CHAPTER XXII.1866.
SIR MOSES' NARRATIVE CONTINUED—THE JERUSALEM WATER SUPPLY—SCHEME FOR ISOLATING LEPERS—DEPUTATION FROM SAFED—THE JEWS AND AGRICULTURE—UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS BY A PRETENDED AUSTRIAN CONSUL.
SIR MOSES continues his narrative as follows:—
"Wednesday morning, the 28th of March, at 10A.M., having been appointed for my first visit to his Excellency, Izzet Pasha, I proceeded to his palace, accompanied by Mr Consul Moore, Mr Sebag, and Dr Loewe, and was received by his Excellency with the greatest kindness and respect. In the course of my conversation with the Governor, the scarcity of water in the city was the subject more particularly adverted to, and his Excellency described the works he had benevolently originated and superintended, with the view of insuring a sufficient supply of that indispensable element. This important topic will be more particularly referred to in a subsequent part of this report. I will now only mention that the scheme which the Governor had designed, and had already begun to carry out, was to turn the three water reservoirs, generally known as the Pools of Solomon, into two reservoirs, and to increase the force of the fall of the waters from Urtas, in the vicinity of Etham into these pools, by which means it was expected that within a few weeks a plentiful supply of water would be secured to the city. The Governor, however, seemed to intimate that there were difficulties in the way, arising from the want of sufficient pecuniary means, and I thereupon considered that having regard to the extensive and permanent advantages, sanitary and otherwise, which would result from an adequate supply of water to the Holy City, I should be carrying out the intentions and wishes of the generous contributors to the Holy Land Relief Fund, and of your Honourable Board, by devoting a portion of the fund to this object. I placed, therefore, at the disposal of the Governor the aforementioned sum of £200 in the name of the donors to the Relief Fund, adding thereto £100 as my own individual contribution."The Governor likewise mentioned to me the desirability of the removal beyond the city gates of persons unhappily afflicted with leprosy, and that to provide a proper place for their reception would probably involve an expense of £1500. Although sensible of the beneficial consequences likely to result from the proposed plan, I did not consider myself justified in devoting to it any portion of the Relief Fund which had been entrusted to me, and therefore contented myself with contributing from my own private purse, £100, to serve as a nucleus for further subscriptions towards the required sum."During the conversation with his Excellency the Governor, I was muchpleased with the friendly sentiments he expressed towards our English Consul in Jerusalem. 'Not only,' said he, 'do I entertain the highest regard for Mr Moore in his capacity as representative of the English Government, but I consider him a valued friend, an enlightened statesman, and an accomplished scholar, in every respect deserving the regard and attachment of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.'"On Thursday, March 29th, hearing of the sufferings of the poor, and their inability to provide all the necessaries of life during the approaching festival, I forwarded £100 to the Háhám Báshi, for the poor of the Portuguese and Morocco communities, and I also transmitted the like sum to the representatives of the German congregation, for a similar purpose."During the first and second days of the Passover, I visited the Touro almshouses. I satisfied myself that the inmates were fully deserving of the advantages they were enjoying. These almshouses are situated in the most healthy part of the suburbs of the Holy City; scrupulous attention is paid to the preservation of order and cleanliness, and the inmates are cheerful and happy, devoting a portion of their time to religious observances and study; but nevertheless, not neglecting the following of industrial pursuits. I conversed with most of the inmates, who were mechanics, and found there was no hesitation or reluctance in doing the hardest work with the object of earning a sum, however small, towards their maintenance. The inmates apply themselves to a variety of trades."The evidences of the industrial activity of the Israelites afforded me much satisfaction. I was also gratified to observe the healthy appearance of themselves and their children, more especially as most of them are unable to incur the expense of providing themselves and their families with animal food, except on the Sabbath. These almshouses are so highly esteemed that even many inhabitants of the city seek permission for a short sojourn there, for the recovery of their health; and I even found that some of the back offices, only intended for lumber rooms, had been actually, though without my knowledge, appropriated as dwellings for several families."On Sunday, the 1st of April, the Governor of Jerusalem, accompanied by his officers, honoured me by returning my visit. On this occasion the condition of Jerusalem was fully and freely discussed; it was estimated that at least fifteen per cent. of the poorer population had been cut off by the cholera, the fearful ravages of which were mainly attributable to the confined and unhealthy dwellings of the poor, the insufficiency of water, and the impoverished state of the inhabitants."The Governor during this visit kindly gave me permission to erect an awning for the 'wailing place' near the western wall of the Temple, so as to afford shelter and protection from rain and heat to pious persons visiting this sacred spot."Monday, April 2nd, was the day which had been fixed for the reception of the representatives and spiritual heads of the several Congregations, and invitations had been previously sent to secure as full and complete a representation as possible. At the appointed time I had the satisfaction of finding that the invitation had been cordially responded to on all sides, and of seeing myself surrounded, in the presence of Dr Loewe and Mr and Mrs Sebag, by several hundreds of the most respectable of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. There was the Háhám Báshi, with the members of his Ecclesiastical Court; the Revs. Meyer Fanadjil and Benveniste, together with some of the most influential members of the Portuguese or Sephardim Congregation; the Rev. Samuel Salant and Meyer Auerbach of the Perooshim and Warsaw Congregations, and the Chief Rabbis of all the various communities almost without exception, as well as the representatives of all charitable institutions and colleges, with their officers."Having bid them a hearty welcome and expressed the delight I felt at being amongst them for the sixth time, I proceeded to observe that the object of my present visit was not so much that of rendering them momentary relief by the distribution of money amongst their poor, as to ascertain from them the most effectual measures which could be adopted by their friends in other parts of the world, whither my words might reach, in the hope of removing the real and more permanent causes of poverty amongst my brethren in the Holy Land. I concluded by assuring them of the ardent love I entertained for the holy territory and its pious inhabitants, and by entreating them to assist me freely and fully with all such advice and information as might directly or indirectly further the object and purpose of my mission."The Háhám Báshi was the first who, according to my request, proceeded to enlighten me with his views. The reverend gentleman said that, in his opinion, an increase in the number of proper dwellings for the poor, and occupation in agricultural pursuits, would be the safest remedy for securing the salubrity of the place and the comfort of its inhabitants. The gentlemen in his retinue, the Revs. Fanadjil and Benveniste, were of the same opinion; but, added the latter, the cause of their (the Sephardim's) great poverty was to a great extent the consequence of the heavy burden of debt which the Congregations had incurred, and were obliged to incur from time to time,—a burden which weighed most heavily on them. The Rev. Samuel Salant was next addressed, and he entirely endorsed the opinion of the Háhám Báshi. After attentively listening to all the speakers, I gathered that there was a general consensus of opinion that increased accommodation for the poor, providing them with remunerative occupation, the granting of facilities for leaving the Holy Land to those who were desirous of emigrating, the establishment of building and loan societies, and permission to open butchers' shops, were some of the most essential means that could be devised to alleviate the then distressful condition of the inhabitants."The representatives subsequently showed me documentary evidence to prove that, if a remittance of, say, £100, or 12,025 Egyptian piastres, is forwarded to Jerusalem (which is not a frequent occurrence), the average amount to which each recipient becomes entitled is about 4 piastres, or 8d sterling!Tuesday, April 3rd.—I appointed for the reception of a deputation from Safed, representing sixty families, numbering three hundred souls, all of whom most earnestly prayed to be afforded the means of devoting themselves to agriculture."The documents which they brought with them were accompanied by certificates from Mr J. Miklasiewicz, the Austrian Consul at Safed, who testifies to the sincerity of the wish expressed by these three hundred people; whereas in a publication of the Rev. Dr Macleod, to which I shall have soon more particularly to refer, the gentleman, who professed last year to be the Austrian Consul in the same city, is reported to have accused its Jewish inhabitants of 'being idle, lazy, and suspicious.' Of the other grave accusations contained in the same periodical, I shall speak at length in the sequel, and will now but point to the pregnant fact that the name of the Rev. Dr Macleod's informer, who professed to be the Austrian Consul at Safed, is stated by that rev. gentleman to be Mieroslowski, whereas I have clearly ascertained that no one bearing that name has filled the Consular Office in that city. In fact, one of two conclusions seems inevitable: either an almost miraculous change has within the period of one year come over the character of the Jews at Safed, or the Rev. Dr Macleod has been deceived by the story of an artful impostor; nor is it, perhaps, difficult to decide which of these two conclusions is the more probable. I need scarcely say that the certificatetransmitted to me by the actual Austrian Consul at Safed was a source of the highest gratification to me, and I am sure it will be so to yourself and all our brethren, who may have read the statement which Mieroslowski, or some one assumed to be holding the office of Austrian Consul, is said to have made in reference to the Jews at Safed."Applications for employment in agricultural pursuits were also about this time handed to me from the people of Tiberias and the Bokea: the latter suffered terribly during the last war or contest between Joseph Kareen and Daoud Pasha; their cattle, the produce of their fields, and all the property they had in their houses, and even their wives, having been forcibly taken away from them. I assisted them with a small amount, and promised to make their case known to my friends."On Wednesday, April 4th, believing that I should be rendering a service to the poor in the Holy Land by providing them with necessary funds for emigration from Jerusalem and its neighbourhood, I requested that the parties mentioned at the general meeting by some of the representatives of the congregations should be brought before me, and on this occasion I witnessed a scene which seems not unworthy of narration. At the appointed hour a young widow was introduced to me, apparently twenty or twenty-two years of age. Her husband had died recently from the cholera, leaving her with three children, the eldest five or six years, and the youngest three or four months old. The history of her own life was simply as follows:—She herself was left an orphan when of tender age, and was adopted as a foster daughter by a person who at present officiates gratuitously as a reader in a small synagogue. He happened to have another orphan in the house, a boy, and when both grew to what is called in the East a mature age, it seemed to him that a most suitable union might be formed between those two orphans, and accordingly they were married under the roof of this charitable man. After their marriage they maintained themselves respectably, and lived happily together until the husband fell under the fatal scourge of the cholera. The foster-father then provided a home for the destitute widow and her children. This consisted of one small room, which I had previously visited, when I was delighted with its cleanliness, as well as with the interesting appearance of the children. Having, among other matters, conferred with my co-religionists on the subject of facilities for emigration in fitting instances, I thought this a most deserving case, and offered the widow my aid in providing for the departure of herself and family from Jerusalem to join her relatives or friends in Germany, who were believed to be in comfortable circumstances. To my surprise, she declined to avail herself of my assistance, though in the most grateful terms. As a faithful representation of her feelings, and that of many other dwellers on the sacred soil, I will here, as nearly as possible, transcribe her words. She said: 'God has granted me the high privilege to breathe the hallowed atmosphere of the land of our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has caused His grace and mercy to descend upon me by bringing me, when an infant, unto this sacred spot, whence the radiant glory of His divine law emanated. He has permitted me to tread on that hallowed ground on which our prophets and our teachers lived, and taught me the words of lasting truth. Am I now to leave it, and take my children away from Zion, where we truly believe and daily expect "Truth and Peace" again to rule? No; I would rather starve together with my children, whilst kissing the dust in the Holy City of Jerusalem, than live in plenty elsewhere.'"Applications were made to me by various persons for the necessary means to enable them to leave the Holy City; but, on making inquiry, I found that in all these cases the applicants had merely temporary objects in view, without any intention to remain away permanently, and I, therefore, did not deem it my duty to do more than aid them with a trifle, in order to relieve them from their immediate distress."Thursday, the 5th of April, was devoted to the examination of documents having reference to several plots of ground in the suburbs of Jerusalem, offered to me for purchase, either for building purposes or for cultivation. I requested Dr Loewe and Mr Sebag, to make a personal survey of these properties, and to ascertain particulars as to their extent, value, and price, with which request they kindly complied. I had also caused memoranda to be made as to valuable houses, within the Holy City, offered for sale. The notes having reference to these negotiations have been carefully preserved, so as to be made available for future guidance."But soon I was to sustain a heavy affliction. After having left Jaffa I constantly received telegrams about the state of Dr Hodgkin's health; and when I was informed that the symptoms had become more alarming, I begged my friend Captain Henry Moore to proceed to Jaffa in the company of the physician of Jerusalem, Dr Chaplin. They at once complied with my request, and remained at Jaffa with my lamented friend until the period of his decease, the melancholy tidings of which I received during the night of the 5th of April. Having already referred to this sad event, I shall not again dwell thereon, except to say, that it overwhelmed me with sorrow and cast a gloom over me which I vainly sought to dispel."On Friday, the 6th of April, I attended the afternoon service in the Sephardim Synagogue belonging to the Almshouses and conversed with the inmates, eliciting from them much useful information."On Saturday, the 7th of April, in the course of the day, some youths were introduced to me for the purpose of being examined in the various subjects of their studies. When their father, who accompanied them, was asked why he had not placed them to learn some useful trade, he replied:—'Before we provide our children with the means of attending to their temporal wants, we deem it our duty to promote their spiritual welfare. They must first learn the Word of God, to serve them as a guide and beacon of hope in all their worldly vicissitudes.' He also brought others of his children who were already engaged in learning trades."There are two Synagogues attached to the Touro Almshouses, one of them for the Sephardim, which I had already visited, the other for the Ashkenasim; to-day I visited the latter. On my way thither, a young woman passed us with a large book in her hand, and, on my inquiring what it was, she informed me it was a Hebrew Psalm Book, with several Commentaries of ancient authors printed in Hebrew-German characters. I requested her to read one of the Psalms with the Commentary, this she did with great fluency and without hesitation. I have often had occasion to admire the ability of many females in our community of Jerusalem, not only in respect of their household duties and in needlework of every description, but also in Hebrew lore. I was on one occasion addressed by the mother of two or three children who solicited aid, and, to my surprise, she spoke to Dr Loewe and myself in the Hebrew language with elegance and facility. Subsequently I ascertained that she was a Portuguese, the widow of a German Rabbi, who had recently died and left her in straitened circumstances."Intermarriages between Sephardim and Ashkenasim, are, I am happy to say, no longer of rare occurrence in the Holy Land."In the evening, a short time after prayers, a large concourse of persons proceeding from the Jaffa gate, with lights and music, approached my residence, desiring to illuminate it; but in my then state of mind, I was indisposed to any such joyous demonstration. Mr Selig Hausdorf, who headed the procession, assured me that their object was to show the grateful appreciation in which they held the generous benefactors I represented."Although I could not consent to the intended illumination, I willingly received my kind visitors. They recited to us psalms and poetical compositions; and I afterwards obtained, in conversation with them, much useful information relating to the wants and condition of their community.
"Wednesday morning, the 28th of March, at 10A.M., having been appointed for my first visit to his Excellency, Izzet Pasha, I proceeded to his palace, accompanied by Mr Consul Moore, Mr Sebag, and Dr Loewe, and was received by his Excellency with the greatest kindness and respect. In the course of my conversation with the Governor, the scarcity of water in the city was the subject more particularly adverted to, and his Excellency described the works he had benevolently originated and superintended, with the view of insuring a sufficient supply of that indispensable element. This important topic will be more particularly referred to in a subsequent part of this report. I will now only mention that the scheme which the Governor had designed, and had already begun to carry out, was to turn the three water reservoirs, generally known as the Pools of Solomon, into two reservoirs, and to increase the force of the fall of the waters from Urtas, in the vicinity of Etham into these pools, by which means it was expected that within a few weeks a plentiful supply of water would be secured to the city. The Governor, however, seemed to intimate that there were difficulties in the way, arising from the want of sufficient pecuniary means, and I thereupon considered that having regard to the extensive and permanent advantages, sanitary and otherwise, which would result from an adequate supply of water to the Holy City, I should be carrying out the intentions and wishes of the generous contributors to the Holy Land Relief Fund, and of your Honourable Board, by devoting a portion of the fund to this object. I placed, therefore, at the disposal of the Governor the aforementioned sum of £200 in the name of the donors to the Relief Fund, adding thereto £100 as my own individual contribution.
"The Governor likewise mentioned to me the desirability of the removal beyond the city gates of persons unhappily afflicted with leprosy, and that to provide a proper place for their reception would probably involve an expense of £1500. Although sensible of the beneficial consequences likely to result from the proposed plan, I did not consider myself justified in devoting to it any portion of the Relief Fund which had been entrusted to me, and therefore contented myself with contributing from my own private purse, £100, to serve as a nucleus for further subscriptions towards the required sum.
"During the conversation with his Excellency the Governor, I was muchpleased with the friendly sentiments he expressed towards our English Consul in Jerusalem. 'Not only,' said he, 'do I entertain the highest regard for Mr Moore in his capacity as representative of the English Government, but I consider him a valued friend, an enlightened statesman, and an accomplished scholar, in every respect deserving the regard and attachment of all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.'
"On Thursday, March 29th, hearing of the sufferings of the poor, and their inability to provide all the necessaries of life during the approaching festival, I forwarded £100 to the Háhám Báshi, for the poor of the Portuguese and Morocco communities, and I also transmitted the like sum to the representatives of the German congregation, for a similar purpose.
"During the first and second days of the Passover, I visited the Touro almshouses. I satisfied myself that the inmates were fully deserving of the advantages they were enjoying. These almshouses are situated in the most healthy part of the suburbs of the Holy City; scrupulous attention is paid to the preservation of order and cleanliness, and the inmates are cheerful and happy, devoting a portion of their time to religious observances and study; but nevertheless, not neglecting the following of industrial pursuits. I conversed with most of the inmates, who were mechanics, and found there was no hesitation or reluctance in doing the hardest work with the object of earning a sum, however small, towards their maintenance. The inmates apply themselves to a variety of trades.
"The evidences of the industrial activity of the Israelites afforded me much satisfaction. I was also gratified to observe the healthy appearance of themselves and their children, more especially as most of them are unable to incur the expense of providing themselves and their families with animal food, except on the Sabbath. These almshouses are so highly esteemed that even many inhabitants of the city seek permission for a short sojourn there, for the recovery of their health; and I even found that some of the back offices, only intended for lumber rooms, had been actually, though without my knowledge, appropriated as dwellings for several families.
"On Sunday, the 1st of April, the Governor of Jerusalem, accompanied by his officers, honoured me by returning my visit. On this occasion the condition of Jerusalem was fully and freely discussed; it was estimated that at least fifteen per cent. of the poorer population had been cut off by the cholera, the fearful ravages of which were mainly attributable to the confined and unhealthy dwellings of the poor, the insufficiency of water, and the impoverished state of the inhabitants.
"The Governor during this visit kindly gave me permission to erect an awning for the 'wailing place' near the western wall of the Temple, so as to afford shelter and protection from rain and heat to pious persons visiting this sacred spot.
"Monday, April 2nd, was the day which had been fixed for the reception of the representatives and spiritual heads of the several Congregations, and invitations had been previously sent to secure as full and complete a representation as possible. At the appointed time I had the satisfaction of finding that the invitation had been cordially responded to on all sides, and of seeing myself surrounded, in the presence of Dr Loewe and Mr and Mrs Sebag, by several hundreds of the most respectable of the inhabitants of Jerusalem. There was the Háhám Báshi, with the members of his Ecclesiastical Court; the Revs. Meyer Fanadjil and Benveniste, together with some of the most influential members of the Portuguese or Sephardim Congregation; the Rev. Samuel Salant and Meyer Auerbach of the Perooshim and Warsaw Congregations, and the Chief Rabbis of all the various communities almost without exception, as well as the representatives of all charitable institutions and colleges, with their officers.
"Having bid them a hearty welcome and expressed the delight I felt at being amongst them for the sixth time, I proceeded to observe that the object of my present visit was not so much that of rendering them momentary relief by the distribution of money amongst their poor, as to ascertain from them the most effectual measures which could be adopted by their friends in other parts of the world, whither my words might reach, in the hope of removing the real and more permanent causes of poverty amongst my brethren in the Holy Land. I concluded by assuring them of the ardent love I entertained for the holy territory and its pious inhabitants, and by entreating them to assist me freely and fully with all such advice and information as might directly or indirectly further the object and purpose of my mission.
"The Háhám Báshi was the first who, according to my request, proceeded to enlighten me with his views. The reverend gentleman said that, in his opinion, an increase in the number of proper dwellings for the poor, and occupation in agricultural pursuits, would be the safest remedy for securing the salubrity of the place and the comfort of its inhabitants. The gentlemen in his retinue, the Revs. Fanadjil and Benveniste, were of the same opinion; but, added the latter, the cause of their (the Sephardim's) great poverty was to a great extent the consequence of the heavy burden of debt which the Congregations had incurred, and were obliged to incur from time to time,—a burden which weighed most heavily on them. The Rev. Samuel Salant was next addressed, and he entirely endorsed the opinion of the Háhám Báshi. After attentively listening to all the speakers, I gathered that there was a general consensus of opinion that increased accommodation for the poor, providing them with remunerative occupation, the granting of facilities for leaving the Holy Land to those who were desirous of emigrating, the establishment of building and loan societies, and permission to open butchers' shops, were some of the most essential means that could be devised to alleviate the then distressful condition of the inhabitants.
"The representatives subsequently showed me documentary evidence to prove that, if a remittance of, say, £100, or 12,025 Egyptian piastres, is forwarded to Jerusalem (which is not a frequent occurrence), the average amount to which each recipient becomes entitled is about 4 piastres, or 8d sterling!
Tuesday, April 3rd.—I appointed for the reception of a deputation from Safed, representing sixty families, numbering three hundred souls, all of whom most earnestly prayed to be afforded the means of devoting themselves to agriculture.
"The documents which they brought with them were accompanied by certificates from Mr J. Miklasiewicz, the Austrian Consul at Safed, who testifies to the sincerity of the wish expressed by these three hundred people; whereas in a publication of the Rev. Dr Macleod, to which I shall have soon more particularly to refer, the gentleman, who professed last year to be the Austrian Consul in the same city, is reported to have accused its Jewish inhabitants of 'being idle, lazy, and suspicious.' Of the other grave accusations contained in the same periodical, I shall speak at length in the sequel, and will now but point to the pregnant fact that the name of the Rev. Dr Macleod's informer, who professed to be the Austrian Consul at Safed, is stated by that rev. gentleman to be Mieroslowski, whereas I have clearly ascertained that no one bearing that name has filled the Consular Office in that city. In fact, one of two conclusions seems inevitable: either an almost miraculous change has within the period of one year come over the character of the Jews at Safed, or the Rev. Dr Macleod has been deceived by the story of an artful impostor; nor is it, perhaps, difficult to decide which of these two conclusions is the more probable. I need scarcely say that the certificatetransmitted to me by the actual Austrian Consul at Safed was a source of the highest gratification to me, and I am sure it will be so to yourself and all our brethren, who may have read the statement which Mieroslowski, or some one assumed to be holding the office of Austrian Consul, is said to have made in reference to the Jews at Safed.
"Applications for employment in agricultural pursuits were also about this time handed to me from the people of Tiberias and the Bokea: the latter suffered terribly during the last war or contest between Joseph Kareen and Daoud Pasha; their cattle, the produce of their fields, and all the property they had in their houses, and even their wives, having been forcibly taken away from them. I assisted them with a small amount, and promised to make their case known to my friends.
"On Wednesday, April 4th, believing that I should be rendering a service to the poor in the Holy Land by providing them with necessary funds for emigration from Jerusalem and its neighbourhood, I requested that the parties mentioned at the general meeting by some of the representatives of the congregations should be brought before me, and on this occasion I witnessed a scene which seems not unworthy of narration. At the appointed hour a young widow was introduced to me, apparently twenty or twenty-two years of age. Her husband had died recently from the cholera, leaving her with three children, the eldest five or six years, and the youngest three or four months old. The history of her own life was simply as follows:—She herself was left an orphan when of tender age, and was adopted as a foster daughter by a person who at present officiates gratuitously as a reader in a small synagogue. He happened to have another orphan in the house, a boy, and when both grew to what is called in the East a mature age, it seemed to him that a most suitable union might be formed between those two orphans, and accordingly they were married under the roof of this charitable man. After their marriage they maintained themselves respectably, and lived happily together until the husband fell under the fatal scourge of the cholera. The foster-father then provided a home for the destitute widow and her children. This consisted of one small room, which I had previously visited, when I was delighted with its cleanliness, as well as with the interesting appearance of the children. Having, among other matters, conferred with my co-religionists on the subject of facilities for emigration in fitting instances, I thought this a most deserving case, and offered the widow my aid in providing for the departure of herself and family from Jerusalem to join her relatives or friends in Germany, who were believed to be in comfortable circumstances. To my surprise, she declined to avail herself of my assistance, though in the most grateful terms. As a faithful representation of her feelings, and that of many other dwellers on the sacred soil, I will here, as nearly as possible, transcribe her words. She said: 'God has granted me the high privilege to breathe the hallowed atmosphere of the land of our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has caused His grace and mercy to descend upon me by bringing me, when an infant, unto this sacred spot, whence the radiant glory of His divine law emanated. He has permitted me to tread on that hallowed ground on which our prophets and our teachers lived, and taught me the words of lasting truth. Am I now to leave it, and take my children away from Zion, where we truly believe and daily expect "Truth and Peace" again to rule? No; I would rather starve together with my children, whilst kissing the dust in the Holy City of Jerusalem, than live in plenty elsewhere.'
"Applications were made to me by various persons for the necessary means to enable them to leave the Holy City; but, on making inquiry, I found that in all these cases the applicants had merely temporary objects in view, without any intention to remain away permanently, and I, therefore, did not deem it my duty to do more than aid them with a trifle, in order to relieve them from their immediate distress."Thursday, the 5th of April, was devoted to the examination of documents having reference to several plots of ground in the suburbs of Jerusalem, offered to me for purchase, either for building purposes or for cultivation. I requested Dr Loewe and Mr Sebag, to make a personal survey of these properties, and to ascertain particulars as to their extent, value, and price, with which request they kindly complied. I had also caused memoranda to be made as to valuable houses, within the Holy City, offered for sale. The notes having reference to these negotiations have been carefully preserved, so as to be made available for future guidance.
"But soon I was to sustain a heavy affliction. After having left Jaffa I constantly received telegrams about the state of Dr Hodgkin's health; and when I was informed that the symptoms had become more alarming, I begged my friend Captain Henry Moore to proceed to Jaffa in the company of the physician of Jerusalem, Dr Chaplin. They at once complied with my request, and remained at Jaffa with my lamented friend until the period of his decease, the melancholy tidings of which I received during the night of the 5th of April. Having already referred to this sad event, I shall not again dwell thereon, except to say, that it overwhelmed me with sorrow and cast a gloom over me which I vainly sought to dispel.
"On Friday, the 6th of April, I attended the afternoon service in the Sephardim Synagogue belonging to the Almshouses and conversed with the inmates, eliciting from them much useful information.
"On Saturday, the 7th of April, in the course of the day, some youths were introduced to me for the purpose of being examined in the various subjects of their studies. When their father, who accompanied them, was asked why he had not placed them to learn some useful trade, he replied:—'Before we provide our children with the means of attending to their temporal wants, we deem it our duty to promote their spiritual welfare. They must first learn the Word of God, to serve them as a guide and beacon of hope in all their worldly vicissitudes.' He also brought others of his children who were already engaged in learning trades.
"There are two Synagogues attached to the Touro Almshouses, one of them for the Sephardim, which I had already visited, the other for the Ashkenasim; to-day I visited the latter. On my way thither, a young woman passed us with a large book in her hand, and, on my inquiring what it was, she informed me it was a Hebrew Psalm Book, with several Commentaries of ancient authors printed in Hebrew-German characters. I requested her to read one of the Psalms with the Commentary, this she did with great fluency and without hesitation. I have often had occasion to admire the ability of many females in our community of Jerusalem, not only in respect of their household duties and in needlework of every description, but also in Hebrew lore. I was on one occasion addressed by the mother of two or three children who solicited aid, and, to my surprise, she spoke to Dr Loewe and myself in the Hebrew language with elegance and facility. Subsequently I ascertained that she was a Portuguese, the widow of a German Rabbi, who had recently died and left her in straitened circumstances.
"Intermarriages between Sephardim and Ashkenasim, are, I am happy to say, no longer of rare occurrence in the Holy Land.
"In the evening, a short time after prayers, a large concourse of persons proceeding from the Jaffa gate, with lights and music, approached my residence, desiring to illuminate it; but in my then state of mind, I was indisposed to any such joyous demonstration. Mr Selig Hausdorf, who headed the procession, assured me that their object was to show the grateful appreciation in which they held the generous benefactors I represented.
"Although I could not consent to the intended illumination, I willingly received my kind visitors. They recited to us psalms and poetical compositions; and I afterwards obtained, in conversation with them, much useful information relating to the wants and condition of their community.