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THE JEWS OF ENGLAND (750-1837).
Early history-Position in the country previous to the expul-
sion Jewish learning-Jewish heroism-Statutum de
Judaismo-Expulsion by Edward I.-Legend of London
Bridge-Secret visits to England-Return under Cromwell
-Denied civil rights-Disabilities in 1828-Mr. Montefiore
devotes himself to the Emancipation struggle-Early history
of the movement not encouraging-The "Jew Bill" of 1753
-Mr. Montefiore and the Repeal of the Test and Corpora-
tion Acts-Interviews with the Duke of Sussex-Agitation
from 1830 to 1837-Mr. Montefiore becomes President of
the Board of Deputies-Sheriff of London-Knighted—
Queen Victoria and Sir Moses Montefiore-Capital punish-
ment-Sir Moses Montefiore and Marshal Soult-Sir Moses
turns his attention to his foreign brethren .
CHAPTER VI.
SECOND VISIT TO THE HOLY LAND.
Jews and Agriculture-Mr. Cobbett's taunt-Sir Moses Monte-
fiore determines to introduce agriculture among the Jews
of the Holy Land-Journey to the East for that purpose-
Investigates the condition of European communities on his
route-Brussels-Aix-la-Chapelle-Strasbourg—Avignon—
Marseilles-Nice- Genoa-Florence-Papal States-Dis-
abilities of the Jews of Rome-Lady Montefiore expresses
her indignation to a Papal Monsignore-Dr. Loewe-The
Eastern question-Arrival at Beyrout-Progress through
Palestine Enthusiastic receptions — Safed — Tiberias—
Jerusalem-Sir Moses makes enquiries into the condition of
the Jews-Distributes money-Back to Alexandria--Inter-
view with Mehemet Ali, who promises to assist his plans— ·
Return to England-Changes in Eastern politics-Defeat
of Sir Moses' plans
64
CHAPTER VII.
THE DAMASCUS DRAMA.
The "Red Spectre" of Judaism-Its history and origin-
Revival of the Blood Accusation at Damascus in conse-
quence of the disappearance of Father Thomas-The
fanaticism of the monks and the designs of the French
Consul-M. de Ratti Menton sets himself to manufacture a
case against the Jews-Secures the co-operation of the
Governor of the city-Arrest, torture, and confession of a
Jewish barber-A Jewish youth flogged to death-Further
arrests-The prisoners submitted to terrible tortures-
Wholesale seizure of Jewish children-Ratti Menton's
mouchards-Another confession-The bottle of human
blood-Two of the prisoners die under torture-Protests of
the Austrian Consul-A mass over mutton bones-Attempt
to excite the Mussulman populace-The prisoners con-
demned to death-The "Red Spectre" at Rhodes-Anti-
Jewish risings
PAGE
80
CHAPTER VIII.
THE MISSION TO MEHEMET ALI.
Significance of the new Blood Accusation to the Jews of
England-Appeals for help-Meeting convened by Sir
Moses Montefiore-Interview with Lord Palmerston-M.
Crémieux has an audience of Louis Philippe-Action of
Prince Metternich-Mehemet Ali takes alarm, and appoints
a Consular Commission of Enquiry--French intrigues-M.
Thiers protests against the Enquiry-Resolve to send a
Mission to Mehemet Ali, headed by Sir Moses Montefiore-
Debate in Parliament-Indignation Meeting at the Man-
sion House-Acquittal of the Jews of Rhodes-Sir Moses
Montefiore arrives at Alexandria, and interviews the Vice-
roy-Hesitation of Mehemet Ali-Intrigues of the French
Consul-Sir Moses Montefiore's diplomacy-Its happy
results-Release of the Damascus prisoners-The Eastern
Question-Egypt and the Quadruple Alliance-Mehemet
Ali loses Syria-Sir Moses Montefiore proceeds to Con-
stantinople, and obtains an important Firman from the
Sultan-The journey home-Sir Moses Montefiore and
Louis Philippe-Rejoicings of the Jews-Royal recognition
of Sir Moses' efforts
94
CHAPTER IX.
FIVE YEARS OF HOME WORK.
Synagogual labours-Sir Moses' popularity-Visits to the Con-
gregational Schools-He helps to promote education in the
Jewish Community-Jews' College, the Jews' Hospital, and
the Free School-The Board of Deputies-Its constitution
and functions—Sir Moses corresponds with Sir James
Graham and Sir Robert Peel in respect to various Bills
before Parliament-Foreign Affairs-The Holy Land-Sir
Moses Montefiore establishes a Loan Fund, a Printing
Establishment, and a Linen Factory at Jerusalem--Assists
agricultural schemes, and founds a Free Dispensary-He
raises a Relief Fund for the Jews of Smyrna-Promotes the
building of a Khan at Beyrout-The Blood Accusation at
Marmora Sir Moses Montefiore and Sir Stratford Canning
-The Jews of Morocco-Correspondence with Bokhara—
The “Reform” Movement in the Anglo-Jewish Community. 113
CHAPTER X.
THE JEWISH QUESTION IN RUSSIA.
Oppressed condition of the Jews of Russia-Seriousness of the
Russo-Jewish Question-Its origin religious not secular-
The modern charges refuted by history-Review of Russo-
Jewish history-First settlements of the Jews in the South
-Conversion of the Khozars to Judaism-A Jewish King-
dom in Russia - The civilizing influence of the Jews—
Inroads of the Tartars and extinction of the Khozars--
Jewish settlements in the West-Their privileges-Grati-
fying results of Jewish colonization-Numerousness of the
Polish Jews a source of congratulation by native historians
-The Russian Prince Sviatopolk invites the Jews into his
dominions-The Jews held in high esteem by the people-
They serve in the army-They proselytise on an extensive
scale-Judaism embraced by the Metropolitan of the Greek
Church-With the rise of the power of the Church the
privileges of the Jews are curtailed-Three centuries of
Ghetto life-Four millions of Jews still oppressed
CHAPTER XI.
RUSSIAN PERSECUTIONS: MISSION TO CZAR NICHOLAS.
The Board of Deputies and the Russo-Jewish Question-Sir
Moses Montefiore invited to St. Petersburg by the Russian
Government to confer with the Minister of Education on
the condition of the Jews-Policy of the Czar Nicholas
towards the Jews-The persecuting Ukaze of 1843-Jewish
appeals to Sir Moses Montefiore-Temporary suspension of
the Ukaze-David Urquhart on Russian persecutions-Re-
issue of the Ukaze-Sir Moses Montefiore appeals to Lord
Aberdeen to intercede with the Czar-The Ukaze is again
suspended-Promulgated once more in 1845-A deputation
of Russian Jews arrives in England-Diplomatic represen-
tations to the Russian Government are ineffectual-Sir
Moses Montefiore deputed to proceed to St. Petersburg-
Dangers of the journey-Flattering reception in the Russian
capital-The Ukaze suspended for a third time-Interview
with the Czar-Sir Moses proceeds on a tour of the Western
provinces-Adventures on the journey—Willingness of the
Jews to follow his advice-Triumphant progress through
Jewish Russia-Sir Moses Montefiore and Prince Paskie-
vitch-Revocation of the Ukaze-Return to England-
Enthusiasm of the English Jews-Royal appreciation of
the mission-A baronetcy conferred on Sir Moses Monte-
fiore
126
138
CHAPTER XII.
A BUSY DECADE.
Resumption of the Emancipation struggle-Mr. David Salomons
and the Court of Aldermen-Passing of the Municipal
Corporations Bill- Sir Moses Montefiore and the Duke of
Cambridge-Accession to power of Lord John Russell-
Baron Lionel de Rothschild is returned to Parliament-
Prevented from taking his seat-The Premier proposes to
abolish Jewish Disabilities-The Bill is passed by the
Commons but thrown out by the Lords-Sir Moses Monte-
fiore organises an agitation in favour of the Bill-Second
defeat of the Bill-The end of the struggle-Who shall be
the first Jewish peer?-Condition of the foreign Jews—
Another Blood Accusation at Damascus-Sir Moses Monte-
fiore proceeds to Paris and interviews M. Guizot and
King Louis Philippe-Satisfactory assurances—'
-The Jews of
Turkey-Proposed re-admission of the Jews to Spain-
Labours of Mr. Guedalla-Home affairs-Three Missions to
Palestine-The "Judah Touro" legacy-Useful works in
the Holy Land-Sir Moses Montefiore and Said Pasha-
Conversation with the Khedive on the Suez Canal
CHAPTER XIII.
THE MORTARA CASE, ETC.
Lady Montefiore's health gives cause for anxiety-A winter in
Italy Sad condition of the Italian Jews-Return to
England-The Mortara Case-Abduction of a Jewish boy
by the Roman Inquisition on the ground that he had been
secretly baptised-The Pope refuses to surrender him-
Appeal to Sir Moses Montefiore-Excitement in Europe-
Another attempted secret baptism-The pretensions of the
Papacy-Action of Christian public bodies in England-
Indignation meetings-Consternation among the Jews of
the Papal States-Sir Moses Montefiore interviews Lord
Malmesbury
The
Representations to Napoleon III.
Powers remonstrate with the Papal Government — Non
Possumus-Sir Moses Montefiore proceeds to Rome-Ne-
gotiations with Cardinal Antonelli-The Pope refuses to
see Sir Moses or to surrender the child-Subsequent efforts
unavailing-The labours of 1859, 1860, and 1861-Mis-
cellaneous foreign business-The Morocco Relief fund-
Persecution of the Syrian Christians-Appeals of Sir Moses
Montefiore and M. Crémieux-The "Blood Accusation"
tablet at Damascus
155
172