He felt extremely weak, and sometimes he was unable to hold a pen in his hand for several days. His medical attendant frequently slept in the house, or called two or three times in a day, and great uneasiness was felt by all round him.
July 24th.—An alarming bulletin was issued: "The condition of Sir Moses during the past week has caused serious anxiety. On Friday last there was extreme prostration, and the rallying power during the three following days was sensibly diminished."
July 25th.—Congestion of the lungs set in, but the day following he felt somewhat better, and the symptoms were less grave.
July 27th.—This being one of the days when I generally reported to him on subjects relating to his foreign correspondence, I entered his room, and coming near his bedside, he took my hand, saying, "My dear, dear Dr Loewe, do not leave me; you must not leave me." I replied that if such was his wish I would certainly comply with it, and he rejoined: "I tell you, do not leave me; sleep here."
I accordingly remained with him, but at eleven o'clock his medical attendant came for the purpose of sleeping in the house.
Under the impression that Sir Moses might pass a good night, those of his relatives round his bedside wished me to retire, Dr Woodman promising to call me if necessary, and I did so.
At two o'clock in the morning Dr Woodman knocked at my door, saying that Sir Moses had taken a change for the worse; it was doubtful whether he would live till the morning.
I immediately entered his room, finding him surrounded by his near relatives and faithful attendants. He appeared to be asleep. He breathed heavily, and every now and then opened his eyes, looking steadily at those near him. He kept his right hand continually on the right side of his chest, as if he felt some pain there.
Telegrams and messages were sent to relatives and friends, to the gentlemen of Judith College, and to the ministers of the Synagogues, requesting their immediate attendance.
In the course of the morning he was asked now and then to take a glass of wine or some beef tea. He would then say "wait," while he endeavoured to hold the glass till his breath would allow him to drink. Then feeling apparently a little refreshed, he would say, "God bless you, God bless you." A little while later he would turn to me, asking if he had still anything to do, and moving his hand, as if he wanted to sign more cheques for benevolent purposes.