eeing
their heartfelt wish realised in the completion of the Synagogue at
Hereson.

Invitations were sent out on the 23rd of May to the ecclesiastical
chiefs of both the Spanish and Portuguese and the German
congregations; to the readers, wardens, and other officers of the
Synagogue; to presidents and representatives of all important
institutions, and to more than two hundred private friends and
acquaintances, requesting the honour of their company at the
dedication of the Synagogue at Ramsgate on Sunday, the 16th of June,
at 5 o'clock, and at dinner after the ceremony at East Cliff Lodge.
Bands of music and first-class singers were engaged, 4000 lamps for
the illumination of the gardens were ordered, fireworks and balloons
tastefully prepared, and a large temporary room erected, occupying the
whole quadrangle of the court at East Cliff Lodge. Handsome
chandeliers and large tablets beautifully inscribed with the prayer
for the Royal Family were ordered for the Synagogue.

[Illustration: View of Interior of Ramsgate Synagogue, taken from the
Ladies' Gallery. _See Vol. I., page 89._]

The morning of the 16th was ushered in by a deluge of rain and a heavy
gale of wind, much to the mortification of the visitors. Mr Montefiore
and his brother Horatio, who had brought a silver cup and spice-box as
a present for the Synagogue, went together to Ramsgate, and engaged
all the sedan chairs in the town to take the ladies from the public
road to the Synagogue, and ordered several loads of sand to cover
the walk. About two o'clock the Rev. Dr Hirschel arrived. The rain was
actually falling in torrents at the moment, but he consoled Mr and Mrs
Montefiore, saying, "All things must not go as we wish, since the
destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem." He had, however, scarcely
been in the house ten minutes when the clouds dispersed and the sun
appeared. At ten o'clock, when they had a rehearsal in the Synagogue,
all were much out of spirits at the deplorable appearance of the
weather; but by three the rain had ceased, and the evening proved
delightful.

The dedication commenced at six o'clock. The founder and his friends
brought the Sacred Scrolls of the Law to the door of the Synagogue,
where, standing, they chanted: "Open unto us the gates of
righteousness, we will enter them and praise the Lord." "This is the
gate of the Lord, the righteous shall enter therein." The doors being
then opened, they said on entering: "How goodly are