CHAPTER XXXVIII.1877.
ACCUSATION AGAINST JEWS IN THE CAUCASUS—AFFAIRS IN SYRIA—ANTI-SEMITIC MOVEMENT IN PRUSSIA—DEATH OF JOSEPH MEYER MONTEFIORE—ASSASSINATION OF ALEXANDER II.
IN June he sent despatches to the Board which he had received, referring to the serious persecution and cruel treatment to which the Jews of Zargkoon, in Persia, had been subjected for the purpose of compelling them to forsake their religion. At the instance of Sir Moses, the Foreign Office had humanely interposed with satisfactory results, and the despatches he received bore testimony to the satisfaction experienced by the Jewish inhabitants of Zargkoon at the steps which had been taken to ameliorate their condition.
In the same month, in consequence of appeals for pecuniary assistance which had reached him from the Jewish inhabitants of the Holy Cities of Jerusalem, Hebron, Tiberias, and Safed, he sent £200 to be distributed among the deserving poor in Jerusalem, and £107, 15s. for distribution among the inmates of the Juda Touro Almshouses. To the other Holy Cities he likewise made his offerings in proportion to the number of the inhabitants and the greatness of distress.
On July 30th Mr Weekes, the sculptor, presented him with a bust he had made of him, and which the artist afterwards sent to the Exhibition.
February 3rd, 1878.—He devoted some of his leisure hours to Lady Tobin's works, and was much pleased with the varied descriptions she gives of the land of inheritance and Bible scenes visited by her and her husband, Sir Thomas Tobin, with the noble object of elucidating the Sacred Scriptures.
July 16th.—Lord Beaconsfield returned from the BerlinCongress, with the news that he had secured "Peace with Honour." Sir Moses, in common with a number of distinguished personages, met him and Lord Salisbury on their return at the railway station, and joined in the congratulations to the British Plenipotentiaries on the accomplishment of their task.
November 3rd.—The accounts of the war in Afghanistan induced him to make frequent inquiries respecting the origin of the Afghan people. He happened to know Dr Ernest Trumpp, a Würtemberg Protestant theologian and distinguished Oriental scholar, who in the year 1858 had lived for some time at St Peter's, near Ramsgate. He used frequently to visit Sir Moses' Synagogue, with the object of ascertaining the correct Portuguese pronunciation of the Hebrew language. From that gentleman, as well as from letters written by an English officer, who had been with the English army at Candahar, Sir Moses had an opportunity of learning many particulars respecting the character of the Afghans, which were not very complimentary to them. "Well," he said to his friends, "if the Afghans really are as described in this letter, they must either have forgotten the religious tenets practised by their ancestors, or have never been the descendants of that Semitic race to which it is said they belong," and he inquired no further after them, except with regard to their political position in relation to India.
Sir Moses also thanked Lord Beaconsfield for having, in the name of the English Government, caused the insertion of a clause in the Treaty of Berlin, to the effect that, on condition of Roumania conceding citizenship to the native Jews, her independence should be recognised by the Powers. Lord Beaconsfield seemed greatly pleased at seeing Sir Moses, and the meeting between them appeared most cordial.
1879.—He deplores the great loss he sustained by the death of Baron Lionel de Rothschild. "I have known him," he says, "from his earliest youth, and ever entertained the highest esteem and regard for him." He also laments the demise of their Ecclesiastical Chief, Rev. Dr Artom. It was likewise a year of great sorrow and anxiety to him, owing to a dreadful accusation brought against the Jews of Kutais, Caucasus. Letters and telegrams were sent to him from St Petersburg, Tiflis, and Kutais, stating that the trial was to take place on the 11th May. He sent a telegram to St Petersburg, to the effect that he wasready to start for the Russian capital to plead the cause of the accused before the Emperor, and also wrote to the counsel for the defence, offering to proceed to Tiflis should his presence there be desirable. Happily there was not a shadow of truth in the accusation brought against the poor Jews, and in the end they were acquitted.
He received a communication from one of the gentlemen who pleaded their cause, as follows:
"Most esteemed Sir,—Your letter, which was a pleasant surprise to me, has reached me but very recently, because being addressed to Koutais, and I being at Kiew, it has followed my steps throughout all Russia, while after leaving the Caucasus I travelled on business from town to town."I cannot find words to express my thankfulness for the honour and moral assistance, of which your letter has been so eloquent an expression, especially as the cause which actuated your noble heart in addressing this letter is common to us. I too am of Jewish origin, and your name was known to me from my early childhood, when I learnt to connect it with all that refers to disinterested humanity and manly championship of the cause of our oppressed brethren. How sweet to my heart to feel myself associated with the great deeds of your glorious life!"I do not think it necessary that you should trouble yourself with so fatiguing a journey as the one to Tiflis. Our unfortunate brethren have been discharged for the present, and though the Procurator has put in his protest against the judgment, and the affair is to be tried again at the Court of Appeal early in the autumn at Tiflis, I firmly hope that it will end with a final discharge, justice working tolerably well in Caucasia. If, however, it should be otherwise, then, but not till then, we shall require your generous assistance, and beg you to come to St Petersburg. Meanwhile I will believe in the power of Truth and Reason."I implore you not to be disquieted, and to receive the assurance of the highest esteem and deep devotedness of yours, &c.,"L.Kupernick."
"Most esteemed Sir,—Your letter, which was a pleasant surprise to me, has reached me but very recently, because being addressed to Koutais, and I being at Kiew, it has followed my steps throughout all Russia, while after leaving the Caucasus I travelled on business from town to town.
"I cannot find words to express my thankfulness for the honour and moral assistance, of which your letter has been so eloquent an expression, especially as the cause which actuated your noble heart in addressing this letter is common to us. I too am of Jewish origin, and your name was known to me from my early childhood, when I learnt to connect it with all that refers to disinterested humanity and manly championship of the cause of our oppressed brethren. How sweet to my heart to feel myself associated with the great deeds of your glorious life!
"I do not think it necessary that you should trouble yourself with so fatiguing a journey as the one to Tiflis. Our unfortunate brethren have been discharged for the present, and though the Procurator has put in his protest against the judgment, and the affair is to be tried again at the Court of Appeal early in the autumn at Tiflis, I firmly hope that it will end with a final discharge, justice working tolerably well in Caucasia. If, however, it should be otherwise, then, but not till then, we shall require your generous assistance, and beg you to come to St Petersburg. Meanwhile I will believe in the power of Truth and Reason.
"I implore you not to be disquieted, and to receive the assurance of the highest esteem and deep devotedness of yours, &c.,
"L.Kupernick."
In token of gratitude, these gentlemen sent him their photographs, which he placed in his library, the Gothic room.
Though suffering from illness, Sir Moses never relaxed his efforts on behalf of those who stood in need of his counsel and intercession, and he was constantly in correspondence with friends who were engaged in similar projects of peace and charity. Baron G. von Bleichröder of Berlin communicated to him satisfactory accounts of certain measures adopted by the Government in favour of communities in Roumania and Kutais, and Sir Moses hastened to thank him for it in a suitable letter.
April 22nd.—A telegram from Safed, Holy Land, brought the news of the great distress that now prevailed, and he at once forwarded £100 to his Excellency Musurus Pasha, with a request to send the money to the Governor of Safed as a contributiontowards the relief of the distressed Moslems of that place. The following is the Ambassador's acknowledgment:
"Imperial Ottoman Embassy,London,24th April 1880."My dear Sir Moses,—I shall be very happy indeed to transmit your generous gift to his Highness Midhat Pasha, Governor-General of Syria, to whom I will send a copy of your letter, and I shall fulfil an agreeable duty in making known to the Imperial Government this fresh proof of your sympathy."I am truly sensible of your good wishes towards my august Master and myself personally, which are the more precious as coming from one who is known to all the world for his high character and goodness of heart, and whose philanthropy is attested by so many munificent acts."Our long friendship renders it unnecessary for me to dwell on the high esteem which I have for you, or to assure you of my goodwill towards the whole of the race, of whom you are such an honoured and illustrious member.—Believe me, with every good wish and the greatest respect, my dear Sir Moses, yours most sincerely and faithfully,"Musurus."
"Imperial Ottoman Embassy,London,24th April 1880.
"My dear Sir Moses,—I shall be very happy indeed to transmit your generous gift to his Highness Midhat Pasha, Governor-General of Syria, to whom I will send a copy of your letter, and I shall fulfil an agreeable duty in making known to the Imperial Government this fresh proof of your sympathy.
"I am truly sensible of your good wishes towards my august Master and myself personally, which are the more precious as coming from one who is known to all the world for his high character and goodness of heart, and whose philanthropy is attested by so many munificent acts.
"Our long friendship renders it unnecessary for me to dwell on the high esteem which I have for you, or to assure you of my goodwill towards the whole of the race, of whom you are such an honoured and illustrious member.—Believe me, with every good wish and the greatest respect, my dear Sir Moses, yours most sincerely and faithfully,
"Musurus."
Subsequently he received a very kind letter from Midhat Pasha, enclosing a list of names of all the Moslem recipients of his gift, with full particulars of the mode of distribution adopted by his Highness. Midhat Pasha, Sir Moses remarked, if permitted to remain a few years in Syria, would introduce most salutary reforms in that country. But unfortunate circumstances soon called him away from Damascus, his sphere of action causing him to end his days not far from the tomb of his Prophet.
Towards the end of May Sir Moses was highly gratified by the maiden speech delivered in the House of Commons by Baron Henry de Worms. The Baron belonging, like Sir Moses, to the Conservative party, Sir Moses wrote him the following letter of congratulation:
"East Cliff Lodge,May 25th, 1880."My dear Baron Henry de Worms,—I cannot refrain from expressing to you the great pleasure I derived from the speech you delivered in the House of Commons. You showed yourself as a faithful defender of the cause of religion, and I fervently invoke the blessings from Heaven upon you for having thus boldly raised the standard of Truth in the presence of the mighty of the land."I shall be glad to convey to you personally the sentiments of delight which fill my heart, and hope to have the opportunity of doing so by paying you a visit as soon as I am able to go to town.—With kind regards, I am, my dear Baron de Worms, yours very truly,"Moses Montefiore."
"East Cliff Lodge,May 25th, 1880.
"My dear Baron Henry de Worms,—I cannot refrain from expressing to you the great pleasure I derived from the speech you delivered in the House of Commons. You showed yourself as a faithful defender of the cause of religion, and I fervently invoke the blessings from Heaven upon you for having thus boldly raised the standard of Truth in the presence of the mighty of the land.
"I shall be glad to convey to you personally the sentiments of delight which fill my heart, and hope to have the opportunity of doing so by paying you a visit as soon as I am able to go to town.—With kind regards, I am, my dear Baron de Worms, yours very truly,
"Moses Montefiore."
In reply to his letter, the Baron wrote:
"House of Commons,27th May 1880."Dear Sir Moses,—Amongst the many kind letters I have received, congratulating me on my first attempt in the House, none has so deeply touched me as yours, coming from one whose name is a household word,not only in our own community, but throughout that civilised world where true philanthropy and real religion are recognised and appreciated. Your letter has made a lasting impression on me, and in the struggles of political life, praise and encouragement are not alone the rewards of success: they are the incentives to deserve and attain it."As soon as you return to London, I shall do myself the pleasure of calling upon you.—I am, dear Sir Moses, very truly yours,"H.de Worms."
"House of Commons,27th May 1880.
"Dear Sir Moses,—Amongst the many kind letters I have received, congratulating me on my first attempt in the House, none has so deeply touched me as yours, coming from one whose name is a household word,not only in our own community, but throughout that civilised world where true philanthropy and real religion are recognised and appreciated. Your letter has made a lasting impression on me, and in the struggles of political life, praise and encouragement are not alone the rewards of success: they are the incentives to deserve and attain it.
"As soon as you return to London, I shall do myself the pleasure of calling upon you.—I am, dear Sir Moses, very truly yours,
"H.de Worms."
June 13th.—He was informed by Baron von Bleichröder of Berlin, of the anti-Semitic movement in that city, upon which he expressed his views in the following letter, dated June 13th:
"Dear Baron von Bleichröder,—Your communications referring to recent Sectarian movements and Anti-Semitic Leagues in your own country and other parts of Europe present a cause of serious consideration. I entertain, however, the hope that by prudence and discretion on our part, and increased enlightenment based on principles of humanity among non-Israelites, an improvement in the condition of our brethren will ultimately be effected. In the meanwhile we must not relax our earnest activity, and, when occasion requires it, hold up high the banner of our religion, for we must always bear in mind that 'it is not by might nor by power that Israel prevails, but by the Spirit of God, the Lord of Hosts.'"
"Dear Baron von Bleichröder,—Your communications referring to recent Sectarian movements and Anti-Semitic Leagues in your own country and other parts of Europe present a cause of serious consideration. I entertain, however, the hope that by prudence and discretion on our part, and increased enlightenment based on principles of humanity among non-Israelites, an improvement in the condition of our brethren will ultimately be effected. In the meanwhile we must not relax our earnest activity, and, when occasion requires it, hold up high the banner of our religion, for we must always bear in mind that 'it is not by might nor by power that Israel prevails, but by the Spirit of God, the Lord of Hosts.'"
In the month of July he felt unable to address letters to his friends in his own handwriting, and on the occasion of sending the Archbishop a contribution of £100 towards the Sunday School Fund he was compelled to address His Grace through his secretary.
For the same reason he declined re-election as Vice-President of the Jews College.
"The unsatisfactory state of my health, induced by a very severe attack of bronchitis," he writes to the Secretary of the College, "precludes almost the possibility of my attending the meetings, &c.; and as I cannot do so, I consider it my duty, in the interests of the institution, to withdraw my name from the Council." He addressed a similar letter to the Secretary of the Board of the London Committee of Deputies of the British Jews, in which, for the same reasons, he resigned his honorary membership of the Board.
The Jews at Bach Kali, in the Vilayet of Van, Asia Minor, whose unfortunate position required his immediate intercession, made him, however, forget his resolution to withdraw from the sphere of communal work, and we find that in the same month he addressed Lord Tenterden on that subject in eloquent and powerful language.
His Lordship having transmitted to him a letter from the Hebrew community of that place, Sir Moses writes to Lord Tenterden: "I will not fail to give its contents my earliest and best consideration. I have a vivid and grateful recollection of your Lordship's kindness to me when I had occasion some years ago to seek the powerful aid of the Foreign Office in behalf of my suffering co-religionists in Persia."
In the month of October he was deeply grieved by the sudden death, whilst almost in the prime of life, of his nephew, Mr Joseph Meyer Montefiore, who had succeeded him as President of the Board of Deputies.
On March 15th, 1881, the news of the terrible death of Alexander II., Emperor of Russia, gave a great shock to Sir Moses, and he hastened to express deep sympathy with the Russian Ambassador in London and his friends in St Petersburg, recalling the gracious reception given to him by his late Imperial Majesty when in the Russian Metropolis, and deploring the awful calamity.
April 10th.—The dreadful earthquakes in the Island of Chios pressed with peculiar severity upon the poor, and Sir Moses immediately sent £300 to his Excellency Musurus Pasha, with the request to transmit the sum to the Governor of the Island for the relief of the distressed, irrespective of race or creed. Sir Moses availed himself of this opportunity to convey to the Ambassador his sentiments of deep gratitude towards the Government of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan for the protection which the inmates of the Juda Touro Almhouses and the lessee of the windmill had enjoyed. "From the time," he says, "when I laid the foundation stone of those buildings up to the present day there has not been a single complaint made by them, as far as I know, of any unjust act, and I feel the greatest pleasure in congratulating your Excellency on the very satisfactory state of the administration of justice in the Holy Land.
"It is more than twenty years," he continues, "since those almhouses and the windmill were built, and it was said at that time that there could be no security for people living outside the walls of the Holy City, but I always relied on the justice and protection which the Turkish Government so often manifested, and it has now been proved that I was right."
Musurus Pasha in reply says:
"My dear Sir Moses,—Manifold feelings of pleasure were evoked within me by the perusal of your kind letter of yesterday, enclosing a cheque for £300 towards the relief of the sufferers by the earthquake in the Island of Chios, irrespective of race or creed; pleasure at knowing that the noble heart of a friend for whom I have ever felt the highest esteem still responds to the call of suffering humanity; that his spirit of justice still impels him to bear testimony to the tolerance and impartiality shown to his race by my Government and country; that his good wishes are again offered for the welfare of my Sovereign and myself; in a word, that time has not dimmed the feelings or judgment of one whose virtues are known to all."I have already sent the cheque to be exchanged for a draft on Constantinople, and, by to-morrow's post, it will be my grateful duty to forward the latter to my Government, with a copy of the letter by which your munificent donation was accompanied."I shall also not fail to bring to the knowledge of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, personally, the feelings which you have expressed towards his person and throne."Meanwhile, with best wishes and the highest consideration and respect, I have the honour to be, my dear Sir Moses, yours very sincerely,(Signed) "Musurus."
"My dear Sir Moses,—Manifold feelings of pleasure were evoked within me by the perusal of your kind letter of yesterday, enclosing a cheque for £300 towards the relief of the sufferers by the earthquake in the Island of Chios, irrespective of race or creed; pleasure at knowing that the noble heart of a friend for whom I have ever felt the highest esteem still responds to the call of suffering humanity; that his spirit of justice still impels him to bear testimony to the tolerance and impartiality shown to his race by my Government and country; that his good wishes are again offered for the welfare of my Sovereign and myself; in a word, that time has not dimmed the feelings or judgment of one whose virtues are known to all.
"I have already sent the cheque to be exchanged for a draft on Constantinople, and, by to-morrow's post, it will be my grateful duty to forward the latter to my Government, with a copy of the letter by which your munificent donation was accompanied.
"I shall also not fail to bring to the knowledge of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, personally, the feelings which you have expressed towards his person and throne.
"Meanwhile, with best wishes and the highest consideration and respect, I have the honour to be, my dear Sir Moses, yours very sincerely,
(Signed) "Musurus."
April 11th.—He received a letter from the Jews of Safed, Holy Land, enclosing an address to Her Majesty, in which they humbly expressed their gratitude for the protection granted to them by the English Government. On the same day he complied with their wishes, writing to Earl Granville, as follows:—
"My Lord,—I beg leave to hand your Lordship the accompanying letter addressed to Her Majesty, which has been forwarded to me by the representatives of the Jewish community at Safed, Holy Land, with the request to have the same transmitted to your Lordship for Her Majesty's gracious reception."The letter expresses their sincere gratitude for the renewal of protection which has recently been granted to them by Her Majesty's Government."I still remember with heartfelt thanks the kind sentiments your Lordship was pleased to evince towards me on the occasion of my intended journey to Persia, and hope your Excellency will extend that kindness to me for the sake of my brethren in Safed, by causing their letter to be placed before Her Majesty, for whose long and glorious life they fervently offer up their prayers to Heaven, in which I most sincerely join.—I have the honour to remain, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient and humble servant,"Moses Montefiore."
"My Lord,—I beg leave to hand your Lordship the accompanying letter addressed to Her Majesty, which has been forwarded to me by the representatives of the Jewish community at Safed, Holy Land, with the request to have the same transmitted to your Lordship for Her Majesty's gracious reception.
"The letter expresses their sincere gratitude for the renewal of protection which has recently been granted to them by Her Majesty's Government.
"I still remember with heartfelt thanks the kind sentiments your Lordship was pleased to evince towards me on the occasion of my intended journey to Persia, and hope your Excellency will extend that kindness to me for the sake of my brethren in Safed, by causing their letter to be placed before Her Majesty, for whose long and glorious life they fervently offer up their prayers to Heaven, in which I most sincerely join.—I have the honour to remain, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient and humble servant,
"Moses Montefiore."