"Vienna, August 16th.—Last night I received a telegram from Mrs Arthur Cohen to the effect that Dr Jenner had said it was dangerous for Arthur to go to Bucharest, and that consequently she could not give her consent to his going with me. I regret this decision on his account as well as my own. I thus lose the companionship of a very amiable and talented relative and friend at a time I stand most in need of his assistance.
"I am losing my strength, and am anxious to get on my voyage to Bucharest.
"The British Ambassador, Lord Bloomfield, paid me a long visit, and the Austrian Minister left his card."
Sunday, August 18th.—We left Vienna on board an Austrian steamer for Pesth, and proceeded to Bucharest, where we arrived on Thursday, the 22nd inst., taking up our quarters at the Hotel Otettelichano. Sir Moses at once called on Mr Green. The latter returned his visit the next day, and went with him to the Prince. On his return from the palace he received a visit from the prefect of the place.
Saturday, August 24th.—Sir Moses invited several members of the Hebrew community to be present at divine service, which on that day was held in his drawing-room, the distance of their place of worship and the overpowering heat of the day preventing him from walking there and joining the congregation.
Subsequently the Foreign Minister, also the two private Secretaries of the Prince, Monsieur Friedlander and Monsieur Picot, called, and when these had left, deputations from various Hebrew educational institutions and charitable societies came to pay their respects, and to thank him for the great fatigue he had undergone on their behalf.
Tuesday, August 27th.—"I suffer greatly," Sir Moses says, "by this climate, the heat of the weather deprives me of strength. Nevertheless, the hope of success cheers me. The reports constantly made to me of the serious aspect of affairs in this country, and at the intended outbreak against my co-religionists, are very alarming, more particularly as they are repeated to me by Mr Green, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, as well as by many other Christians." Mr Hertz, the Director of the bank, came to inform Mr Green that money had been distributed among the mob to attack us, and to slaughter the Jews.
Still Sir Moses did not lose heart, but directed his attention to the petition he was about presenting to the Prince, of which the following is an exact copy:—
"Bucharest, 27th August 1867.
"To His Serene Highness Prince Charles I., Reigning Prince of Roumania.
May it please your Serene Highness,—Statements having been circulated in England and elsewhere that my co-religionists in Roumania were no longer in the enjoyment of that tranquillity and safety to which they had, thanks to the Almighty and to the honour of this nation, been accustomed for several generations, I bethought me that as on other occasions and in other lands I had succeeded in restoring confidence among my co-religionists, so in Roumania on the present occasion I might do good by my presence among them. But before carrying out this resolution, I obtained the sanction of it from Her Britannic Majesty's Government, and through Her Majesty's Government, the approval of the Governments of Austria, France, Italy, Prussia, and Russia. I now, on behalf of my co-religionists in England, my native country, as well as on the behalf of those in every part of the world, with all humility entreat your Serene Highness to be pleased, through the Government of your Serene Highness, to warn all evil disposed persons not to molest the Jews in any manner, and to give positive orders that the Jews dwelling in all parts of the United Principalitica shall enjoy perfect protection in all which concerns the safety of their persons and their property. Permit me also to express to your Serene Highness my grateful appreciation of the enlightened sentiments of religious toleration of which your Serene Highness has always given proofs in matters concerning Jewish subjects of your Serene Highness, and in offering your Serene Highness my humble thanks for the personal honour conferred on me by listening to the manifestation of my anxiety with respect to the welfare of my co-religionists. Allow me to tender my heartfelt wishes for the health and happiness of your Serene Highness, and for the prosperity of the United Principalitica.—I have the honour to be, with the profoundest respect, the most obedient, humble servant of your Serene Highness,
(Signed) "Moses Montefiore."
Wednesday, August 28th.—A copy of the journal Natinuea was this day sent to Sir Moses, containing a harangue addressed by the editor to the people of Roumania. I give a full copy of it, that the reader may form an idea of the dangerous position in which Sir Moses found himself, and appreciate the courage and perseverance he manifested in the task before him:—