CHAPTER XXXIII.
1873.
ADDRESS TO THE CZAR ON THE OCCASION OF THE MARRIAGE OF THE DUKE AND DUCHESS OF EDINBURGH—THE CZAR'S REPLY—DEATH OF SIR MOSES' SISTER, MRS COHEN—SIR MOSES READS HIS OWN OBITUARY—HE RESIGNS HIS OFFICE AS PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DEPUTIES.
THE Board of Deputies of British Jews, on the occasion of the betrothal of the Duke of Edinburgh to the Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna of Russia, voted an address of congratulation to the Emperor of Russia. Sir Moses, as President of the Board, himself offered to take the address to St Petersburg and present it to the Emperor in person, but Count Brunnow, on becoming acquainted with Sir Moses' intention, persuaded him not to undergo the fatigue of travelling, and the journey was reluctantly abandoned. His Excellency himself forwarded the address to the Emperor.
Monsieur de Westmann, acknowledging the receipt of the address in the name of the Emperor, wrote to Count Brunnow as follows:—
"Les sentiments dont cette adresse contient l'expression, dans une circonstance si chère au cœur de Sa Majesté Impériale, L'ont profondément touchée. Elle a été particulièrement sensible au désir manifesté par Sir Moses Montefiore de se rendre lui-même en Russie, pour être l'organe des felicitations de ses co-religionnaires. Sa Majesté Impériale n'a pu qu'approuver l'attention que vous avez eue d'epargner à Sir Moses Montefiore les fatigues d'un si long voyage. Elle m'a donné l'ordre exprès de lui faire parvenir ses remercîments par l'intermédiaire de Votre Excellence et de l'assurer qu'ayant conservé le meilleur souvenir du séjour de Sir Moses à St Petersbourg, Elle maintient invariablement les dispositions bien-veillantes qu'Elle lui a témoignées tant pour lui personnellement que pour ses co-religionnaires, dont il a plaidé la cause avec tant de chaleureux dévouement.
"Veuillez, Monsieur le Comte, faire part à Sir Moses Montefiore de ces sentiments de notre Auguste Maître et recevez, &c."
During the next three months the serious illness of his sister, Mrs Cohen, caused Sir Moses great anxiety. All the time he could spare from official duties he passed by her side, trying to alleviate her sufferings, and to cheer her by his conversation. But the dread decree had gone forth, and in spite of all that was done for her, she succumbed to the malady. On the 29th of October we read the following entry in Sir Moses' Diary:—
"It has pleased the God of our fathers to relieve my dearly beloved sister from all suffering. She was called to eternal glory this morning at seven o'clock, expiring without a sigh, passing from earth to Heaven most peaceably in a sound sleep. Oh, may my end be like hers! Peace be to her soul! 'The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.'
"It is a sad loss to me. She was the youngest of nine children. I, the oldest, by the mercy of God, still remain, I hope for the purpose of doing some good.
"May God comfort my dear sister's children, bless and preserve them. Amen."