at time only twelve such brokers
could be admitted, but Moses Montefiore had the satisfaction of soon
seeing himself in possession of the much-coveted privilege. He took an
office, and this owing to the prosperity with which his
straightforward dealing and courteous manners were rewarded, he soon
had to change for a larger one, which again he did not keep long. As
his business had now to be conducted near the bank, he took up his
quarters in Bartholomew Lane, where he remained to the last day of his
life. It was there, after nearly the whole of that thoroughfare had
become the property of the Alliance Life and Fire Assurance Company,
and the houses had been rebuilt, that many an important meeting of
the Board of Deputies of British Jews and other boards of benevolent
institutions was held; and the very book-case, in which all important
papers connected with his business in that office were preserved, is
now in one of the houses of Lady Montefiore's College, where he used
now and then to take his breakfast on a Sabbath morning, when it was
his intention to be present at a lecture in the college.

His brother Abraham, seeing young Moses successful in business,
subsequently joined him as a partner, and the firm of Montefiore Bros.
soon became known in England as one entitled to the respect of all
honourable men.

However profitable or urgent the business may have been, the moment
the time drew near, when it was necessary to prepare for the Sabbath
or solemn festivals, Moses Montefiore quitted his office, and nothing
could ever induce him to remain.

Sir Moses was scrupulously honourable in all his transactions, and it
is a noteworthy fact, that during all his long life no whisper was
ever heard against his reputation, although he was intimately
connected with the management of financial and commercial undertakings
of great magnitude and international character. His name stood so
high, that thousands of people from all parts of the world entrusted
him with money to be forwarded to the Holy Land, or for other
charitable purposes, never asking for a receipt, and in many instances
leaving the distribution of it to his own discretion.

In the year 1809, in the reign of George III., an act of parliament
was passed enabling His Majesty to establish a local Militia Force for
the defence of the country. Young Montefiore, who was then twenty-five
years old, having attained his majority in 1805, deemed it his duty to
be one of t