CHAPTER XXXIV.
1874.

UNVEILING OF THE BUST OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY AT ST PETER'S ORPHANAGE—SIR MOSES ON JEWISH CONVERSION—THE MONTEFIORE TESTIMONIAL—PREPARING TO START ONCE MORE FOR THE HOLY LAND.

NOVEMBER 14th.—Mr Weekes, the sculptor, who five months previously had submitted to Sir Moses a model of the bust of the Archbishop of Canterbury, which, with the consent of his Grace, Sir Moses had commissioned the sculptor to execute, now reported that it was ready for being unveiled at the Orphanage at St Peter's, Thanet. Sir Moses, believing that it would be a source of gratification to the Archbishop to see the bust of Mrs Tait placed in the same institution, wrote to that lady, asking her to allow him to give the sculptor an order to that effect. Mrs Tait's reply is as follows:

"Stonehouse, St Peter's,
Thanet, November 15th, 1874.

"My dear Sir Moses,—Most deeply do we feel the kindness of your request in wishing me also to sit to Mr Weekes for a bust to be placed in St Peter's Orphan Home. I shall gladly comply, and thankfully accept your great kindness.

"We are truly grieved to hear of your being so unwell, and I shall be thankful if you find yourself well enough to join our party at luncheon on the 17th, without risk.

"Dr Loewe has promised to be with us, and will say a few words for you, should you be unable. He will also let me know if you have other friends you may wish to be present.

"The bust of the Archbishop is beautifully executed, and will, I am sure, be much admired.—Believe me to be, my dear Sir Moses, yours most sincerely,

"Catherine Tait."

"The Archbishop joins in very kind regards."

Sir Moses was too unwell to leave Park Lane, and great disappointment was felt by all present at the ceremony.

The Archbishop and Mrs Tait, however, were present to witness the proceedings. The Dean of Canterbury and most of the clergy resident in the neighbourhood, nearly all the clergy in the Westbere Deanery, many of the Sandwich Deanery, and a great number from other parts of the county, also attended. The company included several ladies. The bust was placed in the dining-hall, and the juvenile inmates of the institution were seated at one end of the room. A published report says:

"Dr Loewe attended as the representative of Sir Moses Montefiore, and unveiled the bust. It bore the following inscription:—

A Bust
of Archibald Campbell Tait,
Archbishop of Canterbury,
Primate of all England,
Presented to
St Peter's Orphan and Convalescent Home
by
Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart.
1874.

"Dr Loewe began by reading the following letter from Sir Moses to Mrs Tait:—

"'I find with sincere regret that the state of my health precludes the possibility of my travelling, and will thus deprive me of the great pleasure and privilege of paying my respects to you and to the Archbishop at the Orphanage to-morrow, but allow me to assure you that, although I cannot be present, my fervent prayers will be united to those of your guests, who entreat the blessing of God on the noble institution in which they are assembled, and on its distinguished and benevolent founders.'