June 28th was the fiftieth anniversary of the wedding of Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore. Relatives, friends, and many representatives of congregations hastened to offer them their felicitations, and letters and addresses from all parts of the world. To mark the solemnity of the day, Sir Moses attended a special service in his own Synagogue, and on his return wrote the last verse in a Hebrew scroll of the Pentateuch, which he presented to a congregation in need of one for their Synagogue, and too poor to buy one. Lady Montefiore, although very weak and ailing, left her bed in the hope of being present whilst Sir Moses was writing; but the doctor, who came soon after, found her too weak to leave her room.
"The absence of my dear Judith," Sir Moses writes, "was a severe drawback to the happiness I had in being permitted, by the mercy of God, to write the concluding words of the Pentateuch scroll. May He, in His merciful goodness, allow me to have the happiness to complete the next sacred scroll which is now being written for me at Wilna, in my dear wife's presence. May she be in better health; may she enjoy renewed strength to participate in the joy which this act affords me."
The next day Mr Manser of Dumpton, his nearest neighbour, came to present him and Lady Montefiore with a most friendly address of congratulation, signed by the ministers and inhabitants of St Peter's and Broadstairs. Dr Canham brought them an address from the bench of magistrates, most kind and complimentary; and several other friends, unable to offer their congratulations personally, sent letters.
July 2nd.—A telegram arrived, informing him that the Viceroy of Egypt had ordered his son, Toussoun Pasha, to come to England again; and Sir Moses at once wrote to Tulfica Pasha to ask the Viceroy to allow the Prince to be his guest. A few days later he received an invitation to dine with the Viceroy on board His Highness's yacht; but Lady Montefiore and himself being unwell, he was unable to accept it.
July 20th.—Sir Moses went to Woolwich to pay his respects to the Viceroy. The latter was much pleased to see him, thanking him for the invitation he had given to Prince Toussoun Pasha and the offer of the house made to himself. In the course of conversation, referring to the French and English languages, the Pasha said he understood English very well; he had not been in England so long for nothing. His Highness said, Lord Palmerston had held out two of his fingers to him, by way of shaking hands, and Lord John Russell, one.
He appeared to be in excellent spirits, and asked Sir Moses if he had seen his yacht, and told him to go and see the cabins. Sir Moses found them truly magnificent. The richness of the furniture was almost beyond description. Sir Moses says, "They are far too richly furnished for my taste. On my taking leave of his Highness," he adds, "I wished him long life, and hoped he might see the prosperity of Egypt increased a thousand fold. "Of what consequence," said the Pasha, "could that be to me? I do not expect to live more than ten years." "When I left," Sir Moses continues, "he shook me heartily by the hand. I sincerely wish him health, long life, and contentment. I would not sail in the yacht to Egypt for ten thousand pounds."
September 8th.—In accordance with the decision of the doctors, after several consultations, Lady Montefiore was to pass the winter at Nice, and she was strongly advised not to postpone her departure after the 19th October.
Dr Hodgkin still feared that she was too weak to undertake the journey, but he would meet Sir Charles Locock, when they would come to a final decision.
That morning all preparations were completed to leave Ramsgate for London.
Lady Montefiore left her bed with considerable reluctance, although she felt she was unable to travel on that day. Sir Moses sent for her doctor, and as the latter was of opinion that they might venture, Sir Moses did not hesitate to undertake the journey. After a most careful journey in an invalid's carriage, they arrived in town and drove to Park Lane, where Lady Montefiore was with equal care carried from the carriage to the hall, and from there to the back drawing-room. She immediately went to bed, and after taking a cup of tea, felt very comfortable, "and certainly," Sir Moses said, "not more fatigued than one could have expected."