"Let prayers be offered up," he telegraphed, "in all Synagogues for President Garfield's speedy recovery."
Mrs Garfield, to whom Sir Moses subsequently addressed a letter of sympathy, several Senators, and many prominent American citizens, acknowledged this mark of attention most gratefully, and expressed their high appreciation of it.
When the President died Sir Moses sent £100 to Mr Marcus of Boston for distribution among the most deserving charitable institutions of that city, without distinction of race or creed, in memory of the esteemed and lamented President.
September 28th.—The following telegram, appeared in one of the papers, under the heading "Anti-Semitic Agitation," dated Vienna, Tuesday night:
"According to a Russian paper, Sir Moses Montefiore has forwarded an address to the Jews in South Russia, informing them of the measures provided for their emigration to the United States, and stating that no obstacle will be raised by the Government to their leaving the country."
This report having no foundation in truth, Sir Moses immediately addressed the editor on the subject, who in return published a correction the next day. As a matter of fact, Sir Moses never expressed an opinion on the matter, sent no address to the Jews of South Russia, and did not even reply to letters written to him on the question of emigration.
On the 8th day of Heshván Sir Moses celebrated his ninety-seventh birthday.
A few days afterwards there is an entry in his Diary, in which he says: "I have been very unwell for several days, and this day unable to take a drive in my carriage. Blessed be God for His manifold gifts, and, I hope, renewed strength."
December 30th.—Letters reached him from America referring to a meeting of the citizens of Harrisburg, Catahouli, and Louisiana, reporting that resolutions had been passed cordially inviting the Russian emigrants to settle in the district, and promising every assistance. Three representatives of the emigrants made an inspection of the land offered to them, and gave a very favourable account of it. At New Orleans every assistance was given to the emigrants, numbering about a hundred, and the President of the West End Railway placed a special train at their disposal.