P. [99], l. 22. “As Vasquo saith.” For Vasquo read Usque. Menasseh is quoting from the “Consolacam as Tribvlacoens de Ysrael,” by Samuel Usque (Ferrara, 1552), see pp. 198–200. Samuel Usque was one of three brothers, all distinguished Marranos. He fled from the Portuguese Inquisition and settled at Ferrara, whence he emigrated to the Holy Land. He was a protégé of Donna Gracia Nasi (see Note on “Don Josephus Nassi,” supra, p. 159; also Kayserling, “Jüdischen Frauen,” pp. 80–86).
P. [100], l. 5. The narrative as pirated from Aboab’s “Nomologia” ends here. For fuller details of the Portuguese persecutions, see Kayserling, “Juden in Portugal,” pp. 120 et seq.
P. [101], l. 17. “As for killing of the young children of Christians.” See infra, notes on “Vindiciæ Judæorum,” pp. 165–167.
P. [102], l. 9. “In Araguza” = Ragusa. For a fuller version of this story see infra, “Vindiciæ Judæorum,” pp. 116–117.
P. [102], l. 20. “As for the third point.” Menasseh himself was largely responsible for the charge of proselytising, inasmuch as in the “Hope of Israel” (supra, p. 47) he had boasted of the converts made by the Jews in Spain. There can be no doubt that these conversions were very numerous, but they were probably due in a larger measure to the oppressive policy of the Inquisition than to any active proselytising on the part of the Jews.
P. [103], l. 33. “In the Strand.” For a full discussion of the place of Menasseh’s abode while in London, see Trans. Jew. Hist. Soc., vol. iii. pp. 144 et seq.
VINDICÆ JUDÆORUM
(pp. 105–147)
Bibliographical Note
For the origin of this tract see Introduction, pp. lxii-lxiv.