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.