CHAPTER XXIX.1869.
THE PRINCE OF WALES AND SIR MOSES—CONSECRATION OF JUDITH COLLEGE—NAPOLEON III. A PRISONER OF WAR—SERIOUS CHARGES AGAINST THE JEWS OF DAMASCUS IN THETIMESNEWSPAPER—SIR MOSES' ANSWER—DEATH OF SIR MOSES' SISTER, MRS GOMPERTZ.
ON January 1, 1869, Sir Moses was in Rome, and on March 4th at San Remo. There Sir Moses and Mrs Gompertz were preserved from a serious accident. They had been traversing the sides of very steep mountains, and after entering French territory commenced a long drive down the hills. Sir Moses had cautioned the driver to go "piano, piano," more than once, as he felt very nervous, but when they had nearly reached the level road, not far from the French Custom-house, a great rut in the road broke the hind wheel of their carriage, and they were thrown with a great jerk on the side. At first Sir Moses thought they were in a ditch, but "Heaven did not expose them," he says, "to such a misfortune." The coachman pulled up, and they were soon released from a perilous situation.
A few minutes after the accident a very neat open carriage arrived at the spot. The occupant, a lady, alighted, and most kindly and courteously obliged Sir Moses and his sister to enter her carriage. "She was only taking a drive," she said, "and they must go to Mentone in it;" which they did, and were most thankful to her for her kindness to them.
That lady was a Mrs Coste. "I shall never forget her kindness," Sir Moses observes.
It may truly be said that the frequent rescues from perilous positions with which Providence favoured Sir Moses recalls part of a verse in which Solomon says (Prov. xxiv. 16), "A just man falleth seven times, and rises up again."
Sir Moses returned home on March the 10th, the change ofclimate appearing to have much improved his health, and he was again able to attend to his occupations.
Having noticed in the daily papers a report of great distress among the peasants in Russia, he called (April 14th) on Baron Brunnow, requesting him to forward a letter from him to Prince Obelesko, the Governor of Kowno, in Russian Poland, with £100 for the sufferers of all religious denominations. His Excellency most cheerfully expressed his willingness to accede to his request to distribute this sum. The Governor of Kowno, in acknowledging the receipt of this donation, conveyed to Sir Moses the special thanks of the Emperor himself in most gracious terms.
May 31st.—This being the day appointed for the annual inspection of St Bartholomew's Hospital by the Governors, the Prince of Wales, as President of the Hospital, and the Princess of Wales, accompanied by the Crown Prince of Denmark, paid a visit to the Institution, and took part in the ceremony. The Governors mustered in unusual number on the occasion.
TheTimes, giving a full account of the ceremony, and the reception of the Royal party, notices that "during their tour of the wards the Prince recognized the venerable Sir Moses Montefiore among the company, and paused to present him to the Princess."
August 29th.—Three gentlemen, selected from a number of applicants for admission into Judith, Lady Montefiore's Theological College, were this day introduced to him.
Each of them had filled the office of spiritual head of a congregation for several years. Their learning, as well as their unblemished character, was vouched for by high authorities.
Sir Moses received them with much cordiality, assuring them that it would be a cause of much happiness to him if he were to see them happy in the College.
He told them that the College was intended:—
(1.) As a memorial of his sincere devotion to the law of God as revealed on Sinai and expounded by the revered sages of the Mishna and the Talmud.
(2.) As a token of his love and pure affection to his departed consort, Judith Lady Montefiore, of blessed memory, whose zeal and ardent attachment to the religion of her forefathers adorned all her actions in life.
It had for its objects:—
(1.) To promote the study of the Holy Law.
(2.) To provide for the accommodation of ten persons distinguished for their learning in the Holy Law, as well as for their high moral and religious character.
"It is my distinct wish," he continued, "that admission as members of the College should be given to all Israelites, from whatever part of the globe they may happen to come, provided their learning and moral and religious character qualify them for the College.
"Only in case of there being among the candidates British-born subjects and foreigners, both alike qualified by their learning and character, should preference be given to the British-born subject.
"Students having completed their classical studies in a college or university in England, or in any other country, who desire to qualify for any of the high offices in the Synagogue and the community, are admitted to all the lectures free of charge after having passed an examination in Hebrew and Theological subjects to the satisfaction of the Principal and Director of the College."
Saturday Evening, September 4th.—The new members were invited to witness the completion of a sacred scroll of the Pentateuch, which was effected by Sir Moses, who, in the presence of his relatives and friends, wrote the last verse of the Book of Deuteronomy.
On Monday, September 6th, corresponding to the first day of the year 5630A.M., the consecration of the College took place, in the presence of all the members of the community, the readers of the Synagogue, and of relatives and friends of Sir Moses specially invited for the occasion.
A procession was formed, headed by Sir Moses bearing the sacred scroll of the Pentateuch. After him came the members of the College and the readers of the Synagogue, carrying books containing the Scriptures and Commentaries thereon, whilst the rear was brought up by the general company, and all proceeded towards the College door. As Sir Moses approached he exclaimed, in the words of the Royal Psalmist, "Open unto me the gates of righteousness, I will go in and praise the Lord," upon which the doors were immediately opened from within,and all present entered, ascending the staircase leading to the Lecture Hall.
Sir Moses, and those who carried the volumes of the Scriptures, made seven circuits round the hall, chanting impressively seven psalms. At the conclusion of the last Sir Moses ascended the pulpit, and expressed his great happiness to see the day on which his ardent wishes had been realised. He also dwelt on the noble character and exalted virtues of her in whose memory the College had been established.
After him, the Principal of the College addressed the assembly, concluding with a special prayer for the prosperity of the new institution.
Sir Moses then declared the College open, and from that day to the end of his life there was no break in the prescribed order of duties. The members attended regularly, lectures were delivered on every Sabbath, and on special occasions during the week addresses on literary or historical subjects were given to the general public. Often when the state of his health permitted he would himself attend the lectures, his presence always attracting a large number of visitors.
About the end of December he was present at the laying of the first stone of the Orphans' Home at Broadstairs, by Mrs Tait, the esteemed wife of Dr Tait, late Archbishop of Canterbury, on the land given by Mrs Tait for that purpose, adjoining the Archbishop's residence. The weather was most unfavourable; there was, nevertheless, a numerous attendance of nearly all of the most distinguished families in the Isle of Thanet.
The Archbishop had been very ill, and he was for this reason not able to be present at the ceremony. Sir Moses drove to Stone House to enquire, and on hearing from Mrs Tait that his Grace was progressing favourably, left his card and an envelope, enclosing two cheques for the Orphanage,—£50 from himself, and £50 in memory of his beloved wife.
During the month of January 1870 Sir Moses was frequently confined to his room by indisposition, and daily visited by his medical attendant. This, however, did not prevent him from having the daily papers read to him. It was a habit with him to read himself, or to have read to him, two of the leading journals every day whilst at dinner when no special guest happened to be present.
Wednesday, January 26th.—TheTimesgave an account of a dinner to the Archbishop of Syra and Tenos in the Jerusalem Chamber at Westminster Abbey.
The Dean, in proposing the toast of the evening, "The health of the Archbishop of Syra and Tenos," introduced two sentences, which appeared to be of peculiar interest to Sir Moses.
"We are seated," the Dean says, "in the chamber of Jerusalem. What happier name or place to receive the representative of those far-off Eastern Churches of which Jerusalem is the mother and mistress?"
"It is useful even for Englishmen to be reminded, by the presence of our guest, that there is a land more dear to us from our childhood even than England; that there is a city more sacred even than Rome, or Geneva, or Westminster: that land is the land of the East, and that city is Jerusalem."
Sir Moses, though in a state of great weakness of body, on hearing the above read to him, roused as by an electric flash, raised himself from his couch, and, addressing the person who had just been reading to him, exclaimed with great emotion: "And what ought Israel to think of Jerusalem? How ought we to receive the representatives of our communities in the Holy City when they come to visit us? What ought our attachment to be to the land of our forefathers? Ought it not indeed to be at least as intense as that of the venerable Dean of Westminster? I wish every one of my young friends of the rising generation would read the words of the Dean, and be reminded, even as Englishmen, of the words of the Royal Psalmist, 'If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joys' (Ps. cxxxvii, v. 5 and 6)."
A few weeks later he received a communication from Jerusalem, reporting another season of famine, drought, and ravages by locusts, and he lost no time in sending a copy of the letters he had received to the daily papers, stating that he would take charge of any donations in aid of the sufferers.
His appeal was most successful, and he had the happiness of becoming the medium of rendering early help to thousands of suffering families.
The month of July was devoted to a short trip to Belgium,where he visited the chief stations of the Gas Company, of which he was President.
This was a most eventful year. Queen Isabella of Spain, dethroned in 1868, resigned her crown in favour of her son, Alfonso, Prince of Asturias; but the Spanish people elected the second son of King Victor Emanuel, Prince Amadeo, in preference; and the Franco-German war broke out, in consequence of the candidature of the Prince of Hohenzollern for the Spanish throne.
August 3rd.—Sir Moses attended the Board meetings of the Alliance Marine, and Alliance Life and Fire Insurance Company, and of the Imperial Continental Gas Association. "The political horizon," he says, "is most threatening, our shares dreadfully depressed." The bank unexpectedly raised the rate of interest to six per cent.
August 12th.—He entertained the greatest fears for the Emperor Napoleon. On September 3rd he read the despatch referring to the capitulation of General Wimpffen at Sedan. "I am deeply grieved for the Emperor of the French. I believe him to have been a sincere friend of England, and a lover of peace. He was basely betrayed into the war to secure his succession."
September 8th.—Sir Moses received an invitation to the consecration of the new Synagogue of the British Jews. It was signed by the late Mr Simon Waley, Warden. Feeling a sincere and deep anxiety for the unity of the Jews, he sent to Mr Waley, and expressed his wish to see unity happily restored before the day of consecration, with his hope that he and his brother, with Dr Adler, the Chief Rabbi, might accomplish the object he had so much at heart.
But Sir Moses was not permitted to indulge long in the pleasures of promoting communal and charitable objects at home, his attention being most unexpectedly drawn to a matter of serious consequence abroad, which required his immediate exertions.
As the hundred-headed Hydra is that terrible monster, "Hatred of race," even in the present enlightened age, it requires the labour of a modern Hercules to destroy it. This is unfortunately shown by the insertion of a letter in theTimeson October 31st, 1870, addressed to the editor by Mr E. H. Palmer, of St John's College, Cambridge, and Mr C. F. Tyrwhitt Drake.
"The massacre of Christians at Damascus ten years ago," these gentlemen write, "created an excitement over the whole of Europe, but with Tien-tsin and Sedan to engross the public attention, such a trifle as a fresh outbreak in Syria has been quite overlooked.
"The events to which we allude occurred shortly after we had left the country, but we have received full details from both native Christians and Mahommedan correspondents in Syria.
"On August 26th it was rumoured in Damascus that a general massacre of the Franks by the Moslem inhabitants was contemplated, and affairs actually assumed so serious an aspect that most of the Christians precipitately fled from the town. Open menaces were uttered, the fanatical part of the population became clamorous, and evidently bent on mischief, and indeed the danger seemed imminent since the authorities took no step to suppress the popular agitation, when, thanks to the energetic conduct of Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, upon whom the management of the affair devolved, as the other European representatives retired from the scene of action, who seems to have himself addressed the Turkish soldiery, and insisted on proper steps being taken by the Government, the riots were quelled, and a most serious calamity averted.
"One of the causes which appears most to have excited the fanaticism of the mob was the presence, in the streets of Damascus, of crosses chalked up on the most conspicuous places. On subsequent inquiry by the Government, this was discovered to be the work of the Jews, the same people who, during the former massacre, distinguished themselves by standing at the doors of their houses, and voluntarily offering lemonade to refresh the Mahommedans, hot and weary with the slaughter of the Christians, and who, in many well authenticated instances, offered aid and concealment to the terror-stricken Christians, and then brought in the Turks to murder them.
"Some three hundred of these Jews are under the protection of various European Consulates, and can thus with impunity laugh at the authority of the Turks, and wreak their hatred on the co-religionists of their protectors.—We are, Sir, yours obediently,
"E. H.Palmer, St John's College."C. F.Tyrwhitt Drake."
"October 27th."
Sir Moses at once sent the following letter:
To theEditorof the "Times.""Sir,—I read with pain and surprise the letter which appeared in your paper of yesterday, bearing the signatures of Mr E. H. Palmer and Mr C. F. Tyrwhitt Drake."I am astonished, and I regret that gentlemen so intelligent as I assume Mr Palmer and Mr Drake to be, should be so ready to give credence to any absurd rumours that may be propagated against my co-religionists. I am in possession of authentic information which proves that these gentlemen have been entirely misled by their correspondents in Syria, and that the charges against the Jews, to which they have given currency in your influential columns, are devoid of truth."As regards the outbreak that occurred at Damascus ten years ago, it is enough to state that I have been an active member of the Syrian Relief Fund from its establishment in 1860, and I can confidently assert that until now I have never heard of the cruel accusations brought against the Jews of Damascus in the letter of your correspondents."I am sure, Sir, that you will sympathize with me when I express my sincere regret that at this late period of my life, notwithstanding the spread of education and the principles of religious toleration, I should still have to refute such idle charges, and I am confident that you will not be disinclined to insert in your paper this my reply.—I am, Sir, yours faithfully,"Moses Montefiore.""'The Times,' November 2nd, 1870."
To theEditorof the "Times."
"Sir,—I read with pain and surprise the letter which appeared in your paper of yesterday, bearing the signatures of Mr E. H. Palmer and Mr C. F. Tyrwhitt Drake.
"I am astonished, and I regret that gentlemen so intelligent as I assume Mr Palmer and Mr Drake to be, should be so ready to give credence to any absurd rumours that may be propagated against my co-religionists. I am in possession of authentic information which proves that these gentlemen have been entirely misled by their correspondents in Syria, and that the charges against the Jews, to which they have given currency in your influential columns, are devoid of truth.
"As regards the outbreak that occurred at Damascus ten years ago, it is enough to state that I have been an active member of the Syrian Relief Fund from its establishment in 1860, and I can confidently assert that until now I have never heard of the cruel accusations brought against the Jews of Damascus in the letter of your correspondents.
"I am sure, Sir, that you will sympathize with me when I express my sincere regret that at this late period of my life, notwithstanding the spread of education and the principles of religious toleration, I should still have to refute such idle charges, and I am confident that you will not be disinclined to insert in your paper this my reply.—I am, Sir, yours faithfully,
"Moses Montefiore."
"'The Times,' November 2nd, 1870."
Messrs Palmer and Drake then wished to know what was his authentic information. To this Sir Moses replied by another letter in theTimes, dated November 9th.
Subsequently three other gentlemen addressed the Editor of theTimes, one under the signature of S. H. S., the other a Christian clergyman and a native of Syria, the Rev. Dr Anton Tien, K. C. M., Cumberland Terrace, Gravesend; and the third, also a native of Syria, Mr Selim Bustros, a Christian merchant, residing at Liverpool.
The letters are as follows:
To theEditorof the "Times.""Sir,—I have watched with great interest the correspondence in your columns about the Damascus Jews."I was in Constantinople at the time of the Syrian Massacre in 1860, and translated for the British and American Governments the Arabic documents relating to that subject; in none of these did I find anything to implicate the Jews, nor in the letters of my noble friend, Abdel Rader, when he made his own simple statement of the affair, and the course adopted by him for the protection of the Christians.—Yours faithfully,"A.Tien.""November 14th, 1870."To theEditorof the "Times.""Sir,—Having the advantage of possessing accurate knowledge of all the details concerning the outbreaks in Damascus, 1860, being there at the time, I can fully corroborate all that Sir Moses Montefiore has written you in exculpation of the Jews. No greater mistake could be made than to suppose that the Jews were in any way responsible for the troubles of that country; but even if they were, what object is to be gained by reviving a matter that is so long out of date, unless it be to excite hostility against them?"I am a Christian native of Syria, and without egotism may say that my name is well known throughout that country, therefore I have no other object in addressing you these lines, than to remove the false impression that is likely to be made on the minds of your readers less acquainted with the facts of the matter than myself, by the perusal of the communications made to you by your correspondent, Mr Drake."Syria is, happily, now free from the spirit of fanaticism, and a perfect unity of sentiment pervades all classes of the community.—I remain, Sir, yours obediently,"Selim Bustros.""Liverpool,November 11th, 1870."
To theEditorof the "Times."
"Sir,—I have watched with great interest the correspondence in your columns about the Damascus Jews.
"I was in Constantinople at the time of the Syrian Massacre in 1860, and translated for the British and American Governments the Arabic documents relating to that subject; in none of these did I find anything to implicate the Jews, nor in the letters of my noble friend, Abdel Rader, when he made his own simple statement of the affair, and the course adopted by him for the protection of the Christians.—Yours faithfully,
"A.Tien."
"November 14th, 1870."
To theEditorof the "Times."
"Sir,—Having the advantage of possessing accurate knowledge of all the details concerning the outbreaks in Damascus, 1860, being there at the time, I can fully corroborate all that Sir Moses Montefiore has written you in exculpation of the Jews. No greater mistake could be made than to suppose that the Jews were in any way responsible for the troubles of that country; but even if they were, what object is to be gained by reviving a matter that is so long out of date, unless it be to excite hostility against them?
"I am a Christian native of Syria, and without egotism may say that my name is well known throughout that country, therefore I have no other object in addressing you these lines, than to remove the false impression that is likely to be made on the minds of your readers less acquainted with the facts of the matter than myself, by the perusal of the communications made to you by your correspondent, Mr Drake.
"Syria is, happily, now free from the spirit of fanaticism, and a perfect unity of sentiment pervades all classes of the community.—I remain, Sir, yours obediently,
"Selim Bustros."
"Liverpool,November 11th, 1870."
Sir Moses concluded his December work by distributing £100 among the poor of Ramsgate, who, he had just been informed, were in great distress.
January 8th, 1871.—The Hon. Benjamin Franklin Peixotto, who had just been appointed American Consul in Roumania, was now in England, on his way to Bucharest. He came to see Sir Moses, and acquainted him with his proposed mode of action in matters concerning the Israelites in Wallachia. "He is a very agreeable and highly educated gentleman," the entry of that day records, "and should he act as he speaks, I hope he will be successful in the object of his appointment."
In the course of the conversation which Sir Moses had with the Consul, the Juda Touro Almshouses in Jerusalem were mentioned, and this little incident alone was sufficient inducement for Sir Moses on the following day to send £100 for distribution among the inmates in commemoration of the visit of the Consul, a countryman of the benevolent founder of the Almshouses.
During the following three months Sir Moses suffered great anxiety on account of the illness of his sister, Mrs Gompertz. In order to be near her, Sir Moses went to London, but was taken ill himself. Her death in March affected him greatly, but with pious resignation he submits to the will of God, only adding, "she was a devoted daughter, wife, and mother, a loving sister, and a friend to all in need! May we all benefit by her bright example. It is a sad loss to me."
April 7th.—Sir Moses received the news of an outbreakagainst the Jews of Odessa, but fortunately the disturbance was quelled by the troops, and there was therefore no further occasion for him to intercede on their behalf. In reply to the telegram he received on that subject, he expressed his confidence that His Imperial Majesty's Government would secure the safety of the Jews and punish the evil-doers.
"I should like," he says, "to go to St Petersburg to thank the Emperor for the prompt measure that had been taken by the Government at Odessa to put an end to the outbreak against the Jews."
June 22nd.—Sir Moses received Her Majesty's command to be present at a concert at Buckingham Palace, but the state of his health would not allow him to come up to London.