He would then begin to recite a psalm, the Song of Moses, or a favourite hymn of his, commencing with the Hebrew words,. "El Norá 'Alcelah," generally sung in the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue on the day of atonement, before the conclusion service.
Often, when in conversation with me during the evenings, at a time when he was comfortably resting in bed, he would review the numerous pleasing incidents which happened on his Missions, in the company of Lady Montefiore, during the last fifty years of his life. His observations induced me to remind him of a number of occurrences which just at the moment appeared to have been forgotten by him, and he was delighted in recalling them again to his memory.
In reflecting upon the actual state of the Holy Land, the great changes which had taken place there since his first visit to Jerusalem, and its favourable prospects in the future, his countenance would become illumined with satisfaction.
Fifty years ago, very few persons in England and France manifested any particular interest in the Land of Promise—there were persons in both countries who laughed at the idea of even mentioning that country. "Now," he said, "some of them are numbered amongst the great benefactors of its inhabitants."
"Look," he would continue, "at the great improvements which have been made in Jerusalem, and, after all, fifty years is but a short time, if we consider the number of years it takes even in Europe to improve the condition of different classes of people."
Suddenly he would turn his head, and put his finger on the stone from Jerusalem which he had under his pillow, bearing the inscription, "For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof" (Ps. cii. 17). "This," he said, "you will put under my head when I am placed in my last resting-place. Now go into the Gothic Library, take a good supper, and we shall have a glass of wine together in pleasing remembrance of what we have seen and endeavoured to do for our brethren."
On the 24th April the first bulletin appeared in the newspapers regarding his health. It was issued by his medical attendant, and was to the following effect:—"For several days in the early part of the week Sir Moses Montefiore suffered much from weakness." He recovered his strength a little, but not sufficiently to enable him to remain unaffected by the weather, which had become a little colder, although the month of June had now arrived.
Meanwhile he continued to take a deep interest in current events. In honour of the Queen's Birthday he gave orders to provide a dinner for the poor in the Union at Ramsgate, and tea and refreshments for the pupils and teachers of the Jews' Infant School in London. At dinner he took up his glass, and requested his friends to join him in drinking to the health of our good Queen. "God bless her," he said, "and all the Royal Family."
June 19th.—The bulletin stated that the condition of Sir Moses caused some anxiety, but happily, on Saturday morning, his medical attendant was able to report that the alarming symptoms had passed away.
June 26th.—No more weekly bulletins were issued. Sir Moses is fairly well. He signed cheques, but for large amounts; for small payments, bank notes and gold were procured from the bank. Before singing his name, he generally tried the strength of his hand on a sheet of paper. Sometimes the writing was remarkably good; but his eyesight was failing him, and he would request some one to put the pen which he held in his hand on the spot where his signature was required, and he was then able to sign his name.