"On my expressing a hope to receive a reply to the address from the Pope, he said: 'No reply had been given to similar memorials from Holland, Germany, and France.' He gave an assurance of goodwill towards the Israelites in the Papal States.
"The Cardinal was most courteous, made me sit by his side on the sofa, and very cordially shook me by the hand, both when Mr Odo Russell introduced me to him and on my withdrawing after our interview.
"On leaving the Vatican, Mr Russell rode with me to our house, and repeated to Lady Montefiore all that had passed, when we drew up a telegram, which he approved, and I forwarded it to London for the Board of Deputies, and to inform the Lord Mayor, the Chief Rabbi, Baron Rothschild, and Sir Culling Eardly."
Rome, April 29th.—Sir Moses called on Dr Chalmers, and met His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales on the staircase, with Colonel the Hon. R. Bruce and Major Teesdale. The Prince graciously stopped to shake hands with him. Sir Moses then called on Lord Stratford de Redcliffe, who thought Sir Moses should make yet another effort to see the Pope.
Rome, April 30th.—On his way home from the Synagogue he went to Mr Odo Russell, being anxious to see him, as he was extremely desirous, in accordance with Lord Redcliffe's advice, to make another effort to see the Sovereign Pontiff; but Mr Russell had just gone out. "The English," Sir Moses writes, "are all taking their departure. It is reported that hostilities have actually commenced between Piedmont and Austria; also that 14,000 Tuscan troops have gone over to Piedmont, and the Grand Duke fled to Bologna. The Prince of Wales, it is said, will leave on Monday next."
Rome, May 1st.—"Unpleasant reports," says the Diary, "are in circulation to-day regarding the state of the political world. Some feeling, it is said, has been evinced in several Colleges. It is expected that the greatest part of the French troops will leave Rome. My companions are all very anxious that we should return to England."
Rome, May 5th.—Sir Moses gave the order to engage berths in the Vesuvius from Civita Vecchia, having to pay double fare from Naples to Marseilles in consequence of the great number of people anxious to embark. He called on Lord de Redcliffe, and remained with him for a full hour, conversing on the Mortara subject and the plans which might lead to the possibility of prevailing upon the Pope to restore the child to his parents.
Rome, May 6th.—Cards were left by him at the Vatican for Cardinal Antonelli, and farewell visits paid to his friends. In the evening, while attending Divine Service, he witnessed an attempt made by a Roman recruit to create a disturbance in the Synagogue. "The man," Sir Moses says, "was pushed out, and the doors locked till the end of the service." Nothing further occurred, but the city was full of disagreeable reports. "War, war, war," was the general cry. "I was quite knocked up," he continues, "and obliged to lie down for some time."
Rome, May 10th.—Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore left Rome. "I thank, bless, and praise the God of my fathers," Sir Moses said, "for bringing me and my dear wife in safety out of Rome; and may He bring us in improved health to old England and our relatives and friends."
On proceeding to the railway station they met Mr Odo Russell on his way to take leave of them. They stopped the carriage and had a few minutes' chat. "It is some satisfaction," Sir Moses writes in his Diary, "that all whom I had consulted in the Mortara case agreed in opinion that I could do nothing more, and that, in the present state of things, my remaining at Rome would in no way be useful or desirable." "This journey and mission," he says, "has been, on many accounts, a painful and sad trial of patience, and, I may truly add, of perseverance, but our God is in Heaven, and no doubt He has permitted that which will prove a disappointment to our friends, &c., and is a grief to us, for the best and wisest purposes. Blessed be His name!"