he
thought proper to decline, remaining firm in his resolution not to
further extend his financial operations.

He deemed it important to enter that year in his diary a kind of
census of the Spanish and Portuguese Jews in London--another proof of
the great desire he felt to make himself thoroughly acquainted with
the affairs of his community. I bring it under the notice of the
reader whom it may interest, to enable him to compare it with the
census of that community at the present day.

Privileged members and their families, About 750
Unprivileged members and their families, " 550
Persons receiving relief from the Synagogues, " 1200
----
Total, 2500

In consequence of unsuccessful speculations in connection with
political changes in England, France, and Spain, there was a general
panic in the financial world at the beginning of 1830, but Mr
Montefiore, by cautious foresight and firm resolution, had withstood
all temptations and remained unaffected by it.

Referring to this panic, he says, on finding several persons very
depressed: "I have a thousand times given them my opinion on that
subject, and can only regret that they have not benefited by it. I am
most uneasy and unhappy about them; God only knows what the result of
this state of things will be." After entering into further details, he
concludes by observing, "At all events I stand relieved from reproach,
having so repeatedly cautioned them against what appeared to me a
desperate situation."

There are several entries, important as historical records, concerning
the steps taken in the Jewish emancipation movement. On the 27th
January he consulted M. Mocatta and I. L. Goldsmid respecting the
application to Parliament in favour of removing the disabilities of
the Jews.

On the 31st January he attended a meeting of the deputies of the
Synagogues at the house of Moses Mocatta; there were twelve present,
besides Mr I. L. Goldsmid and Mr Thomas M. Pearce. They read the
opinions of Dr Lushington and Mr Humphries on the present state of the
civil disabilities of the Jews. It was resolved to petition Parliament
for the removal of the said disabilities, and to request Messrs N. M.
Rothschild, I. L. Goldsmid, and Moses Montefiore to see the Duke of
Wellington on the subject.

The following day Mr Montefiore received a note from Mr I