| "Joseph Halfon. | Elias Jos. Cohen. | Jona Joseph. |
Monsieur Halfon, the banker, to whom, before leaving Bucharest, Sir Moses had sent £200 for distribution among Christian and Jewish poor, also addressed a letter to him, conveying the thanks of the Mayor of Bucharest, and those of the Hebrew community, for his kind donations. "Since your departure," Mr Halfon writes, "no representation or complaint has reached me from any person. I am convinced of its being a happy prelude of the fruits of your philanthropic voyage."
The sentiments expressed in these letters afforded Sir Moses particular satisfaction, inasmuch as he was mindful of Monsieur Halfon's former advice to him not to come to Moldavia at all. Now he hears from the representatives of both the German and Portuguese communities of that place, and of the President of the Alliance himself, that his presence amongst them was not only desirable but most urgent.
The difference of opinion on the subject which manifested itself previously to Sir Moses' arrival may perhaps be explained by what had been stated in the British Consul's letter to Lord Stanley, to the effect that the more wealthy class of the Jews in Roumania had apparently not much reason to complain of ill-treatment.
Sir Moses now made his reports to Lord Stanley, Baron Brunnow, and the London Committee of Deputies of the British Jews. The latter, six days later (26th September), at a special meeting, adopted a resolution, that "The Board can well appreciate the amount of peril and the great anxieties to which its venerated colleague must have been subjected in seeking the accomplishment of his arduous undertaking—doubtless the blessing of Providence, his perseverance, his untiring energy, and his wise discretion, have on this, as on previous occasions, enabled him to succeed; and the Board expresses its ardent hope that this honoured champion of Israel may be long spared to enjoy the esteem and love of his co-religionists, and the friends of humanity throughout the world."
September 27th.—It being near the time for the celebration of solemn festivals in the Hebrew community, Sir Moses invited to East Cliff a number of relatives and friends, who spent many happy days with him. On his return to London he attended the meetings of his companies and various communal institutions.
Thursday, October 10th.—The Deputy of Ramsgate having received a numerously signed requisition to call a public meeting for the purpose of requesting Sir Moses to sit for his portrait to be placed in the Town Hall, proceeded to East Cliff to make the request. Sir Moses consented, and at a meeting of the Committee, Mr S. A. Hart, R.A., was appointed to paint the portrait. It was to be a very large picture, nine feet long. A resolution was also passed to the effect that an address should be presented to Sir Moses on the 21st November.
In appreciation of the attention paid to him by his Ramsgate friends, he invited the Deputy, two of the Committee, and the clergymen of St. Laurence and St Peter's to dine with him and his friends from London, including Mr Hart, the artist, on the day fixed for the presentation of the address, and at the same time sent £100 to the treasurer of the charity schools of Ramsgate to be divided amongst the children.
December 12th.—He had an interview with Mr Jackson, Her Majesty's Consul-General in Syria, on the desirability of appointing an English Consul at Haifa for the better protection of the Jews, and he addressed Lord Stanley on the subject. Hearing that Mr and Mrs Eldridge had seen a very neat and light carriage, which pleased them greatly, he considered it a great pleasure to be permitted to present them with the same as a token of appreciation of the Consul's kindness, and the protection afforded to Sir Moses' co-religionists.
The Diary of this day has an entry referring to a narrow escape he had from personal danger. On his way through Smithfield to Fitzroy Square in a cab, his footman being on the box with the driver, a butcher's cart drawn by a runaway horse ran into them. The terrified driver sprang from the box, leaving them to their fate; but fortunately the furious animal turned aside at the very moment when it appeared impossible for them to escape. "Another mark," he says, "of God's goodness and providential protection."