In America, in Pratt Country, Kansas, a colony bearing the name "Montefiore," and consisting of refugees from countries in which the blessings of liberty have not yet been allotted to their brethren, sent him an address in pure Biblical Hebrew, conveying the expression of their gratitude for his exertions to ameliorate their condition, and forwarded for his acceptance specimens of the produce of their colony.
His regular medical attendant and others paid him frequent visits, but he seldom left his room. Sometimes great anxiety was felt by those round him when attacks of bronchitis or a severe cough disturbed his nights, but he would rally again, so strong was his constitution. Sir William Jenner once came down. Sir Moses was not informed he had been sent for, or he would not have consented. The eminent physician, after a careful examination, made the satisfactory statement that his pulse was wonderfully well for a man of his age, but, of course, he observed, his life was, as it were, hanging on a thread. However, by great care and unceasing attention, he might yet, comparatively speaking, continue to enjoy health and good spirits.
Very frequently, as I walked from Broadstairs to East Cliff Lodge, I was stopped on the road by rich and poor, eagerly inquiring, "How is Sir Moses?" and whenever he took a carriage drive, which was now but very seldom, many groups of people might be seen awaiting him on the roads through which he would have to pass, so as to catch a glance of him.
His Synagogue and College continued to engage his mind. To visitors, who purposely came from London or elsewhere to Ramsgate to see him, he would say, "Have you been to see the Synagogue? Have you seen the College?" Not being able to attend the College himself, he had copies made of the lectures, and on a Friday night or Sabbath morning he would invite the lecturer for the day to come and read the same to him.
The order for writing a scroll of the Pentateuch was again sent to Wilna, in accordance with his custom ever since his first visit to that place in the year 1846, and he awaited its arrival with impatience. He often expressed the wish that he might soon have the happiness of again writing the last verse in the sacred manuscript.
He used to join his friends at the dinner table, although, for the last two years, he could no longer partake of the same food as was prepared for them, but he would remain on the sofa and join them in drinking the healths of some of those present.
He still enjoyed the Friday evenings (the commencement of the Sabbath) to a high degree. When his Sabbath lamp illumined his chamber, and prayers were being recited, he would join in singing the hymns and psalms; afterwards he would drink the wine out of the Sabbath cup, over which the benediction of the hallowed day of rest had been pronounced, and partake of the Sabbath bread. He would then be in the best of humours, and would delight every one with his conversation.
Thus the weeks and months glided away on the path of time, and the hundredth anniversary of his birthday drew near.
Footnotes
[9] Description of presentation taken partly from Daily
Telegraph.