CHAPTER XI.1859.
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.
MR RUSSELL, in a private note, wrote to him:—
"It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that all my exertions in the interest of your cause have failed. Cardinal Antonelli declined to enter upon the subject, saying, 'It was a closed question,' and His Eminence referred me to Monsignor Pacca, the papal chamberlain, or to Monsignor Talbot, to obtain an audience for you of His Holiness, but His Eminence added that he thought it would be difficult at this moment. I next applied to Monsignor Talbot, who assured me that the only possible course was that you should apply yourself, in writing to, or personally call on, Monsignor Pacca, who lives in the Vatican. Monsignor Talbot thought the Pope would see you, but he also considered the question closed."I fear you were but too right in saying our only hope now rests with that great God whose holy laws have in this melancholy case been violated by the hand of man."I need not assure you that if there is anything in which I can serve you, I beg you will command my services at all times."
"It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that all my exertions in the interest of your cause have failed. Cardinal Antonelli declined to enter upon the subject, saying, 'It was a closed question,' and His Eminence referred me to Monsignor Pacca, the papal chamberlain, or to Monsignor Talbot, to obtain an audience for you of His Holiness, but His Eminence added that he thought it would be difficult at this moment. I next applied to Monsignor Talbot, who assured me that the only possible course was that you should apply yourself, in writing to, or personally call on, Monsignor Pacca, who lives in the Vatican. Monsignor Talbot thought the Pope would see you, but he also considered the question closed.
"I fear you were but too right in saying our only hope now rests with that great God whose holy laws have in this melancholy case been violated by the hand of man.
"I need not assure you that if there is anything in which I can serve you, I beg you will command my services at all times."
Sir Moses immediately went to thank Mr Russell for his kind and zealous exertions for the cause he had so much at heart, and said that he deemed it his duty to follow up the suggestions made in his letter.
On his return home he wrote his application, and took it himself to Monsignor Pacca at the Vatican. As he was out, Sir Moses left it with his servant, with but faint hopes of a favourable answer.
He and Lady Montefiore then left cards on Lady de Redcliffe. Sir Moses saw his Lordship, who appeared to think he should apply for an audience without naming the object he had in view; but Sir Moses' opinion did not coincide with those ofLord Redcliffe ("perhaps a wrong one," Sir Moses remarks). "It would not be becoming in me," he said, "to gain an audience but as the representative of the Board of Deputies of British Jews."
April 14th.—In accordance with an invitation which Sir Moses had the privilege of receiving, he rode to the Hôtel des Isles Britaniques at seven o'clock, and had the honour of dining with the Prince of Wales. I quote Sir Moses' own words on the subject from the Diary:—
"His Royal Highness," he writes, "received me most cordially, and said he had seen me at Windsor Castle. Within three minutes after my arrival the Prince handed down the Hon. Mrs Bruce, the only lady present at the dinner, but she did not sit next to His Royal Highness. He had Prince Torlonia on his right, Mrs Bruce was next to Prince Torlonia, and I sat exactly opposite His Royal Highness. On my right, the Rev. G. F. Tarver, the Prince's chaplain, and Major Teesdale, R.A.
"There were twelve persons at table, and, before dinner, Colonel Bruce introduced me to each, excepting Prince Torlonia, who came in only two minutes before we sat down.
"The conversation was on general topics. I think all spoke English except Torlonia, who spoke French with His Royal Highness. Dr Chambers, the Prince's physician, was present. We were at table about an hour and a half, then retired to the drawing-room. His Royal Highness requested each to be seated, and took a seat himself in the centre of the half circle formed by his party. He enquired if Toussoun Pasha was in England at present, and said the Viceroy had given a grand dinner to his brother.
"Soon after nine the party took leave. His Royal Highness shook hands with each. I could not have had a more gratifying evening.
"Dr Chambers told me that Mrs Chambers had a few friends and a little music upstairs, and would be happy if I would do them the honour to join them. He accompanied me to their apartments on the floor above His Royal Highness, and introduced me to Mrs Chambers. She said she remembered me by the kindness I had shewn her many years since by giving her some very thin biscuits,[3]of which she was very fond. Gradually the two drawing-rooms became verycrowded. She introduced me to a considerable number of her visitors, mostly English travellers, and many from India. They all alluded to the object of my mission with feeling, and expressed an ardent desire for my success, but not one among them thought that there was a hope of it.
"The son-in-law of the late Joseph Hume, who had been in India, was there with his wife. I should think there must have been 150 persons present. Mrs Chambers and her sisters have beautiful voices, and sang delightfully. A gentleman belonging to the Royal Chapel at Rome, who is celebrated for his beautiful voice and for being an excellent musician, performed also. Dr Hodgkin, who was present, having left my dear wife weak and poorly, I got away as soon as I well could. A most lively and agreeable party."
The apprehension of failure in his mission, so strongly foretold by all who spoke to him that evening on the subject, threatened to become almost a certainty, owing to a serious accusation brought against the Jews in the Ghetto.
On Friday evening, April 15th, some officers of the police entered the Jewish quarter and searched a house adjoining the Synagogue, the room containing the cloaks, bells, &c., of the sacred scrolls of the Pentateuch, and afterwards the cellars under the Synagogue. They did not say at the time what was the object of their search, but a crowd had assembled outside the Synagogue, accusing the Jews of having stolen two children with the object of using their blood in making the Passover cakes, a woman exciting the crowd by declaring she had lost two of her children. The alarm continued for a considerable time, and it was late before the crowd left the Ghetto. Happily all was quiet the next morning, but the Jews still laboured under great anxiety, as this was the first instance of such a charge being made against them at Rome, and hitherto their Synagogues had been held sacred. Early in the morning a deputation waited upon the Governor of the city, but he had heard nothing of the matter. On enquiry of the head of the police it was ascertained that the report was spread by the malice of one of the police officers. The Governor assured the deputation of his protection, and said he would, if necessary, send a force into the Ghetto to protect the Jews.
Sir Moses on hearing of the outbreak at once offered to go to the Synagogue if the reports were repeated, but happily all remained quiet.
The next day (April 17th) he received the reassuring information that the lost child had been found, and had returned to the mother's house. It appeared that a woman had said that she had lost her child, and a neighbour advised her to go to a particular man, a barber, who told fortunes. She did so, whereupon this man informed her that her child had been stolen by the Jews, who had murdered it for the sake of using its blood with the Passover cakes. On receiving this account she went direct to the Ghetto, and created a great disturbance, calling upon the Jews to give up the child. She gave information to the office of police, and they sent to search for the child. The Governor had since put the barber and the woman in prison, but nevertheless there was a very uneasy feeling among the Jews the next night and day, as women and boys frequently cried out, "Take care of your children, or the Jews will murder them." It was a singular circumstance that until that year nothing of the kind had happened at Rome; and it was not a little remarkable that the newspaper published at Rome on the 16th inst., yesterday, calledIl vevo amico del popolo, contained a letter from Smyrna, giving an account of the assassination of a Frenchman in the Jewish quarter of that city by the Jews, as it was alleged, for the purpose of using the blood in the Passover cakes. The letter also alluded to the case of Father Tomaso at Damascus. It was a most mischievous article, and could not fail to excite a very bitter feeling against the Jews, frustrating every attempt made to rescue the poor boy Mortara, and to restore him to his parents.
Sir Moses felt much depressed in spirits; Lady Montefiore was weak and ill. The Passover festivals commenced, and they were both anxious for the safety of the Hebrew community. A lady who had dined with them the previous night was so much alarmed as to dread returning home to the Ghetto. Two gentlemen, besides her husband and a lady, had to walk with her to see her safely home.
In a telegram Sir Moses sent to his friends on the 17th inst., he said, "Suspense and perplexity still prevent me from writing."
He invited several friends to dine with them, and be presentat the recital of the history of the exodus from Egypt, in conformity with Biblical injunction, and attended the morning service each day in the Synagogue, no further disturbance having taken place in the vicinity.
Wednesday, April 20th.—On his return from Divine worship in the morning, Lord Stratford de Redcliffe paid them a visit. He had been with Cardinal Antonelli, and had spoken about Sir Moses. From what had passed he believed that his Eminence would see Sir Moses if the latter called on him; and would also have no objection to his being presented to the Sovereign Pontiff, but the Cardinal would have public duties to perform after that day which would prevent his receiving anybody at all till after the holidays. His Lordship said "between four and five o'clock would be the best time to go to him." Sir Moses told his Lordship that he was prevented from riding that day, and the walk was too far for him, as he was already much fatigued with a walk to and from the Synagogue. His Lordship replied that he did not usually have his carriage out on a Sunday, but he should think it right to do so on such an occasion. Sir Moses mentioned that he would, with his permission, see Mr Odo Russell, and ask him to present him to his Eminence, when he was able to go to him, which he might do after seven this evening. His Lordship approved of this, and remained more than half an hour chatting. Sir Moses afterwards renewed the conversation about his mission. His Lordship said he believed the question of the Mortara case was considered as completely closed by his Eminence the Cardinal, and that it could not be re-opened after the discussion with the French Ambassador.
Sir Moses expressed himself truly thankful to Lord Stratford, for he was sure if it were in his power he would in every way promote the success of his mission, which, Sir Moses said, he had every reason to fear was quite hopeless.
After his Lordship had left, Mrs Chambers, the wife of Dr Chambers, and her sister Miss Maitland, paid Lady Montefiore a visit; also several gentlemen, whom Sir Moses met at her evening party. "All concur," Sir Moses says, "in the general opinion of the great amiability of the Prince of Wales." As Mrs Chambers remembered the circumstance of Sir Moses having sent her many years since some Passover biscuits, he promisedto send her some again, as he had brought with him a sufficient quantity from London. Many Christians like them very much.
I remember having once seen over the shop of a Passover biscuit baker in London an inscription on a shield to the effect that he had the distinguished honour of being appointed Passover biscuit baker to Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester.
The Jews in Rome, however, did not enjoy the Passover biscuits much that year, nor for that matter any other food.
The President of their community, Signor Samuel Alatri, paid Sir Moses a visit, and appeared much alarmed, apprehending another attack on his community. Sir Moses offered to sleep in the Ghetto, so little fear had he, but Signor Alatri preferred going to the French General.
Returning again to the Mortara case, Sir Moses writes:—
"Early this morning I sent a note to Mr Odo Russell, requesting to have an interview with him. He replied by note that he would call on me at half-past ten, which he did. I showed him Baron Rothschild's telegram, enquiring as to the progress in the Mortara affair. He said, in reply to it, I might make any use of his name that I thought might be of service to my cause, as he felt most anxious to do all in his power to help me. I then mentioned the conversation I had had with Lord Stratford de Redcliffe yesterday, pointing out that it was his Lordship's impression that Cardinal Antonelli would have no objection to see me if I called on him. I therefore asked Mr Russell's opinion as to whether I should call on his Eminence, and if so, whether he would be so good as to introduce me to him. Mr Russell said Lord Stratford was intimate with the Cardinal, and it would perhaps be better if his Lordship would introduce me, but he thought perhaps I should wait for the answer of Monsignor Pacca before seeing the Cardinal. I then asked him if he thought I should leave my card. This he approved, and said he would see Monsignor Pacca, and find out how the matter stood, and would also converse with Lord Stratford concerning Cardinal Antonelli. He thought the Sovereign Pontiff would see me after the holidays."At four I rode, with my dear wife, to the Vatican, where his Holiness resides. On the floor above are the apartments of Cardinal Antonelli. I had to ascend 190 steps, a most splendid marble staircase. The steps were easy to ascend, being very broad and low. The person in waiting took my card, and enquired if I wished to see his Eminence. This, I said, I hoped to do some other day. I then drove to the Palazzo Colonna and left my card for the French Ambassador, to whom we are all so much indebted for his most zealous endeavours on behalf of young Mortara."
"Early this morning I sent a note to Mr Odo Russell, requesting to have an interview with him. He replied by note that he would call on me at half-past ten, which he did. I showed him Baron Rothschild's telegram, enquiring as to the progress in the Mortara affair. He said, in reply to it, I might make any use of his name that I thought might be of service to my cause, as he felt most anxious to do all in his power to help me. I then mentioned the conversation I had had with Lord Stratford de Redcliffe yesterday, pointing out that it was his Lordship's impression that Cardinal Antonelli would have no objection to see me if I called on him. I therefore asked Mr Russell's opinion as to whether I should call on his Eminence, and if so, whether he would be so good as to introduce me to him. Mr Russell said Lord Stratford was intimate with the Cardinal, and it would perhaps be better if his Lordship would introduce me, but he thought perhaps I should wait for the answer of Monsignor Pacca before seeing the Cardinal. I then asked him if he thought I should leave my card. This he approved, and said he would see Monsignor Pacca, and find out how the matter stood, and would also converse with Lord Stratford concerning Cardinal Antonelli. He thought the Sovereign Pontiff would see me after the holidays.
"At four I rode, with my dear wife, to the Vatican, where his Holiness resides. On the floor above are the apartments of Cardinal Antonelli. I had to ascend 190 steps, a most splendid marble staircase. The steps were easy to ascend, being very broad and low. The person in waiting took my card, and enquired if I wished to see his Eminence. This, I said, I hoped to do some other day. I then drove to the Palazzo Colonna and left my card for the French Ambassador, to whom we are all so much indebted for his most zealous endeavours on behalf of young Mortara."
In the evening Signor Tagliacozzo came in to report on two other attempts made by some of the Roman populace to cause trouble to the Hebrew community. In two different Synagogues, he said, arrangements had been made to hide a child there, with a view of raising the alarm outside the moment the door should be closed, and then falling upon the Jews and accusing them ofintended murder. "By the mercy of heaven," he said, "these plans were frustrated, and in each case the lost child was found."
"The director of the police," he continued, "sent to the President of the Deputies of the Jews at Rome, and informed him of the discovery of the missing children." Meanwhile many of the Jews had been afraid to pursue their daily avocations in the city, several having been ill-treated by the ignorant people, who pelted them with stones, injuring two or three very severely. Signor Tagliacozzo observed that the Jews had had a miraculous escape, for on the beadle closing the doors of one of the Synagogues on Friday evening last he observed a child under a seat in one of the corners, as if asleep. He turned the child out, but could get no satisfactory explanation as to how he came into the Synagogue, or why he remained after all the people had left.
About half-an-hour after the beadle had locked up the Synagogue, the people in the Jewish quarter were alarmed by the noise of a concourse of women and children, and some men, with officers of the police, saying that the Jews had concealed in the Synagogue or house adjoining a Christian child, to sacrifice it and use its blood in their Passover cakes. The woman whose child was supposed to be stolen shrieked dreadfully, and led the officers of the justice, in the first instance, to the house, and then to the Synagogue, to the very spot where the child had been found. Had the beadle not seen the child, as no doubt was the expectation of those who hatched the plot, the lives of hundreds of innocent persons would have been sacrificed. In another Synagogue a child endeavoured to enter on a Friday evening, when all the service was over and the doors were being locked, but was fortunately also discovered by the beadle, and driven away.
Rome is not the only place in these States where endeavours have been made to excite hatred against the Jews on the old base and wicked charge of eating human blood. At Sinigallia, near Ancona, a woman went to the police, saying she had escaped being murdered by the Jews, and the ignorant populace threatened the poor Jews with vengeance, and the place was in great agitation. All this is scarcely to be believed, but I have heard, though I can scarcely give credit to it, that this charge against the Jews is impressed upon the children at the several colleges. I myself believe that the colleges are free from thiscrime, and shall be glad to find that the common sense of the case is explained to the children.
The reader may well imagine how painfully these unfortunate occurrences must have affected the mind of both Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, and how disheartening it was to them to see the object of their mission becoming every day more hopeless. This, together with the very disquieting reports from England regarding the political state of Europe, and the feeble state of Lady Montefiore's health, made Sir Moses very anxious at receiving no reply from Monsignor Pacca. "I begin to think," he observed to his friends, "I shall get none."
Rome, April 27th.—Lady Montefiore was very unwell. Sir Moses continued in a state of great excitement. "I fear," he said, "there is little hope of an audience for me with the Sovereign Pontiff."
At about one o'clock Mr Odo Russell came. He drove Sir Moses to the Palazzo Colonna, the residence of the French Ambassador, the Duc de Grammont. The latter received them in a very friendly manner, and recounted to Sir Moses all he had done in the case of the boy Mortara, and said he was certain that all his efforts would be unavailing.
Rome, April 28th.—Mr Odo Russell accompanied Sir Moses on a visit to Cardinal Antonelli.
"His Eminence," Sir Moses writes in his Diary, "received us immediately. I told him the object of my coming to Rome, and of my disappointment at not being able to obtain an audience of the Pope to present to him the address of the Board of Deputies. Every endeavour I had made having failed, I had to request his Eminence to present it for me to the Sovereign Pontiff. I then gave him the address, and said, 'I would remain a week in Rome for an answer to it.' The Cardinal replied that 'it was impossible to do anything in the Mortara case, but that every precaution should be taken to prevent so unfortunate an occurrence for the future; that a child once baptised was a Christian, and as the Catholic Church considered that those of all others could not be saved, the child would not be given up until the age of seventeen or eighteen, when it would be free to follow its own inclinations. In the meantime the parents should have free access to the child, it should be well educated and taken care of, but the law of the Church prevented its beinggiven back to the parents, He alluded to an order that Jews should not have Catholic servants, as any conscientious woman might, from pious motives, seeing a child dangerously ill and apprehending its death, baptise it, she at the time believing that it could not be otherwise saved in the event of its death.' I said, 'As we were all the children of one God, it was deeply to be lamented that we could not dwell together in peace.' He again alluded to the laws of the Church.
"On my expressing a hope to receive a reply to the address from the Pope, he said: 'No reply had been given to similar memorials from Holland, Germany, and France.' He gave an assurance of goodwill towards the Israelites in the Papal States.
"The Cardinal was most courteous, made me sit by his side on the sofa, and very cordially shook me by the hand, both when Mr Odo Russell introduced me to him and on my withdrawing after our interview.
"On leaving the Vatican, Mr Russell rode with me to our house, and repeated to Lady Montefiore all that had passed, when we drew up a telegram, which he approved, and I forwarded it to London for the Board of Deputies, and to inform the Lord Mayor, the Chief Rabbi, Baron Rothschild, and Sir Culling Eardly."
Rome, April 29th.—Sir Moses called on Dr Chalmers, and met His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales on the staircase, with Colonel the Hon. R. Bruce and Major Teesdale. The Prince graciously stopped to shake hands with him. Sir Moses then called on Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, who thought Sir Moses should make yet another effort to see the Pope.
Rome, April 30th.—On his way home from the Synagogue he went to Mr Odo Russell, being anxious to see him, as he was extremely desirous, in accordance with Lord Redcliffe's advice, to make another effort to see the Sovereign Pontiff; but Mr Russell had just gone out. "The English," Sir Moses writes, "are all taking their departure. It is reported that hostilities have actually commenced between Piedmont and Austria; also that 14,000 Tuscan troops have gone over to Piedmont, and the Grand Duke fled to Bologna. The Prince of Wales, it is said, will leave on Monday next."
Rome, May 1st.—"Unpleasant reports," says the Diary, "are in circulation to-day regarding the state of the political world.Some feeling, it is said, has been evinced in several Colleges. It is expected that the greatest part of the French troops will leave Rome. My companions are all very anxious that we should return to England."
Rome, May 5th.—Sir Moses gave the order to engage berths in theVesuviusfrom Civita Vecchia, having to pay double fare from Naples to Marseilles in consequence of the great number of people anxious to embark. He called on Lord de Redcliffe, and remained with him for a full hour, conversing on the Mortara subject and the plans which might lead to the possibility of prevailing upon the Pope to restore the child to his parents.
Rome, May 6th.—Cards were left by him at the Vatican for Cardinal Antonelli, and farewell visits paid to his friends. In the evening, while attending Divine Service, he witnessed an attempt made by a Roman recruit to create a disturbance in the Synagogue. "The man," Sir Moses says, "was pushed out, and the doors locked till the end of the service." Nothing further occurred, but the city was full of disagreeable reports. "War, war, war," was the general cry. "I was quite knocked up," he continues, "and obliged to lie down for some time."
Rome, May 10th.—Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore left Rome. "I thank, bless, and praise the God of my fathers," Sir Moses said, "for bringing me and my dear wife in safety out of Rome; and may He bring us in improved health to old England and our relatives and friends."
On proceeding to the railway station they met Mr Odo Russell on his way to take leave of them. They stopped the carriage and had a few minutes' chat. "It is some satisfaction," Sir Moses writes in his Diary, "that all whom I had consulted in the Mortara case agreed in opinion that I could do nothing more, and that, in the present state of things, my remaining at Rome would in no way be useful or desirable." "This journey and mission," he says, "has been, on many accounts, a painful and sad trial of patience, and, I may truly add, of perseverance, but our God is in Heaven, and no doubt He has permitted that which will prove a disappointment to our friends, &c., and is a grief to us, for the best and wisest purposes. Blessed be His name!"
Footnotes[3]Probably Passover biscuits, which Sir Moses was in the habit of sending sometimes to his friends who expressed a desire of having them.
Footnotes[3]Probably Passover biscuits, which Sir Moses was in the habit of sending sometimes to his friends who expressed a desire of having them.
Footnotes
[3]Probably Passover biscuits, which Sir Moses was in the habit of sending sometimes to his friends who expressed a desire of having them.
[3]Probably Passover biscuits, which Sir Moses was in the habit of sending sometimes to his friends who expressed a desire of having them.