Red Rover_, the vessel they had encountered, was
sinking fast. Her passengers and crew lost no time in getting on board
the _Magnet_, and in five minutes the _Red Rover_ was engulfed in the
sea, which was immediately covered with spars, boxes, and other
wreckage. The alarm was dreadful. The _Magnet_, having sustained
serious damage, her situation was most critical. She was making a
great deal of water, and the pumps were instantly set to work, while
the vessel made for the shore. Happily they were boarded by a fishing
smack and taken to Sheerness, where they landed, but where,
unfortunately, their troubles did not end. No sort of conveyance was
to be found in Sheerness, and they were obliged to go by boat to
Chatham, and thence in a post-chaise to town. It was nearly 1 P.M.
when the Marine Office was reached. "My poor dear wife," writes Mr
Montefiore, "conducted herself with her usual admirable courage. We
were, in all probability, never in our lives in more imminent danger.
God be praised for His great mercy for granting us His protection."

At seven o'clock the next morning Mr Montefiore proceeds to the
Synagogue, where he renders thanks to the Almighty. At the same time
he gives L600 in charity--L50 for the Portuguese and L50 for the
German poor in London, and L500 for the poor of Jerusalem.

The journal of this year contains but few entries relating to
politics.

In the session of 1836 the Ministry, in their attempt to carry several
important measures of reform, were defeated in the House of Lords, but
succeeded in passing an Act enabling Dissenters to be married
otherwise than by the Established clergy. Bills were also passed for
commuting tithes into a corn-rent charge payable in money, and for a
general registry of births, deaths, and marriages. The second reading
of the Bill for the removal of civil disabilities from His Majesty's
Jewish subjects was postponed in the House of Lords. The Jews were,
however, satisfied with the progress their cause had hitherto made,
and they considered themselves justified in hoping for a speedy and
complete emancipation. The election of Mr David Salomons as Sheriff of
London and Middlesex, and Alderman for the ward of Aldgate, took place
about this time.

The particulars I shall give of the next few years will show the
progress of good feeling between the Jews and their fellow-citizens,
and, in particular, the esteem in which Mr Montefiore was held by men
of all sects.

On