1836-1837.
DEATH OF MR N. M. ROTHSCHILD--MR MONTEFIORE VISITS DUBLIN--BECOMES THE
FIRST JEWISH MEMBER OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY--DEATH OF WILLIAM IV.--MR
MONTEFIORE ELECTED SHERIFF.
In the Diary for 1836, the first entry is on the 17th July, which is
accounted for by its being the second journal for that year, the one
containing his entries for the early months having been lost. On the
date mentioned he records his grief at the death of an aunt to whom he
was much attached, and for whom he entertained a sincere respect.
About this time he was also much affected by the illness of Mr N. M.
Rothschild, and on the 19th we find him busily engaged in making
preparations for a journey to Frankfort-on-the-Main, on purpose to
visit this "kind friend." Only ten months ago they had together signed
the contract for the loan of L15,000,000, and now they were to see
each other for the last time. Mr Montefiore writes: "We arrived there
in time to see him alive, but death was fast approaching. At four
o'clock on the same day (28th July) his brother, Anselm, asked him to
say prayers, which he did, and all present joined him; he then kissed
his wife and said 'good night' quite distinctly. At five he breathed
his last, and passed away without the slightest struggle. I was with
him the whole time, and remained in the room an hour after all the
others had left it. I had thus the melancholy satisfaction of paying
the last respect to his remains. Oh! may this mournful sight remind me
of the nothingness of this world's grandeur, and may I daily become
more prepared for a blessed Eternity! He was a good friend to me and
my dear Judith in our early life. Peace to his memory. Hannah (his
wife) did not leave him for a moment during his illness, and remained
in the room for some time after his death, returning there again the
same evening."
On the day of the funeral, which took place in London, Mr Montefiore
writes: "I remained at the burial ground above an hour after the
mourners had left, and saw the grave of my kind and truly lamented
friend arched over, filled up, and a large slab of Yorkshire stone
placed upon it. Thus have I witnessed all that was mortal of my dear
friend consigned to the earth; his spirit the Almighty, in His great
mercy, has taken to a better world, there to enjoy in glorious
eternity the reward of his charitable actions."
We will now, however, turn to more cheerful matters.
On October 8th he writes: "I had the honour of receiving a card of
invitation to dine with Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent on
Tuesday next;" then, true to his motto, which bids him "think and
thank," he adds, "Praised be He from whom all honour and distinction
flows."
_Tuesday, the 11th._ The words of his entry are as follows:--"I
attended Synagogue, and a little before seven went in our chariot to
West Cliff, where I had the honour of dining with their Royal
Highnesses the Duchess of Kent and the Princess Victoria. The other
guests were, Sir John Conroy, the Dean of Chester, Mr Justice Gaselee,
the Rector of St Lawrence, the Hon. Col. Stopford and his wife, the
Ladies Jane and Charlotte Seymour, and one other lady and gentleman. I
took down the Colonel's wife and sat opposite to the Princess. There
were thirteen at table, and it was impossible for it to have been more
agreeable. I never felt myself more at ease at any dinner party within
my recollection. The behaviour of the Duchess was most kind and
condescending, and all the party were extremely amiable and chatty.
The entertainment was truly Royal, and after dinner, when the
gentlemen had joined the ladies in the drawing-room, where tea and
coffee were served, the Duchess again spoke to each of us. The
Princess Sophia Matilda was also present. I returned home quite
enraptured with the very kind and obliging manner in which I had been
distinguished by her Royal Highness."
In the same year Mr and Mrs Montefiore received the congratulations of
their friends on a providential escape from the horrors of shipwreck.
They had left Margate in the _Magnet_ at nine o'clock in the morning
of the 17th October. The weather was foggy, but they thought it would
soon clear up. They had only proceeded a short distance, however, when
they got on to a sandbank, where they were obliged to remain for two
hours, feeling the gravest anxiety all the time. At last the tide
floated them off again, and they endeavoured to grope their way
through the fog, passing several vessels, which were only visible when
quite close upon them. Mr Montefiore was standing near the bow of the
ship, when suddenly a steamer was seen to be quite close to them, and
before it was possible to avoid her, she struck their bow with a
dreadful crash. Mr Montefiore threw himself on deck to escape injury.
The screams of the people on board both boats were terrible. It was
soon seen that the _Red Rover_, the vessel they had encountered, was
sinking fast. Her passengers and crew lost no time in getting on board
the _Magnet_, and in five minutes the _Red Rover_ was engulfed in the
sea, which was immediately covered with spars, boxes, and other
wreckage. The alarm was dreadful. The _Magnet_, having sustained
serious damage, her situation was most critical. She was making a
great deal of water, and the pumps were instantly set to work, while
the vessel made for the shore. Happily they were boarded by a fishing
smack and taken to Sheerness, where they landed, but where,
unfortunately, their troubles did not end. No sort of conveyance was
to be found in Sheerness, and they were obliged to go by boat to
Chatham, and thence in a post-chaise to town. It was nearly 1 P.M.
when the Marine Office was reached. "My poor dear wife," writes Mr
Montefiore, "conducted herself with her usual admirable courage. We
were, in all probability, never in our lives in more imminent danger.
God be praised for His great mercy for granting us His protection."
At seven o'clock the next morning Mr Montefiore proceeds to the
Synagogue, where he renders thanks to the Almighty. At the same time
he gives L600 in charity--L50 for the Portuguese and L50 for the
German poor in London, and L500 for the poor of Jerusalem.
The journal of this year contains but few entries relating to
politics.
In the session of 1836 the Ministry, in their attempt to carry several
important measures of reform, were defeated in the House of Lords, but
succeeded in passing an Act enabling Dissenters to be married
otherwise than by the Established clergy. Bills were also passed for
commuting tithes into a corn-rent charge payable in money, and for a
general registry of births, deaths, and marriages. The second reading
of the Bill for the removal of civil disabilities from His Majesty's
Jewish subjects was postponed in the House of Lords. The Jews were,
however, satisfied with the progress their cause had hitherto made,
and they considered themselves justified in hoping for a speedy and
complete emancipation. The election of Mr David Salomons as Sheriff of
London and Middlesex, and Alderman for the ward of Aldgate, took place
about this time.
The particulars I shall give of the next few years will show the
progress of good feeling between the Jews and their fellow-citizens,
and, in particular, the esteem in which Mr Montefiore was held by men
of all sects.
On the 1st of January 1837 we meet Mr Montefiore in Dublin, whither he
had gone with a deputation from the Provincial Bank of Ireland (in
London). "My companions, Messrs Th. Masterman and James Marshall," he
writes, "accompanied me to the new house of our agency, and we were
present at the commencement of business. We remained there till five
o'clock, and found that all was conducted comfortably." He then called
with the Directors on Lord Morpeth and other influential persons, in
the interests of their business. Whilst in Ireland he gave handsome
donations to various charitable institutions, including L100 to the
Dublin Bluecoat School. He also visited the Synagogue, where he made
generous offerings.
On the 13th he is again in London, receiving the thanks of the Board
of Directors of the Irish Bank for the valuable services he and his
colleagues had rendered by their visit to Ireland.
On the 23rd February, at the Royal Society, he is introduced to the
vice-president, the Earl of Burlington, by Mr W. H. Pepys, Mr
Montefiore being the only Jewish member as yet admitted. Writing in
his journal on the subject, he says: "I think I may be proud of the
honour of enrolling my name in the same book which has already been
signed by several of the kings of England."
In March Mr Montefiore had a deed of gift prepared by T. M. Pearce,
conferring the "Upper French Farm" on his brother Horatio and his
children. He also returns L500 to a friend who had repaid that sum
which he had borrowed from him in the year 1819 to commence business
with; Mr Montefiore observing that he was more than repaid in
witnessing his friend's success.
On the 20th of the same month I find the first entry referring to an
offer of the Shrievalty of London and Middlesex. Mr A. H. Thornborough
called on Mr Montefiore, saying he was deputed by some of the most
influential members of the Corporation of London to offer him the
Shrievalty at the ensuing election, if he would accept the office. Mr
Montefiore candidly stated that he was not desirous of the honour, but
if he were elected, he wished to be free either to accept or decline
it; he also stated that he could not attend church, but had no
objection to send his money, and at all the city feasts he must be
allowed to have his own meat, dishes, &c. To all of which Mr
Thornborough said there could be no possible objection. It was nearly
twelve o'clock before he left. "I suppose," writes Mr Montefiore, "I
shall hear nothing more of the business, but whatever is, is for the
best. Praise be to God alone."
Till the 2nd of June there is no entry of any importance in the diary,
but on that day the death of the King of England (William IV.) is
recorded, and a further reference is made to the subject of the
Shrievalty. Mr Montefiore says, "This morning at 2 A.M. it pleased the
Almighty to call to a better world our beloved King William IV. Oaths
of allegiance were taken to-day by the members of both Houses of
Parliament to the Queen Alexandrina Victoria. May her reign be long,
glorious, and happy. Amen."
After entering various particulars relating to his financial
transactions, and to some visits which he paid to different friends
and relations, he writes:
"Mr Lucas, one of the aldermen, having written to me yesterday to
ascertain my intention respecting the proposal made to me some time
ago to be Sheriff next year, I requested he would inform the parties
that I did not give my consent to my being proposed to the Livery, and
in the event of its being done, and of my being elected, I most
distinctly stated that I considered myself perfectly free either to
accept or decline the honour."
On the 22nd of June he wrote a note to L. Lucas, begging him to inform
Mr Thornborough that his state of health would not allow him to
accept the office of Sheriff if the citizens of London did him the
honour to elect him. He also acquainted T. M. Pearce with his
intention of declining the Shrievalty in the event of its being
conferred on him. It appears, however, that many friends and relatives
spoke to him on the subject, and prevailed on him to accept the office
if elected.
On the 24th June Mr Huffam called to bring the news that Mr Montefiore
had been unanimously elected Sheriff of London and Middlesex. He had
been proposed by Mr T. A. Curtis, Governor of the Bank of England, the
resolution being seconded by Mr Samuel Gurney. Mr Huffam said that
both gentlemen had spoken most highly of him, and that there were over
four hundred persons present.
In the evening, Mr Montefiore, accompanied by his good wife, paid a
visit to his mother, to tell her of the honour he had received from
the Livery of London, and to ask and receive her blessing on his
undertaking. He then prayed for the blessing of heaven, so to guide
his conduct that he might discharge the duties of the office to the
satisfaction of his own conscience, to the gratification of the
citizens, and to the honour of the Jews.
He received congratulations from numerous friends and relatives, which
seemed however to give him but little satisfaction. The following
extract from his diary will show why this was so:--"I shall have the
greatest difficulties to contend with," he writes, "in the execution
of my duty; difficulties which I shall meet with at the very outset.
The day I enter on my office is the commencement of our New Year. I
shall therefore have to walk to Westminster instead of going in my
state carriage, nor, I fear, shall I be able to dine with my friends
at the inauguration dinner which, from time immemorial, is given on
the 30th of September. I shall, however, endeavour to persuade my
colleague to change the day to the 5th of October.
Some of our readers will perhaps smile at his difficulties, but when
his friends observed how differently other persons would act in a
similar position, he used to say: "Very well, I will not deviate from
the injunctions of my religion; let them call me a bigot if they like;
it is immaterial to me what others do or think in this respect. God
has given man the free will to act as he may think proper. He has set
before him life and death, blessing and curse (Deut. ch. xxx, v. 15).
I follow the advice given in Holy Writ, and choose that which is
considered life, which is accounted a blessing."
His first visit in the city was to Messrs T. A. Curtis and Samuel
Gurney, to thank the former for having proposed the resolution for his
election, and the latter for having seconded it. He then received
congratulations from Messrs Pearce, Thornborough, and Wire at the
Alliance Office, and appointed Mr Wire as his under-sheriff. On the
same day he addressed a formal letter of thanks to "The worthy and
independent Livery of London."
The next day Messrs Thornborough, Lucas, and Carrol called, and it was
agreed to have the Sheriffs' inauguration dinner on the 5th October
instead of the 30th September. Sir James Duke, one of the outgoing
Sheriffs, also came, and was most friendly. He offered Mr Montefiore
every assistance, and invited him to dine at the Old Bailey on
Thursday, the 4th July. Two days later he attended with his colleague,
Mr George Carrol, a meeting of the subscribers to the Sheriffs' Fund,
at the City of London Coffee House, Ludgate Hill, where he was
introduced to Mr Sheriff Johnson, who was in the chair. There he also
met Sir James Duke, Mr Wire, Mr Anderson, the Governor of Bridewell,
and other gentlemen, and a committee was appointed to prepare a plan
for a more extensive employment of the funds of the above-named
Charity. Both Sheriffs were most polite to Messrs Carrol and
Montefiore, and invited them to be present on all occasions at the
Sessions in the Old Bailey, when they were also to breakfast and dine
with them.
_July the 4th._--Mr T. A. Curtis kindly accompanied Mr Montefiore to
the Court of Aldermen, where both he and Mr George Carrol signed bonds
engaging to take upon themselves the office of Sheriff, under penalty
of L1000 fine. "The Lord Mayor," writes Mr Montefiore, "and every
Alderman present shook hands with me, each paid me some neat
compliment, and every attention was shown to my religious feelings."
At a meeting of the Livery, where a resolution to send an address to
the Queen was proposed by Mr David Salomons and carried unanimously,
twelve of the Livery were appointed to present the same, amongst whom,
besides the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and Aldermen, were Messrs David
Salomons, G. Carrol, and M. Montefiore.
_July 6th._--Mr Montefiore went to the Old Bailey at half-past eight,
and breakfasted with the Under Sheriff, Mr G. Carrol, and other
gentlemen. The Sheriffs and Aldermen came in a little before ten, at
which time Baron Vaughan, Baron Alderson, and the Lord Mayor also
came. He was introduced, and received by all in a very friendly
manner, and then went with them into Court. At eleven he went with
Sheriff Johnson and Mr George Carrol over every part of Newgate. "It
was half-past one before we had finished our tour of inspection. I
find my new post will give me very serious occupation, and much more
trouble than I had expected, but I hope the blessing of Heaven will
attend my endeavours to fulfil its various duties to the satisfaction
of my fellow-citizens." This did, however, not prevent him from
turning his mind, when necessary, also to the affairs of his own
community. He accompanied T. M. Pearce to Downing Street, and had an
interview with Mr Lister, the Registrar-General. "We agreed," he says,
"that it would not be safe for Jews to marry by licence under the
present Marriage Bill, and that they must give twenty-one days' notice
to the Registrar."
On the same day he dined at five with the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and
other distinguished persons at the Old Bailey. "A capital dinner," he
observes, "dessert and wine; I had part of a fowl which had been sent
from home." Every one was most attentive to him. The Judges and the
Lord Mayor left at seven, but the Sheriffs stayed till eight o'clock.