CHAPTER XVI.

ANOTHER BUSY DECADE.

Drought in the Holy Land-A new Relief Fund-The sixth journey to Palestine-The locust pest in Palestine-Sir Moses investigates the condition of the Jerusalem Jewish community-Promotes public works in the Holy City-Holds an inquiry respecting a charge brought against the Safed Jews by the Rev. Dr. Macleod -Suggestions for the application of the balance of the Relief Fund-Death of Dr. Hodgkin-Persecution of Jews in Roumania -Mission to Bucharest-Interviews with Prince Charles-The Prince's assurances-Home labours-A second journey to Russia -Reception at St. Petersburg-Audience with the Czar Alexander II.-Improved condition of the Russian Jews-Resignation of the Presidency of the Board of Deputies--The Montefiore Testimonial Fund.

VERY few examples of activity in public affairs after the eighth decade are afforded in biographical literature. The spectacle of Lord Brougham at eighty-two heading a great social gathering like that which took place at Glasgow in September, 1860, or of Lord Lyndhurst at eighty-eight pouring out the words of experience and sagacity in the House of Lords for four hours at a time, stands almost alone. These octogenarian feats have, however, been eclipsed by Sir Moses Montefiore. In the most characteristic business of his public career -missions to foreign countries in the interests of his

brethren-his eighth and ninth decade have been the busiest of his life. If the reader will turn back the pages of this work he will find that while Sir Moses undertook only one journey during his fifth decade, and two in his sixth and seventh respectively, he performed four in his eighth. During his ninth decade he also undertook four journeys-two to Jerusalem, one to Roumania, and one to Russia.

The year 1865 found the Holy Land again suffering from drought and disease. A pest of locusts covered the country, and in Jerusalem the cholera raged with such fierceness that within a short time fifteen per cent. of the population were cut off by it. The usual appeal was addressed to Sir Moses Montefiore, and he, in conjunction with the Board of Deputies, started another Holy Land Relief Fund. About £3000 were sent out to meet the necessities of the moment, and early in 1866, Sir Moses proceeded to the East with the object of personally applying the balance of the Fund. He was accompanied by Dr. Hodgkin, his Quaker physician; Captain Henry Moore, brother of the British Consul at Jerusalem; his relatives, Mr. and Mrs. Sebag and his old friend, Dr. Loewe.

Of this tour, as of the succeeding journey to Palestine, Sir Moses Montefiore has himself written an account. It is in the shape of a report to the Board of Deputies, but in style and matter it is far more interesting than official documents usually are. He tells us how on his arrival in Egypt, he repaired to the Synagogue Kinees Elieyahoo, "which is built on the

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spot where it is said the celebrated Temple of Alexandria, or Onias, once stood." He graphically describes his landing at Jaffa, when he was ceremoniously received by the governor of the town, the judges, the commander of the troops, and the representatives of the various religious denominations. He relates how his friends immediately on his arrival gave him descriptions of the sufferings and loss of life occasioned by the recent calamities. "Very frequently," he adds, "these afflicting narratives were interrupted by the appearance upon our windows of the new and still green locusts, which we were informed were the much dreaded forerunners of another bad season. Many a morning before sunrise we heard the rattling of the drum to awaken the inhabitants of Jaffa to the fulfilment of their duty, each to collect a measure of locusts before daybreak, so that the threatening enemy might be destroyed. The appearance of these locusts is the more dreaded on account of the belief that it always brings in its train some epidemic disease, the woeful consequence of which had so recently been experienced." On the road to Jerusalem he was hospitably entertained in the mountain home of the chief of Aboo-Goosh, "supposed to be the KiryatYearim of Scripture, where Abinadab dwelt, in whose house, on the top of the hill, the ark of the Lord had been placed when taken from the Philistines of BethShemesh."

At Jerusalem Sir Moses was, as usual, received with distinction, and during his stay the Governor stationed

of dwellings, as far as the means will admit, on the ground already selected by me-a ground which, for its healthy position, and many other reasons, I deem best adapted for the desired object. I would further suggest to my co-religionists, that with a view of removing existing evils, and of promoting the wellbeing of the Jews in the Holy Land, a general collection should be made, so as to constitute a fund, as well for the encouragement of agricultural pursuits, as for the erection of additional dwellings outside the walls of the Holy City. I am quite aware that your honourable Board could not impose on itself so heavy and responsible an undertaking; but I hope and believe, that the Jews at large may direct their attention thereto, and conjointly, by means of Building Societies, or otherwise, organise the arrangements."

necessary

During this tour, Sir Moses Montefiore had the misfortune to lose his attached and highly valued friend, Dr. Hodgkin, who expired after a short illness at Jaffa. For forty years he had been intimately associated with the Jewish philanthropist, in whose benevolent schemes he had always taken an ardent interest. Sir Moses made a touching reference to his loss in his Report to the Board of Deputies:

"It has pleased the Almighty to take him (Dr. Hodgkin) from us, and that he should not again behold his loving consort and beloved relatives. He breathed his last in a land endeared to him by

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hallowed reminiscences.

To one so guileless, so pious, so amiable in private life, so respected in his public career, and so desirous to assist, with all his heart, in the amelioration of the condition of the human race, death could not have had any terror. His soul has ascended to appear before the throne of glory, there to receive that heavenly recompense which is awarded to the good and righteous of all nations. I trust I may be pardoned for this heartfelt but inadequate tribute to the memory of my late friend. His long and intimate association with me and my late dearly-beloved wife, his companionship in our travels, and the vivid recollection of his many virtues, make me anxious to blend his name, and the record of his virtues, with the narrative of these events."

Over his grave at Jaffa Sir Moses erected an obelisk inscribed with a feeling tribute to his scientific attainments and "self-sacrificing philanthropy."

The next journey was to Roumania, and was undertaken in the following year. The persecution and oppression of the Jews in this Principality arise very curiously from an abuse of the constitutional form of government which the Western Powers conferred on Moldo-Wallachia in 1856. Although to-day the Roumanian Jews are held by law to be aliens, they were, as a matter of fact, established in the country long before the present composite people, or even the race which gave its name to the land. From the soil of ancient Dacia prayers were offered up to the God