CHAPTER XIV.1860.
APPEAL FROM THE JEWS OF DAMASCUS——LORD JOHN RUSSELL'S ACTION——THE MORTARA CASE AGAIN——SERIOUS ILLNESS OF LADY MONTEFIORE.
HAVING given the reader a copy of the letter Sir Moses wrote to theTimes, pleading the cause of his Christian brethren when persecuted by the Druses and Mohammedans, he will probably read with equal interest a copy of the letter he addressed to Lord John Russell, pleading the cause of his Jewish brethren, accompanied by a translation of the original Hebrew letter from the representatives of the Jewish community.
"East Cliff Lodge, Ramsgate,October 16th."My Lord,—With painful reluctance I submit to your Lordship the accompanying translation of a letter from the heads of the Jewish community at Damascus."There can be no doubt whatever that the Jewish body of that city is guiltless of any participation in the recent outbreak, and I venture to believe that your Lordship requires no argument to satisfy your mind on this point."May I entreat your Lordship, as heretofore, to exercise the powerful influence of Her Majesty's Government to protect and save the Jews of Damascus from the perils to which they are so imminently exposed? As the affair is urgent, I venture personally to attend your Lordship with this letter and its enclosure.—I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's faithful and obedient servant,"Moses Montefiore.""ToThe Right Hon.Lord John Russell, &c."Copy of enclosure."ToSirMoses Montefiore, Bt., our Benefactor and Deliverer, whommay God long preserve, &c."We had the honour to address you a letter in the course of last month, in which we spoke of the enmity of the Christians towards the Jews here in Damascus, which has risen up in addition to all former hatred."Now a great, bitter, and intense jealousy fills their hearts, by reason that they have been murdered, plundered, and maltreated, whereas against all the children of Israel not a dog moved his tongue. Our hearts were then moved as the sea, least, by reason of this bitter hatred and jealousy, false accusations should be brought against us. We therefore besought you to aid us by obtaining instructions from the English Government to the Consuls, Generals, and Commanders who come to Syria; also from the TurkishGovernment to His Highness Fuad Pasha that he should stand by us, and not be ready to receive malicious reports against the Jews, for His Highness is a just and upright man."Now we have to inform you that since the commencement of the month of Ellul (August) the Christians have been plotting and preparing false and malicious accusations against us; many of us have been thrown into prison, and falsely accused of having participated in the massacre. The Christians are believed in their statements, when they say, 'So and so killed some one.' That person is thereupon immediately brought before the tribunal. Testimony of honourable men among the Turks is not received when they declare that the accused was in their house during the tumult. Even the evidence of Christians is not believed when they bear witness to the Jews having been hidden with themselves, and their not having parted from each other during the whole outbreak. Even should the accused himself testify anything in favour of an accused Israelite, it is not attended to."A woman accused a certain Jew, who she thought had killed her husband; she was asked to swear according to her own faith that the accused was the man. She refused to swear, and asked the Jew to swear by the law of Moses that he had not done it so that he might go free, but the tribunal would not listen thereto. Even the testimony of our Chief Rabbi has been rejected."The Jews still remain in prison, and one has since died in his dungeon from the effects of terror."Oh, Sir! consider only for a moment the fearful consequences of innocent Jews being thrown into prison with murderers, when all the testimony and proof that they may bring forward will not aid in their deliverance."We know not, therefore, what is to become of the people of Israel when the Christians see that there is no hope for Israel; that false accusations against them are listened to; but that to the voice of Israel there is none to give ear or reply, none to pity or compassionate."Indeed those who rose against the Christians and killed them are not judged according to the ordinary laws of the land, nor is evidence taken in the usual manner; but there has been established what is termed an 'extraordinary tribunal.' Now it appears that it is intended to judge the Jews also by this tribunal, and to condemn them to death upon the mere word of the Christians. This is indeed a great and bitter calamity. How is it possible to compare the condition of the Jews to that of those who rose up against the Christians? Were not the Jews themselves during that terrible time in the greatest fear and danger? Surely there was but a step betwixt us and death. Most of the Jews hid themselves in the houses of respectable Turks, in cellars and in caves, in company with Christians."Is it possible to suppose that one who was in momentary fear for his own life should rise up to kill another? Reason and common sense testify against it. God forbid that such a thought should enter the mind of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen of England or her Government—a queen whose justice and mercy is as that of the kingdom of heaven, and for whose prosperity, honour, and glory we the congregation of Damascus have prayed these twenty years."We have gratefully to acknowledge the great mercy, kindness, and benevolence Her Most Gracious Majesty showed us in former troubles. May she long reign in peace, happiness, and prosperity."In this trouble also do we lay our supplications before Her Majesty, beseeching her to have pity and compassion upon poor afflicted Israel in Damascus, who only desire her aid and support and all powerful influence, that the imprisoned Jews may have a fair trial before the ordinary tribunal in accordance with the well-known custom of the country, for Israel bothyoung and old are wholly guiltless in this matter, and free from the crime of shedding blood,"Truly this is a time of great trouble and distress, for every Jew dwelling in Damascus is in continual dread of being accused, for there is none to say unto the Christians, 'Why do ye thus?' It has been openly declared by some of them that they will grant Israel neither peace nor rest."Already they have begun to conspire against the best, the most honourable and esteemed of our community, viz., the well-known Jacob Abulaffia and Solomon Farchi, son of the late Isaac Hyam Farchi (of whose hospitality you partook on your visit to Damascus), a youth fourteen years of age, and only son of his father's house."A certain Christian declared that his father was killed between the two houses of the above-named parties. Were not the Lord on our side what would become of us? The accused being under French protection, the French and Greek Consuls prevented this case being brought before the 'Extraordinary Tribunal,' but had it heard before the two Consuls. The Lord brought his innocence to light. May God save those who uphold His Law from such fearful machinations!"And on what was the whole accusation based? If a man had been found slain in the highway at the time of the rising of the mob, when all the streets of the Christians, as well as the streets of the Jews and Turks, which are near each other, were filled with the slain, was it in the power of man to prevent a murder from being committed before his own house? Would the ruffians have had any regard? Who should tell them not to murder all who stood in their way? Were the lives of the Jews themselves then secure?"Wherefore we beseech you to have compassion upon us, to put forth your right hand to save us, to answer us, as the Most Holy—blessed be He—shall direct and prepare the way for you. 'Behold it is a time of trouble unto Jacob, oh, that he be saved out of it!' Our hope is in you, that salvation may come through your means, to obtain the influence of the English Government, as well as that of the French and Turkish, with His Highness. Fuad Pasha, who is an upright judge; also that instructions may be sent to the English Consul in Damascus, so that the Jews may not be confounded with those who rose up in rebellion."You are our Father; hasten to help us. As you have been our former deliverer, so save us now, and compassionately be the means of frustrating their evil devices, so that it may be said of our troubles, and the troubles of all Israel, 'It is enough,' and redeem us with an everlasting redemption. Amen."Attached are the signatures of the Rabbins, the elders; and the most worthy of the congregation of Damascus, who anxiously await your answer."Hyam Romano.Nahum Lusano.David Harpy.Isaac Kalon.Menahem Farchi.Raphael Halevi.Jacob Halevi.Isaac Maimon.Jacob Peretz.Aaron Jacob.""Damascus,7th Tishri 5621 (1860, September 23rd)."
"East Cliff Lodge, Ramsgate,October 16th.
"My Lord,—With painful reluctance I submit to your Lordship the accompanying translation of a letter from the heads of the Jewish community at Damascus.
"There can be no doubt whatever that the Jewish body of that city is guiltless of any participation in the recent outbreak, and I venture to believe that your Lordship requires no argument to satisfy your mind on this point.
"May I entreat your Lordship, as heretofore, to exercise the powerful influence of Her Majesty's Government to protect and save the Jews of Damascus from the perils to which they are so imminently exposed? As the affair is urgent, I venture personally to attend your Lordship with this letter and its enclosure.—I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's faithful and obedient servant,
"Moses Montefiore."
"ToThe Right Hon.Lord John Russell, &c."
Copy of enclosure.
"ToSirMoses Montefiore, Bt., our Benefactor and Deliverer, whommay God long preserve, &c.
"We had the honour to address you a letter in the course of last month, in which we spoke of the enmity of the Christians towards the Jews here in Damascus, which has risen up in addition to all former hatred.
"Now a great, bitter, and intense jealousy fills their hearts, by reason that they have been murdered, plundered, and maltreated, whereas against all the children of Israel not a dog moved his tongue. Our hearts were then moved as the sea, least, by reason of this bitter hatred and jealousy, false accusations should be brought against us. We therefore besought you to aid us by obtaining instructions from the English Government to the Consuls, Generals, and Commanders who come to Syria; also from the TurkishGovernment to His Highness Fuad Pasha that he should stand by us, and not be ready to receive malicious reports against the Jews, for His Highness is a just and upright man.
"Now we have to inform you that since the commencement of the month of Ellul (August) the Christians have been plotting and preparing false and malicious accusations against us; many of us have been thrown into prison, and falsely accused of having participated in the massacre. The Christians are believed in their statements, when they say, 'So and so killed some one.' That person is thereupon immediately brought before the tribunal. Testimony of honourable men among the Turks is not received when they declare that the accused was in their house during the tumult. Even the evidence of Christians is not believed when they bear witness to the Jews having been hidden with themselves, and their not having parted from each other during the whole outbreak. Even should the accused himself testify anything in favour of an accused Israelite, it is not attended to.
"A woman accused a certain Jew, who she thought had killed her husband; she was asked to swear according to her own faith that the accused was the man. She refused to swear, and asked the Jew to swear by the law of Moses that he had not done it so that he might go free, but the tribunal would not listen thereto. Even the testimony of our Chief Rabbi has been rejected.
"The Jews still remain in prison, and one has since died in his dungeon from the effects of terror.
"Oh, Sir! consider only for a moment the fearful consequences of innocent Jews being thrown into prison with murderers, when all the testimony and proof that they may bring forward will not aid in their deliverance.
"We know not, therefore, what is to become of the people of Israel when the Christians see that there is no hope for Israel; that false accusations against them are listened to; but that to the voice of Israel there is none to give ear or reply, none to pity or compassionate.
"Indeed those who rose against the Christians and killed them are not judged according to the ordinary laws of the land, nor is evidence taken in the usual manner; but there has been established what is termed an 'extraordinary tribunal.' Now it appears that it is intended to judge the Jews also by this tribunal, and to condemn them to death upon the mere word of the Christians. This is indeed a great and bitter calamity. How is it possible to compare the condition of the Jews to that of those who rose up against the Christians? Were not the Jews themselves during that terrible time in the greatest fear and danger? Surely there was but a step betwixt us and death. Most of the Jews hid themselves in the houses of respectable Turks, in cellars and in caves, in company with Christians.
"Is it possible to suppose that one who was in momentary fear for his own life should rise up to kill another? Reason and common sense testify against it. God forbid that such a thought should enter the mind of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen of England or her Government—a queen whose justice and mercy is as that of the kingdom of heaven, and for whose prosperity, honour, and glory we the congregation of Damascus have prayed these twenty years.
"We have gratefully to acknowledge the great mercy, kindness, and benevolence Her Most Gracious Majesty showed us in former troubles. May she long reign in peace, happiness, and prosperity.
"In this trouble also do we lay our supplications before Her Majesty, beseeching her to have pity and compassion upon poor afflicted Israel in Damascus, who only desire her aid and support and all powerful influence, that the imprisoned Jews may have a fair trial before the ordinary tribunal in accordance with the well-known custom of the country, for Israel bothyoung and old are wholly guiltless in this matter, and free from the crime of shedding blood,
"Truly this is a time of great trouble and distress, for every Jew dwelling in Damascus is in continual dread of being accused, for there is none to say unto the Christians, 'Why do ye thus?' It has been openly declared by some of them that they will grant Israel neither peace nor rest.
"Already they have begun to conspire against the best, the most honourable and esteemed of our community, viz., the well-known Jacob Abulaffia and Solomon Farchi, son of the late Isaac Hyam Farchi (of whose hospitality you partook on your visit to Damascus), a youth fourteen years of age, and only son of his father's house.
"A certain Christian declared that his father was killed between the two houses of the above-named parties. Were not the Lord on our side what would become of us? The accused being under French protection, the French and Greek Consuls prevented this case being brought before the 'Extraordinary Tribunal,' but had it heard before the two Consuls. The Lord brought his innocence to light. May God save those who uphold His Law from such fearful machinations!
"And on what was the whole accusation based? If a man had been found slain in the highway at the time of the rising of the mob, when all the streets of the Christians, as well as the streets of the Jews and Turks, which are near each other, were filled with the slain, was it in the power of man to prevent a murder from being committed before his own house? Would the ruffians have had any regard? Who should tell them not to murder all who stood in their way? Were the lives of the Jews themselves then secure?
"Wherefore we beseech you to have compassion upon us, to put forth your right hand to save us, to answer us, as the Most Holy—blessed be He—shall direct and prepare the way for you. 'Behold it is a time of trouble unto Jacob, oh, that he be saved out of it!' Our hope is in you, that salvation may come through your means, to obtain the influence of the English Government, as well as that of the French and Turkish, with His Highness. Fuad Pasha, who is an upright judge; also that instructions may be sent to the English Consul in Damascus, so that the Jews may not be confounded with those who rose up in rebellion.
"You are our Father; hasten to help us. As you have been our former deliverer, so save us now, and compassionately be the means of frustrating their evil devices, so that it may be said of our troubles, and the troubles of all Israel, 'It is enough,' and redeem us with an everlasting redemption. Amen.
"Attached are the signatures of the Rabbins, the elders; and the most worthy of the congregation of Damascus, who anxiously await your answer.
"Damascus,7th Tishri 5621 (1860, September 23rd)."
"Foreign Office,October 24th, 1860."Sir,—I am directed by Lord John Russell to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th inst., enclosing a petition from the Jews at Damascus, praying for protection against the hostile proceedings of the Christians, by whom they have been falsely accused of having taken part in the late massacres."I am to state to you in reply that Her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinoplehas been instructed by telegraph to take immediate steps for the protection of the Jews, and that written instructions to the same effect will be sent to Sir Henry Bulwer, as well as to Her Majesty's Consular Agents at Beyrout and Damascus.—I am, Sir, your most obedient, humble servant,"C. Hammond.""SirMoses Montefiore, Bart., &c."
"Foreign Office,October 24th, 1860.
"Sir,—I am directed by Lord John Russell to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th inst., enclosing a petition from the Jews at Damascus, praying for protection against the hostile proceedings of the Christians, by whom they have been falsely accused of having taken part in the late massacres.
"I am to state to you in reply that Her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinoplehas been instructed by telegraph to take immediate steps for the protection of the Jews, and that written instructions to the same effect will be sent to Sir Henry Bulwer, as well as to Her Majesty's Consular Agents at Beyrout and Damascus.—I am, Sir, your most obedient, humble servant,
"C. Hammond."
"SirMoses Montefiore, Bart., &c."
"East Cliff Lodge, Ramsgate,October 26th."My Lord,—I cannot adequately convey to your Lordship the gratification afforded to me by your Lordship's esteemed communication of the 24th inst., informing me of the prompt and efficient measures taken by your Lordship for the protection of the Jews of Damascus."I feel assured that the energetic manner in which your Lordship has thrown the shield of the British Government over the Jewish community of that city will, under Providence, be the means of saving the lives of many innocent persons."The knowledge of this fact must afford your Lordship the highest satisfaction, and it is indeed a source of pride and triumph when, as in this case, the influence of the British Government is successfully exerted in the cause of humanity and justice."Believe me, my Lord, I am deeply impressed with your Lordship's kindness, which cannot fail to elicit the warmest sentiments of admiration and gratitude from the hearts of the whole Jewish body.—I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's faithful and obedient servant,"Moses Montefiore.""ToThe Right Hon.Lord John Russell, &c."
"East Cliff Lodge, Ramsgate,October 26th.
"My Lord,—I cannot adequately convey to your Lordship the gratification afforded to me by your Lordship's esteemed communication of the 24th inst., informing me of the prompt and efficient measures taken by your Lordship for the protection of the Jews of Damascus.
"I feel assured that the energetic manner in which your Lordship has thrown the shield of the British Government over the Jewish community of that city will, under Providence, be the means of saving the lives of many innocent persons.
"The knowledge of this fact must afford your Lordship the highest satisfaction, and it is indeed a source of pride and triumph when, as in this case, the influence of the British Government is successfully exerted in the cause of humanity and justice.
"Believe me, my Lord, I am deeply impressed with your Lordship's kindness, which cannot fail to elicit the warmest sentiments of admiration and gratitude from the hearts of the whole Jewish body.—I have the honour to be, my Lord, your Lordship's faithful and obedient servant,
"Moses Montefiore."
"ToThe Right Hon.Lord John Russell, &c."
The following letter from Mr Brant bears testimony, if any were needed, to the groundlessness of the charges against the Jews:—
"Damascus,October 16th."Sir,—In your letter of this day's date you ask me to state what I know of the behaviour of the Jewish community during the late outbreak against Christians."I know that many of the principal members took refuge in the houses of Mussulmans for fear of being massacred if they remained in their own. I do not know that any one of your nation has been proved to have been concerned in injuring the Christians. Some have been accused of doing so, and were detained in prison, but I begged his Excellency Fuad Pasha to have them fairly tried, and, if found innocent, to order their release, which, I believe, has been, or is on the point of being done."I am not aware that any Jew has behaved ill in this calamity, and the accusations I have heard seemed to be the result of prejudice and a malicious disposition, and not to be grounded on any established proof.—I have the honour to be, with respect, Sir, your obedient, humble servant,"James Brant.""ToJacob Screz, Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Congregation at Damascus.""I certify the above to be a true copy of the original letter."William H. Wrench,Acting Consul.""Damascus,October 19th."
"Damascus,October 16th.
"Sir,—In your letter of this day's date you ask me to state what I know of the behaviour of the Jewish community during the late outbreak against Christians.
"I know that many of the principal members took refuge in the houses of Mussulmans for fear of being massacred if they remained in their own. I do not know that any one of your nation has been proved to have been concerned in injuring the Christians. Some have been accused of doing so, and were detained in prison, but I begged his Excellency Fuad Pasha to have them fairly tried, and, if found innocent, to order their release, which, I believe, has been, or is on the point of being done.
"I am not aware that any Jew has behaved ill in this calamity, and the accusations I have heard seemed to be the result of prejudice and a malicious disposition, and not to be grounded on any established proof.—I have the honour to be, with respect, Sir, your obedient, humble servant,
"James Brant."
"ToJacob Screz, Chief Rabbi of the Jewish Congregation at Damascus.""I certify the above to be a true copy of the original letter."William H. Wrench,Acting Consul.""Damascus,October 19th."
Sir Moses also had letters prepared on the subject, which were to be forwarded to the Turkish Ambassador and Sir Culling Eardly, with copies of the Damascus letter, and a fewdays later Sir Culling sent him the copy of a letter he had written to Lord John Russell. It was an admirable and affecting appeal for his Lordship's intervention.
October 25th.—He received a most satisfactory reply to the letter he had addressed to Lord John Russell respecting the persecution of the Jews in Damascus. His Lordship had telegraphed to Constantinople, had sent instructions to Her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador at that place, and to the Consular Agents at Beyrout and Damascus, to take immediate steps for the protection of the Jews.
The next day Mr G. Kursheedt, who had gone to Jerusalem with instructions respecting the Juda Touro Almshouses, returned in safety from the Holy Land, and gave Sir Moses an account of the state of his co-religionists in Jerusalem. It was by no means unfavourable.
October 31st.—Sir Moses convened a meeting of Deputies of British Jews for the following Monday evening, to bring before them Sir Culling E. Eardly's letters respecting the boy Mortara, and it would rest with the Deputies, Sir Moses remarked, to say what part they would take with Sir Culling in his efforts to get young Mortara away from Rome.
November 7th.—Lady Montefiore passed a restless night. She had been very weak during the day, and somewhat feverish. The doctor came and saw her. He told Sir Moses they were making no progress, and he must determine at once to leave England within ten days, or make arrangements at Park Lane for the winter. "It would not do," he said, "for Sir Moses to be going to and from London every week."
Sir Moses was now in a state of great uneasiness. "Lady Montefiore," he says, "appears to me falling away." He hoped to leave England Thursday, the 15th, but, finding that Lady Montefiore had become worse, he determined at once to try the effect of a change to their house at Park Lane.
Sir Moses apprised Dr Hodgkin of the change in his plans, which would postpone their leaving England perhaps for a month or more.
The same day Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore left East Cliff for Park Lane. Soon after their arrival at the latter place, Sir Moses was told of the serious illness of Alderman Wire, his former Under Sheriff.
November 9th.—On sending to enquire after his health, he was greatly shocked and pained by the answer: "He expired this morning." Sir Moses most sincerely lamented his decease. A month later, he suffered another loss. "I heard with deep regret," he writes, "of the death of Sir George Carroll. He survived but a very short time the death of poor Alderman Wire. We acted with great harmony and friendship together during the whole time of our serving together the office of Sheriff; indeed we have been on terms of friendship, since I first knew him, more than fifty years ago."
Lady Montefiore continued very ill, requiring the consultations of Dr Hodgkin and Dr Rees.
December 15th.—The entry is, "I cannot make up my mind to leave England, and from day to day postpone positively fixing the time for our departure. At any rate," he says, "it now cannot be before the end of this month. May the God of Israel in His mercy direct us!"
December 17th.—The Rev. D. Cardall called on him from Sir Culling Eardly, saying he had received on the previous night a telegram from Paris, stating that the deputation from the "Alliance Israelite" would arrive in London on the following Wednesday evening; and Sir C. Eardly wished to know if a deputation from the Board of Deputies of the British Jews would join him and the gentlemen from Paris on Friday to wait on the Lord Mayor, to have a public meeting at the Mansion-House regarding the child "Mortara." Sir Moses told Mr Cardall that he would endeavour to have a meeting of the Deputies the next afternoon, and would let him know their decision.
It appears that the idea of the Board's acting conjointly with Sir Culling Eardly and his party with regard to a public meeting was not favourably entertained by some Deputies, who were apprehensive that strong language might be used against certain persons differing in religious views with Sir Culling, of which they could not approve. They had no objection of signing a temperately worded Memorial, jointly with the Christians, to the Emperor of the French, to pray for his influence with the Pope for the restoration of the child to his parents.
At the meeting which was held on the following day, a resolution was adopted to the effect, "That until the Board shall have had an opportunity of conferring with the deputation fromthe Alliance Israelite, for which purpose a meeting has been specially convened on Thursday next, it is unable to resolve upon any course of proceeding with reference to the Mortara case.
A preliminary meeting of Jews and Christians, however, was held at the Mansion House, on Friday, December 21st, to receive a deputation of the Universal Israelite Alliance from Paris. In consequence of the absence, on official business, of the Lord Mayor, Sir Culling Eardly took the chair. The subject having been introduced by the chairman, the meeting was addressed by Messieurs S. Carvalho (Ingénieur des Ponts et Chaussées), S. Cahen (Professeur à l'Ecole Normale), and N. Leven (Avocat à la Cour Impériale de Paris), constituting the deputation from France; by Messrs Isaacs (Member of the Board of Deputies of British Jews) and Hart (Member of the Board of Delegates of American Jews); and by Signor Fernandez, on the part of the Jews of Italy. It was stated that the Board of Deputies of the British Jews had met on the previous night to receive the French Deputies, but that, owing to the absence from illness of the President, Sir Moses Montefiore, the decision on the subject of Mortara had been deferred for a few days. After a long conversation, characterised by harmony of feeling, it was unanimously resolved—"That we, Christians and Jews of England, France, Italy, and America, having heard the views entertained by the Universal Israelite Alliance, concerning new efforts to be made for the restoration of the child Edgar Mortara to his parents, take this, the earliest, opportunity of putting upon record our united conviction that the cause is one which, at the right time, and in the use of right means, it is our duty to resume."
Sir Culling Eardly, addressing the editor of theTimes, under date of the 25th of December, writes: "Be so kind as to announce that arrangements are made for housing several thousands of the homeless fugitives of Syria in the Government buildings of St Jean d'Acre. Through the kind initiative of Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, President of the Committee, the rapid appeal to the Porte of Lord John Russell, and the zealous agency of Sir Henry Bulwer, this has been effected.
"Statesmen will not pass, nor their countrymen wish them a less 'Happy Christmas,' because they have been instrumental in gaining a shelter for the destitute at this inclement season.
"Let such kindness stir us all up to fresh efforts to feed, clothe, heal, and employ the sufferers!"
Sir Moses had every reason to be pleased with the result of the labours in which he was permitted to take so prominent a part, and he considered himself justified in entertaining the hope that, in the future, the communities of various religious creeds in Syria would live peaceably together.
The state of Lady Montefiore's health became with every day more unsatisfactory, and preyed very much on the mind of Sir Moses.