SIR MOSES reported to the Rev. Dr N. M. Adler and the other gentlemen of the Holy Land Committee the result of his observations in Jerusalem on the various institutions established there by the trustees. He also had many interviews with Holman of Canterbury on matters connected with the erection of a windmill in the Holy City, and the preparation of a balance sheet of the Appeal Fund occupied a good deal of his time. But he was not permitted to devote his attentions exclusively to the Holy Land. His Highness the Pasha of Egypt, as a proof of his confidence in the kindness of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, entrusted them with the care of his son, Toussoun Pasha.
This young Prince, although of a most amiable disposition, was rather self-willed, like many other young people in an exalted position, and thereby caused some anxiety to Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, who deeply felt their responsibility for the Prince's well-being during the time he was under their care. Among the suite of the Prince was a physician, against whose advice the Prince often rebelled, and it required all the tact of Lady Montefiore, and sometimes all the firmness of Sir Moses, to make the young Pasha submit.
Sir Moses had for some time to relinquish his favourite pursuits in connection with the Holy Land in order to study the comforts of the Prince.
Thursday, August 20th.—Mr S. A. Hart, the Royal Academician, was commissioned by Sir Moses to paint a full-length portrait of the Prince.
The young Prince was entertained in a variety of ways, in Eastern and European style.
Almost day after day there are entries such as "The young Pasha continues well, which is a great happiness to me," or "The Prince is in high spirits and excellent health; he grows tall and strong," showing his great anxiety of mind during the period of the young Prince's residence with him.
Toussoun Pasha's visit to England was now drawing to a close, and as Monsieur Jules Pastré had arrived to accompany the young Prince on a visit to Monsieur de Lesseps, Sir Moses made arrangements for his departure. Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore accompanied the Pasha to Dover, where they parted from him.
Monday, September 25th, being the Hebrew Day of Atonement, Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore this day attended the services in the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue from before seven o'clock in the morning until nearly the same hour in the evening without intermission. Sir Moses records in his Diary the pleasure he felt in having been called upon during the service to read publicly the chapter referring to the day from an ancient scroll of the law presented by his grandfather to this Synagogue.
Soon afterwards, on the 7th October, Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore again attended a solemn service at the same place. This day had been appointed by special command of Her Majesty to implore the blessings of Heaven upon her arms for the complete and speedy restoration of tranquillity in India. The Jews having proved themselves at all times and in all countries loyal to the Government under whose sway they live, it may readily be imagined that the Jews in England joined heartily in the prayers offered up on that day, and no one could pray more fervently than did Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore for the continuance of God's blessing on Her Majesty, for the success of her armies in the field, and for the speedy restoration of peace. Before long the happy tidings were received that the Mutiny was at an end, the East India Company became extinct as a ruling body, and on the 1st November a public proclamation was read in front of the Government House in Calcutta, declaring that the Queen of England had assumed the direct control and sovereignty of India.
I now invite the reader to follow me to the Bank of England. There, on our arrival, we are shown a pile of papers, and from them we gather that Sir Moses had absolutely forgotten the existence of £50 Three Per Cent. Annuities standing in his and Lady Montefiore's joint-names and had not claimed the dividends thereon since the year 1847. There is happily no record of such an oversight on the part of Sir Moses in connection with his administration of the property of others.