The sad intelligence immediately spread through the town. The Mayor of Ramsgate, who was presiding at a meeting of the Town Council, at once communicated it to his colleagues, and it was forthwith resolved that the town should be draped in black, and the meeting broke up.
As soon as the news became known, the customary signs of mourning appeared on all sides, and a wish was generally expressed that the funeral should be made as public as possible, in order that the townspeople might have an opportunity of showing their regard to one who, though truly a citizen of the world, yet took a deep interest in their town.
In the city of London, at a meeting of the Common Council, held the day after his death, the Lord Mayor said that, since last they met, one of the most distinguished—he thought he should be justified in saying "the most distinguished citizen of London" had been called away. He referred to the late Sir Moses Montefiore, whose life the Almighty had mercifully spared so long. The extreme old age to which the honourable Baronet had lived must soften, in a great degree, the feelings of regret which all present entertained at the loss; but, at the same, they must feel the highest pride in being able to say that Sir Moses, during his long and honourable life, always took the deepest interest in the affairs of the citizens and their ancient Corporation. In works of charity and philanthropy no man stood higher; he was not only the dearest friend, but the firm supporter of every good cause connected with that community—that venerable race—to which he belonged, and setting aside creed or race, he sympathised, it might be said, in a most practical manner with every popular movement throughout the world. No doubt it would be agreeable to the Court to have placed on record their sense of the great loss which not only the city and the metropolis, but the world at large, had sustained in the death of that eminent man, and he should ask the Chief Commissioner to move in the matter.
Mr Dresser Rogers accordingly proposed, "That this Court sincerely joins in the national sympathy evoked by the decease of their distinguished fellow-citizen, Sir Moses Montefiore, Bart, ex-Sheriff, who, after an exceptionally long and useful life, had passed peacefully to his rest, full of days and of honour, and leaving behind him a memory which will be long cherished in many lands." Mr Rogers, as one of the deputation who had the privilege to visit Sir Moses last year for the purpose or congratulating him on his one hundredth birthday, spoke of the kindly and courteous manner in which they were received by the honourable Baronet on that occasion, and on the great pleasure which their presence evidently afforded him.
Mr Alderman Lawrence, M.P., seconding the motion, also alluded to the eminent services which Sir Moses rendered to the city, and the many philanthropic acts which he performed during his long and honourable career. The epoch in which the deceased Baronet lived was distinguished for its improvements and inventions, for its progress in every way, and for the comfort and welfare of the great masses of the people at large.
The motion was adopted unanimously.
Mr H. L. Phillips proposed that a small deputation of the Council should be appointed to attend the funeral of Sir Moses this afternoon, for he was sure that all wished to honour the memory of the good man who was now deceased.
Mr M'Geagh seconded the motion, and it was decided that Mr Alderman Cowan and the mover and seconder be the deputation accordingly.
The Council also agreed, as a graceful act, to invite Mr George Faudel Phillips, the junior Sheriff, to accompany the deputation to Ramsgate this morning.