FROM THE BURLINGTON HAWK EYE
BURLINGTON, IOWA
9 SEPTEMBER 1875
A RICH JEW IN JERUSALEM
Mr H. Guedalia has favored us(?), writes the Jewish World(?) with the perusal of some private letters giving particulars of the visit of Sir Moses Montefiore to Jerusalem. On the Wednesday following his arrival in Jerusalem the venerable baronet visited the large synagogue in the Holy City belonging to the Ashkenasm congregation. This handsome house of worship was splendidly illuminated, and all the decorations, floral and otherwise, usually exhibited on the festivals, adorned the synagogue on this occasion. The synagogue presented a very gorgeous spectacle, the enthusiasm of the vast congregation considerably enhancing the beauty of the scene.
Sir Moses Montefiore was received at the doors of the synagogue with every demonstration of honor by the Rev Hakam Bashi, at whose house he was entertained immediately after the service was concluded. Sir Moses expressed himself highly delighted with the reception which had been given him. The aged philanthropist was so much fatigued from the visit that he was compelled to keep his bed the whole of the following day.
On making his exit from the synagogue it was with great difficulty that Sir Moses Montefiore was able to make his progress through the streets upwards of 20,000 people, it is said, being assembled, anxious to obtain a sight of the venerable baronet. Jews, Christians and Mohammaedans rushed backwards and forwards in seeming frenzy, just for the purpose of feasting their eyes on the countenance of the white-headed champion of Judaism, who, in his ninety-first year, left home and comfort to succor the distressed.
In fact, so great was the excitement and so numerous the difficulties which impeded the progress of Sir Moses through the streets, that the authorites were compelled to order out the military to disperse the enthusiastic crowds which besieged the aged hero.
After much trouble Sir Moses was permitted to pursue his way. In a letter from Sir Moses Montefiore to Mr H Guedalia, dated Jerusalem, July 29, Sir Moses stated that the number of buildings (dwelling houses, we believe) has greatly increased, and, seeing how densely crowded is the Holy City at the present moment, Sir Moses thinks that it would be very desirable to erect suitable dwellings outside the city. He states, moreover, that all he has seen in Jerusalem since his arrival confirms his opinions of the merits of the Jewish inhabitants, and all that has come under his view strengthens him in his belief that the Halestinian (Palestinian) Israelites are eager and anxious to give their attention to any kind of remunerative employment.