1842.
PRESENTATION FROM HAMBURG--SIR MOSES MEETS THE KING OF
PRUSSIA--ADDRESS TO PRINCE ALBERT--ATTEMPT ON THE QUEEN'S
LIFE--PETITIONS TO SIR MOSES FROM RUSSIA.
The entries of the next five years in the diaries refer to numerous
important events, interspersed with appeals from communities to Sir
Moses to plead the cause of their brethren before the Emperor of
Russia.
The Hamburg Jews, who were among the first to support their British
friends in the mission to Damascus, had a gold medal struck, which was
presented to Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore by Mr H. de Castro. The
complimentary address which accompanied it, in speaking of the Queen,
says:--
"God bless Her Majesty, and prosper her, whose enlightenment knows how
to appreciate and reward such exertions as are performed for the
benefit of us and ours."
The obverse of the medal bears a representation of the arms of Sir
Moses Montefiore. The margin has a verse in Hebrew, taken from Psalm
cxxii. 8: "[Hebrew] LEMANN AKHAI VEREAI ADABERA NA SHALOM BEKHA"
("For the sake of my brethren and companions I will declare peace unto
thee"); and a chronogram in Hebrew: [Hebrew] "SHNAT GAON ISREAL
LEP'AK" signifying, "The year of the pride of Israel," the numerical
value of the dotted lines representing the date of the Damascus
Mission, viz.: 5601.
The reverse has a German inscription, which, rendered in English, is:
"Dedicated to Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, after their return from
Egypt, in the year 1841, by their co-religionists of Hamburg." My
esteemed friend, the late Mr M. Haarbleicher, exerted himself greatly
in this matter.
Unfortunately, one night burglars got into the drawing-room of Sir
Moses' house at Park Lane, and took the medal, together with many
other valuable articles. There is only a facsimile of the medal in
bronze now left in my cabinet, which the Committee in Hamburg kindly
presented to me.
_January 31st._--Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore received an invitation
from the Duke of Sussex and the Duchess of Inverness to lunch with
them on the first of February, as His Majesty the King of Prussia had
intimated to them his intention of honouring them with his company.
Sir Moses went early in the morning of the following day to Somerset
House to see the King of Prussia admitted as fellow of the Royal
Society, together with Baron Alexander von Humboldt; and before two
o'clock he and Lady Montefiore were at Kensington Palace.
The Duke and Duchess received them very kindly, and the Duke promised
to introduce them to his Royal visitor. He said he was anxious that
his invitation should be forwarded in time, as he was desirous of
introducing Sir Moses to the King of Prussia, which he did almost as
soon as the King entered; informing His Majesty, at the same time, of
the journey of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore to the East. The King,
Sir Moses says, was very gracious; but remarked (speaking of Padre
Tommaso), "but the poor man is dead;" upon which Sir Moses ventured to
point out to His Majesty, that it was by no means certain that the man
was dead. "It was a truly Royal banquet," Sir Moses writes, "about
sixty persons being present. The Duke made a liberal and excellent
speech about religions in general, but the King did not notice it in
his reply." They were delighted with the kindness of their Royal
Highnesses, and of those they knew. Lord Lansdowne hoped they had not
forgotten him. Lord Palmerston enquired what reports he had from the
East, and whether the English Consuls were behaving better.
On the following day, Mr Attwood, one of the Directors of the Imperial
Continental Gas Association, expressed a wish that Sir Moses should
accompany him to see the King of Prussia, who had consented to receive
a deputation from the Association; and in compliance with this wish he
went with them. He met Sir J. L. Goldsmid at the office, and they
proceeded to Buckingham Palace. "There were," Sir Moses observes,
"many persons waiting." He saw there Lord Roxley, Sir Robert Inglis,
Sir Robert Adair, and many noblemen and clergymen.
They were soon admitted to the King's presence, and were very
graciously received. Mr Attwood read the address, and the King spoke a
few words to each of them. He recognised Sir Moses, observing that he
had spoken to him on the previous day, and enquired whether he was
settled in England; the King thought he lived in Italy. He spoke to Mr
Attwood about Parliament and the new buildings, and laughingly said,
he supposed that the Association would light them.
_February 5th._--About this time Sir Moses pointed out the spot at
Ramsgate where it was his wish, when it should please the Almighty to
call him, that his earthly remains might repose, with those of his
beloved wife. The spot was marked out by four hurdles, which he
assisted in placing there. Possibly the illness of his brother's wife,
which, a few days after, terminated in her death, cast a gloom over
his mind, which made him consider it advisable to prepare himself for
such an event.
He was much grieved by this family affliction, and remained in the
house for several days; owing to which he was unable to present an
address of congratulation to the Queen on the birth of the Prince of
Wales. Mr De Castro and two other Deputies of the London Committee of
the Board had to present it instead; as also an address to Prince
Albert, and later on, one to the Duchess of Kent. They were most
graciously received, and Her Royal Highness desired them to express
her great regret at Sir Moses' absence, and at the cause of it.
Colonel Cooper, the next day, by desire of the Duchess, wrote him a
letter, to assure him of her sympathy on this melancholy occasion.
In the same month he made a donation of L200 for the repair of the
ancient Synagogue of the Spanish and Portuguese community, as it was
greatly needed, and thereby induced others to follow his example. He
also took steps to have the Synagogue included in the clause of
exemption from property tax, in which he succeeded, by the kindness of
Mr John Masterman, who wrote a letter to Mr Goulbourn on the subject.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer promised that he would so alter the
wording of the Income-Tax Bill as to meet Sir Moses' wishes. Sir
Robert Peel also wrote to him a letter to the same effect.
_May 31st._--There is an entry referring to an attempt on the Queen's
life. "Last evening," he writes, "an attempt was made on the life of
our gracious Sovereign, which, through the protection of Almighty
God, was happily preserved. It is most difficult to believe that any
mortal in his senses could attempt such a thing. May the God of Israel
shield the Queen from all harm, and bless her with every happiness and
long life. I convened a meeting of Deputies to forward letters of
congratulation to the Queen, Prince Albert, and the Duchess of Kent,
on the providential escape of the Queen, and went with Lady Montefiore
and Dr Loewe to Kensington Palace to enter our names in the visitors'
books of the Duke of Sussex and the Duchess of Inverness; afterwards
to Buckingham Palace, in Prince Albert's book; and Clarence House, to
the Duchess of Kent."
_July 2nd._--Attended a meeting at the Thatched House Tavern, St James
Street, for the purpose of selecting an artist to carry out the
resolution agreed to at a previous meeting for the erection of a
statue to Sir David Wilkie.
Sir R. Peel, who took the chair, proposed that a sub-committee should
be appointed, consisting (in addition to the officers already
appointed) of the Duke of Sutherland, the Duke of Buccleuch, Lord
Mahon, Sir Francis Clark, Sir Thomas Mahon, Sir Martin Archer Shee,
Sir William Newton, Mr Phillips, Sir Moses Montefiore, Mr Burnett, Mr
Rogers, and Mr Henry Labouchere, M.P.
Sir Moses was also one of the Committee appointed to watch the
progress of the statue. He had entertained a high regard for Sir David
since making his acquaintance at Constantinople, and was glad to have
the opportunity of showing it on this occasion.
_July 24th._--Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore were honoured by a visit
from Viscount and Viscountess Ponsonby. His Lordship, who had shown
them much kindness and attention during their sojourn in the Turkish
Capital, spoke of the benefit which the people of the East would
derive from the encouragement of industry among them. This reminded
Sir Moses of a promise which he had made to a very industrious person
in the Holy Land, and on the same day he sent a printing press and
fount of type to the value of L105 to Israel Drucker in Jerusalem,
whose acquaintance he had made at Safed, during his second journey to
the Holy Land. It was this same printing press which the recipient,
out of gratitude to Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, called "Massat
Moshe Ve Yehoodit" (a gift of Moses and Judith), that, forty-three
years later, caused Professor Roehling of Prague to accuse Sir Moses of
having printed a book which he (Professor Roehling) said was intended
to prove the use of blood for Jewish ritual purposes. The printing
press which Sir Moses sent was accompanied by a beautifully written
Scroll of the Pentateuch.
_August 2nd._--Sir Moses received a deputation from the
representatives of the New Synagogue at Liverpool, requesting his
mediation in a communal dispute. He strongly advised their reunion
with the old Synagogue, and promised to see the deputation again.
A few days later he and Lady Montefiore left England for Paris, to be
present at the wedding of the daughter of Baron James de Rothschild.
He describes that event in the following words:--
"_Paris, Hotel Windsor, Wednesday, August 17th._--The
great day has at length arrived, and, happily, our
presents also: they were sent last night to the Bois de
Boulogne. Ours was similar to that we gave to Baron
Charles and Louisa de Rothschild; a large and
handsomely-carved ewer and basin, worth L180. We left
Paris before twelve o'clock, and on reaching the Bois de
Boulogne, found the party already assembled, all the
ladies most elegantly dressed. A procession was formed
by a number of choristers, led by the _ministre
officiant_, and preceded by the Grand Rabbin. Then
followed the bridegroom with his brother, Baron Lionel
de Rothschild, as best man, and on his left Baron James;
afterwards, Barons Salamon, Anthony, and the other
relatives and friends present. We proceeded to a
magnificent canopy of white satin and gold embroidery,
erected in the garden: the ground was covered with
velvet carpets. The path leading to the canopy was
covered with crimson cloth strewn with roses. The choir
was singing Hebrew hymns all the time. Then followed the
bride, led by her mother and Mrs de Rothschild, the
other ladies following. Under the canopy stood the bride
and bridegroom, their parents, Barons Anselm, Lionel,
and myself. The marriage ceremony was performed by the
Grand Rabbin, who delivered an excellent discourse in
French. After the ceremony the whole party walked to the
Swiss cottage in the garden, where a sumptuous breakfast
was laid. No toasts or healths were drunk, but grace was
said. Afterwards the gentlemen went back to Paris to
dress, the ladies being accommodated in the house. We
were back again by four o'clock, and now found the
ladies most magnificently attired. At seven we entered
the banquetting room. It was in a perfect blaze of
light: only once, at the Archbishop of Canterbury's,
have I seen such splendour. The repast consisted of all
the luxuries the world produces. The gardens were
brilliantly illuminated. The host and hostess were most
attentive. It was past eleven when we left."
On the day after the wedding he called on Rechid Pasha, the Turkish
Ambassador, and writes in his Diary:--
"The Pasha received me instantly, and told me how pleased he was to
meet me in Paris, and how happy it made him that he was able to
assist me in Constantinople to further the cause of justice and
humanity. He said he hoped to see me again in Turkey. He asked me
whether I had seen Lord Ponsonby, and what I thought of the
disturbances in Manchester and the manufacturing districts. I assured
him that they were of no consequence. He asked me to be permitted to
introduce his sons to me: three very fine boys, the eldest about
sixteen, the others ten and eight years old. The youngest was very
fair, and appeared to be the favourite. The Ambassador told me that
the note he had sent me yesterday was written by the youngest. After
chatting a little longer I took my leave, the Pasha begging of me to
preserve him my friendship. I gave him Dr Loewe's Circassian-Turkish
and English Dictionary, with which he seemed much pleased, and asked
me to thank Dr Loewe in his name for it. Later we paid our farewell
visits to all the Barons de Rothschild and their families, and
prepared for our departure."
_September 15th._--Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore received at Park
Lane, through the Baroness Lionel de Rothschild, a beautiful silver
gilt cup made from a design by Professor Oppenheim, and sent to them
as a present by the Hebrew community of Frankfurt-on-Main, accompanied
by an address signed by all the members. He also received a splendid
album from Magdeburg, the covers of which were ornamented with two
beautiful paintings, also executed by Professor Oppenheim, one
representing Moses installing Joshua in his office as leader of
Israel, and the other a copy of Benda's picture "By the rivers of
Babylon there we sat down; yea, we wept when we remembered Zion"
(Psalm cxxxvii.), copied by the same artist, and signed by Dr
Philipson, the Spiritual Head of the Hebrew congregation of Magdeburg,
and near 1500 other persons, many of them non-Israelites belonging to
the clergy and nobility.
These two testimonials are now, with many others, preserved in the
Lecture Hall of the College in Ramsgate.
_October 11th._--Colonel C. H. Churchill paid them a visit at Ramsgate
previous to his leaving England for the East. The Colonel having
married a young widow at Damascus was very anxious to return to her at
Beyrout, where he intends residing, having adopted Syria as his
country. Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore requested him to take with him
some contributions towards the support of the poor Jews in the East,
which he gladly promised to do for them, expressing his high regard
for the character and industrious habits of the Jews.
_October 17th._--A petition was received from the Hebrew congregation
of Riga, imploring Sir Moses to intercede on their behalf with the
Emperor of Russia. Many others, from various places, on the same
subject followed. Most of the principal communities in Germany,
France, Italy, and America entreated him to accede to the petitions of
their brethren in Russia and Poland; and Sir Moses now began seriously
to consider the desirability of serving the cause of humanity anew.
In the same month he and the Hebrew communities in England sustained a
severe loss by the death of their Ecclesiastical Chief, the Rev. Dr
Solomon Hirschell.
"I was at Bury Street at twelve o'clock," he writes in his diary, "on
October 31st, and found our esteemed Chief Rabbi apparently in a state
of insensibility; his chamber was filled with his friends, and his bed
closely surrounded by the members of the Ecclesiastical Court, and
other persons. They were saying prayers; he was very calm, and at
12.25 his spirit fled from its earthly tenement to receive that reward
which his righteousness in this world secured to him; eternal
happiness and peace to his memory!"
Sir Moses was entirely guided by him in all matters concerning
religion, and felt the loss of such a friend and counsellor acutely.
He appears to have been roused by that sorrowful event to fresh acts
of benevolence, and believing it possible to render some service to
the Jews in Russia, he thought it necessary now to make himself fully
acquainted with all the recent publications referring to that country
and its inhabitants, and obtained information from German and English
travellers who had just returned from visiting Warsaw, St Petersburg,
Moscow, and other important cities in the Czar's vast empire.
_November 5th._--The entry in his diary contains the following
lines:--"Extremely cold morning; nevertheless dear Judith and I left
Park Lane before eight o'clock to walk to Synagogue. It was very well
attended, and prayers were offered up for the late lamented Chief
Rabbi. We remained in the city, and attended afternoon and evening
prayers at our own (the Portuguese) Synagogue. Afterwards we rode
home to Park Lane. Dr Loewe accompanied us, and agreed to go with us
to Russia and Poland whenever that should seem necessary."
_November 15th, 19th, and 27th._--The number of petitions to go to
Russia increased considerably, especially entreating Sir Moses to
accept an invitation from Count Ouvaroff, the Minister of Public
Instruction, who wished him to be present at the deliberation of the
government referring to the improvement of the method of education
among the Hebrews in the Russian Empire. The following entries refer
to the subject:--
"_December 8th._--Went to Chevalier Benkhausen, the Russian
Consul-General, and spoke with him respecting a letter I had received
from Dr Lilienthal of St Petersburg, referring to an invitation from
Count Ouvaroff to proceed to the Russian metropolis, and he
recommended my seeing the Russian Ambassador.
"Accordingly I wrote to the latter, requesting the honour of an
interview with him, and received his reply that he would receive me
the next day.
"_December 9th._--Had an audience of the Russian Ambassador, Baron
Brunnow, and spoke to him regarding our intended journey. He entered
into all particulars with me, and promised to make all necessary
enquiries.
"The next day we dined at Mrs de Rothschild's, and met Baron and
Baroness Brunnow, the Austrian Ambassador and his wife, Lady Pellew
and her daughter Lady Walpole, and many other distinguished persons.
Baron Brunnow spoke to me about Dr Lilienthal's letter, and said he
would write to Count Ouvaroff, and would ascertain for him the
authenticity of Dr Lilienthal's communication. The Baron advised me,
if I went to Russia, to proceed in the first instance to St
Petersburg, and speak with the Emperor himself, and not to go, as I
had intended, to the several cities in Poland previously to my going
to St Petersburg."
_December 25th._--Notwithstanding the multiplicity of matters
referring to the North which now filled his mind, he did not for a
moment neglect the interest of the East. He made an agreement with a
physician, Dr S. Frankel, to allow him a salary for three years, to
furnish the requisite medicines, and to pay his expenses to Jerusalem,
on condition that he should attend the poor of the Holy Land
gratuitously.