Preparations for a Mission to Rome.

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his nephew, Mr Arthur Cohen, Q.C., he proceeded on Tuesday, February 10, 1859, to the hustings.

Baron Meyer de Rothschild was accompanied from Folkestone and Sandgate by a vast cavalcade and two bands, and just before reaching the town the horses were taken from his carriage, and the candidate drawn by the inhabitants to the hustings, where he was received with reiterated plaudits. He was surrounded by a number of influential friends, conspicuous among them being Sir Moses Montefiore.

The usual formalities having been gone through, and the returning officer having declared Baron Meyer de Rothschild duly elected, the latter addressed the electors, after which Sir Moses congratulated them on their choice. They could not, he said, have a better member than Baron Rothschild. (Cheers.) "I thank God," he added, "that old as I am, I have lived to see this day, and to witness your choice. I sincerely thank you all. May God bless you."

The same day, on his way to Ramsgate, he received at Ashford a telegram announcing that Alderman Salomons had been elected for Greenwich by a majority of 889. "This intelligence," he said, "afforded me the sincerest pleasure, for the Jews owe a deep debt of gratitude to him for his strenuous exertion in the cause of civil liberty, regardless of labour and expense." "I truly hope," he continued, "that both the new members may long live to enjoy their honours."

Prayers having been offered up in all the London Synagogues for the success of his mission to Rome on behalf of Edgar Mortara, Sir Moses gave orders to hasten the preparations for the journey, and proceeded to the Foreign Office to present a copy of the memorial of the Board of Deputies to Lord Malmesbury. His Lordship received him most kindly, read the memorial, and promised to give him letters of introduction to the British Ambassadors and Consuls abroad; "although Sir Moses should bear in mind, from a former conversation on the subject, that he (Lord Malmesbury) entertained doubts as to the result of the mission."

February 25th.-He received letters of introduction from Lord Malmesbury to the Embassies of Paris, Turin, Florence, Vienna, and to Mr Odo Russell (the late Lord Ampthill) in Rome; and on March 3rd he and Lady Montefiore, accompanied

by Dr Hodgkin and Mr Kursheedt, embarked at Dover for Calais,

The journey from London was most trying to Lady Montefiore in consequence of her impaired health, and they did not reach Rome till April 5th.

Sir Moses lost no time in calling upon Mr Russell, and leaving his letters of introduction from the Foreign Office and. Lord Russell. Mr Russell remembered having seen Sir Moses when he was with Lord de Redcliffe at Constantinople, and said, "He would do all he could for him, but without any expectation of succeeding in doing more than obtaining for him an interview with His Holiness." "That day," he said, "was a council day, and the ministers did not receive." Sir Moses gave him a copy of the address, also a full statement of the Mortara Mr Russell repeated his promise to do all he could, but added, What can a poor Attaché expect, when the French Ambassador with a French army with him has failed, after making every endeavour?"

case.

April 9.-Mr John Abel Smith having given Sir Moses' letters of introduction to Mr Pentland, the latter called, and said that he was perfectly acquainted with the case, and had spoken with the boy. In his opinion there was no hope of getting the boy, but every effort should be made to obtain a pledge that such a proceeding should not be sanctioned in future. He appeared to think that Sir Moses should see the French Ambassador, and obtain his support, he having taken so active a part in the matter by order of the Emperor. Sir Moses, however, did not approve of that. "I am," he said, "so much of an Englishman that I prefer the English representation, and would only act in accordance with the advice of Mr Russell."

He

Mr Pentland, whom Sir Moses took to be an Irishman, was a highly educated man of elegant and agreeable manners. was very much with the Prince of Wales, and said, " His Royal Highness was most amiable and talented, and very popular with the Roman nobility and people."

April 11th-Sir Moses received the following letter from Lord de Redcliffe:

"MY DEAR SIR MOSES,-I return you herewith the Mortara memorial. The case appears to be so clear that, according to

Discouraging Opinions.

89

our notions, you ought to find no difficulty in obtaining justice; but judging from what reaches me in conversation, I fear it will require all your ability, energy, and experience to open the smallest prospect of success. With every good wish, I beg you will believe me, sincerely yours,

"S. DE REDCLIFFE."

"Everything I hear and see," Sir Moses said, "unfortunately confirms the opinion given me before my arrival. I have not heard from any person since I left London that there was the slightest hope of success for my mission, and now fear that I may even be denied the opportunity of presenting the address of the Board to the Sovereign Pontiff. Should I fail in this object, my next endeavours must be to obtain an introduction by Mr Russell to the Minister, Cardinal Antonelli."

CHAPTER XI.

150.

CARDINAL ANTONELLI DECLARES THE ABDUCTION OF THE CHILD MORTARA “A CLOSED QUESTION "—THE DELUSION ABOUT THE PASSOVER CAKES SPREADS TO ROME-UNEASY FEELING AMONG THE JEWS IN THAT CITY-SHAMEFUL ATTEMPTS TO GET UP TESTIMONY AGAINST THEM-INTERVIEW WITH CARDINAL ANTONELLI— SIR MOSES LEAVES ROME.

MR RUSSELL, in a private note, wrote to him :

"It is with deep regret that I have to inform you that all my exertions in the interest of your cause have failed. Cardinal Antonelli declined to enter upon the subject, saying, 'It was a closed question,' and His Eminence referred me to Monsignor Pacca, the papal chamberlain, or to Monsignor Talbot, to obtain an audience for you of His Holiness, but His Eminence added that he thought it would be difficult at this moment. I next applied to Monsignor Talbot, who assured me that the only possible course was that you should apply yourself, in writing to, or personally call on, Monsignor Pacca, who lives in the Vatican. Monsignor Talbot thought the Pope would see you, but he also considered the question closed.

"I fear you were but too right in saying our only hope now rests with that great God whose holy laws have in this melancholy case been violated by the hand of man.

"I need not assure you that if there is anything in which I can serve you, I beg you will command my services at all times."

thank Mr Russell for his cause he had so much at

Sir Moses immediately went to kind and zealous exertions for the heart, and said that he deemed it his duty to follow up the suggestions made in his letter.

On his return home he wrote his application, and took it himself to Monsignor Pacca at the Vatican. As he was out, Sir Moses left it with his servant, with but faint hopes of a favourable

answer.

He and Lady Montefiore then left cards on Lady de Redcliffe. Sir Moses saw his Lordship, who appeared to think he should apply for an audience without naming the object he had in view; but Sir Moses' opinion did not coincide with those of

Dines with the Prince of Wales.

91

Lord Redcliffe ("perhaps a wrong one," Sir Moses remarks). "It would not be becoming in me," he said, " to gain an audience but as the representative of the Board of Deputies of British Jews."

April 14th.--In accordance with an invitation which Sir Moses had the privilege of receiving, he rode to the Hôtel des Isles Britaniques at seven o'clock, and had the honour of dining with the Prince of Wales. I quote Sir Moses' own words on

the subject from the Diary :

"His Royal Highness," he writes, "received me most cordially, and said he had seen me at Windsor Castle. Within three minutes after my arrival the Prince handed down the Hon. Mrs Bruce, the only lady present at the dinner, but she did not sit next to His Royal Highness. He had Prince Torlonia on his right, Mrs Bruce was next to Prince Torlonia, and I sat exactly opposite His Royal Highness. On my right, the Rev. G. F. Tarver, the Prince's chaplain, and Major Teesdale, R.A.

"There were twelve persons at table, and, before dinner, Colonel Bruce introduced me to each, excepting Prince Torlonia, who came in only two minutes before we sat down.

"The conversation was on general topics. I think all spoke English except Torlonia, who spoke French with His Royal Highness. Dr Chambers, the Prince's physician, was present. We were at table about an hour and a half, then retired to the drawing-room. His Royal Highness requested each to be seated, and took a seat himself in the centre of the half circle fornied by his party. He enquired if Toussoun Pasha was in England at present, and said the Viceroy had given a grand dinner to his brother.

"Soon after nine the party took leave. His Royal Highness shook hands with each. I could not have had a more gratifying

evening.

"Dr Chambers told me that Mrs Chambers had a few friends and a little music upstairs, and would be happy if I would do them the honour to join them. He accompanied me to their apartments on the floor above His Royal Highness, and introduced me to Mrs Chambers. She said she remembered me by the kindness I had shewn her many years since by giving her some very thin biscuits, of which she was very fond. Gradually

*

Probably Passover biscuits, which Sir Moses was in the habit of sending sometimes to his friends who expressed a desire of having them.