As a matter of course, Anti-Semitic journals speedily copied the statement made in the manifesto, but when a copy was sent to me by a gentleman at Elberfeld, I immediately, with the sanction of Sir Moses, contradicted the statement, and, to the credit of the editor of the Elberfeld journal, on receiving our letter he published a paragraph in his paper, to the effect that he had been mis-informed regarding the presence of Sir Moses at Krakau, and the words said to have been spoken by him.
At this time of public trouble, Sir Moses was also much pained to hear that the health of the Archbishop of Canterbury had become such as to give great anxiety to his friends. Sir Moses sent telegrams or letters of inquiry almost daily. For many weeks the illustrious patient bore his sufferings with the pious resignation which he had shown under previous exceptionally severe trials, his even temper and amiable disposition never forsaking him, until it pleased the Almighty to release him from all earthly trouble. Sir Moses felt the loss most acutely, and wrote a most touching letter to the family. He sent a wreath to be placed on the Archbishop's coffin. Miss Tait, one of the Archbishop's daughters, acknowledged its receipt in terms of gratitude.
CHAPTER XLI.
1883.
SIR MOSES CONGRATULATES THE CZAR ALEXANDER III. ON HIS CORONATION—HE APPEALS TO THE HUNGARIAN PARLIAMENT—ACQUITTAL OF THE ACCUSED AT TISZA-ESZLAR—REJOICINGS ON SIR MOSES COMPLETING HIS NINETY-NINTH YEAR.
THE coronation of the Czar Alexander III., at Moscow, afforded to Sir Moses an opportunity of writing a letter of congratulation on behalf of himself and his co-religionists, to one who was the son and grandson of two monarchs who had nobly responded to his appeals in days gone by, on behalf of the Jews in their vast Empire. The following is Sir Moses' letter:
"To His Imperial Majesty Alexander the Third, Emperor
of all the Russias."May it please your Imperial Majesty,—Among the many millions of your Imperial Majesty's faithful subjects,—numerous representatives of States and Kingdoms of the world,—and a multitude of admirers of your Imperial Majesty's rule of justice, blended with mercy and benevolence, who this day, the great and glorious day of all the Russias, offer their congratulations to you, Sire, on the most auspicious event of your Imperial Majesty's coronation, your most humble servant, prompted by an ardent desire to join that host of well-wishers, very respectfully approaches your Imperial Majesty, to lay at the foot of your Imperial Majesty's throne his most sincere and heartfelt felicitations.
"Having had the distinguished honour of hearing, in the year 1846, from the lips of his late Imperial Majesty, the Emperor Nicholas, and subsequently in the year 1872, from his late Imperial Majesty, the Emperor Alexander the Second, your Imperial Majesty's august father, the noble sentiments of their paternal love towards all true and loyal subjects, irrespective of creed and nationality, it is an especial cause of great felicity to me to have been permitted, by the mercy of God, to attain the advanced age of nearly one hundred years, to hear of the exalted and ever memorable event of your Imperial Majesty's coronation, and to read with my own eyes the glorious manifesto, in which you, Sire, bend your merciful glances upon all your subjects, and, in accordance with the inmost dictates of your Imperial heart, turn towards all who are specially in want or oppressed: preserving the rights and privileges of all men, and shedding the radiant light of your Imperial Majesty's great wisdom, justice, and humanity over myriads of people under your Imperial Majesty's sway.
"Conjointly with the latter, including several millions of my brethren, your Imperial Majesty's Hebrew subjects, I invoke Him, who is the Eternal Ruler of the Universe, the King of Kings, to cause His most choice blessings to alight on the crowned head of your Imperial Majesty, likewise on the crowned head of Her Imperial Majesty the Empress, and on your Imperial Majesty's most illustrious family.
"May your days, Sire, be prolonged; May you rule for many years in refulgent glory over your vast Empire; May you, Sire, have the happiness of seeing all your fervent wishes for peace and lasting tranquillity among the nations realized, so that your Imperial name may for ever be indelibly inscribed on the tablets of the heart of your Imperial Majesty's faithful subjects, and on those of every friend of justice and humanity.
"Deign, Oh Sire! graciously to receive the fervent and most sincere felicitations expressed by your Imperial Majesty's most humble and obedient servant,
"Moses Montefiore."
"East Cliff Lodge, Ramsgate,
28th May, 1883."
In reply to the above letter, His Excellency, Monsieur de Giers, Minister of Foreign Affairs, by order of the Emperor, addressed Sir Moses as follows:—
"St Petersbourg, le 2 Juin, 1883.
"Monsieur,—J'ai placé sous les yeux de mon Auguste Maître la lettre destinée à Sa Majesté que vous m'avez transmise.
"Sa Majesté me charge de vous assurer qu' Elle apprécie les sentiments que vous temoignez à la memoire de Son Auguste Pere et de Son Grand-Pere, ainsi que les vœux de felicitations que vous Lui addressez à l'occasion de Son couronnement.
"J'ai l'ordre de vous en remercier en Son Nom, et en m'acquittant de cette volonté Suprème, je vous prie, Monsieur de recevoir en même temps l'assurance de ma consideration la plus distinguée.
"Giers."