en a very fatiguing day. At half-past eight I was at
Mansell Street attending as Lavador. I took care to see that all the
Rev. Haham's requests were strictly complied with. At twelve the
funeral cortege proceeded to Bevis Marks. The Rev. Dr Hirschel
preached an excellent discourse over the coffin at the old burial
ground. The body was carried by all the representatives of the
congregation. I assisted in lowering it into the grave. I subsequently
returned to the house of the mourners, there joining the assembly at
vesper prayers. It was seven o'clock when I left."

Mr Montefiore frequently called at the house of the bereaved
relatives, conveying to them his sympathy and making friendly offers
of his services.

Always feeling an interest in objects connected with the Holy Land, he
went to look at the drawings and sketches made by Mr Thomas Wyse, jun.
(son-in-law of Lucien Bonaparte), during his stay in that part of the
world. Some of them he found beautiful and faithful representations of
views in and about Jerusalem. But what engages his mind most now is
the desirability of procuring the necessary means for the support of
educational institutions in the Holy Land.

The spread of education and the establishment of schools and colleges
have justly been regarded by all enlightened nations as a barometer of
civilisation, a sign of the pulsation of life in the heart of a
people, and the gladdening light and comforting joy for both rich and
poor. But all who are acquainted with the history of the Jews, both
ancient and modern, will readily admit that no other nation or class
of people have ever shown their appreciation of it under more
unfavourable circumstances and at a greater sacrifice. They never
relaxed their exertions to benefit by education, notwithstanding the
numerous and painful checks from which their progress has often
suffered. As the grain of seed under the rough and stony surface,
trodden down by the heavy steps of the wanderer, only after turning
and twisting in many directions, finally sends forth its tender blade
into the pure atmosphere and reviving light of the sun, so the seed of
intellect in the brain of the Jew had to pass through many trials and
troubles before its first shoot was permitted to show itself and to
thrive in the beneficent rays of liberty.

An opportunity presented itself to Mr Montefiore to assist the good
cause of education by the arrival of a special messenger from
Jerusalem, sent