[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.]