1840.
DEPARTURE FROM MALTA--NAPLES--ROME--A SHAMEFUL INSCRIPTION--PREJUDICES
AGAINST THE JEWS AT THE VATICAN.
_November 30th._--Sir Hector Grey called, bringing news (in
confirmation of previous reports) to the effect that Commodore Napier
had made a convention with Mohhammad Ali: the latter was to give up
Syria, recall Ibrahim Pasha, and restore the Turkish fleet, on being
guaranteed by the four Powers in his authority over Egypt.
Having accepted an invitation from the Governor to dine with him, we
repaired to the Palace, and met a very pleasant party of twenty-four
persons. The Governor repeatedly expressed, to Sir Moses his
satisfaction with the result of his Mission.
_December 2nd._--Major Churchill called, bringing with him Colonel
Hugh Rose and Colonel Golquhoun; all offered to take letters and
parcels for us to Damascus. Sir Moses availed himself of their
kindness, and entrusted Major Churchill with a box containing letters,
newspapers, and copies of the Sultan's Hatti-Sherif for transmission
to the representatives of the Hebrew community at Damascus.
At ten in the evening we went, by invitation from Colonel Winchester
and officers of the 92nd Highlanders, to a splendid ball. All the
_elite_ of the island were present, the Governor, the Admiral, &c. Sir
Moses was introduced to General Mitchel and all the officers then
going to Syra. They offered him every assistance he might desire, and
promised to protect the Jews.
Lady Lewis called to invite Lady Montefiore to go with her to see the
Emir Besheer's lady, Baheeyat Eddoonya (the beauty of the world), and
Sir Moses and party to accompany them, and call on the Emir. The
invitation was gladly accepted. We were detained there a long time,
the Emir having a great deal to say to Sir Moses respecting his own
affairs, as he wished him to intercede on his behalf with the English
government.
_Saturday, December 5th._--Attended divine service early in the
morning, and received in the course of the day the representatives of
the Hebrew community. They came to thank Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore
for what they had done for them, and wished us a safe voyage home.
The Emir Besheer sent his Bishop to Sir Moses, and begged he would
speak with Lord Palmerston. He had written himself to the Queen,
praying Her Majesty for his return to the mountains. He wished him to
say that his family had ruled there two hundred years, and himself
fifty.
Sir Moses promised the Emir to comply with his request, and Lady
Montefiore returned compliments and good wishes to the Princess
Baheeyat Eddoonya.
_December 6th._--Early in the morning we went on board the French
steamer _Dante_ at Malta, and after a two days' pleasant sea voyage,
dropped anchor in the Bay of Naples.
_December 8th._--Sir Moses was very anxious to prepare here for the
important work he would have to do at Rome regarding the removal of a
scandal that might, at some future period, become a source of great
vexation and misery to thousands of innocent Jews.
I allude to the libellous epitaph which the Capuchins at Damascus had
inscribed on the stone erected over an opening in which some bones of
animals had been put.
The inscription, which had been copied by two monks, was in the
Italian and Arabic language, as follows:--
"D. O. M.
"Qui riposano le ossa del P^re Tomaso da Sardegna Miss^o
Cappuccino assassinato dagli Ebrei il giorno 5 de
Febraro l'anno 1840."
_Translation of Italian Inscription._
"Here rest the bones of Father Tomaso of Sardinia, a
Capuchin missionary, murdered by the Hebrews on the 5th
of February 1840."
_Translation of Arabic Inscription._
"The outward appearance of the tomb of Father Tomaso the
Capuchin, and its place of wailing. He zealously
discharged the duties of his calling as one of the
missionaries in Damascus--the Jews slaughtered him--his
goodness did not save him.
"The laying down of his bones took place on the 5th of
February 1840."
The Baron and the Baroness Charles de Rothschild called soon after our
arrival. They considered with us what was best to be done to
facilitate the intended proceedings at Rome, and agreed to seek an
interview with the Pope's Nuncio. Permission was obtained the same day
from the Minister of Police to have the Hatti Sherif printed and
published in Italian papers. His Excellency had them printed for Sir
Moses, and forwarded him several hundred copies for distribution among
friends.
Mr Briggs paid them a visit, and having discussed all that had taken
place in Alexandria, expressed much pleasure at the result of the
Mission.
_Naples, December 10th._--Sir Moses went with Baron Charles to the
Pope's Nuncio, who received them most kindly. He complimented Sir
Moses, saying that he was an excellent ambassador, as was proved by
his success.
On acquainting him with the object of his visit, and asking for his
advice as to the best mode of proceeding when at Rome to procure the
removal of the stone in the Latin Convent of the Capuchins at
Damascus, the Nuncio said that the business must be hinted with much
delicacy at Rome; he was going there on the 13th January, and would do
it himself if Sir Moses would remain at Naples. Sir Moses, however,
could not remain so long, and the Nuncio promised to prepare a letter,
to a friend at Rome and send it to him.
In the evening we all dined with the Baron and Baroness de Rothschild.
The entertainment was given in honour of Sir Moses and Lady
Montefiore; twenty-four at table--Princes and Princesses, Dukes and
Duchesses, the _elite_ of the Neapolitan nobility, as well as Admiral
Gowley and other distinguished officers in the navy. We were also
invited to a ball, but Sir Moses was not sufficiently well to go, and
Lady Montefiore would not go without him.
_December 16th._--A visit was paid to the Austrian Ambassador, Count
de Lebselter. Both Sir Moses and Baron de Rothschild were much pleased
with his remarks on the recent events in the East.
_December 19th._--Sir Moses and Baron Charles went to the French
Ambassador, who received them most kindly.
Sir Moses recounted to him Count Ratti-Menton's conduct in the affair
of Damascus, with the full particulars. He also told him what he had
effected in Constantinople, and he had the happiness of hearing the
Ambassador state that it had been his opinion from the first that the
Jews were innocent of the crime imputed to them. He several times
congratulated Sir Moses on his success; said that he was glad the
latter intended going to Paris, and that he should make the government
acquainted with the conduct of Ratti-Menton, but without publishing it
to the world. The Duke was the first Frenchman that Sir Moses had
heard express in so decided a manner his conviction of the innocence
of the Jews.
It was reported that the Sultan had refused to ratify Commodore
Napier's convention, at the request of the Ambassadors of the four
Powers. They would not consent to the Pasha having Candia.
_Naples, December 20th._--"We entered our good old carriage this
morning," Sir Moses writes in his diary, "at eight; the weather was
mild and pleasant. We had four horses to our carriage, and only a pair
to the carriage for Mr Wire and Dr Loewe, though I was obliged to pay
for three, as we do not intend travelling at night, and are anxious to
get on as fast as we can. We hope to save much time and obtain better
accommodation on the road by having a courier."
_December 22nd._--Through the carelessness of the postilions, Sir
Moses' carriage was driven against a cart, the pole of the former
being broken. Our carriage also met with an accident, but we
nevertheless all reached Rome safely. Soon after entering the gates of
the city we were greeted by a deputation of our brethren, who followed
us to our hotel, and expressed their pleasure at seeing us return in
good health. We then proceeded to the Synagogue, which had been most
brilliantly illuminated in our honour.
The people of Rome were delighted with our success at Constantinople;
the firman, they considered, gave some reparation for the past and
security for the future.
_December 23rd._--Sir Moses presented his letter of introduction to
Prince Alexander Torlonia, who likewise congratulated him on the
success of the Mission.
Another deputation from the Jews of Rome came to express their thanks
to Sir Moses for his exertions on behalf of his co-religionists,
regretting that it was not in their power to prove their gratitude by
something more than words.
_Rome, December 24th._--We then called on Baron de Binder, the Attache
to the Austrian Embassy. Sir Moses intimated his desire to be
introduced to the Austrian Ambassador, in order to thank him for the
lively interest he had taken in favour of the Jews of Damascus.
The Baron said he should be happy to introduce him, but as the
following day was Christmas day, and the New Year holidays were so
near, he feared some few days must elapse before he would be able to
get an appointment.
Sir Moses informed the Baron of his earnest desire to be presented to
the Pope, to express his gratitude to him for not having permitted the
public press of Rome to insert the charges made against the Jews at
Rhodes and Damascus, also to present His Holiness with a copy of the
firman granted by the Sultan, and to intimate the great act of
kindness it would be on his part to advise the removal of the
inscription from the stone in the convent at Damascus, over some bones
said to be those of Father Tommaso. The Sultan would doubtless, if
applied to, order the removal of the stone, as soon as his Governor
was in the city; but Sir Moses, well knowing His Holiness' love of
truth and peace, felt confident that, if made known to him, he would
not permit such a libel to remain.
_December 25th._--Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, while visiting one of
the public institutions, met the Princess Augusta of Cambridge, who
spoke to them most kindly. Prince A. Torlonia sent them the key of his
box at the opera. They availed themselves of this kindness in company
with several friends. "Being the first representation of the season,"
writes Sir Moses, "the house was filled to overflowing in every part.
The Queen of Spain, the Duchess of Cambridge and her daughter were
present, as well as every person of note in Rome. It is customary for
the Governor of the city, on the first night of the season, to offer
to the audience in the second and third tiers of boxes, ices, cakes,
&c., twice during the evening, between the acts. Simultaneously, as if
by magic, two waiters entered into each of the sixty-two boxes, one
bearing wax candles in silver candlesticks and the other trays with
the choicest refreshments. We had one of the best and largest boxes in
the house, and remained till nearly twelve."
The following day Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore received a beautiful
address from the Consistoire Israelite of France, offering
congratulations and deep gratitude for their noble exertions.
_December 29th._--Sir Moses went with Baron Binder to Count Lebselter,
the Austrian Minister. The Count expressed himself most handsomely,
saying that he was perfectly convinced of the innocence of the Jews,
and that he knew the people well, having been Ambassador at
Constantinople for four years. He said he had frequently spoken with
the Cardinals on the subject of the Damascus affair, but he did not
succeed in converting them to his opinion. He recommended Sir Moses to
see Mr Aubin, who then acted as agent for the British Government, and
to request Mr Aubin to present him to Signor Capuccini, Under
Secretary of State, and explain to him his wishes.
_December 30th._--Sir Moses had a long conversation with Mr Aubin, who
consented to speak to Signor Capuccini and acquaint him with Sir
Moses' desire to be introduced to the Pope. Mr Aubin said, as to the
presentation he feared he should not succeed, but thought perhaps he
might with the request referring to the firman.
At four o'clock Sir Moses saw Mr Aubin again. He had been with Signor
Capuccini, but could not succeed in any way, and was, indeed, most
anxious that Sir Moses should not even call upon him. Mr Aubin said
that all the people about the Pope were persuaded that the Jews had
murdered Father Tommaso, and even _if all the witnesses in the world
were brought before the Pope to prove the contrary_, neither he nor
his people would be convinced, and he could do nothing more.
Sir Moses, on hearing this, determined at once to leave his card,
together with his letters of introduction, with Signor Capuccini and
the Cardinal Tosti, which he did, also leaving cards on Monsignor
Bruti and the Abbe Ferrari, and was informed two days later that the
Secretary of State had appointed eleven on the following day to
receive him.
Sir Moses called on Torlonia, and spoke to him respecting his
introduction to the Pope, to solicit his directions for the removal of
the stone. The Prince promised to consult his brother, the Duke, and
see what could be done; personally he thought it should be done
through the Propaganda. Sir Moses left him a translation of Mr
Shadwell's letter on the subject.
It was again reported that the Sultan would not ratify Commodore
Napier's convention with Mohhammad Ali, but that Lord Palmerston would
insist upon the ratification.
We then visited the Ghetto, where we were met by a deputation of our
brethren, who took us to see the workshops. We saw many Jewish
children at work, some weaving, others making shoes. Sir Moses gave to
each child a Spanish dollar, and two Napoleons to each teacher. We
next went to the four schools. Sir Moses gave to each boy half a
dollar, and fourteen dollars to the students, for the study of the
Holy Law.
On our return, Sir Moses found that cards had been left by the Abbe
Ferrari; Monsignor Bruti, private chamberlain to the Pope; and Baron
de Binder Kriegelstein.
Great anxiety was felt by Sir Moses as to the result of his endeavours
to get an audience with the Pope. His petition was already prepared,
and he hoped by some means to get it into the Pope's hands. If this
could be effected, he thought some good might be done. "Heaven only
knows," he said, "my fears are much greater than my hopes; neither the
Austrian Minister nor Baron de Binder will do anything."
The Hanoverian Minister had expressed to Baron de Binder his total
inability to assist Sir Moses in obtaining an audience with His
Holiness. Mr Aubin said he had done all he could, but ineffectually,
and Signer Capuccini entreated that Sir Moses would not insist upon
seeing the Pope, as the Cardinal Tosti had taken no notice of either
Sir Moses' letter or card. "This is the last night of the year 1840,"
Sir Moses said. "It has been a year of much anxiety, fatigue, and
danger to Lady Montefiore and myself, but thanks to the God of our
Fathers, we trust its fruits will be productive of much good to His
children, not only in the East, but in the West as well."