he river
was so swollen that it did not seem possible to pass under. The vessel
was moored to the bank by the side of the bridge, and the captain
proceeded in a small boat to measure the height of the arch. It was
pronounced to be just sufficient; the funnel was lowered nearly flat.
Sir Moses says he was certain there was not six inches between the top
of the funnel and the bridge; the smallest wave might have dashed
their boat against it, and they might have been drowned. Twice more
they had to undergo this anxiety; all the passengers were panic
stricken. "I must confess," says Sir Moses, "I would rather be in the
open sea in a hurricane." The second day's journey was not so bad, as
during the night the river had fallen a foot, and they reached Avignon
in safety. "But I am mortified," he writes, "to find that, though
there are many Jews in this place, there is no Synagogue. No meat,
prepared according to Jewish law, can be procured. We could manage
with fish and vegetables, but I exceedingly regret not being able to
join public worship on Sabbath. Tomorrow will be the first time we
have omitted so doing since we left London, and shall be happy if it
is the last."

Leaving Avignon, they proceeded, _via_ Marseilles, Toulon, and Cannes,
to Nice. Writing from here, Sir Moses says: "We find the climate here
very different to that of England, the sun even now, at the end of
December, being almost too powerful to be pleasant. Notwithstanding
all the advantages Nice may afford, nothing would induce me to live
here. I was shocked and grieved to hear that our brethren are treated
in the most intolerant manner, not being allowed even to educate their
children for any profession. I was told that when the King and Queen
of Sardinia visited Nice in 1826, all classes of the inhabitants, Jews
among the number, tried to show their loyalty, by sending deputations
to present addresses, but the King refused to receive the deputation
from the Jews. They then addressed him through the Minister of State,
and solicited permission to erect an obelisk in commemoration of the
Royal visit, and the joy they felt, in common with their
fellow-subjects, at seeing their King and Queen. After some time this
humble petition was granted, and the column stands now in the city,
bearing a Hebrew and Italian inscription."

Amongst the many friends and acquaintances they had met at this place,
there was one of some historical importance, Isaak Samuel Avigdo