my again visiting St Petersburg to seek an audience
of the late Emperor Alexander, I found 12,000 of my co-religionists
settled there; many of them had decorations, and a goodly number
filled high offices in the University and public libraries; some
were bankers, others merchants. On my arrival there, I was asked by
a person of high authority what my object was in seeking an audience
of the Emperor. I replied that it was to convey my gratitude to His
Majesty for having realised the hope expressed to me by his father.
The Prime Minister then assured me, in the presence of three or four
Ministers of State, that the Russian Jews, if qualified by their
abilities and moral character, could attain any high position in the
Empire.
"I am fully convinced that it is only by mild and judicious
representation--relying in advance, as it were, on their kindness and
humanity--that you have a chance of your application reaching the
throne of the Emperor.
"You have, I conceive, acted most wisely in all you have done with
reference to the movement, and I perfectly agree with the opinion
entertained by Lord Granville on the subject.
"If it be thought advisable, I am quite ready to go again to St
Petersburg. I should, in the first place, ascertain whether my visit
would be agreeable or not to the Emperor and his Government; and, in
the next place, I should apply to the British Government for letters
of recommendation to the British Minister, and thus equipped I should
have every hope of smoothing the unfortunate position in which our
brethren are placed in that country."
Here we have a man, nearly ninety-eight years old, speaking seriously
of setting out again on a Mission to St Petersburg. When his friends
said to him, "How can you think of proceeding to Russia at your
advanced age, and in your present weak state of health?" he replied,
"If necessary, I will be carried there. Take me in my carriage to
the train, put me on board ship, then again in the train, and when
in St Petersburg I will be carried into the presence of the Emperor.
Nothing," he added, "shall prevent me from serving my unfortunate
brethren if I can be of use to them."
Although deeply grieved by the sad events to which so much public
attention was being directed, Sir Moses did not withdraw his attention
entirely from other matters, and was much pleased to read in the
_Times_ of the success of Mr A. F. Saunders, who had just gained the
prize medal for Hebrew, which Sir Moses had founded years before at
the Merchant Taylors' School. Many of the students who had gained
this medal used, while pursuing their studies at the universities, to
address Hebrew letters to Sir Moses, to show him the progress they were
making in the sacred language, and he never failed to encourage them
further in their studies.
The death of Dean Stanley was another shock to Sir Moses, whose
relations with the Dean were of the most cordial character. He would
frequently have read to him the reply of the Dean to Canon Jenkins,
who proposed the establishment of an "Appellate Tribunal, to which the
question of the treatment of the Jews should be referred."
The Dean regarded the scheme as impracticable, but expressed his
abhorrence of the cruel persecutions, and his conviction that they were
impossible in a country like ours.
"We stand much in need of such advocates for right and justice," Sir
Moses remarks, "and the loss we have sustained by his death is great."
The news of the attempt on the life of General Garfield, the President
of the United States, caused him also much sorrow. He always
entertained a high regard for the Americans, and admired their numerous
noble institutions. "How many millions of our fellow-beings," he used
to say, "found a happy home there when all hope for an honourable
maintenance in their own country had to be given up, because the land
which gave them birth ceased to give them shelter and protection?"
_September 19th._--On hearing that the life of the President was in
danger, he immediately sent a telegram to the Spiritual Heads of the
Spanish and German Hebrew Congregations of Jerusalem.
"Let prayers be offered up," he telegraphed, "in all Synagogues for
President Garfield's speedy recovery."
Mrs Garfield, to whom Sir Moses subsequently addressed a letter of
sympathy, several Senators, and many prominent American citizens,
acknowledged this mark of attention most gratefully, and expressed
their high appreciation of it.
When the President died Sir Moses sent £100 to Mr Marcus of Boston for
distribution among the most deserving charitable institutions of that
city, without distinction of race or creed, in memory of the esteemed
and lamented President.
_September 28th._--The following telegram, appeared in one of the
papers, under the heading "Anti-Semitic Agitation," dated Vienna,
Tuesday night:
"According to a Russian paper, Sir Moses Montefiore has forwarded an
address to the Jews in South Russia, informing them of the measures
provided for their emigration to the United States, and stating that no
obstacle will be raised by the Government to their leaving the country."
This report having no foundation in truth, Sir Moses immediately
addressed the editor on the subject, who in return published a
correction the next day. As a matter of fact, Sir Moses never expressed
an opinion on the matter, sent no address to the Jews of South Russia,
and did not even reply to letters written to him on the question of
emigration.
On the 8th day of Heshván Sir Moses celebrated his ninety-seventh
birthday.
A few days afterwards there is an entry in his Diary, in which he says:
"I have been very unwell for several days, and this day unable to take
a drive in my carriage. Blessed be God for His manifold gifts, and, I
hope, renewed strength."
_December 30th._--Letters reached him from America referring to a
meeting of the citizens of Harrisburg, Catahouli, and Louisiana,
reporting that resolutions had been passed cordially inviting the
Russian emigrants to settle in the district, and promising every
assistance. Three representatives of the emigrants made an inspection
of the land offered to them, and gave a very favourable account of it.
At New Orleans every assistance was given to the emigrants, numbering
about a hundred, and the President of the West End Railway placed a
special train at their disposal.
The Local Committee leased the Continental Hotel, capable of lodging
over five hundred persons, and placed it under the Ladies' Hebrew
Sewing Society.
"I wish," Sir Moses said, "facilities like those offered by the
Committee at New Orleans could be secured for emigrants who select the
Holy Land for colonisation."
CHAPTER XL.
1882.
THE REIGN OF TERROR IN RUSSIA--INDIGNATION MEETING IN
LONDON--THE LORD MAYOR'S FUND--THE TISZA-ESZLAR
TRIAL--ANTI-JEWISH CONGRESS AT DRESDEN--A PRETENDED
SPEECH OF SIR MOSES--DEATH OF ARCHBISHOP TAIT.
The Anti-Jewish Riots in Russia continued to excite the greatest
indignation. All the daily papers had leading articles on the subject.
Relief committees were formed in the principal towns and cities of
Europe. The Governor-General, A. von Drentlen, sent Sir Moses full
accounts of the work done by the Committee under him, reporting that
contributions from all sources had amounted to 218,482 roubles, and
that upwards of five thousand sufferers had already been relieved. By
January 20th, Messrs Louis Cohen & Sons had collected £16,658, and on
the following day the subjoined requisition was made to the Lord Mayor,
Sir J. Whittaker Ellis, to call a public meeting at the Mansion House.
_Requisition._
"_January 21st, 1882._
"To the Right Hon. the LORD MAYOR OF THE CITY OF LONDON.
"MY LORD,--We, the undersigned, consider that there should be a
public expression of opinion respecting the persecution which the
Jews of Russia have recently and for some time past suffered. We
therefore ask your Lordship to be so good as to call, at your
earliest possible convenience, a public meeting for that purpose at
the Mansion House, and that you will be good enough to take the chair
on that occasion.--We are, your Lordship's faithful servants,
"A. C. CANTUAR. SHAFTESBURY. J., LONDON C.J., GLOUCESTER AND BRISTOL.
J., MANCHESTER. F. LEVESON-GOWER. ARTHUR OTWAY. JAMES MARTINEAU.
SAMUEL MORLEY. M. BIDDULPH. B. JOWETT. H.D.M. SPENCE.
"CHARLES MAGNIAC. W.J. COTTON. JAMES CLARKE LAWRENCE. JOHN TYNDALL.
MATHEW ARNOLD. F.A. INDERWICK. JOHN LUBBOCK. HENRY EDWARD, CARDINAL
MANNING. SCARSDALE. MOUNT-TEMPLE. J.F., OXON. EDMUND FITZMAURICE.
ELCHO. DONALD CURRIE. HENRY RICHARD. W. ST JOHN BRODRICK. H.R.
HAWEIS. J.J. STEWART PEROWNE. F.W. FARRAR. W. PAGE ROBERTS. J.G.
HUBBARD. W. LAWRENCE. ERASMUS WILSON. CHARLES DARWIN. A. M'ARTHUR. C.
M'LAREN."
The Lord Mayor complied with the requisition, and on Wednesday,
February the 1st, at three o'clock, his Lordship presided over a large
and most enthusiastic meeting. The Egyptian Hall was crowded in every
available part, and the reserved seats on the platform were altogether
inadequate to accommodate those who were invited to take part in the
proceedings.
The representatives of the churches of England and Rome, together
with Dissenters and Unitarians, leaders of thought in science and
philosophy, representatives of the aristocracy and finance, trade and
commerce, all, with equal eagerness, stood up for the cause of the
suffering Jews.
It was resolved, "that a fund be raised at the Mansion House for
the purpose of contributing to the relief of the distress among the
Jewish population of Russia, and among the refugees therefrom, which
distress has been caused by the recent outrages of which they have
been the victims, and also for the purpose of effecting some permanent
amelioration in their condition, in such manner as the committee may
deem expedient, whether by emigration or otherwise;" and, "that the
Right Hon. the Lord Mayor be requested to receive contributions on
behalf of such fund."
The total amount collected through this fund was £108,759. On the
day following, Sir Moses, in token of deep gratitude to the citizens
of London for the sympathy they had manifested with his unfortunate
brethren, addressed the Lord Mayor, sending £500 as a contribution
towards the building fund of the City of London College.
His Lordship, much pleased with Sir Moses' attention, replied to his
letter in the following terms:
"THE MANSION HOUSE, LONDON. "_February 8th,_ 1882.
"MY DEAR SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE,--It is with a sense of great
satisfaction that I received your considerate letter and generous
contribution to the building fund of the City of London College,
and I feel assured that the whole of the citizens of London will
appreciate the nobility of sentiment which has dictated this liberal
gift.
"It will be a source of great pleasure to me to be enabled to report
to the Committee to-morrow, that the fund raised here under their
auspices for your suffering co-religionists in Russia amounts to
nearly £40,000. Assuring you of my sincere esteem and respect,
believe me, my dear Sir Moses Montefiore, yours very truly, "J.
WHITTAKER ELLIS, Lord Major."
The late much-lamented Lionel Louis Cohen wrote to Sir Moses as follows:
"I know you are so deeply interested in the results of the great
demonstration of last Wednesday, that I think a few lines may be
agreeable to you, as to how it is judged by the world at large.
"It was undoubtedly the most imposing meeting which in modern times
has been held at the Mansion House. Its moral effect will be very
great; not only in Russia but in Germany, and even in France it is
already evident that it has thrown back for a time the rising tide of
prejudice against the Jews.
"I had the honour, on Wednesday evening, of being invited to the
Goldsmiths' Company, and met at dinner men of all parties, who
concurred in thinking the moral effect of the demonstration as
considerable.
"Probably ten thousand persons will speedily by its means (the
Mansion House Fund) be removed from Russia to American and British
possessions; they will be the advance guard of a host; and thus the
Almighty may turn what to us seems a calamity into an engine of
civilization and prosperity.
"Your name was received with enthusiasm at the Mansion House, none
the less genuine because, as became him in that place, the Lord Mayor
coupled it with your long connection with civic work, and especially
with the Merchant Taylors, of which, he said, you were the oldest
living member.
"I hope you continue in good health and spirits, and do not worry
yourself at your enforced seclusion at home. We all know how active
your sympathies are, and how imperfectly we can follow the excellent
example you set, but it is well to see a generation, even younger
than my own, striving, however inadequately, to do their little best
for their poor brethren."
The Archbishop of Canterbury wrote as follows:--
"ADDINGTON PARK, CROYDON,
"1882.
"MY DEAR SIR MOSES,--I cannot refrain from writing to you, knowing
how your heart must be torn by the distressing news from Russia. It
is as if the enemy of mankind was let loose to destroy the souls of
so many Christians, and the bodies of so many of your people.
"I cannot but hope that a united cry of indignation from England
will, by God's blessing, stop this mad wickedness.
"With my daughter's kindest regards and my own.--Ever yours,
(Signed) "A. C. CANTUAR."
His Grace expressed himself on that subject in a similar spirit in his
letter to the Lord Mayor, which his Lordship read to the meeting. It
ran as follows:
"MY DEAR LORD,--It is a distress to me that I am forbidden by my
medical attendant to take part in the meeting your Lordship has
undertaken to call together to enter an emphatic protest against the
recent outrages to which the Jewish people had been exposed. Unable
to attend myself, I have asked Canon Farrar to be present and express
the horror with which I contemplate the disgrace brought on the
Christian name by these shameful persecutions--Yours sincerely,
"A.C. CANTUAR."
The number of emigrants exceeded all expectation, and the committees
had to contend with the greatest difficulties in order to meet the
requirements of the various cases. Heavy contingents came from all
parts of Europe to London _en route_ for America, but soon the order
came from the United States only to forward working men and mechanics.
Others were dispatched to the Holy Land, and on May 4th, 1882, Sir
Moses received letters reporting the foundation of the first Colony,
"Rishon Lezion" ("The Pioneers of Zion"), 3550 doolams of land having
been purchased for the purpose near Jaffa for the sum of 42,900 francs.
In the course of time the London Committee was able to cope with
the distress by means of its admirable arrangements, and by a wise
distribution of the emigrants in different directions, with a view to
stemming the current, which at first threatened to resist the efforts
of the band of philanthropists who worked night and day to help their
unfortunate brethren.
The attention of the reader is now again directed to the records of
Sir Moses' Diary. Under date of March 2nd he expresses his sorrow at
an attempt on the life of Her Majesty the Queen, and on hearing that
she was mercifully spared, he immediately sent a telegram to Jerusalem,
requesting the Spiritual Heads of the several congregations in the
four Holy Cities--Jerusalem, Hebron, Tiberias, and Safed--to have
special services held in their Synagogues for the purpose of offering
their deep gratitude to heaven for the preservation of Her Majesty's
life. A few days later a reply reached him from Jerusalem, in which
he was informed that all congregations had cheerfully joined in their
attendance in the house of prayer, and that they were preparing special
letters of congratulation, which they asked Sir Moses to present to Her
Majesty.
Knowing the great interest the Archbishop of Canterbury took in
the Holy Land, he informed his Grace of the result of his recent
communication with Jerusalem, and the Archbishop, in reply, promised to
report the circumstance to Her Majesty.
On the 1st of April an event took place at Tisza-Eszlar, in Hungary,
which gave rise to one of these most extraordinary trials ever recorded
in the annals of modern administration of justice. "A series of
sensational incidents," says A. Hartleben in his "Chronik der Zeit,"
"forcibly brought together in order to lend to the proceedings the
imprint of something unusual, an apparently inextricable coil of
intrigues and machinations awaiting a strong hand ready to loosen
it. Personal malice, religious hatred, national prejudice, ignorant
superstition--these, and many other circumstances, unite to make the
whole of the trial a most extraordinary one.
"We are not exaggerating," he continues, "in saying that for years no
trial has kept the whole of the civilised world in such breathless
suspense as that of Nyiregyhaza."
The press of all nations followed the proceedings of the court with the
utmost attention, and even before sentence was given, the _Journal des
Debats_ considered it necessary to protest against the proceedings of
the court, describing them as a horrible result of the then prevailing
Anti-Semitic agitation in Germany--a raging fire devouring thousands of
innocent lives, which even a number of intelligent and enlightened men
in that country did not hesitate to stir up and fan.
I am alluding to the Tisza-Eszlar trial, instituted to discover and
punish the murderer of a girl, fourteen years old, named Esther
Solymossi. She was a native of Tisza-Eszlar, in service with one of her
relatives, the wife of Audreas Hury, who was living at Nyiregyhaza.
This girl was sent by her mistress to make some purchases from a
shopkeeper in Ofalu, the old part of the town. She was seen at his
house in the middle of the day, and made her purchases there, but never
returned to her mistress, although later her own sister, who was in
service in the neighbourhood, and other people saw her running fast,
as if returning in great haste. The Jews were subsequently accused
of having killed the girl, in order to make use of her blood for the
approaching feast of the Passover. Sir Moses naturally took a deep
interest in this trial, and the revival of the old familiar blood
accusation. The trial was not instituted until the following year, but
soon after the disappearance of the girl a fearful agitation arose
against the Jews. A large number of them, said to be implicated in the
murder, were put into prison, and the outcry against them generally was
so great that Christian girls serving in Jewish families left their
situations, and could not be persuaded to remain, although previously
they were perfectly happy and contented.
In many parts of the country violent disturbances took place.
Jewish houses were plundered, and the Jews themselves ill-treated.
These occurrences were the cause of stormy debates in the Hungarian
Parliament, where some of the Anti-Semitic Deputies tried to fix the
guilt of the murder upon the Jews, and by way of confirmation again
brought forward the exploded story about the Jews of Damascus having,
in 1840, murdered a priest to use his blood for Passover. When Sir
Moses received a report of these debates, he immediately addressed the
following letter to the Minister President:--
"EAST CLIFF LODGE, "RAMSGATE, _9th June 1882_.
"To His Excellency COUNT TISZA, Minister President of the Imperial
and Royal House of Representatives in Buda-Pesth.
"May it please your Excellency,--My attention having been drawn
by the perusal of a paper, entitled _Neues Pester Journal_, to a
debate held on the 25th of May, in the Imperial Royal House of
Representatives in your city, referring to an interpellation made by
one of the honourable deputies, in which that gentleman introduces
the subject of an accusation brought against the Jews of Damascus in
the year 1840, to the effect that the Jews of Europe on that occasion
had offered large sums of money to the members of the Austrian and
French Consulates in Damascus to gain their favourable services; that
the accused had been subsequently liberated by an act of grace from
Mohhamed Ali, and that notwithstanding his firman all the people in
the East were convinced of the truth of the accusation. I deem it my
sacred duty to entreat your Excellency's permission for bringing the
following statement to your knowledge, trusting that, for the sake of
truth, justice, and humanity, which so pre-eminently distinguish your
noble career, you will forgive the intrusion.
"It was in the year 1840 that I had the honour of being entrusted by
my brethren in the British Empire with a Mission to Damascus, when I
pleaded the cause of the accused first before His Highness Mohhamed
Ali in Alexandria, and afterwards in Constantinople before His
Imperial Majesty the Sultan Abdel Mejid, from whom I obtained Khát
Shérif, in which the Sultan not only declared the innocence of the
accused, and that all charges made against them and their religion
were nothing but pure calumnies, but His Majesty, in conformity with
the Hatti Sherif which had been proclaimed on a former occasion at
Gulhane, repeated that the Jewish nation should possess the same
advantages, and enjoy the same privileges, as are granted to the
numerous other nations who submit to his authority. I am for this
reason in a position to assure your Excellency that no other means
were used to obtain the liberation of the Jews in Damascus than those
of justice and truth.
"Mohhamed Ali granted them freedom and rest (_Itlâk î tarwich_).
These are the words used by him in his firman: 'Every one shall
follow his former pursuits and enjoy the utmost protection.' This
was no act of grace but of justice, and it is with the feeling of
the greatest indignation that I reject the accusation brought by the
author of that interpellation against the Jews of Europe.
"I request the favour of your Excellency's kind acceptance and
perusal of the accompanying copy of the Sultan's Khát Shérif, also
of a book treating on the subject of the accusations, and beg to
subscribe myself with profound respect, your Excellency's most humble
and obedient servant,
(Signed) "MOSES MONTEFIORE."
Almost immediately on the receipt of the letter, the Prime Minister
Tisza issued a circular to the local authorities all over the
country, couched in the strongest possible language, appealing to
the patriotism, love of peace, and impartiality of the Hungarians,
impressing upon them the untruth of the accusation and the
impossibility of such proceedings, and calling upon the guardians
of the public peace to prevent the publication of such absurd
superstitions, and to forbid meetings being convened by the instigators.
The Anti-Semites, however, had set their mark upon Sir Moses; three
months later they introduced his name in one of their reports, in such
a manner that had the allegations been true it would have formed a
convenient weapon of attack on the Jews by their enemies in general.
On the 11th and 12th of September 1882, the first International
Anti-Jewish Congress met at Dresden, and by virtue of a resolution
published a manifesto, addressed to the "Governments and peoples of
Christian States endangered by Judaism" (subsequently printed at
Chemnitz, Saxony, by Ernst Schmeitzner).
Therein we read on p. 15:--"The Congress finally appointed a Committee,
whose next task will be to procure pecuniary assistance for the
establishment of an Anti-Semitic press. For bearing in mind the words
of the Jew 'Montefiore,' uttered by him in a Rabbinical Assembly at
Krakau in the year 1840, the Committee have come to the conclusion that
as long as the Christian Aryan natives do not reconquer the press in
order to enlighten the people and show them the true state of affairs,
they will not be able to effect any good."
Now, as I happen to have been with Sir Moses from the beginning of the
year 1840 to the end, I can positively declare that Sir Moses never was
at Krakau, never attended a Rabbinical Assembly in that city, nor in
any other part of the world, and never spoke the words attributed to
him.
As a matter of course, Anti-Semitic journals speedily copied the
statement made in the manifesto, but when a copy was sent to me by a
gentleman at Elberfeld, I immediately, with the sanction of Sir Moses,
contradicted the statement, and, to the credit of the editor of the
Elberfeld journal, on receiving our letter he published a paragraph in
his paper, to the effect that he had been mis-informed regarding the
presence of Sir Moses at Krakau, and the words said to have been spoken
by him.
At this time of public trouble, Sir Moses was also much pained to
hear that the health of the Archbishop of Canterbury had become such
as to give great anxiety to his friends. Sir Moses sent telegrams
or letters of inquiry almost daily. For many weeks the illustrious
patient bore his sufferings with the pious resignation which he had
shown under previous exceptionally severe trials, his even temper and
amiable disposition never forsaking him, until it pleased the Almighty
to release him from all earthly trouble. Sir Moses felt the loss most
acutely, and wrote a most touching letter to the family. He sent a
wreath to be placed on the Archbishop's coffin. Miss Tait, one of the
Archbishop's daughters, acknowledged its receipt in terms of gratitude.
CHAPTER XLI.
1883.
SIR MOSES CONGRATULATES THE CZAR ALEXANDER III. ON
HIS CORONATION--HE APPEALS TO THE HUNGARIAN
PARLIAMENT--ACQUITTAL OF THE ACCUSED AT TISZA-ESZLAR--REJOICINGS
ON SIR MOSES COMPLETING HIS
NINETY-NINTH YEAR.
The coronation of the Czar Alexander III., at Moscow, afforded to Sir
Moses an opportunity of writing a letter of congratulation on behalf of
himself and his co-religionists, to one who was the son and grandson of
two monarchs who had nobly responded to his appeals in days gone by, on
behalf of the Jews in their vast Empire. The following is Sir Moses'
letter:
"To His Imperial Majesty ALEXANDER THE THIRD, Emperor of all the
Russias.
"May it please your Imperial Majesty,--Among the many millions of
your Imperial Majesty's faithful subjects,--numerous representatives
of States and Kingdoms of the world,--and a multitude of admirers
of your Imperial Majesty's rule of justice, blended with mercy and
benevolence, who this day, the great and glorious day of all the
Russias, offer their congratulations to you, Sire, on the most
auspicious event of your Imperial Majesty's coronation, your most
humble servant, prompted by an ardent desire to join that host of
well-wishers, very respectfully approaches your Imperial Majesty, to
lay at the foot of your Imperial Majesty's throne his most sincere
and heartfelt felicitations.
"Having had the distinguished honour of hearing, in the year 1846,
from the lips of his late Imperial Majesty, the Emperor Nicholas,
and subsequently in the year 1872, from his late Imperial Majesty,
the Emperor Alexander the Second, your Imperial Majesty's august
father, the noble sentiments of their paternal love towards all true
and loyal subjects, irrespective of creed and nationality, it is an
especial cause of great felicity to me to have been permitted, by
the mercy of God, to attain the advanced age of nearly one hundred
years, to hear of the exalted and ever memorable event of your
Imperial Majesty's coronation, and to read with my own eyes the
glorious manifesto, in which you, Sire, bend your merciful glances
upon all your subjects, and, in accordance with the inmost dictates
of your Imperial heart, turn towards all who are specially in want
or oppressed: preserving the rights and privileges of all men, and
shedding the radiant light of your Imperial Majesty's great wisdom,
justice, and humanity over myriads of people under your Imperial
Majesty's sway.
"Conjointly with the latter, including several millions of my
brethren, your Imperial Majesty's Hebrew subjects, I invoke Him, who
is the Eternal Ruler of the Universe, the King of Kings, to cause His
most choice blessings to alight on the crowned head of your Imperial
Majesty, likewise on the crowned head of Her Imperial Majesty the
Empress, and on your Imperial Majesty's most illustrious family.
"May your days, Sire, be prolonged; May you rule for many years
in refulgent glory over your vast Empire; May you, Sire, have the
happiness of seeing all your fervent wishes for peace and lasting
tranquillity among the nations realized, so that your Imperial name
may for ever be indelibly inscribed on the tablets of the heart of
your Imperial Majesty's faithful subjects, and on those of every
friend of justice and humanity.
"Deign, Oh Sire! graciously to receive the fervent and most sincere
felicitations expressed by your Imperial Majesty's most humble and
obedient servant,
"MOSES MONTEFIORE."
"EAST CLIFF LODGE, RAMSGATE, _28th May, 1883._"
In reply to the above letter, His Excellency, Monsieur de Giers,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, by order of the Emperor, addressed Sir
Moses as follows:--
"ST PETERSBOURG, _le 2 Juin, 1883._
"MONSIEUR,--J'ai placé sous les yeux de mon Auguste Maître la lettre
destinée à Sa Majesté que vous m'avez transmise.
"Sa Majesté me charge de vous assurer qu' Elle apprécie les
sentiments que vous temoignez à la memoire de Son Auguste Pere et de
Son Grand-Pere, ainsi que les vœux de felicitations que vous Lui
addressez à l'occasion de Son couronnement.
"J'ai l'ordre de vous en remercier en Son Nom, et en m'acquittant de
cette volonté Suprème, je vous prie, Monsieur de recevoir en même
temps l'assurance de ma consideration la plus distinguée.
"GIERS."
_Translation._
"ST PETERSBURG, _2nd June 1883._
"SIR,--I have placed before my august master the letter which you
have transmitted to me for His Majesty.
"His Majesty charges me to assure you that he appreciates the
sentiments which you entertain for the memory of his august father
and grandfather, likewise the felicitations which you offer him on
the occasion of his coronation.
"I am commanded to thank you for the same in his name, and in
acquitting myself of this supreme will, I have the honour to remain,
&c., &c.
"GIERS."
Sir Moses was much pleased with the gracious reply given to his letter,
and expressed the hope that the condition of his brethren under His
Majesty's sway might soon improve.
_June 19th._--The Tisza-Eszlar trial having commenced at Nyiregyhaza,
Sir Moses deemed it his duty to send to each member of the Hungarian
House of Representatives a copy of the Damascus paper translated into
the Hungarian language, accompanied by a copy of the following letter:
"EAST CLIFF LODGE, RAMSGATE, _21st June 1883_.
"SIR,--Prompted by an ardent desire to serve the cause of justice and
humanity, I beg to transmit to you, for your perusal, a copy of the
Firman Khát-Shereef, issued by His late Imperial Majesty the Sultan
Abd-ool-Medjid to the Chief Judge at Constantinople in the year 1840,
and the address which I delivered to His Majesty on that occasion at
the Palace of Beshik-Tash.
"With fervent prayers to our Heavenly Father that the light of truth
may ever illumine our paths, and speedily dispel the dark clouds of
calumny and fanaticism, I have the honour to be, sir, with great
respect, your very obedient servant,
(Signed) "MOSES MONTEFIORE."
This letter brought him warm acknowledgments from many members for
having enlightened them, as they said, on subjects which hitherto had
not been quite clear to them.
The Anti-Semites, however, would not rest, and one of their leaders,
Professor Rohling of the University of Prague, accused Sir Moses of
having had a book printed under his auspices, referring to the charge
of ritual murder among the Jews as being true.
The reader may well imagine the indignation of Sir Moses on hearing so
false a charge, and I did not lose a moment in addressing the following
letter to the Editor of the _Daily Telegraph_, in which it appeared
on Thursday, July 12th, 1883, under the heading of "The Tisza-Eszlar
Mystery."
"SIR,--I have been requested by many readers of your journal to lift,
if possible, the veil of an apparent mystery in a letter written by
Dr Rohling, Professor of Theology in the University of Prague, on
the 19th ult., and addressed to Herr Géza von Onody, Deputy of the
Hungarian Diet. It is published in the _Westungarischer Grenzbote_,
Presburg, of the 24th ult., and in other papers in Hungary and
Germany. For the sake of the vindication of truth, I beg you will
kindly give publicity to the following statement. Dr Rohling writes:
"'Having said in my "Antwort an die Rabbiner" (Reply to the Rabbins)
that I did not find in the Talmud, as far as we know it by printed
copies, any proof of ritual murder among the Jews, the Rabbins
maintained that such proofs are generally not to be found in their
literature. But, as there is now such a case before the Court, I
deem it my duty to give you to understand that, after having written
the above "Reply," I came into possession of a Hebrew work, which
has been printed under the auspices of Sir Moses Montefiore so late
as 1868, in which it is written (page 156a) "that the shedding of
the blood of non-Jewish maidens is considered among the Jews a very
sacred act; the shedding of such blood is most agreeable to Heaven,
and obtains mercy for them." This is but a short extract of the
passage, which I shall shortly give to the public in its entirety.
The truth of what I have said I am, in case of need, ready to confirm
by oath before the court.'
"This is signed by Dr Rohling as Professor in the Imperial and Royal
University of Prague.
"It makes my heart shudder, and will, I have no doubt, outrage many
who read the above letter, that the character of the man whose
name, whether mentioned in the house of Jew, Christian, or Moslem,
is always received with the deepest respect and veneration, should
be defiled by the foul breath of so terrible a slander at the very
moment when it is a question of life or death.
"With an evil ingenuity the professor gives the page but not the name
of the book, to puzzle the mind of the reader, depending for his
success more upon the ignorant people of Nyiregyhaza, before whom the
Deputy will most probably read his letter, than upon the judgment of
those who are far away from that place.
"Now, all the Jews in the world, including even those who became
apostates from their religion, as well as the high dignitaries of
the Church, nay, bishops and professors of theology, have declared,
and will again solemnly declare, if necessary, that there is no such
statement, there can be no such statement, in existence. Neither in
the Bible nor in the Talmud, nor in any book treating of the Kabbala,
could be seen even the shadow of the tracing of such a rite to which
the Professor alludes; but his great object is, as he gives it to be
understood in his letter, to guide the Court in their judgment.
"To clear up the mystery in question I will simply give the words
of Dr Franz Delitzsch, Professor of Theology in the University of
Leipzig, published in the _Pester Lloyd_, March 16, which, as the
reader will see, have reference to the very book of which Professor
Rohling, in his letter, concealed the title:--
"'The 'Paderborner Judenspiegel" (second edition, 1883), forming
a part of the "Bonifazius-Broschüren" [of which Dr Rohling, in
his "Reply to the Rabbins," page 52, says: "the texts which Dr
Justus"--this is the name by which the masked author goes--"offers
are taken directly from original sources"] concludes with three
quotations from cabalistic works, on which he bases the blood
accusations. One of these works appeared, as stated before, in
Jerusalem, the other in Bagdad. Professor Rohling had undoubtedly
these books in his mind when he said, p. 53: "If the high authorities
were to make it possible for me to spend several years in the East, I
think I could also find texts of the same kind." The passage of the
Jerusalem book which bears the title of "Halikutim," by Chajim ben
Joseph Vital of Calabria,[8] refers to an observation made therein
on verses 18 and 19 of chapter xxx. in the Book of Proverbs: "There
be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which
I know not: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent
upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way
of a man with a maid." By this he seeks to establish the right of
accusing the Jews of ritual murder; that the shedding of the blood
of a non-Israelite maid is deemed by the Jews a sacrifice agreeable
to the Deity. If an observation from which such inferences could
be drawn were really to exist, it would certainly prove an awful
prejudice against the Jews at the Tisza-Eszlar trial. It might be
said, "Why should such a passage not exist in that book?" Does not
Dr Justus give the name, page, and place of printing? Thousands
of people will believe him--because who can easily procure a book
printed in Jerusalem? And, if they do procure it, how very few
would be able to read it, or be sure to have a correct translation
of it. But because I am one of those few who have that book, and,
as a Christian, consider, in the words of my Lord (St Matthew xv.
10), as false witness all that which defiles man before God, the
holy and true one, I herewith declare before all the world that the
rendering of the passage in question which Dr Justus gives is not
a translation, but a bungling work of infernal falsehood. Into the
sacred text of Deuteronomy, chapter xxii., v. 17, which treats on
a subject of chastity and purity, the falsifier, in the spirit of
the before-mentioned incendiary paper, "Paderborner Judenspiegel,"
introduces his own idea--the invention that the words in question
were meant to recommend the murder of a maid for ritual purposes. Who
is that Dr Justus by whom the "Bonifazius Verein" allowed itself to
be made a dupe? Does it behove a Christian association to cast the
dragon-seed of such falsehood into the heart of a Christian people?
The "Judenspiegel" concludes with the wish that God may open the
heart of the Jews to the truth of Christianity. This is also my wish;
but, for the same reason, I abhor a controversy which, blinded by
the hatred of races, unites itself with ignorance and malice, and
does the work of hawking about false witness as a matter of business
Philologists professing the Catholic religion, such as Professor
Birkoll of Innsbruck, Professor Scholz of Wurzburg, the Priest
Knabenbauer, and others of my colleagues, will confirm what I say
regarding the disgraceful falsification made by Dr Justus.'
"So far the words of a Christian scholar of great eminence, Dr
Delitzsch.
"With regard to the statement of Dr Rohling that the mysterious book
had been printed under the auspices of Sir Moses, I have to explain
that, nearly forty years ago, with a view of encouraging industry
in the Holy Land, he presented a person of the name of Israel Back
with an English printing press, and the recipient in token of deep
gratitude to the donor named it 'Mássát Moshe Ve Yehoodit'--a present
from 'Moses and Judith;' since that time all the books printed by the
use of that press bear that name on the title-page. Sir Moses himself
has not the remotest idea of the printing of that book, nor has he
ever heard of the existence of it, but it pleased Dr Rohling, and he
thought it would answer his purpose exceedingly well, to interpret
these words by 'Under the auspices of Sir Moses Montefiore.'
"The name of Sir Moses sheds too bright a lustre over all his acts
to require any further explanation on my part; but my object in
writing this letter is to rouse the indignation of all friends of
truth and justice, and point out to them the cruel means of slander
which are used to influence this trial. Sir Moses has sent a letter
to every one of the deputies of the Imperial and Royal Hungarian
Diet, enclosing for their immediate perusal a copy of the Firman Khát
Shereef issued by his late Imperial Majesty the Sultan Abd-ool-Medjid
to the Chief Judge at Constantinople in the year 1840, and the
address which he delivered to his Majesty on that occasion at the
Palace of Beshik-Tash, translated into the Hungarian language, at
the conclusion of which he uttered a fervent prayer 'that the light
of truth may ever illumine our paths, and speedily dispel the dark
clouds of calumny and fanaticism.' In this prayer you, Sir, every
Englishman, every friend of humanity all over the world, will most
assuredly cordially join him.--I have the honour to be, Sir, your
obedient servant,
"L. LOEWE,
"One of the members of the Mission to Damascus and Constantinople,
under Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart., in the year 1840.
"1 OSCAR VILLAS, BROADSTAIRS, KENT, _July 10_."
_August 3rd._--The Tisza-Eszlar trial, after thirty-two days pleading
in open court, terminated this day, "all the accused being declared
innocent of the accusation brought against them." The accusation of
murder the court declared to be entirely without foundation; "as for
ritual murder in general," it declared, "such does not exist."
"The trial terminated," the _Chronik der Zeit_ says, "as we expected.
We strongly relied upon the idea that there were still true judges in
Hungary; judges whose calling it is to uphold the law, who in spite
of agitation, creed, hatred, and prejudice, would not at the decisive
moment allow themselves to be blinded to the truth."
Sir Moses, a few hours after the decision of the court had been given,
received a telegram informing him of the result of the trial. He was
greatly rejoiced, and immediately addressed letters of congratulation
to all the liberated prisoners, enclosing to each of them a handsome
present, on account of the sufferings they had undergone. A few days
later he had the satisfaction of receiving their acknowledgments,
couched in terms of deep gratitude, for the sympathy he had evinced
towards them, from the beginning to the end of the sorrowful days
during which the trial lasted.
Although nearly three months had still to elapse before the dawn of the
day on which he was to celebrate the ninety-ninth anniversary of his
birthday, poems, books, works of art, and numerous letters from distant
parts of the world had already reached London; the authors and donors
requesting their friends to present the gifts to Sir Moses when the day
should arrive. The state of Sir Moses' health varied. It depended to
some extent upon the weather, but there was seldom a case of serious
illness. He complained of weakness, but was still able to go out for a
drive now and then, and was cheerful in conversation with his friends
and general visitors. He had all his letters read to him, and signed as
many replies as were required. He himself wrote the principal part of
the cheques he drew on his bankers, and signed them in his usual style.
The weeks and days were now counted impatiently by his friends for
the advent of his ninety-ninth birthday, which was to be publicly
celebrated on the 8th November (8th Heshván, Hebrew date), but the
celebration already began on the 24th October, the last day of the
Jewish Feast of Tabernacles. For upwards of fifty years Sir Moses
had every year on this festival held the office of Hattan Thora
(Bridegroom of the Law) in his own Synagogue, and in honour of the
occasion received a large number of friends and relatives to luncheon
at East Cliff, after the morning service in the Synagogue. On this
particular day the company was more numerous than ever, many having
come from London to congratulate Sir Moses. After the luncheon most
of the visitors were admitted, a few at a time, to Sir Moses' room,
to offer him their good wishes, and were delighted to find him so
cheerful, happy, and grateful to Heaven for the mercy bestowed upon
him. In the London Synagogues the preachers from the pulpit spoke of
the auspicious event, holding out the high aim of Sir Moses' life
as a noble example of virtue. Immense numbers of telegrams began to
arrive from all parts of the world, in many different languages, some
of them containing hundreds of words. The post-office officials had
a heavy task in transmitting them. Large packages containing choice
flowers and costly fruit were continually being sent by friends and
admirers far and near, some even from perfect strangers. Visitors also
began to call day after day, and, although numerous, formed, with the
apparently endless arrival of letters, telegrams, and bouquets, only
the vanguard of what was intended for the 8th of November. Early in
the morning Sir Moses was serenaded by a party of sixty ladies and
gentlemen stationed on the lawn, under his bedroom window, who sang
hymns and songs composed in honour of the day. Sir Moses was greatly
pleased by this attention, and had his window thrown open in order to
hear the singing better. While sitting there listening, he had the
honour of receiving a special telegram from Her Majesty the Queen,
which was couched in the most gracious terms, congratulating him on the
happy day, while complimenting him on his noble and useful career. As
soon as Sir Moses had read it, he requested the ladies and gentlemen
to sing "God save the Queen," which they did, following it up by
hearty cheers for Her Majesty. Soon afterwards equally kind telegrams
arrived from their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duke of
Edinburgh. So many deputations from various towns, corporate bodies,
and religious, charitable, scientific, and mercantile institutions were
waiting to present addresses to Sir Moses, that it was quite impossible
for him to see them all, although all were hospitably entertained at
his house, and received every attention from Mr Sebag and Mr Guedalla,
the relatives of Sir Moses, who, together with their wives, assisted
him to receive the numerous visitors during the day. Whole vans full of
boxes were brought to the house from the railway, containing works of
art, choice flowers, costly fruit, and other presents. The telegrams
arrived by hundreds, so that they could not even be opened, much less
read, on that day. The post-office and railway companies had to engage
a large number of extra officials to cope with the work. There were
extra trains run, not only from towns in Kent, but even from London, to
bring down the crowds anxious to witness the proceedings, or to take
part in them. Ramsgate and all the neighbouring towns made the day a
general holiday. All the shops and schools were closed; the streets
were tastefully decorated with flags and garlands; handsome triumphal
arches had been erected, with inscriptions containing good wishes for
Sir Moses, and fervent blessings for all the good he had done in his
long and noble life; the ships in the harbour were dressed with flags,
and salutes were fired. Even the street lamps had been ornamented with
the initials of Sir Moses' name in English and Hebrew letters of gold.
Many thousands of visitors had arrived by train, and the authorities
of the town had requisitioned one hundred extra constables to keep
order in the crush that was expected. The streets of Ramsgate were
filled with people, and the immense fields between the house of Sir
Moses and the Synagogue soon became so crowded that when the hour came
for the special service in the Synagogue, which was to be attended by
the friends of Sir Moses and the heads of the deputations, it seemed
impossible for them to get through the crowd. By the help of mounted
constables a way was cleared, and the building was soon filled to its
utmost capacity. Handsomely printed copies of the order of service were
handed to the visitors. After the usual afternoon service, the Rev. Dr.
Herman Adler, the Delegate Chief Rabbi, opened the ark, and offered
up a fervent prayer composed by him for the occasion. As soon as the
service was concluded the visitors had to hurry back to East Cliff
Lodge to witness a grand procession, which was one of the principal
features of the day, and which had been arranged most successfully
by Messrs Ben Twyman, of Ramsgate, and Mr Hodgman, the Chief of the
Post-Office of the town. The procession was two miles in length, and
took nearly an hour in passing through the grounds of Sir Moses'
estate. It was composed of military bands, detachments of firemen and
police, mayors and members of town councils, lifeboat men, Foresters,
Oddfellows, Druids, allegorical groups, and members of deputations from
Jewish communities in different parts of England and the Continent.
The rear of the procession was brought up by several thousand school
children from nearly all the schools in the neighbourhood. Sir Moses
stood on the balcony of his drawing-room, overlooking the garden, to
witness the procession. It was a touching sight to see each separate
part of the procession, as they came to the balcony, make a halt,
lower their flags before the venerable hero of the day, and send up
ringing cheers for him. Sir Moses lifted his cap and waved his hand
in response. He several times attempted to address a few words to
them, but was too deeply moved to give them utterance. The scene made
an indelible impression on the heart and mind of the writer of this
memoir, and few of the many hundreds of friends who surrounded Sir
Moses on that day are ever likely to forget it. After the procession
more deputations were received by Sir Moses, and in the evening a
lecture was delivered at the Montefiore College by the Principal on
the words of the Psalms, "With long life will I satisfy him, and show
him my salvation," and of the prophet Isaiah, "He gives power to the
faint, and to them that have no might He increaseth strength. Even the
youths shall faint and be weary, but they that wait upon the Eternal
shall renew their strength; they shall mount up as with the wings of
eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be
faint." The Hall was brilliantly illuminated, and filled to its utmost
extent, many being unable to find room. A grand banquet was given in
honour of the day at the Granville Hotel by Mr Vale, the Chairman of
the Ramsgate Improvement Committee. The poor also had their share in
the festivities. The proprietor of the Granville Hall gave a dinner
to 300 sick and poor people, and the Rev. J. C. Collins entertained a
like number of poor children at tea. The Commemoration Committee also
gave a large number of dinners to the poor; at Grave's Hotel nearly 400
were entertained, besides 150 at Christ Church Parish Hall. St Luke's
Parish gave a dinner to 120, and a still larger number sat down at St
Lawrence. The Congregationalists, the Baptists, the Wesleyans, and the
Primitive Methodists all did honour to Sir Moses in this way, knowing
that it was the way he would most approve. Naturally, the Jewish poor
were not forgotten on this occasion. In the evening the whole town
of Ramsgate and the harbour were splendidly illuminated, and large
bonfires were lighted. The rejoicings were brought to a close with a
grand display of fireworks in the vicinity of Sir Moses' residence.
Anything so grand had never before been witnessed in Ramsgate, and it
was unanimously conceded that the inhabitants of the Isle of Thanet had
done honour to themselves by sparing neither trouble nor expense in
showing honour to him who for upwards of half a century had been one
of their most respected fellow-citizens, and during all this time had
never allowed an opportunity to pass without giving substantial proofs
of his goodwill, wherever required, without distinction of creed or
nationality.
It was a source of great thankfulness to all the friends of Sir Moses
that he bore the extraordinary excitement and fatigue of this ever
memorable but trying day so well. He received one deputation after
another until mid-day, saying something pleasant to each, and thanking
them all most heartily. From two o'clock until three he stood on the
balcony to view the procession, and after it had passed, continued
receiving deputations until five o'clock. So many visitors were anxious
to shake hands with him that all the rooms of his house, with the
stairs and passages, did not suffice to contain them; many had to
remain in the garden for hours until there was room for them upstairs.
No one seemed to mind waiting. The costly and beautiful presents were
spread out in every room; the lovely flowers and choice fruit turned
the house into a veritable paradise, although only those could be
displayed which had arrived before the day, upwards of a hundred boxes
not having been opened for want of time. The addresses from all parts
of the world are too numerous to be named singly. Many of them were
splendidly mounted. One was from America, an album of immense size,
mounted in velvet, with silver ornaments; another, from Warsaw, in
ivory, most artistically carved. Several contained lovely pictures by
noted artists; others in exquisite needlework covers. They are all
kept in large glass cases at Judith College, and are the admiration
of all who see them. In every synagogue throughout the world special
services were held in honour of Sir Moses, and large benevolent
institutions were founded in his memory on the Continent, in America,
and in Australia. It was universally acknowledged that before this time
no such honour had been shown to any private individual, but that Sir
Moses had received no more than his just reward.
[Footnote 8: Born 1543, died 1620. He resided at Safed, Palestine,
and was a disciple of Isaac Luria. The book in question, which
forms part of the book Etz Chajim, was printed in Zolkiew, Wilna,
and Jerusalem.]
CHAPTER XLII.
1883.
PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS FROM THE CITY OF LONDON--THE
CHOVAVEY ZION SOCIETY--PROGRESS OF THE AGRICULTURAL MOVEMENT.
_Thursday, November 22nd._--The City of London presented an address to
Sir Moses. This was unanimously voted by the Court of Common Council,
on the motion of Mr Loveridge, seconded by Mr Alderman Isaacs, and a
beautiful specimen of modern illumination on vellum was accordingly
prepared. The words of the resolution, skilfully engrossed, made
mention of the fact that Sir Moses Montefiore was Sheriff forty-six
years ago, and the writing was enclosed in a handsome and elaborate
border.
This richly ornamented address was conveyed from London by a deputation
of the Common Council, composed of Mr Loveridge, the mover of the
resolution, Mr Alderman Nottage, and twelve or fourteen deputies. Mr
Alderman Isaacs, the seconder of the resolution, was unfortunately
prevented by illness from accompanying the party.
[9]The vivacity, the heartiness, the wit, the cheerful readiness of
repartee with which Sir Moses Montefiore welcomed his visitors defy
all description. Vital force and high animal spirits seemed heightened
rather than diminished in this truly marvellous centenarian. He was
begged again and again to sit down, but said, "When all my guests are
seated I will be seated also." Thereupon the greater number sat down,
and Sir Moses took his seat on a couch beside Mr Alderman Nottage,
but this was only for a minute or two. Seeing that a few yet stood,
he was on his feet again in a moment, protesting his ability and his
desire to stand also. Mr Sebag introduced the deputation, and Sir Moses
could hardly wait for any formalities, so impatient was he to pour
forth his gratitude and goodwill--in simple, earnest, and impulsive
words. That he was greatly moved may be supposed by all who know his
sympathetic nature. The address was read by Mr Loveridge, who added
some appropriate words, and presented a magnificent bouquet, with
the inscription, "Jerusalem," in golden characters across it, this
appropriate gift being due to the thoughtfulness of Mr Courtney.
Then Sir Moses, with great feeling, uttered his evidently heartfelt
thanks. He spoke of the dear old city with which he had been connected
long ago; said it gladdened him to see the blue gowns of the Common
Council; that there never was a city more loyal to that Sovereign
whose portrait hung before them, and whom he prayed God in Heaven
long to protect. He said that he truly wanted words to express all
he felt. He could assure the deputation, one and all, that from his
heart he thanked them. As a matter of fact, no such assurance was
needed, for the voice in which it was expressed swelled with emotion,
and the hearers also were visibly affected. The pride with which Sir
Moses Montefiore showed his treasured chain of office, the gold casket
containing the freedom of the Fishmongers' Company, and other civic
souvenirs, was delightful to witness. All present passed before the
aged baronet and shook hands with him, and to each who addressed him in
turn, he replied with some apt and gracefully turned sentence, which
showed a freshness of heart and clearness of brain not frequently
found among men of any age. One member of the Common Council said he
was eighty. "Is that all?" exclaimed Sir Moses, and then he gravely
added, "You have much work before you, sir." The deputation of Common
Council was followed by one from the Merchant Taylors' Company, with
which Sir Moses was long connected. Subsequently all the guests were
entertained at luncheon, Mr Joseph Sebag presiding in place of Sir
Moses, who deputed him to say how cordially he felt the pleasure they
had conferred on him. Mr Loveridge, Mr Sebag, Mr Arthur Cohen, Q.C.,
M.P., and Mr Alderman Nottage, spoke after the repast, and whether the
immediate subject was their host or the City of London, the former was
remembered by name in every sentence, the last speaker quoting language
originally uttered in praise of Milton, to the effect that "if he were
sent to another planet from our globe he would be regarded as the
representative of a race who were the favourites and heirs of Heaven."
The writer having been requested to say grace after the repast, made
use of the ancient and venerable Hebrew language, the same being well
understood by most of the guests present.
Before leaving, the civic party, at the earnest entreaty of Sir Moses,
returned to his room to shake hands once more, and bid him adieu.
Sir Moses, being desirous of expressing his gratitude to those who
honoured him with their congratulations, addressed a letter to the
editors of the principal journals in the following terms:--
"SIR,--May I ask the privilege of expressing through your paper
my heartfelt thanks towards the very large number of friends and
public bodies who have so considerately offered me their esteemed
congratulations on the occasion of my entering this day into my
hundredth year?
"Grateful to Providence for the merciful protection vouchsafed to
me during my long life, I rejoice in the reflection that any feeble
efforts I may have made to advance the happiness and welfare of my
fellow-creatures have been so kindly judged.
"With a fervent prayer for the health and long life of our gracious
Queen, whose beneficent sway over this great and free country has
caused so much happiness to all classes of her subjects, reiterating
my thanks to my numerous friends, and acknowledging your courteous
and flattering remarks, I have the honour to remain, yours faithfully,
(Signed) "MOSES MONTEFIORE."
Subsequently he addressed letters of thanks to all who favoured him
with their congratulations, at the same time enclosing cheques in many
cases for charitable institutions. The following is a copy of his
reply, which was in most instances translated into the language of his
correspondent:--
"Your most esteemed letter, conveying to me your felicitations on the
occasion of my entering, by the blessing of God, upon my hundredth
year of life, has reached me on the eighth of Heshván, and I feel
great pleasure in expressing to you my warmest acknowledgments for
the kind sentiments you were pleased to evince therein towards me.
"In appreciation of the honour you conferred on me by your
communication, I have placed the same among the important documents I
keep in Judith, Lady Montefiore's Theological College, with a view of
making known to those who attend there for the study of our Holy Law
and the Hebrew literature, the kindness which prompted you to address
me on the auspicious event.
"Most fervently do I pray to Him, who has ever been, and ever will
be, the Guardian of Israel, to cause His choice blessing to alight
upon yourself and your respected family, so that you may be permitted
to continue in your praiseworthy work of benevolence for many years
to come in full enjoyment of every happiness.--With reiterated
thanks, I am, &c."
Up to the last day of December, letters, books, poems, and costly
presents continued to arrive. In Austria, Galicia, Roumania, Russia,
Russian Poland, Italy, and many towns in America and Australia,
charitable institutions were established bearing his name, and reports
of the same, accompanied by photographs of the buildings and of the
principal officers, were sent to him.
Even in 1884, when he had attained his hundredth year, Sir Moses
would not give himself the rest he deserved. He continued to take the
liveliest interest in charitable and educational institutions, and even
signed documents sent to him by his favourite companies--the Alliance,
and the Imperial Continental Gas Association.
Sometimes in the course of conversation with his friends he would say,
"Can I believe that I am a hundred years old?"
What interested him most this year was the movement at Warsaw by the
promoters of agriculture in the Holy Land. They formed themselves into
a society, adopting the name of "Chovavey Zion" (the friends or lovers
of Zion), and had an excellent likeness made of him by a distinguished
artist, which they sold in Russia, Holland, and Germany, the amount
realised being intended for the benefit of Jewish colonists in the
Holy Land. Many thousands of copies were sold, and the names of the
purchasers and the amounts received were published in the Hebrew and
German papers. Most of the purchasers gave considerably more than the
stipulated price, in order to manifest their high appreciation of Sir
Moses' character, and of the object the society had in view. It was a
source of very great happiness to him to hear of the progress made by
the Jewish agriculturists in the Land of Promise, where there were now
seven colonies.
That for which he had been longing full sixty years of his life
he now saw being realised by the strenuous efforts of the society
"Chovavey Zion," by the agricultural Hebrew associations in Roumania
and elsewhere, and by private gentlemen, who individually exerted
themselves for the good and great cause. Foremost among them stands the
great friend of colonisation, Baron Edmond de Rothschild in Paris.
Sir Moses had the satisfaction of being enabled to send his
contributions on his ninety-ninth birthday to six colonies, viz.:--
Ge-oni, near Safed; Rishon le-Zion, two and a half hours from Jaffa;
Beney Bilu; Sámárin, near Haifa; Yahood, two and a half hours from
Jaffa; Pe-kee-in, near Safed, the Bokea.
He also had the satisfaction of receiving Mr David Gordon, a delegate
from twenty-three congregations in Russia, who presented him with an
album, containing fervent wishes and prayers for the prolongation
of his life, with the signatures of 1562 representatives of fifty
societies bearing the name of "The Friends of Zion," all branches of
the above-named society at Warsaw.
They celebrated his centenary by holding a general meeting of the
members in the town of Kattowitz, in Upper Silesia, a place chosen by
them on account of its vicinity to the frontiers of Russia, Austria,
and Prussia, for the purpose of arranging all the particulars referring
to a "Sir Moses Montefiore Institution," having for its object the
cultivation of land in Palestine.
In America, in Pratt Country, Kansas, a colony bearing the name
"Montefiore," and consisting of refugees from countries in which the
blessings of liberty have not yet been allotted to their brethren, sent
him an address in pure Biblical Hebrew, conveying the expression of
their gratitude for his exertions to ameliorate their condition, and
forwarded for his acceptance specimens of the produce of their colony.
His regular medical attendant and others paid him frequent visits, but
he seldom left his room. Sometimes great anxiety was felt by those
round him when attacks of bronchitis or a severe cough disturbed his
nights, but he would rally again, so strong was his constitution. Sir
William Jenner once came down. Sir Moses was not informed he had been
sent for, or he would not have consented. The eminent physician, after
a careful examination, made the satisfactory statement that his pulse
was wonderfully well for a man of his age, but, of course, he observed,
his life was, as it were, hanging on a thread. However, by great care
and unceasing attention, he might yet, comparatively speaking, continue
to enjoy health and good spirits.
Very frequently, as I walked from Broadstairs to East Cliff Lodge, I
was stopped on the road by rich and poor, eagerly inquiring, "How is
Sir Moses?" and whenever he took a carriage drive, which was now but
very seldom, many groups of people might be seen awaiting him on the
roads through which he would have to pass, so as to catch a glance of
him.
His Synagogue and College continued to engage his mind. To visitors,
who purposely came from London or elsewhere to Ramsgate to see him,
he would say, "Have you been to see the Synagogue? Have you seen the
College?" Not being able to attend the College himself, he had copies
made of the lectures, and on a Friday night or Sabbath morning he would
invite the lecturer for the day to come and read the same to him.
The order for writing a scroll of the Pentateuch was again sent to
Wilna, in accordance with his custom ever since his first visit to that
place in the year 1846, and he awaited its arrival with impatience. He
often expressed the wish that he might soon have the happiness of again
writing the last verse in the sacred manuscript.
He used to join his friends at the dinner table, although, for the last
two years, he could no longer partake of the same food as was prepared
for them, but he would remain on the sofa and join them in drinking the
healths of some of those present.
He still enjoyed the Friday evenings (the commencement of the Sabbath)
to a high degree. When his Sabbath lamp illumined his chamber, and
prayers were being recited, he would join in singing the hymns and
psalms; afterwards he would drink the wine out of the Sabbath cup, over
which the benediction of the hallowed day of rest had been pronounced,
and partake of the Sabbath bread. He would then be in the best of
humours, and would delight every one with his conversation.
Thus the weeks and months glided away on the path of time, and the
hundredth anniversary of his birthday drew near.
[Footnote 9: Description of presentation taken partly from _Daily
Telegraph_.]
CHAPTER XLIII.
1884.
A GRAND OLD CENTENARIAN--PUBLIC GATHERINGS IN HIS
HONOUR--RAMSGATE ILLUMINATED--SIR MOSES' HEALTH.
Already in the beginning of the year, "Sir Moses Montefiore Memorial
Committees" had been formed in many parts of the world, also in
London. By the kind permission of the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, a
public meeting was held in the Egyptian Hall, at the Mansion House, in
January, for the purpose of considering the best means of celebrating
the approaching centenary. The Ramsgate Memorial Committee sent a
special deputation to attend the meeting, but at the request of Sir
Moses, it was indefinitely postponed.
Sir Nathaniel M. (now Lord) Rothschild, Chairman of the Montefiore
Memorial Committee, issued the following circular countermanding the
meeting:--
"NEW COURT, _21st January 1884_.
"DEAR SIR,--The newspapers will have announced to you this morning
that the public meeting convened for to-morrow, at the Mansion House,
under the presidency of the Lord Mayor, will not be held.
"It had reached me that Sir Moses Montefiore had manifested to those
around him, considerable disquietude as to the proposed movement
by which his friends had intended permanently to commemorate his
great services, and that while deeply appreciating the kindness of
his friends, and touched by the feelings of regard, he was very
unwilling, even tacitly, to sanction the collection proposed to
be made. Under these circumstances, two members of the Executive
Committee, Mr Joseph Sebag and Mr Lionel L. Cohen, went to Ramsgate,
to ascertain Sir Moses' exact wishes on the subject.
"These were expressed in terms so distinct and so decisively adverse
to the contemplated movement, that, as previously arranged with me,
they put themselves in immediate communication with the Lord Mayor,
who, acquiescing in the desire to conform to Sir Moses' wishes,
decided to countermand the meeting.
"It only remains for me, therefore, to thank you for your intended
co-operation.--I am dear Sir, yours faithfully,
"N. M. DE ROTHCHILD, Chairman."
Meanwhile, biographical notices were published in English and foreign
papers, and preparations on a grand scale were made to celebrate the
centenary, especially in Synagogues, schools, colleges, and charitable
institutions. Dinners, teas, treats of every description were to
be given to the aged, the poor, and the school children of various
communities. Charitable institutions were raised in most parts on
the Continent, bearing the name of Sir Moses Montefiore. The tide of
offerings once more flowed in upon Sir Moses.
The Freemasons all over the world sent their fraternal salutations.
Some of these are on scrolls, with handles to them in the form of
Hebrew Pentateuch scrolls for Synagogue purposes.
The number of addresses delivered at East Cliff Lodge was very great,
and to sort and arrange them generally, as well as according to the
various languages in which they were written, occupied the time of a
diligent worker for several months.
On Monday, 27th October 1884, according to the Hebrew date, 8 Heshván,
5645 A.M., Sir Moses completed the hundredth year of his life.
Religious services were held in all the Synagogues of the United
Kingdom. In London the principal service was at the Synagogue of
the Spanish and Portuguese congregation in Bevis Marks, which was
decorated with flowers and brilliantly lighted. The Delegate Chief
Rabbi delivered a sermon, and the principal reader offered up a special
Hebrew prayer composed by the Chief Rabbi.
Mr Joseph Sebag (now Mr Sebag-Montefiore) entertained a large party at
dinner; the Jewish Working Men's Club gave a grand entertainment; six
hundred poor were invited to a dinner at the expense of the Bevis Marks
Congregation, and treats were given to the pupils of nearly all the
Jewish schools in London.
Sir Moses forwarded a sum of £100, corresponding to the number of years
in his life, to the late Mr Lionel L. Cohen, M.P., President of the
Board of Guardians of the German Congregation, and a similar sum to
the Board of Guardians of the Spanish and Portuguese community, to the
Mansion House Poor Box, to each of the four Holy Cities in Palestine,
and to various Continental congregations.
The proceedings at Hereson, Ramsgate, began with the ordinary service
in his Synagogue at 8 o'clock A.M. and at 1.30 P.M. there was a special
service at which the Delegate Chief Rabbi recited the prayer composed
by his father, the Rev. Dr N. M. Adler.
Most of those who were present then proceeded to East Cliff Lodge. One
of the local papers which I copy says:
"The festivities of the day commenced with the delivery of coals to the
houses of poor people, and this was followed a couple of hours later by
the distribution of a hundred pairs of blankets by the new Mayor, Mr
Kennett, at the Town Hall, to as many necessitous individuals. All the
blankets bore the motto of the day, "Think and thank," upon them.
"During the night workmen had been busy, and by the early morning the
newly incorporated town had undergone a complete transformation. Almost
every street was a mass of colour. Flags of every nationality hung
across the streets and draped the houses, interspersed with appropriate
mottoes. Red and gold were the prevailing colours, and the motto of
the house of Montefiore, 'Think and thank,' was frequently repeated.
In the harbour all the ships, including the Trinity yacht _Galatea_,
were dressed in honour of the event. Even the stolid boatmen were
obliged to give way at last, and joined the festive throng, admiring
the profusion of flags and banners, and the complimentary inscriptions
upon arches of evergreens, castellated trophies, and shop facias. The
houses round about were gay with bunting, kept in constant motion by
the wind. Harbour Street, High Street, King Street, and Queen Street
were alive with the colours of all nations, paramount among them the
Union Jack. The crowds of excursionists from the neighbouring towns and
villages strolled along singly and in groups, stopping ever and anon to
recite from the suspended banners such legends as, 'The man whom the
people delight to honour,' and 'Europe claims his birth, all nations
own his worth.' Two triumphal arches had been erected. That in High
Street was most solid in appearance, being built to imitate a tower
and a battlement, which were tastefully adorned with evergreens, while
the one in King Street was entirely floral, and was decorated with
flags. The Town Hall was prettily hung with banners across the front.
Then came the procession, which marched with bands and banners from
one end of the town to the other. The newly presented mace was carried
at the head of the procession, and was greeted with loud cheers. After
the mayors and officials of the neighbouring towns of Margate, Deal,
Sandwich, and Broadstairs had driven past, came the Mayor of Ramsgate,
the Deputy-Mayor, the Aldermen and the Councillors of the town. Then
came what were called 'Illustrations of trades.'
"One of the most interesting features in the procession was the
travelling carriage in which Sir Moses rode when on his philanthropic
missions in Russia and Poland, France and Italy, in the old stage-coach
days. It was drawn by six horses. The route was crowded with
sight-seers."
I now take the reader to join the party, who on leaving the special
service in the Synagogue, proceeded to East Cliff.
On being introduced into the presence of Sir Moses they found him
surrounded by his nearest relatives and friends, with whom he conversed
in high spirits. His voice was clear, his memory perfect.
It is a strange and fascinating picture! There, in the righthand corner
of a large high-backed, old-fashioned chintz sofa sits a patriarchal
figure supported by pillows. This impressive picture of age, tended by
love and respect, is lighted from the right by a stream of sunshine,
which pours through the upper panes of a large angular bay window,
and rests gently upon a grand head, full of character, fringed with a
short, closely cut, snow-white beard. One hand of Sir Moses is thrown
negligently across a tall arm of the sofa, the other rests upon the
ample skirts of a purple silk dressing gown. Close to the head of the
sofa stands a table covered with baskets and great bouquets of flowers.
Around on the walls are pictures of the Queen and the Royal family,
and of scenes in the Holy Land, and a beautifully carved tablet with
the inscription of the Decalogue over a standing desk, for the use
of the reader when reciting the daily prayers; also a palm branch
and a citron, over which he pronounced the blessings at the Feast of
Tabernacles.
The Delegate Chief Rabbi now recited the prayer which he had previously
offered in the Synagogue. Sir Moses insisted on standing during the
greater part of it. He was much affected by several passages alluding
to Lady Montefiore, and joined fervently in the prayer for the Queen.
At the conclusion of the prayer he expressed his thanks to the Delegate
Chief Rabbi, and spoke highly of his father, the Chief Rabbi.
The representatives of the Anglo-Jewish community were next introduced
to him, and he expressed his thanks to them in touching language.
I then introduced the scribe of Wilna, who had brought with him the
Pentateuch scroll. Sir Moses kissed the scroll, almost overpowered
with happiness. On opening it, the well-known blessing pronounced by
the priest happened to be written in the column before him. He read it
aloud, and expressed gratitude to Heaven for having permitted him to
see it on this his day of joy.
It was now nearly two o'clock, and the procession from the Town Hall
drew near East Cliff. A deputation from the town visited the Lodge, in
order that Sir Moses might invest the new Mayor with his present of a
new gold chain of office for the service of the newly-made corporation
in perpetuity. The members of the Commemoration Committee soon
followed. They all, together with a number of ladies and gentlemen,
after having partaken of Sir Moses' hospitality, proceeded to his room.
There the Vicar of Ramsgate read an address to him. Sir Moses was
much affected by it, and expressed his thanks to the Vicar with great
warmth, speaking kindly of the Ramsgate inhabitants.
The new Mayor then stepped forward, and Sir Moses placed over his head
a magnificent gold chain of office, bearing prominently on a shield the
Hebrew letter "Mim" (corresponding to the English letter M, the initial
of the name of the donor), saying, "May Almighty God give you and your
children and children's children happiness. You are the first Mayor in
Ramsgate. May God in His mercy protect you! I am sure He will!"
The Mayor replied, "I do not know what to say, Sir Moses, to thank
you for all your kindness." "Do not thank me," Sir Moses rejoined.
"What I have done gives me sincere pleasure. As to the praise which
has been more than lavished upon me, I take it as a compliment to my
co-religionists." The Mayoress then presented him with a bouquet, and
Sir Moses received the congratulations of a considerable number of
friends. He spoke to most of them, and continued in excellent spirits;
but he felt weak, and his medical attendant advising that the room
should be cleared, all present withdrew.
It being now near the time when the evening prayers are offered in the
Synagogue, the visitors repaired there, and met a large congregation.
Subsequently they proceeded to Judith, Lady Montefiore's Theological
College, where the lecture hall was brilliantly illuminated. A
profusion of choice flowers, tastefully arranged between numerous
lights on steps in the bay window, gave it a charming appearance.
The Principal of the College held a special service, and addressed the
assembly on the events of the day, concluding with a heartfelt prayer
for the life of Sir Moses, in which all fervently joined.
With this service the religious celebrations of the day terminated.
The residents in the town and neighbourhood, the relatives and friends
of Sir Moses, now assembled at a public banquet given in St George's
Hall, under the presidency of the Mayor. During dinner the latter
received a message, which he read to his guests. "Sir Moses wishes
to send a message of friendly greeting to the Mayor of Ramsgate, and
to his guests assembled this evening. He desires to drink a glass of
wine with them, and wishes good health and prosperity to them and
to the town. He regrets much that he is unable to be present with
them to-night." The message was received with hearty cheers, and the
Mayor proposed the toast of the evening, which was received with much
enthusiasm, and acknowledged by Mr Joseph Sebag.
In the course of the evening a torch-light procession was formed at
the Town Hall, and marched up to East Cliff, where a grand display of
fireworks took place, the spot specially selected for it being not far
from the bay window of Sir Moses' bedroom, to enable him to see it from
his chair. The whole town was illuminated.
Thus the day passed in perfect happiness for Sir Moses and those
who had taken part in the festivities. For the latter the sight of
this grand old centenarian, who had won so much honour, esteem, and
friendship, will never be effaced from their memory.
Great and numerous, however, as were all these manifestations of
veneration and affection for Sir Moses in England and other parts
of the world, the feeling must surely have arisen in the minds of
many that the lights which illuminated the streets would soon be
extinguished, the voices of the brilliant orators again be silent, the
flowers which had this day decorated many a Synagogue become faded, and
the words of the preachers forgotten; while the numerous charitable
and educational institutions, which the recipient of so much homage
had called into existence all over the world, will remain, and, while
benefiting mankind in a high degree, will serve to keep alive the
memory of his unselfish devotion.
The following morning he was better than could reasonably be expected
after such an exciting event, but he was anxious to convey his
sense of gratitude to the thousands who had honoured him with their
congratulations, and at once gave orders for the purpose. His medical
attendant, however, strongly advised him to refrain from too much
exertion, and he wisely consented to remain quiet for some time.
Relatives and friends suggested that measures should be adopted by
which he should be relieved of the necessity of answering his many
correspondents. When weak and ailing he agreed to what they proposed,
but the moment he felt a little stronger he invariably insisted on
continuing his good work.
CHAPTER XLIV.
1885.
SIR MOSES' REPLY TO THE BOARD OF DEPUTIES--HIS FAILING
STRENGTH--FIRST PUBLISHED BULLETIN--SIR MOSES'
DEATH.
_January 29th._--The Board of the London Committee of Deputies of the
British Jews having been among the first in England to convey to him
its congratulations, signed by the Honorary Officers, he this day
addressed the following letter to them:
"EAST CLIFF LODGE, RAMSGATE," _29th January 5645 (1885)_.
"To Arthur Cohen, Esq., Q.C., M.P., President; Joseph Sebag, Esq.,
Vice-President; Henry Harris, Esq., Treasurer; and the Members of the
London Committee of Deputies of the British Jews.
"DEAR AND ESTEEMED FRIENDS,--I have the honour to acknowledge the
receipt of a copy of the resolutions unanimously passed at a special
meeting, held on the 14th October 1884, in which you were pleased
to express your kind sentiments and sincere felicitations on the
occasion of the centennial anniversary of my natal day.
"My heart is overflowing with thankfulness to the Most High for
having tended me all my life unto this day, and there will for ever
remain enshrined within my memory the grateful sense I entertain
for the manifestations of kindness which I was permitted to receive
on my entering, as well as on my completing, the hundredth year of
my existence, from many valued friends. To none of them, however,
will my gratitude be more intense than to the distinguished members
of your Board, with whom it has been my privilege to be associated
in their unceasing endeavours to promote the interests of the
communities at home and abroad for so long a period.
"I appreciate highly the renewed assurance of friendship by which you
have greatly honoured me, and earnestly pray that the Most Supreme
may shield and protect you and your families, so as to enable you
to continue your noble exertions in the cause of our holy religion,
in the cause of suffering humanity, and in the vindication of truth
and justice. I invoke Him who is the Eternal Disposer of events to
inspire you with holy zeal, that you may not rest until all the
innocent sufferers from oppression shall be relieved.--I am, yours
faithfully,
"MOSES MONTEFIORE."
He next addressed the Anglo-Jewish Association, the Wardens of the
Synagogues, Schools, and Colleges, and numerous public companies; but
at times he was compelled by weakness to desist, and could only resume
his work after a lapse of three or four days.
It was always a pleasure to him to hear of matrimonial engagements, and
he never failed to send costly wedding presents to all who invited him
to be present at the solemnisation of the marriage, or to the customary
breakfast afterwards. He often received letters from young persons
signing themselves "Moses Montefiore," who had been so named by their
parents as a mark of respect to Sir Moses.
Like most persons of affluence, he often received letters from
strangers in various parts of the world who claimed relationship with
him, and were not satisfied with a simple assurance on his part that
there was no foundation whatever for such a claim. He frequently had to
write strong letters to them before he could succeed in convincing them
of their error.
Many persons in this country and abroad appeared to forget that they
now addressed a centenarian, and used to write to him on various
subjects, asking his advice on communal or other important matters,
just as, with greater propriety, they had done twenty years before.
Sir Moses, on giving his orders that a reply should be sent to them,
expressed the strongest desire to avoid as much as possible any
phraseology that might be interpreted as a disinclination to remain
in peaceful relation with his correspondents, even when he had to
disapprove of the measures proposed by them.
He found especial pleasure in persuading friends and acquaintances to
take a trip on the Continent for a change of air and scene, and often
presented them with as large a sum even as £100 to enable them to do
so. Even persons who could hardly have expected such a favour were
sometimes indebted to him in this way.
To those whom he entrusted with the carrying out of his orders, he
would say, "I wish to continue doing just as I have always done with
regard to benevolent institutions and individuals."
His weakness, however, often manifested itself to a degree which caused
considerable uneasiness to his relatives and friends, and, by the
advice of his medical attendant, additional nurses were engaged, so
that he might be attended by them day and night, and never left alone
for a moment.
He now gave special orders "never to allow any of his letters to
leave the house before an exact copy had been made of them, however
insignificant they might have been."
He still signed all his cheques, and added his usual motto, "Think and
thank," on the face of them. He took special care never to express his
immediate agreement with any suggestion made to him, and would say, "I
will consider it," or, "I will do it to-morrow;" but it often happened
that the person counting on this promise was disappointed, as Sir Moses
frequently altered his mind upon consideration.
Speaking sometimes to me on his own advanced age, he would say, "I
have endeavoured to do the best I could; no doubt I have often failed,
but I rely on God's goodness; He forgives those who approach Him with
a contrite heart." "Death," he would say, "is like going to sleep
for a while, to awake again spiritually invigorated. When I pass the
mausoleum of Judith I always read the Hebrew inscription above the
entrance--
'Into His hands my Spirit I consign,
Whilst wrapt in sleep that I again awake,
And with my spirit, my body I resign;
The Lord with me, no fears my soul can shake.'
"Let my mortal remains be taken through the grounds to my last
resting-place quietly by the way I always used to go to my Synagogue
with my dear wife."
After a long pause he would talk of more cheerful subjects. "Do you
remember," he said, "when we crossed the Dwina near Riga, and the ice
broke under our feet? We had many a narrow escape on our missions;
praised be God for His numerous mercies."
He would then begin to recite a psalm, the Song of Moses, or a
favourite hymn of his, commencing with the Hebrew words,. "El Norá
'Alcelah," generally sung in the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue on
the day of atonement, before the conclusion service.
Often, when in conversation with me during the evenings, at a time
when he was comfortably resting in bed, he would review the numerous
pleasing incidents which happened on his Missions, in the company
of Lady Montefiore, during the last fifty years of his life. His
observations induced me to remind him of a number of occurrences which
just at the moment appeared to have been forgotten by him, and he was
delighted in recalling them again to his memory.
In reflecting upon the actual state of the Holy Land, the great changes
which had taken place there since his first visit to Jerusalem, and
its favourable prospects in the future, his countenance would become
illumined with satisfaction.
Fifty years ago, very few persons in England and France manifested
any particular interest in the Land of Promise--there were persons
in both countries who laughed at the idea of even mentioning that
country. "Now," he said, "some of them are numbered amongst the great
benefactors of its inhabitants."
"Look," he would continue, "at the great improvements which have been
made in Jerusalem, and, after all, fifty years is but a short time, if
we consider the number of years it takes even in Europe to improve the
condition of different classes of people."
Suddenly he would turn his head, and put his finger on the stone from
Jerusalem which he had under his pillow, bearing the inscription, "For
thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof"
(Ps. cii. 17). "This," he said, "you will put under my head when I
am placed in my last resting-place. Now go into the Gothic Library,
take a good supper, and we shall have a glass of wine together in
pleasing remembrance of what we have seen and endeavoured to do for our
brethren."
On the 24th April the first bulletin appeared in the newspapers
regarding his health. It was issued by his medical attendant, and was
to the following effect:--"For several days in the early part of the
week Sir Moses Montefiore suffered much from weakness." He recovered
his strength a little, but not sufficiently to enable him to remain
unaffected by the weather, which had become a little colder, although
the month of June had now arrived.
Meanwhile he continued to take a deep interest in current events. In
honour of the Queen's Birthday he gave orders to provide a dinner for
the poor in the Union at Ramsgate, and tea and refreshments for the
pupils and teachers of the Jews' Infant School in London. At dinner he
took up his glass, and requested his friends to join him in drinking to
the health of our good Queen. "God bless her," he said, "and all the
Royal Family."
_June 19th._--The bulletin stated that the condition of Sir Moses
caused some anxiety, but happily, on Saturday morning, his medical
attendant was able to report that the alarming symptoms had passed away.
_June 26th._--No more weekly bulletins were issued. Sir Moses is fairly
well. He signed cheques, but for large amounts; for small payments,
bank notes and gold were procured from the bank. Before singing his
name, he generally tried the strength of his hand on a sheet of paper.
Sometimes the writing was remarkably good; but his eyesight was failing
him, and he would request some one to put the pen which he held in his
hand on the spot where his signature was required, and he was then able
to sign his name.
_July 10th._--Although already in such a weak state of bodily health,
the mind and heart of Sir Moses were still animated by their old
impulses, and he showed the deepest interest in whatever concerned his
friends or the progress of humanity. He was delighted to hear that Lord
Rothschild had taken his seat in the House of Lords. It will be readily
understood that he insisted in having every word of the account of the
proceedings read to him.
Sir Moses, with feelings of fervid loyalty to our Queen, and deep
devotion to the members of the Royal House, highly appreciated the
honour which Her Majesty had done to the Jewish community through Lord
Rothschild.
_July 17th._---Sir Moses felt rather better; he was delighted to
have another opportunity of evincing his loyalty at this time to Her
Majesty, by sending a wedding present to the Princess Beatrice. It
consisted of a massive silver tea and coffee service with tray, the
monogram, "H.B.," being beautifully engraved on each article, and the
tray having an inscription in Hebrew, of which the following is a
translation:--
"'Many daughters have acted virtuously, but thou excellest them all.'
May He who dwelleth on high cause His light radiantly to shine on thy
head. May joy and gladness meet thee; the voice of the bridegroom
and the voice of the bride. May there be peace within thy walls, and
tranquillity within thy palace, for now and for evermore, is the
fervent prayer of him who reverentially subscribes himself,
"MOSES MONTEFIORE, 5645 A.M."
The affixing of his name to the above inscription was one of his latest
acts, and may be regarded as the closing deed of his active life.
Her Royal Highness acknowledges the receipt of the same in the
following most gracious terms:--
"_July 21st, 1885._
"Princess Beatrice has just received the magnificent present Sir
Moses Montefiore has so kindly sent her, accompanied by his good
wishes, and she is anxious to express at once her heartfelt thanks
for the valuable pieces of plate she greatly admires. The Princess is
much touched by his kind attention on the occasion of her marriage,
and will ever remember it gratefully."
Sir Moses, on hearing the above lines read to him, felt greatly pleased.
Day after day, whenever I saw him he would say, "Have I anything more
to do? if so, let me do it. If there is any cheque to be written for
charitable purposes, tell me, and I will sign it the moment I am able."
On being assured that I would not hesitate to remind him, but that up
to the present he had discharged all his self-imposed obligations in
connection with benevolent institutions, he would raise his hands,
saying, "Thank God for having been enabled to do so."
He felt extremely weak, and sometimes he was unable to hold a pen in
his hand for several days. His medical attendant frequently slept in
the house, or called two or three times in a day, and great uneasiness
was felt by all round him.
_July 24th._--An alarming bulletin was issued: "The condition of Sir
Moses during the past week has caused serious anxiety. On Friday last
there was extreme prostration, and the rallying power during the three
following days was sensibly diminished."
_July 25th._--Congestion of the lungs set in, but the day following he
felt somewhat better, and the symptoms were less grave.
_July 27th._--This being one of the days when I generally reported to
him on subjects relating to his foreign correspondence, I entered his
room, and coming near his bedside, he took my hand, saying, "My dear,
dear Dr Loewe, do not leave me; you must not leave me." I replied that
if such was his wish I would certainly comply with it, and he rejoined:
"I tell you, do not leave me; sleep here."
I accordingly remained with him, but at eleven o'clock his medical
attendant came for the purpose of sleeping in the house.
Under the impression that Sir Moses might pass a good night, those
of his relatives round his bedside wished me to retire, Dr Woodman
promising to call me if necessary, and I did so.
At two o'clock in the morning Dr Woodman knocked at my door, saying
that Sir Moses had taken a change for the worse; it was doubtful
whether he would live till the morning.
I immediately entered his room, finding him surrounded by his near
relatives and faithful attendants. He appeared to be asleep. He
breathed heavily, and every now and then opened his eyes, looking
steadily at those near him. He kept his right hand continually on the
right side of his chest, as if he felt some pain there.
Telegrams and messages were sent to relatives and friends, to the
gentlemen of Judith College, and to the ministers of the Synagogues,
requesting their immediate attendance.
In the course of the morning he was asked now and then to take a
glass of wine or some beef tea. He would then say "wait," while he
endeavoured to hold the glass till his breath would allow him to drink.
Then feeling apparently a little refreshed, he would say, "God bless
you, God bless you." A little while later he would turn to me, asking
if he had still anything to do, and moving his hand, as if he wanted to
sign more cheques for benevolent purposes.
As he held his hands up, I thought he wished to pray, and commenced
reciting prayers out of the very book which he had put aside to be used
in the last moments of his life on earth.
He followed every word I said, and frequently joined in the principal
sentences. I then remained silent for a time, when I noticed again his
raising his hands in prayer, or invoking the name of God; and I again
recited prayers, in which he joined by moving of his lips or raising of
his hand.
His medical attendant came in and spoke to him, and he appeared still
conscious of all around him. The doctor again tried to make him take
some wine, but he could only take very little. His hands now became
very cold, and he would not allow them to be covered; he remained
almost in a sitting posture, supported by cushions.
Relatives and friends now arrived. The gentlemen of the College, the
ministers of the Synagogues, and several members, of the congregation
were in the room. All his faithful attendants entered to take leave of
their good master.
Mr Joseph Sebag Montefiore, Mrs Guedalla, Mr Guedalla, and the writer
were also at his bedside.
We recited part of the daily Morning Service: "My God! the soul
which Thou hast given unto me is pure. Thou hast created, formed,
and breathed it into me. Thou dost also carefully preserve it within
me, and Thou wilt hereafter take it from me to restore it unto me in
futurity.
"During the time that my soul continues within me will I be making
acknowledgments to Thee, O Lord, my God! and God of my forefathers,
Sovereign of all Creation, Lord of all Souls. Hear, O Israel, the
Eternal is our God, the Eternal is One!"
With the last word his soul took flight to heaven. The heart which beat
so warmly for all that is good and noble had stopped for ever.
Serene calmness, peace--heavenly peace--lay upon his countenance, lit
up by the glorious sunset of a life illumined by the love of God.
"The Lord has given, and the Lord has taken away. Praised be the name
of the Eternal now and evermore." According to ancient custom, all
present rent a portion of their attire, saying, "Praised be the name of
Him who is a righteous Judge."
The sad intelligence immediately spread through the town. The Mayor of
Ramsgate, who was presiding at a meeting of the Town Council, at once
communicated it to his colleagues, and it was forthwith resolved that
the town should be draped in black, and the meeting broke up.
As soon as the news became known, the customary signs of mourning
appeared on all sides, and a wish was generally expressed that the
funeral should be made as public as possible, in order that the
townspeople might have an opportunity of showing their regard to one
who, though truly a citizen of the world, yet took a deep interest in
their town.
In the city of London, at a meeting of the Common Council, held the day
after his death, the Lord Mayor said that, since last they met, one of
the most distinguished--he thought he should be justified in saying
"the most distinguished citizen of London" had been called away. He
referred to the late Sir Moses Montefiore, whose life the Almighty had
mercifully spared so long. The extreme old age to which the honourable
Baronet had lived must soften, in a great degree, the feelings of
regret which all present entertained at the loss; but, at the same,
they must feel the highest pride in being able to say that Sir Moses,
during his long and honourable life, always took the deepest interest
in the affairs of the citizens and their ancient Corporation. In works
of charity and philanthropy no man stood higher; he was not only the
dearest friend, but the firm supporter of every good cause connected
with that community--that venerable race--to which he belonged, and
setting aside creed or race, he sympathised, it might be said, in
a most practical manner with every popular movement throughout the
world. No doubt it would be agreeable to the Court to have placed on
record their sense of the great loss which not only the city and the
metropolis, but the world at large, had sustained in the death of that
eminent man, and he should ask the Chief Commissioner to move in the
matter.
Mr Dresser Rogers accordingly proposed, "That this Court sincerely
joins in the national sympathy evoked by the decease of their
distinguished fellow-citizen, Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart, ex-Sheriff,
who, after an exceptionally long and useful life, had passed peacefully
to his rest, full of days and of honour, and leaving behind him a
memory which will be long cherished in many lands." Mr Rogers, as one
of the deputation who had the privilege to visit Sir Moses last year
for the purpose or congratulating him on his one hundredth birthday,
spoke of the kindly and courteous manner in which they were received
by the honourable Baronet on that occasion, and on the great pleasure
which their presence evidently afforded him.
Mr Alderman Lawrence, M.P., seconding the motion, also alluded to the
eminent services which Sir Moses rendered to the city, and the many
philanthropic acts which he performed during his long and honourable
career. The epoch in which the deceased Baronet lived was distinguished
for its improvements and inventions, for its progress in every way, and
for the comfort and welfare of the great masses of the people at large.
The motion was adopted unanimously.
Mr H. L. Phillips proposed that a small deputation of the Council
should be appointed to attend the funeral of Sir Moses this afternoon,
for he was sure that all wished to honour the memory of the good man
who was now deceased.
Mr M'Geagh seconded the motion, and it was decided that Mr Alderman
Cowan and the mover and seconder be the deputation accordingly.
The Council also agreed, as a graceful act, to invite Mr George Faudel
Phillips, the junior Sheriff, to accompany the deputation to Ramsgate
this morning.
A few hours after the death of Sir Moses, telegrams were despatched all
over the world, announcing that the great philanthropist had breathed
his last.
Innumerable messages of condolence reached the family. Deputations
arrived in London to attend the funeral, which was fixed for Friday,
July 31st, at two o'clock P.M.
Memorial services were held in synagogues and churches. Ministers from
the pulpit addressed their congregations in all parts of the world,
every one claiming him to be a member of his own congregation, for
"the principles," they said, which he advanced and practised are those
which we teach, and which every human being ought to adopt, to secure
peace and happiness--that which is good for himself and good for his
fellow-beings.
CHAPTER XLV.
1885.
FUNERAL OF SIR MOSES--A TOWN IN MOURNING--DEPUTATIONS
FROM ALL PARTS--THE FUNERAL SERVICE--CONCLUSION.
From the moment of his death to the hour fixed for the funeral, the
members of the College, conjointly with some friends, remained with the
body, reciting prayers and certain psalms, which he so often liked to
hear chanted in his Synagogue.
On Wednesday evening his body was taken from his room and placed in one
of the libraries below stairs, where, when Lady Montefiore was still
alive, he used to enjoy his frugal repasts in the company of friends.
Here, in my presence, the ministers of the Spanish and Portuguese
congregations, and the members of the Hebrew Association known by
the name of "Lavadores," reverently prepared the body for its last
resting-place, and whilst thus engaged, one of the gentlemen present
recited appropriate passages from the sacred text bearing on the
subject.
Prompted by the great love he ever felt for Jerusalem, he had desired
to have his head covered with a cap which had been specially worked for
him in the Holy City; he also wished, in commemoration of his happy
union with Lady Montefiore, to have the prayer-shawl which he used
during the solemnisation of their marriage in the Synagogue, placed on
his shoulders, in addition to the customary plain linen attire used in
the case of all the dead, poor and rich alike.
Mementoes from the Holy City, papers referring to certain recipients
of his benevolence, which he did not wish to destroy, but only to hide
from the sight of the world, were also in compliance with his request,
placed with him. He had likewise expressed a desire that the dust from
the Holy Land, which he himself had brought with him from the Valley
of Jehoshaphat, should be placed in his coffin, and that some of this
should be sprinkled on his face in token of his deep veneration for the
Land of Promise.
I need not say that all his wishes were scrupulously fulfilled.
When the solemn proceedings of the Lavadores were concluded, his near
relatives entered the room to take leave of their beloved kinsman.
Little change had taken place in his countenance, his benign features
leaving a lasting impression on the mind of all present.
The body was now placed in a coffin made of plain deal boards, and
covered with black cloth, on the lid of which two lighted wax candles
were placed, light being emblematic of the soul of man (Prov. xx. 27).
After the intelligence of Sir Moses' death reached London, great
numbers of people arrived in Ramsgate, most of them walking round East
Cliff Lodge, or up and down outside the gates. Then with the morning
trains of Friday (July 31st) all the Representatives of the Spanish and
Portuguese Jews' Synagogue, to which Sir Moses belonged; their elders,
wardens, ministers, and most of the members of their congregations;
special deputations from most of the charitable and educational
institutions in London; clergymen belonging to various Christian
churches, and others, all came to pay the last token of respect.
It was the desire of Sir Moses that his funeral should be plain and
private, and that no carriages should follow, yet the line of roadway
from East Cliff Lodge to the College was crowded with people, among
whom were thousands who sincerely mourned for the departed.
Precisely at two o'clock the coffin was placed on a bier, and borne out
of the house by ten of the Lavadores and friends. The senior minister
of the Portuguese Synagogue in London, accompanied by his colleagues
and the ministers of the Ramsgate Synagogue, preceded the bier,
chanting in mournful tones appropriate verses from the Sacred Text.
The chief mourners were Mr Joseph Sebag Montefiore, Mr Arthur Cohen,
Q.C., M.P., Lord Rothschild, Mr H. Guedalla, Mr A. Sebag Montefiore,
Lord Rosebery, Mr S. Montagu, M.P.; Mr Lionel L. Cohen, M.P.; Mr
Henry L. Cohen, Mr Jacob Montefiore and his son, Mr L. I. Montefiore,
Mr H. Montefiore, Mr C. Montefiore, Sir Julian Goldsmid, M.P.; Sir
Albert Sassoon, K.C.S.I.; Baron H. de Worms, Dr Woodman, Mr William
Johnson, the Rev. Dr H. Adler, Delegate Chief Rabbi; the ministers
and representatives of all the London Synagogues, and the ministers
and wardens of the congregations of Edinburgh, Dublin, Manchester,
Liverpool, Brighton, Bradford, Newcastle, and other provincial Hebrew
communities from all parts of the United Kingdom, as well as the Rev.
A. Vivanti, representing the Hebrew community of Ancona, and gentlemen
from Brussels and Jerusalem. Following them were the representatives
of the city of London in their official robes, the Mayor of Ramsgate,
wearing the chain presented to him by Sir Moses, accompanied by his
two chaplains, the Vicar of Ramsgate, and the Vicar of St Laurence.
After them came the representatives of the Town Council, the Mayors of
Margate, Sandwich, and Deal, and the Broadstairs Local Board. These
were followed by the Magistrates, the clergy, and hundreds of gentlemen
who came in their private capacity.
As the mournful procession entered the outer field it was met by
a guard of honour, composed of persons representing several local
institutions, and deputations from religious and other bodies.
The cortege passed through the grounds, and proceeded to the front
of Judith, Lady Montefiore's Theological College, where a halt was
made. The doors of the institution having been thrown open, the writer
for the moment left his place at the side of the bier, and placing
himself in his capacity of Principal and Director of the College in the
doorway, offered up a prayer, referring to the service the deceased
had rendered in the promotion of the study of sacred literature, and
beseeching Him who is the God of spirits of all flesh, that peace,
justice, and righteousness, which the departed so fervently fostered
during his life, might now, even as guardian angels, walk before him,
pleading in his favour before the Throne of Mercy.
The body was then taken to the Synagogue, and placed in front of the
Ark; Psalm xvi. was intoned by the chief minister, and the congregation
joined in it verse by verse. At the conclusion the bier was taken out
and borne along a path, lined right and left with masses of choice
wreaths, and numerous floral tributes from friends, to the entrance of
the mausoleum.
There the air was perfumed by the fragrance of tuberoses, gardenias,
and azaleas, in addition to the scent wafted thither from wreaths of
coloured lilies suspended from the railings and gates without. The
walls were decked with tablets bearing Hebrew and English prayers and
psalms; a lamp was suspended from the cupola above, with a Hebrew
inscription, "The soul of man is the light of God." At the sight of
the open grave, with the Jerusalem stone therein ready to give rest to
the mortal remains of him who had worked all his life for the good of
others, the eyes of the bystanders were dimmed with tears.
It was with considerable difficulty that the coffin could be removed
from the bier and carried into the mausoleum, hundreds of persons being
anxious to be present at the interment, whilst there was scarcely room
in the mausoleum for twenty persons. Ultimately the multitude yielded
to the entreaties of friends, and the coffin, having been brought near
the grave, was placed in straps for the purpose of being lowered, but
owing to some misunderstanding of the instructions respecting the
excavations on the part of the sexton, it met with obstacles in its
descent. For a moment it seemed as if even the grave were unwilling
to sever the last link which bound the departed to the world of the
living, and it was not until the grave had been considerably enlarged
that the coffin reached its last resting place. The officiating
minister thereupon pronounced a last farewell, "He enters his place in
peace," a sentiment which was feelingly repeated by all the bystanders.
The orphans from the Spanish and Portuguese Hebrew schools in London,
headed by one of the ministers of the Synagogue, now intoned one of the
psalms, the nearest mourners, emblematically teaching the living the
lesson, "Dust thou art, and unto dust thou shalt return," sprinkled
"Terra Santa" on his coffin, and friends and strangers followed their
example. Presently nearly all left the mausoleum. I myself, however,
could not help thinking of the last wish of my revered friend, "Pray
do not leave me," and I remained near his grave till it was completely
filled up and a slab had been placed over it. I then lighted two
candles and placed them at the head of the grave. It was the eve of
Sabbath, and for many years he and his wife had been in the habit
of lighting candles on the Sabbath eve while on earth, even while
travelling on their philanthropic missions in distant climes.
[Illustration: Synagogue and Mausoleum at Ramsgate.]
During the first seven days after his death prayers were offered up
at East Cliff Lodge every evening in the room in which he died, and
in the Synagogue, Divine service was held every morning, with the
addition of a prayer for the repose of the soul of the departed head
of the community. On the expiration of the thirty days of mourning, I
considered it a solemn duty to hold a special service, and to deliver
an address in Judith, Lady Montefiore's Theological College. There was
a numerous congregation.
Abstracts of his will were published in the daily papers, some of
which gave a complete copy of the whole document. It will only be
necessary here to give the introductory portion, which is a reflex of
the sentiments he entertained throughout his life, and the paragraph
referring to the appointment of the executors of the will, and the
institutions which the testator so richly endowed.
"This is the last will of me, Sir Moses Montefiore, of Grosvenor
Gate, Park Lane, in the county of Middlesex, and of East Cliff Lodge,
Ramsgate, in the Isle of Thanet, in the county of Kent, Baronet,
F.R.S., son of Joseph and Rachel Montefiore, of happy memory, and for
more than fifty years the happy husband of my deeply lamented Judith,
daughter of the revered Levy Barent Cohen and Lydia, his wife,
deceased. I desire, in the first place, gratefully to acknowledge the
goodness of Almighty God, the Lord of all beings, for the abundance
with which he has blessed me, and for having allowed me the enjoyment
of it for so many years. When it may please Him to call me away from
this world to eternal life, may our Heavenly Father pardon all my
sins, and have mercy on my soul, and may those persons whom I may in
any way have offended forgive me. I desire that my remains may rest
by the side of those of my beloved wife in the mausoleum near our
Synagogue at Hereson, and that my funeral may be as private as may
be, and without carriages to follow.
"I appoint my esteemed friend Sir Nathaniel Mayer de Rothschild,
Baronet, M.P., and my nephews, Arthur Benjamin Cohen, of the Inner
Temple, Esquire, Queen's Counsel, M.P., and Joseph Sebag, of
Westbourne Terrace, in the county of Middlesex, Esquire, and my
friend Dr Louis Loewe, of Oscar Villas, Broadstairs, Executors and
Trustees of this my will, and I give to each of them the sum of £1000
free of legacy duty.
"The testator bequeaths £3000 Bank stock, 300 Alliance Assurance
shares, £10,000 Imperial Continental Gas Company stock, to the
Trustees of the Synagogue and College at Ramsgate, founded by him in
memory of his late wife, Judith, Lady Montefiore; he also bequeaths
to the said Synagogue and College four pictures from his house in
Park Lane, all his Hebrew books and MSS., a piece of plate presented
to him by the late Viceroy of Egypt, and all his English, French, and
German testimonials; £1000 Bank stock, 550 Alliance Assurance shares,
and £5000 Imperial Continental Gas Company stock, to the Trustees
of the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, Bevis Marks, upon trust,
to apply two-fifths of the income to or for the benefit of learned
and necessitous Jews of every congregation residing in the Holy City
of Jerusalem, and one-fifth of the income to or for the benefit of
learned and necessitous Jews of every congregation in each of the
Cities of Safed, Hebron, and Tiberias. He also bequeaths £100 to be
distributed within three months of his decease among the learned
and necessitous of each of the said four cities: £1000 Bank stock
and £5000 of the said Gas Company's stock to the Trustees of the
Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue in Bevis Marks, upon trust, to apply
the income in the purchase of blankets and coals to be distributed
annually among the deserving poor of the Spanish, Portuguese, and
German communities; £1000 to the Trustees of the United Synagogue for
the poor; £500 each to the Synagogue in Bevis Marks and the Synagogue
at Leghorn, in augmentation of their respective repairing funds; £500
each to the Jewish Convalescent Home and the Beth Holim Hospital;
£300 to the Jews Hospital at Norwood; £250 each to the Ladies' Lying
in Charity for the relief of Jewish women, the Bread, Meat, and Coal
Charity, of which his father-in-law was one of the founders, and the
Jews College; £200 each to the Samaritan Fund of St Bartholomew's
Hospital, the London Hospital, and Mrs Palmer's Cancer Hospital;
£100 each to Mrs Tail's Orphanage, St Peter's, Thanet, the Royal Sea
Bathing Infirmary, Margate, the Seaman's Hospital, Ramsgate, the
Fishing Boys' Home, Ramsgate, the Sailors' Home, Ramsgate, and the
Ramsgate and St Lawrence Dispensary; and £100 each to the principal
officiating Ministers of the Parishes of St Lawrence and St Peter,
in the Isle of Thanet, of St Luke, St George, the Vale Church, the
Roman Catholic Church of St Augustine, and the Parish Church of
Broadstairs, to be applied for the benefit of the poor of their
respective parishes and congregations."
The dividend on Sir Moses' legacy sent this year (the second after his
death) to the learned and necessitous Jews in the Holy Land, amounted
to £1251, 2s. 5d., which, in compliance with his instructions, was
divided as follows:--
£500 8 11 to Jerusalem.
250 4 6 to Hebron.
250 4 6 to Tiberias.
250 4 6 to Safed.
On Sunday, March 14 = Adár 7, the 3158th anniversary of the death of
Moses, the son of Amrám, the ceremony of setting the tombstone took
place in the presence of Mr Joseph Sebag Montefiore, Mr Háim Guedalla,
and other relatives, the Wardens of the Spanish and Portuguese
Synagogue in London, many members of the community, and a large
assembly of strangers.
At the conclusion of the ceremony at the mausoleum, the company
proceeded to the Lecture Hall of the College, where I held a special
service and delivered an address.
The tombstone of Aberdeen marble is similar to that of Lady Montefiore,
and bears the following inscription:--
In memory of
Sir MOSES MONTEFIORE, Bart, F.R.S.,
of East Cliff Lodge, Ramsgate,
Born the 8th Heshván 5545 A.M.,
Died the 16th of Menákhem Ab. 5645 = 28th July 1885,
In the hundred and first year of his age.
"I have set the Lord always before me."
(This verse, which is the first part of verse 8, in Psalm xvi., is in
Hebrew.)
This inscription was composed by Mr Joseph Sebag Montefiore. It is in
all respects very appropriate, as in every occurrence of his life Sir
Moses set the "Lord before Him," and recognised the direct hand of
Providence.
The year of mourning rapidly passed, and the anniversary of his death
was solemnly observed in his own Synagogue, and in those of Hebrew
communities all over the world. In many churches and chapels likewise
his name was reverentially remembered by his friends and admirers.
Thus was Sir Moses Montefiore honoured in death as he had been in life.
The impartial reader of these Memoirs, in closing the book, and
recalling to his mind the varied scenes portraying the life and work of
Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, and the moral to be derived therefrom,
will acknowledge that the practice of justice, truth, and virtue
towards his fellow-beings, and staunch loyalty to the Sovereign, will
ensure an ample reward. At the same time, he cannot fail to contemplate
with intense admiration the life's work of the hero of a hundred years,
who fought so sturdily in youth the battle of life, and who afterwards
devoted himself with such unwearying ardour to the task of combating
hatred, persecution, and fanaticism, of severing the bonds of physical
and moral slavery, and of aiding in the establishment of religious
toleration all over the world. His unparalleled devotion to the sacred
cause of humanity in general, and the unclouded halo of a spotless
integrity which encircles his name, will ever afford a splendid example
for emulation no less than the dauntless courage with which he set to
work for the rescue of the suffering and the oppressed, whilst the
bright guiding stars which lighted all his actions were the fear of God
on high, and deeds of charity and loving kindness on earth.
The retrospect of the lives of Sir Moses and his honoured, spouse
brings joy and gladness to the minds of all who care for the welfare
of the human race. It is calculated to inspire increased hopes for the
future, to implant and confirm in us the love of heaven, and to cause
us to rejoice in the victory of truth and justice over falsehood, and
to make us devoutly thankful for all the blessings vouchsafed to us by
Providence.
May we ever bear in mind that the life-work of Sir Moses and Lady
Montefiore was based upon the lesson taught by the Wise King--"Fear
God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind"
(Eccles. xii. 13).
[Illustration: Hebrew Script]
The power adequately to fulfil this behest is in itself a noble reward,
and constitutes the happiness of every human being created in the image
of God.
APPENDIX.
GENEALOGY OF THE FARKHI FAMILY, TRANSLATED FROM THE ARABIC.
Raphael and Mordecai Farkhi being among those accused of the murders
of Padre Tomaso and his servant at Damascus in 1840, I here give the
genealogy of their family, which will show the great esteem in which
they had been held for generations, and the high Government offices
with which many members of the family had been entrusted.
In the year 5491 A.M. (1731 of the Christian era) the ancestors of
the Farkhis came originally from Tyria, in Asia Minor. About 120
years ago Haim Farkhi (grandfather of the late Haim Farkhi) came to
Damascus, together with his brother Joseph. Both were then employed
as bankers (sariffs) by the Governor of Damascus. They were likewise
entrusted with the offices of keeping the accounts of the Government
revenues, and of those connected with the pilgrimage to Mecca and its
expenses, also the expenditure required for keeping the army. The
revenues derived from farms and villages were also entrusted to them.
When the Governor of Damascus was called away from there to go to
another place, his successor, seeing that the management of the
brothers Farkhi had given general satisfaction, confirmed them in
their office, as did every succeeding governor coming to Damascus
during their lifetime.
Haim had two sons, Solomon and Nathan. The latter being the more
clever of the two, succeeded his father in the several offices he had
held, and surpassed him in importance by the influence which he had
with the Governor and in good reputation among the people. Nathan
had five sons, Haim, Menahem, Joseph, Raphael, and Moses, and one
daughter, Reina. Solomon had two sons, Jacob and Meir, of whom the
first only held public appointments. Nathan, being once requested
by the Governor of Haina to send him a person of talent, in whom he
could place entire confidence, and whom he could employ as banker,
sent his eldest son Haim. The latter was at that time very young, but
gifted with such extraordinary capacity that, after a few years, he
was recalled from Haina to Damascus to superintend all the members of
his family in their different public offices. When Haim was twenty
years old he was sent to Constantinople to supervise the accounts
with the Ministry of Finance. The ability shown by Haim on this
occasion roused the jealousy and hatred of some very influential and
fanatical persons in Constantinople, who caused him to be thrown into
a dungeon, where he remained for many years, without even having been
examined; and he was subjected to the most cruel tortures, without
being allowed the opportunity of answering the charges brought
against him. His sister Reina, though at that time only fourteen
years of age, undertook to go to Constantinople, with the intention
of procuring justice for her brother.
When there, she awaited the Sultan in a street through which he
was about to pass. On his arrival she approached, took hold of the
horse's bridle, and presented her petition, in which she related how
unjustly her brother had been treated. The Sultan investigated the
matter, and, becoming convinced of Haim's innocence, ordered him to
be liberated, and reinstated in all his former offices.
Haim now returned to Damascus, sent for his brothers, and employed
them again in the functions of his public calling. Sometime after
his return Ahmed Pasha Djezar was made Governor of Damascus. He
was known for his cruelty and the merciless manner in which he
compelled his subjects to provide whatever money he chose to demand
from them. Haim Farkhi tried to intercede on behalf of some of the
unfortunate sufferers, and remonstrated with the Governor for his
merciless proceedings. By so doing he offended Ahmed Pasha to such a
degree that the latter commenced to harbour in his heart the desire
to kill Haim; but, finding that he could not do without him, he
was obliged to leave him in his various offices, and he took his
revenge by persecuting Haim's brothers to such an extent that they
were compelled to leave Damascus and go to Aleppo and Bagdad. Ahmed
Pasha was subsequently also made Governor of Sidon. He took Haim
Farkhi with him, the latter leaving some of his relatives in his
place at Damascus, so that both provinces were under Haim's control
and direction. Ahmed Pasha, fearing the punishment of the Porte for
his cruel treatment of those under his jurisdiction, fortified Acre,
and made it his residence. Thinking himself now secure, he gave way
still more to his barbarous instincts, and contrived fresh tortures,
killing women, and hanging them by their breasts, throwing children
into the wells, putting out persons' eyes, cutting off their ears
and noses, putting hot irons into their flesh, and crushing their
foreheads with small bones. All this he did to induce his unhappy
victims to give up their property to him!
The officers of the Pasha seeing, that all the public offices were
in the hands of the Farkhis, and that Haim Farkhi did his best to
alleviate the sufferings caused by the inhuman treatment of the
Pasha, became very jealous of his good name, and tried to incite
the Pasha to have him killed; but the latter, well knowing how
indispensable Farkhi was to him, told his officers he could not kill
him until they had procured another man of equal capacity to fill
his place. They thereupon brought to the Pasha a man from Haina, to
whom were entrusted all the offices held till then by Farkhi, who was
then put in prison. This new man, however, proved so incapable for
his responsible office, that he had to be forthwith discharged. Those
who had recommended him to the Pasha were disgraced, while Haim was
liberated from prison, and once more reinstated in all his former
offices and honours. This roused the jealousy of his enemies still
more; they continued to persecute him, and to urge Ahmed to kill
him, until the Pasha became afraid that Farkhi would take flight. To
prevent this he had him closely guarded in his house every night,
and brought to his office in the day time under an escort; he also
ordered one of his eyes to be put out, and part of his nose and ears
to be cut off. In a short time the Pasha repented of this order,
and sent in haste to countermand it; but Farkhi's enemies had had
everything prepared beforehand, and the cruel order was so quickly
carried out, that the counter order came too late.
The Pasha then called on Farkhi, and tried to comfort him by good
words, saying that what had happened was the work of evil-disposed
persons, and giving him new robes of honour. Poor Farkhi had to
submit, and to promise that he would serve the Pasha faithfully
again. Haim continued in the Pasha's service till the latter died.
Ahmed Pasha Djezar's death caused general joy throughout the country,
and the people praised the Almighty for having delivered them from
such a tyrannical ruler.
Ismael Pasha, one of his slaves, and the organiser of the brutalities
of his predecessor, then took the reins of government, and Farkhi was
compelled to remain in his service. A few months later, however, the
Sublime Porte appointed Suleiman Pasha as Governor of Acre and Zidon.
He informed Farkhi of his appointment, and the latter gave notice of
this to the officers, who immediately delivered the town over to the
new Governor, and he afterwards also took possession of Zidon.
Suleiman, who loved justice, entrusted Farkhi with all that concerned
the administration of the place, directing him to arrange all the
matters according to his ability.
Farkhi then, under the auspices of the Pasha, took the direction of
affairs, introducing everywhere principles of justice and equity,
showing honour and respect to every individual according to his
deserts. By his conduct he attracted the attention of the Sublime
Porte, and was also much esteemed by Mohhammad Ali Pasha in Egypt.
The secret correspondence between the Sublime Porte and Suleiman
Pasha was conducted by Farkhi, he being well versed in the Turkish
language.
It had been the custom formerly, that the chiefs of the districts
were allowed (if they thought fit to do so) to practise extortion and
order capital punishment at their own discretion, but now that Farkhi
was at the head of the administration, he caused such authority to
be withdrawn from them. Any officer who had allowed himself to take
any money in the way of extortion, was made to undergo due punishment
for the offence, and no one could be put to death unless the crime
of which he had been accused had been brought to the knowledge of a
Court of Justice, and there condemned by the Law. Every fine, payable
in money by the transgressor, was to be distributed amongst the poor
of the country, by order of the judge.
Farkhi was also charged to maintain the security of the high roads,
and in his time both women and children could travel without
incurring any danger.
He always kept the accounts of his administration in the hands of
his Christian employés, in order to make it evident to every native
or stranger in the country that there was nothing in all his acts
requiring concealment from the eye of the public.
Haim Farkhi's good name and strict integrity caused the inhabitants
of Palestine to appoint him as treasurer of all contributions sent
to them from abroad for the support of the poor and the learned
students in the Holy Land. He attended to this office most zealously,
and often himself advanced large sums, without interest, when the
donations did not arrive in time. His benevolence was known far and
near, and applications for assistance came to him, not only from the
inhabitants of Turkey, but also from his co-religionists in Russia
and Austria. He founded, at his own expense, institutions for the
support and maintenance of learned teachers and pupils in schools;
also imported large numbers of Hebrew books for distribution among
poor Jewish children, and purchased every year quantities of new
clothing, which he divided among the poor of all denominations. He
was extremely well educated, and in addition to his knowledge on
various secular subjects, he was also learned in theology, astronomy,
and the Mohammedan laws. He was perfect in the Turkish and Arabic
languages, wrote Hebrew well, and also possessed some knowledge
of Persian. His courteous manner, his benevolence and learning,
commanded general admiration. People of all denominations blessed his
name. His brothers imitated his good example, and were also greatly
respected.
Haim Farkhi, as well as his brothers, showed the utmost hospitality
in their houses at Damascus to all strangers, and were always ready
to give them every assistance in the settlement of their affairs.
Suleiman Pasha, the Governor, had appointed Ali Pasha, one of the
Djezars of the Mamelukes, as his Lieutenant. This man was taken ill,
and on his deathbed sent for Haim, requesting him to act as guardian
to his son Abdallah, and recommending the young man to his particular
care and favour. Haim promised to do his best, and after Ali's death,
introduced the son to Suleiman Pasha, and obtained for him the
appointment to succeed his father. Haim remained for nineteen years
in Suleiman Pasha's service without incurring any blame, and gave the
utmost satisfaction by his management of State affairs.
After Suleiman's death Abdallah's mother came to Haim and entreated
him to grant his protection to her son, that he might be appointed
Governor of Acre. Abdallah was at that time very young, but Haim,
thinking that as he had brought him up and tried to instil into
his mind the principles of virtue, he would be able to lead him in
the right path, and also being mindful of his promise to the dying
father, recommended Abdallah to the Sultan, and procured him the
Governorship.
After Abdallah's promotion the Turkish Government required him, as
was the custom, to give up the property of his predecessor, Suleiman
having left no son. Haim again interceded for him, so that he was
only required to give up a portion of the property, being permitted
to keep the remainder for himself. During the time in which Haim
had directed the affairs of State, there had been no necessity for
maintaining a large army; all was conducted so fairly that the people
were perfectly satisfied, and called him Haim Pasha!
But Abdallah had surrounded himself by young and profligate
companions, who soon caused him to forget the teachings of Haim,
as well as to be jealous of his influence over the people. If Haim
ventured to remonstrate with Abdallah for leaving the paths of
virtue, that only succeeded in rousing the latter's wrath.
Haim soon found that all his influence over his pupil had vanished,
while Abdallah's low companions became paramount. He repented, but
too late, of having raised Abdallah to power. Abdallah's companions
told him that as long as Haim lived he (Abdallah) was not safe, as
Haim was likely to report his doings to the Sultan. Haim, they said,
ought therefore to be put out of the way. They brought false reports
to Abdallah about Haim, which enraged him to such an extent that he
would no more listen to anything Haim said.
Abdallah's mother tried to reason with him, and reproved him for his
ingratitude towards Haim, to whom he owed position, fortune, and
everything in life, but all in vain. Several persons told Haim that
the Pasha meant to kill him, but he would not believe that one to
whom he had been more than a father could act so basely. At last his
enemies triumphed, and procured from the Pasha the order for Haim's
execution. Before giving the order the Pasha had sent for the Mufti,
and tried to get from him a Fetwa against Haim, saying that this Jew
had succeeded by illegitimate means in obtaining great influence
over the Mussulmans, which is against the Laws of the Koran, and
punishable by death; but the Mufti refused to give a Fetwa, and on
the contrary praised Haim, saying he was a most useful servant of the
State, upright in all his dealings, and that to kill him would be
not only an injustice but a great injury to the State. Abdallah was
greatly incensed by this refusal, but decided in spite of it to have
Haim executed.
He sent to call him suddenly in the middle of the night. Haim arose
to obey the summons of the Pasha, and when he came to the door of his
house he was met by the Pasha's lieutenant and five hundred armed
men. The barbarous decree of the Pasha was shown to Haim, who, having
read it, said with sublime resignation, "Let the will of the Almighty
and the order of the Pasha be fulfilled, but I entreat you to allow
me time to say my prayers first." They granted his request, and as
soon as he had finished his prayers he was strangled at the door of
his own house, and his lifeless body was brought to the Pasha.
When this shocking event became known in the town it caused general
mourning and lamentation among all the inhabitants, Jews, Christians,
and Mohammedans, but his inveterate enemies were not yet satisfied.
They said to the Pasha, "Let Haim's body be thrown into the sea,
otherwise the people will make his tomb a place of veneration and
pilgrimage." Abdallah thought this very probable, and therefore
permitted the body of his benefactor to be thrown into the sea, at
the same time giving strict orders that the whole proceedings should
be concealed from his mother, who, he knew, would be outraged at his
depravity. Haim's house was shut up and his property confiscated by
the Pasha.
After Haim's corpse had been thrown into the sea it was seen swimming
on the surface, and Abdallah then ordered it to be thrown in again
with heavyweights attached, so that he might not be troubled again
by its reappearance. The next day, greatly repenting of what he had
done, he offered a large reward for the recovery of the body in order
to have it decently buried, but it could not be found.
When the Viceroy of Egypt, Mohhammad Ali Pasha, heard of the murder
he was very indignant. "What a madman," he exclaimed, "must Abdallah
be to deprive himself of such an assistant, a man endowed with such
qualities! Had he resigned him to me, I would gladly have given him
many thousand purses in return." Abdallah afterwards felt great
sorrow for his crime, and the remainder of his life was embittered
by undying remorse. He gave up to Haim's family the greater part of
the property which he had confiscated, and also permitted the widow
and brothers to leave Acre for ever. They went to Damascus, but the
widow, overcome by grief and sorrow, succumbed on the journey.
The brother Moses obtained employment with his cousin Solomon, and
his brother Raphael at the Treasury office in Damascus. Abdallah
then sent a confidential messenger to Constantinople to report his
own version of Haim's death to the Sultan, to whom he also sent many
valuable presents, but the Sultan indignantly rejected the presents
and the report, and threatened the Pasha with his vengeance. Upon
this Abdallah suspected Haim's brothers of having sent a true report
of his death to the Sultan, and greatly regretted having allowed
them to go to Damascus. To avenge himself, however, he sent decrees
to all his officers, telling them to hunt down the Jews in all
their districts. He himself set the example by inflicting horrible
tortures upon the Jews of Acre, sending many of them to hard labour,
condemning others to death, and confiscating the fortunes of all on
whom he could lay hands. The Jews in Palestine had likewise to suffer
from his tyranny. His misconduct was so unbearable that in 1825
Dervish Pasha, the Governor of Damascus, was sent with three other
Pashas and 40,000 soldiers to decapitate him. Dervish Pasha took his
Saraf, Solomon Farkhi, a relative of Haim, with him. When Abdallah
heard this he sent secret emissaries to poison Solomon, saying that
Solomon prevented any reconciliation. So Solomon was poisoned, and
his brother Raphael had to take his place. When Abdallah's mother
found that no benefit resulted to her son from Solomon's death,
she went to Mohhammad Ali, Viceroy of Egypt, and entreated him to
intercede at Constantinople for her son, who promised in future
to rule with justice. In this she was successful, the troops were
withdrawn from Acre, and Dervish Pasha returned to Damascus, taking
with him Raphael Farkhi.
Abdallah no sooner felt himself free, than he sent his own troops to
Damascus to attack the Governor, in revenge for his having carried
out the Sultan's order, and behaved again so shamefully with the
people under his jurisdiction that he received the name of "Mad
Abdallah."
After Solomon Farkhi's death, Abdallah spread the report in
Constantinople that the family of the Farkhis was still very opulent,
and their riches were not honestly earned. In spite of all that was
known to the contrary, some officers of the Porte could not withstand
this bait, and Saleh Pasha was sent to confiscate all the property.
Raphael was put in prison and utterly ruined; Saleh Pasha likewise
ordered the imprisonment of all the Jewish notables in Damascus. They
were not liberated until very heavy ransoms had been paid for them.
Raphael then went to Bagdad with the intention of remaining there,
but after some time Saleh Pasha sent for him to return, as he had
been reinstated in his offices of trust and honour.
Raphael held this appointment for many years until the Egyptian
invasion. In 1833 the great contest took place between Abdallah and
Mohhammad Ali, Viceroy of Egypt, in which Ibrahim Pasha defeated
Abdallah, and took possession of the whole of Syria. Ibrahim
confirmed Raphael in his office, giving him many distinctions and
proofs of confidence; but after many years evil-disposed persons,
jealous of Raphael's influence, intrigued against him, and obliged
the Pasha to give the office to another, but as a proof that Raphael
had not lost his personal regard, he made him a member of the
municipal council of Damascus.
As soon as the Egyptian Government was expelled from Syria through
the intervention of the English, Raphael was restored to his place.
After his death the office was given to a Christian, but the whole
responsibility was placed under the direction of the Defterdar
Effendi, who is always sent direct from Constantinople, thus
depriving the office of its dignity and trust. Since that time no
member of the Farkhi family could get employment from the Government,
although they were all honourable and many capable men among them,
the services of their ancestors being entirely disregarded.
Names of the surviving members of the Farkhi family:--
Meir Farkhi, at present member of the Municipal Council (not paid).
Solomon, Moses, Jacob, sons of Meir Farkhi.
Joseph and Nissim, sons of Menahem Farkhi, and Solomon, son of this
Joseph.
Ezekiel and Nathaniel, sons of Joseph Farkhi.
Aaron Farkhi, their nephew.
Mordecai and Menahem, sons of Moses Farkhi.
Judah, Meir, David, sons of Raphael Farkhi.
Israel H. Farkhi, son of Solomon, who was poisoned at Acre.
Of these sixteen persons, only seven are tolerably well off, the
others can with difficulty earn a scanty living.
EXTRACT FROM THE LETTER OF THE REV. C. A. SCHLIENTZ.
On the 11th August 1840 Mrs Schlientz and I had the pleasure of
dining together with the Rev. Mr Marshall and Lieut. Shadwell
of H.M.S. _Castor_ (who had been our fellow travellers from the
mountains of Lebanon to Damascus) at the English Consul-General, Mr
Werry's, whom we requested to ask the Governor for permission that
we might visit the Jews imprisoned on the charge of having murdered
Padre Tomaso and his servant. Our request was granted, and our whole
party went the following day to see the persecuted sufferers. Their
prison was amidst the barracks of the soldiers, and had just been
made a little more tolerable than it was before. They showed as the
marks of their stripes and tortures, and told us with much emotion
that their fearful sufferings were made more cruel for them by having
been deprived during the whole time of their confinement of the
comfort of seeing any of their relatives. The last of the prisoners
we saw was a venerable Rabbi, who, as one means of torture, had not
been allowed any sleep nearly the whole time. Amongst the prisoners
was a young man, who, unable to endure the tortures, had turned
Mohammedan, and upon the strength of whose testimony the others were
prosecuted and judged. It is indeed surprising that the Government,
knowing this fact, could act upon the declaration of such a man!
After leaving the prisoners we were conducted to their houses,
which were of elegant construction, and showed that the prisoners
were very wealthy persons. The poor females appeared to be in great
distress. In these dwellings we were shown the place to which the
Magicians had been brought, to find out by astrological calculations
the persons guilty of that supposed murder. We saw, too, the place
where the Padre was said to have been cut to pieces, and where there
is a mark of something on the wall, which, judging from the colour,
may be anything but blood. We also saw a young girl of remarkable
beauty, whom one of the French officials had succeeded in wresting
from her mother by the promise that he would interest himself in the
deliverance of her father. The poor mother related to us with deep
emotion the great grief of her heart in this affair. What a pattern
of Christian justice must this appear to others!
We saw the spot where the bones of the Padre were said to have
been found, as well as the place where they are said to have been
deposited in the chapel of a convent. Upon this they have put the
inscription: "The bones of Padre Tomaso, murdered by the Jews!" They
did this without any satisfactory inquiry whether the Padre had
indeed been killed; and if so, by whom? whether these were really
his bones? &c. As long as no legal investigation by competent judges
has taken place, I will never take these for the bones of Padre
Tomaso, and I trust that the inscription on that tombstone will be
altered, and deprived of an assertion which has never been proved in
any satisfactory way. I visited some of the convents at Damascus,
and at one of them I had a long interview on this subject with the
Superior. He was a Frenchman, and the light-minded and frivolous way
in which he spoke of this serious subject, affecting, as it does, not
only many individuals, but a whole nation, and the principles of its
religion, showed me that he could not be trusted in that matter. To
him it did not admit of the slightest doubt, even without evidence,
that the Jews must have been the perpetrators of this crime; no one
but they in their wickedness was capable of such a deed. I do not
know in what relation these missionaries stood to the accused Jews,
but I perceived distinctly that they laboured under very unhappy
prejudices, and that their assertion would bring no conviction to
my mind. The proofs of wealth which we saw in the dwellings of the
persecuted sufferers rather suggest that motives of envy and hatred
have given rise to a story which almost exceeds that of John Galas
of Toulouse, during the last century, or the accusations brought
against the Christians in the first centuries of their ecclesiastical
history, and against the Jews in after times, all of which were
proved to be diabolical calumnies. I have not entered into the
question whether the Jews sacrifice Christians in order to obtain
their blood, as this has been answered satisfactorily already by
Jewish and Christian writers, especially so during this year, on
account of the Damascus affair. Even if such a horrid custom had
existed, I deem it most unlikely that persons of wealth and liberal
sentiments, such as these Jews of Damascus are, would lend themselves
to the perpetration of such a deed.--With my heartfelt desire for the
real welfare of Israel, I remain, dear sir, yours most truly,
C. A. SCHLIENTZ.
_August 6th_, 1847. To Mons. VATTIER BOURVILLE, Consul at Damascus.
SIR.--Sir Moses Montefiore has forwarded to me some documents, from
which I learn that in the month of April last a Christian child
having disappeared in one of the quarters of Damascus, a rumour arose
that it had been stolen and put to death by the Jews in order to
obtain its blood for their religious ceremonies. This, in the eyes
of prejudiced and credulous people, formed a pendant, due to Hebrew
fanaticism, to the sad history of Father Thomas.
From the said documents I find that upon this idle rumour alone, and
without any reliable information whatever, the agent of the French
Consulate, Mr Baudin, hastened to accuse the Jews formally before the
Pasha of having caused the disappearance of the child. In his letter
to this high functionary of the Porte, Mons. Baudin writes something
to this effect:
"We ask your highness to institute an inquiry regarding this strange
affair; to order the sheiks of the different quarters to search for
the lost child, and to remind them particularly that, according to
a tradition worthy of belief, the wicked Jews are in the habit of
killing children who are in their power during the time of their
religious solemnities, for which reason the master of the child who
has disappeared strongly suspects that it is in the Jewish quarter."
The child has been found, and its reappearance seems to have put an
end to the disturbance, and also to the conjectures of which it was
the object.
Monsieur Baudin not having written to me on this subject, I beg
you, sir, to forward me most explicit details, in order that I may
be able to ascertain the true facts of the case. If his conduct and
language have been such as they have been represented, they cannot be
sufficiently condemned, and you should express to him my strongest
disapprobation.
The Government of the king has constantly refused to give credence
to the atrocities imputed to the Jews, and could not blindly accept
accusations against them which in the East are but too well explained
by the hatred and rivalry of religion.
Without wishing absolutely to impose its own views on its agents,
it is at least entitled to demand that they should abstain from
manifesting openly inimical sentiments, and above all should not
deliver up foe persecution to the Moslem authorities a whole
population and a whole people on nothing more than vague suspicions
without any substantial evidence. It is a duty, a principle of
equity, and a natural reserve to which I should much regret to learn
Mr Baudin had not strictly conformed.
* * * * *
PARIS, _Le 23 Aôut 1847_.
MONSIEUR,--Le Roi Má reuvoyé une lettre que vous lui avez adressée le
9 de ce mois au sujet du préjugé malheureusement répandu en Orient
contre les Israëlites et qui les accuse de verser le sang humain
dans leur sacrifices. Vous exprimez le désir qu'il soit prescrit aux
agents de sa Majesté dans le Levant non seulement de s'abstenir de
tout ce qui pourrait contribuer à accréditer un tel préjujé, mais
encore d'employer tous leur soins à le combattre et a le détruire.
Le Gouvernement du Roi regarde l'imputation dont il s'agit comme
fausse et calomnieuse, et ses agents en général sont trop éclairés
pour songer à s'en faire les organes. Il le regretterait vivement
et n'hésiterait pas à les en blâmer de la manière la plus expresse.
C'est ce qu'il s'est empressé de faire relativement au cas
particulier que vous m'avez signalé touchant un enfant chrétien
de Damas qui avait disparu dans le courant d'avril dernier, et
à l'accusation que le gérant du consulat de France n'aurait pas
craint de porter à ce sujet auprès du Pacha, contre les Juifs. Aucun
avis ne m'étant parvenu directement à cet égard, j'ai demandé des
éclaircissements au consul du Roi à Damas, eu lui ordonnant, si le
fait qui vous a été rapporté était exact, d'exprimer de ma part le
blâme le plus sévère, à l'agent qui sur un simple bruit, aurait
hazardé une pareille imputation contre tout un people.
Recevez, Monsieur, l'assurance de ma consideration trés distinguée,
GUIZOT.
Sir MOSES MONTEFIORE.
* * * * *
LONDON COMMITTEE OF DEPUTIES OF THE BRITISH JEWS.
Copy of Letter addressed by Sir MOSES MONTEFIORE, Bart., to J.M.
MONTEFIORE, Esq, President _pro tem._ of this Board.
GROSVENOR GATE, PARK LANE, _30th June 5627 (1867)_.
MY DEAR SIR,--It is with deep regret that I have to place in your
hands further despatches received from Jassy, from which it would
appear that the position of our unfortunate co-religionists in
Moldavia still continues most distressing. You will be pleased to
submit these communications to the Board of Deputies without delay.
The several memorials which I have received from Moldavia, solicit
so frequently and so urgently my personal presence there, that if,
in the opinion of your Board and that of our Community, it should be
considered that my presence in Moldavia might prove of utility to
those who in their misery apply to us for sympathy and aid, I should
feel it an imperative duty, at whatever personal risk and sacrifice,
to respond to the appeal thus piteously made.
There can be no doubt that, as the delegate of our community, any
representations that I might be intrusted to make as its organ would
acquire great force and significance, while I should be encouraged
by the consciousness that I should be acting, not only in accordance
with my own sense of duty, but also as the exponent of the earnest
wishes of your Board and of the Jews at large, that so unhappy a
state of things as is now existing in Moldavia, as affecting the
Jews of that Principality, may, under the blessing of the Almighty,
speedily cease.--I have the honour to be, my dear Sir, yours
faithfully,
(Signed) MOSES MONTEFIORE.
Copy translation of the despatches above referred to.
JASSEY, _6th June 5627 (1867)_.
_To the Defender and Champion of Israel, who is zealous in their
cause, the Crown of Israel!_
Sir MOSES MONTEFIORE, Bart., &c., &c., &c.
GREETING,--At these tidings your ears must tingle, the hair of your
head stand on end, and your heart melt with anguish.
Within the last few days, the head of the enemies of Israel has
prevailed. The object is to drive the Jews out of the provinces of
Moldavia and Wallachia,--to take for spoil all their wealth and
possessions without let or hindrance. We get no protection from the
Minister; on the contrary, he aids our enemies against us by all
manner of evil decrees, and imposes upon us all kinds of oppressions
without measure.
On the 4th May last, a decree was issued by the Minister Bratiano to
expel all the Jews from the villages of Moldavia as coming under the
category of vagabonds. Scarcely was the edict made known when the
Minister arrived here; in another moment the enemies of Israel filled
the streets and public places, seized every man of Israel without
distinction that came in their way, crying out, "He is a vagabond;"
bound him hand and foot with chains, beat him unmercifully, drove out
alike old and young, chased them out of the city, and delivered them
over to the mercy of the soldiery, to drive them to the boundaries of
the land.
A cry of anguish from the women, and like lamentations from the men,
went up to heaven. Old men and children, women with suckling ones
cry aloud, but there are none to pity, none to look with compassion.
They have been driven from all the villages, made to leave their
possessions, their goods and chattels, in the hands of their enemies,
and have escaped only with their lives.
The heads of the congregation here have entreated the Minister
to withdraw the decree, but in vain have they supplicated.
Non-Israelites have also sought justice for the Jews, but they have
pleaded to a deaf ear. He seeks only their expulsion.
In three days the prisons were overcrowded with our brethren; the
persecutions for awhile abated, still we were in fear and trembling,
lest every moment they should be renewed with fresh rigour, for the
decree has not yet been recalled.
A great evil threatens us, the hatred increases every day and every
hour,--there is none to stay the hand. I therefore make known to you,
these our troubles and distresses, beseeching you with scalding tears
to aid us all in your power, and to defend the cause of oppressed
Israel, who are driven from the land of Moldavia.
May the Creator of heaven and earth, the God of Israel help us!
Trouble upon trouble! During the last three days soldiers have been
going about the streets molesting the Jews, and with their swords
they injured a woman with child. Her cries brought persons to her
rescue, and those who endeavoured to take the weapons from the
soldiers were seized, thrown into prison and charged with attempting
to murder the military authorities. We have no one to look to for
help except our Father in Heaven and His servant Moses. The chief
matters we dare not venture to write, out of dread and apprehension,
for we are as sheep in the hands of the slaughterer.
May the Holy One have you in his keeping, bestow upon you strength,
energy, and will to save the residue of His flock, and reward you a
thousand fold, the prayer of your servants,
&c., &c., &c.
By the help of God.
JASSY, _Monday, 15th Sivan, 5627_.
_To the benevolent of heart, the desire of the eye of Jacob, Head
of the children of Israel, Prince of our brethren,_ Sir MOSES
MONTEFIORE, Bart., &c., &c., &c.
The eyes of all Israel in the province of Moldavia are directed to
you for salvation and consolation, to deliver them out of the power
of their enemies, for no violence is to be found in their hands.
Surely the man Moses will rouse himself as a lion for the rescue of
his people, as he has done in days of old, and in former years, to
deliver his brethren, the house of Israel, from their sorrow and
distress.
May Heaven's blessing rest on his head, inspire his heart, and
prosper all the works of his hands.
(Signed) JESIAS BHOR, Chief Rabbi of Jassy, On behalf of the whole
congregation.
END OF VOL. II
* * * * *
Transcriber's Notes.
1. Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as
possible.
2. Page iv: The Reference to 'Page 6' in the caption, "ANCIENT COAT OF
ARMS OF THE MONTEFIORE FAMILY, _explained on page 6._", refers to
Page 6, Volume I.
3. Some words have been harmonised to the predominate spelling.
4. Non-English quotations have not been changed.
5. The caret character (^) before another character/s in the word
indicate that the following character/s in that word are in
superscript.
*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Diaries of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, Volume 2 (of 2) - Comprising Their Life and Work as Recorded in Their Diaries - From 1812 to 1883" ***
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