CHAPTER XV.1861.
AFFAIRS IN SYRIA—LORD PALMERSTON'S ADVICE—DEATH OF THE DUCHESS OF KENT—ACQUITTAL OF ONE OF THE ACCUSED JEWS AT DAMASCUS—FAVOURABLE NEWS FROM MOLDAVIA—DEATH OF THE PRINCE CONSORT.
DURING the first part of the year 1861 Sir Moses continued to give attention to various pursuits of a financial, communal, and political character, and devoted much time to the interests of the Syrian Relief Fund. A report of Fuad Pasha, Governor of Damascus, on the discontinuance of persecutions in that place, forwarded to him by the Foreign Office, contributed greatly to increase his gratitude to the British Government for their intercession, and later on a revival of the scheme for the construction of a railway from Jaffa to Jerusalem prompted him again to take a prominent part in the exertions of a Committee appointed for that purpose.
When Count Pizzamano originally asked Sir Moses to co-operate with him in his plans for making a high road between those two places, the latter feared that being no longer in the vigour of life, he would be unable to devote himself to a scheme which required much assiduity to ensure a successful issue, but circumstances were now different; and, impressed with the idea that a great benefit might accrue from it to the people in Palestine, as well as to the sufferers in Syria, he set to work with a view of meeting in this respect the wishes of the Syrian Relief Committee.
February 17th.—Sir Culling Eardly called on him, and was anxious for Sir Moses to accompany him to Lord Palmerston respecting the growing of cotton in Syria. Sir Moses complied with his wish, and they went there together. The point to which they most directed the attention of LordPalmerston was, protection of life and property, and they suggested that about one thousand British marines should be stationed at St Jean d'Acre. Their simple presence would be sufficient for the purpose. But Lord Palmerston said, "How could we send troops when we are requiring the French to leave?" He agreed that the people employed might appoint a police of their own, and related an anecdote of an Englishman having fired a shot and struck a man one thousand yards distant, and this so completely intimidated a large body of men that they all ran away. Lord Palmerston's opinion respecting a division of the Druses and Christians agreed with that of Sir Moses, though it was contrary to the opinions of Lord Stratford de Redcliffe and Sir Culling Eardly. He said the Turkish Government were strong enough to secure the tranquillity of the country. Fuad Pasha had sufficient men, but the foreign troops must leave the country before perfect tranquillity could be restored. The Turkish Government were extremely poor at that time. The army had not been paid for eighteen months, except the soldiers in Syria, who were more fortunate, having only six months pay due to them. The army was badly clothed and fed; the customs revenue was pledged for the next three months, and there was no money in the treasury.
Sir Culling Eardly repeated to him, that Manchester would give the Syrian Committee seeds and plants for the cultivation of cotton in Syria, but they would give no capital unless there was a guarantee against persecution. The result of their long interview was his Lordship's determination to have the French troops withdrawn from Syria, and not to have any British force introduced there.
After leaving Lord Palmerston they drove to Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, and informed him of what had just passed. Lord Stratford thought that the Porte had a sufficient force to keep order in Syria, and that the presence of the French did not promote the tranquillity of the country.
February 18th.—There was a consultation between Dr Hodgkin and Sir Charles Locock respecting the state of Lady Montefiore's health. As the spring season was generally severe in England, Sir Charles advised, but did not order, her to go to Hyères, on the coast of France. He thought the mild climate would be advantageous, and would mitigate the pain occasionedby her complaint. "I must not make any further delay," Sir Moses says, "but hope with the blessing of heaven, to leave England on Tuesday, the 26th of February, for Hyères; it is only a few hours distant from London."
February 24th.—Being the Fast of Esther, Sir Moses attended divine service in the ancient Synagogue at Bevis Marks, and distributed numerous gifts among the pupils attending the Portuguese schools and their masters.
After his return to Park Lane, Sir Culling Eardly called on him respecting the Mortara case. "In a few days," he said, "Victor Emanuel will be declared King of Italy, and immediately acknowledged in England." Sir Culling desired to be prepared with a requisition to the Lord Mayor for a public meeting, to be held at the Mansion House, to take measures for the restoration of the child Mortara to its parents. He proposed to send a deputation to the Emperor of the French and to the King of Sardinia. He had no doubt that Lord John Russell would give his support to such a movement.
Sir Culling further said to Sir Moses, that the French troops would leave Rome very shortly, and that city would have a garrison of six thousand Sardinian soldiers. When that took place, he was sure Mortara would be released without any action on his part; but Sir Culling wished the English to have the merit of obtaining the boy's freedom.
Sir Moses promised soon to convene a meeting of the Mortara Committee.
February 27th.—He attended a meeting of the Executive Committee of the British Syrian Relief Fund, Lord Stratford de Redcliffe in the chair. Colonel Burnaby, attached to Her Majesty's Commission in Syria, and a member of the Beyrout Committee, gave a most unfavourable account of the state of the East. The Druses were in the deepest distress, and it did not appear likely that for the moment anything could be done for the cultivation of cotton.
March 16th.—"We have learned with deep and sincere regret," Sir Moses writes, "the death of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, from whom we had received great kindness during her residence at Ramsgate with our gracious Queen. I heartily grieve for her loss."
April 25th.—Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore went to Ramsgatein an invalid carriage, in hopes that the change of air would prove beneficial to Lady Montefiore; but on the 20th of May they were again in town. "Restless nights and great weakness" had often been reported to her medical attendants whilst she was at East Cliff Lodge, and Sir Moses was very anxious about her.
June 6th.—He was much gratified by a letter from Damascus, to the effect that one of his co-religionists, Mordecai Ashkenazi, so long in prison on the charge of murder, committed during the outbreak the previous year, had been acquitted after a long trial before the Extraordinary Tribunal, and the verdict approved by Fuad Pasha. Sir Moses at once wrote letters to his friends and the Board of Deputies, suggesting the propriety of their acquainting Lord John Russell and the Turkish Ambassador with the news.
Lady Montefiore, being desirous of attending divine service in her own Synagogue at Ramsgate, on the anniversary of its dedication, as well as that of their marriage, she left town with Sir Moses for East Cliff, where they arrived safely. A few days later they returned to town; and being most anxious to visit again a place where, in early life, they had spent many happy hours, they drove to Smithem Bottom.
"On our arrival," Sir Moses says, "my dear Judith and myself said our afternoon prayers; and I read to her, before we took dinner, a chapter in the Pentateuch intended to be read next Sabbath in the Synagogue." "Smithem Bottom," he continues, "appears to me to be the same quiet place it was half-a-century ago. It was ever to me a caution against ambition, and has led me to esteem independence far beyond riches.
"At this place man appeared to want but little. With peace and content, and the quietness of the place, which afforded us the opportunity of keeping the Sabbaths undisturbed by the fluctuations which were at that period daily taking place in London from the vicissitudes of the war, endeared Smithem Bottom to my dear Judith and myself far beyond every other place we have ever seen, excepting Jerusalem and East Cliff. At all these places we have been able to enjoy the comfort and happiness of our holy religion.
"Fifty years have made a great change in the inhabitants of the place. At least, when I reflect on the withdrawal from thisworld of so many dear friends, who had partaken with me of the happiness of its old host and hostess! How many friends are now in heaven who had passed happy hours with us! However, we cannot be sufficiently thankful to God for His bountiful mercy and goodness. May He guard and protect us, even beyond death. We cannot expect to be able to revisit Smithem Bottom very often, but truly grateful are we for having been permitted to see it once more."
The sentiments expressed here by Sir Moses appear to have been due to the presentiment of an event which he apprehended might soon deprive him of the happiness of coming to this place again with Lady Montefiore. But he would not permit his cheerful temper, in her presence, to be depressed; and both returned to Park Lane highly pleased with their visit.
Lady Montefiore passed a good night, and Sir Moses, finding that she did not feel too fatigued, resolved to leave Park Lane for Ramsgate.
He gave orders accordingly to have all the necessary preparations made, so as to be able to leave Park Lane for the season on the 21st June.
June 22nd.—We find them at East Cliff Lodge, a number of friends and relatives, together with some emissaries from foreign countries, for several months affording them pleasure and occupation.
July 25th.—A special messenger arrived from Jerusalem with despatches from the heads of the Hebrew congregations. The English Consul had sent certain notices to be made public to the Jews in Jerusalem and Hebron, the tenor of which, the messenger feared, was to weaken, and, if possible, destroy the influence and power of the Spiritual Heads over their congregation. Sir Moses lost no time in attending to the request of his brethren. He addressed a letter to the Consul; and, on the 17th of December was in possession of a satisfactory explanation from the British Consul in Jerusalem and the British Consul at Damascus. Soon after fresh complaints were made by the representatives of the Hebrew community, in consequence of which Sir Moses convened a meeting of the Board of Deputies, where it was resolved to address Lord John Russell on the subject.
December 15th.—In the early days of December of this yearpublic interest was absorbed in the illness of the Prince Consort. Sir Moses' Diaries testify to the grief and anxiety with which he received the more and more gloomy reports of the progress of the fatal malady which were given to the world. On the day after the Prince's death he writes: "It was whispered that most unhappy intelligence had been received at Ramsgate regarding the Prince Consort, and I could not rest without going myself to Ramsgate. Alas, I found on my arrival the unhappy news but too true. We have lost a great and good Prince; our beloved and gracious Queen the best of husbands; her children the best of fathers. He was amiable, benevolent, and most liberal as regards religious freedom to all. We have lost a great friend. It is to England and to Englishmen a great and sudden calamity. May the Almighty, in His mercy, comfort and support our beloved Sovereign; grant her length of days, with peace, and guard her from all misfortunes.
December 17th.—Sir Moses had the satisfaction of being informed at the Foreign Office that a letter had been sent to the British Consul at Jerusalem ordering the withdrawal of the notices of the British Consul.
On the same occasion he was also informed that the prayer of the Jews in Moldavia had been considered by the British Government, and that Mr Green, the British Consul in Bucharest, would no doubt attend to Lord John Russell's instructions in their favour.
December 23rd.—He and Lady Montefiore attended a special service at their Synagogue, the reading desk being covered with black cloth—"The only symbol of mourning," Sir Moses says, "we ever had in our Synagogue."
"The loss of his late Royal Highness the Prince Consort," he continues, "is felt by every one as a great domestic loss. He was respected and beloved by all the nation, and all Her Majesty's subjects participate in her grief.
"I can never forget the courtesy evinced by the lamented Prince when I had the honour of being both at Osborne and Windsor."
December 31st.—Lady Montefiore had a most restless night, and her state of health appeared so unfavourable to Sir Moses that he could not make up his mind to leave her, though he felt a great desire to attend a meeting at the Alliance Marine, wherehe had to propose to the shareholders some important measures for the benefit of the company.
Lady Montefiore, ever anxious to see him accomplish his intentions, advised him to go, and he, though with much pain and great hesitation, went to town. In the evening, in reply to a telegram he sent to Ramsgate, he had the happiness of being informed that Lady Montefiore was much better and more comfortable, and would be happy to see him on the morrow.
In token of gratitude to heaven for this good news, and the accomplishment of the object he had in view by attending the meetings, he terminated the civil year by making generous presents to several persons in need of help, and giving to one of them £500 to enable him to establish himself in business.
Lady Montefiore's great weakness continued to cause great anxiety at the beginning of 1862. Frequent consultations of her medical attendants often alarmed Sir Moses, and deep sorrow clouded his mind. Nevertheless, at her frequent and urgent requests, not to discontinue attending to his usual pursuits on her account, he went to town whenever he thought his presence there might help some good cause.
January 14th.—Sir Moses attended a large meeting in the Egyptian Hall at the Mansion House, to propose a Memorial to the late Prince Consort. Lord Stratford de Redcliffe was present. A committee was appointed to carry the proposal into effect. Sir Moses gave, in his and Lady Montefiore's name, £52, 10s. as a contribution towards the amount required. Subsequently he attended a meeting of the Board of Deputies, where Alderman Phillips presented a letter of apology from Messrs Chambers, the editors and publishers of "Chambers's Journal," for having published, on the 14th of September 1861, a tale entitled "The Mystery of Metz," calculated to leave on the mind of the reader a most erroneous impression regarding the religious ceremonials of the Jewish people, thus bringing an unpleasant matter to a happy conclusion.[4]
February 24th.—General Chesney and Sir John McNeil called on him at the Alliance, and requested him to be the chairman of the proposed railway between Jaffa and Jerusalem, which hedeclined. He consented, however, to his name being added to the scheme as a patron.
February 25th.—Attended a meeting of the Syrian Improvement Committee, Lord Clanricarde, Sir Culling Eardly, Mr Freeland, and several other members being present. They agreed to give £300 towards the building of an hospital at Beyrout, by the order of St John, under the Prussian Government, and £50 for the translation into Arabic of some useful instructions, to be inserted in the newspaper published at Beyrout. Lord Clanricarde and Mr Freeland were to inquire into the practicability of making an artesian well at Jerusalem. The fund still left that day at the disposal of the Committee was about £2700.
Footnotes[4]TheDaily News, Thursday, 31st October 1861,published an interesting letter on the subject, addressed to theEditor by T. Theodores of Manchester.
Footnotes[4]TheDaily News, Thursday, 31st October 1861,published an interesting letter on the subject, addressed to theEditor by T. Theodores of Manchester.
Footnotes
[4]TheDaily News, Thursday, 31st October 1861,published an interesting letter on the subject, addressed to theEditor by T. Theodores of Manchester.
[4]TheDaily News, Thursday, 31st October 1861,published an interesting letter on the subject, addressed to theEditor by T. Theodores of Manchester.