y, I need only remind the reader of the
residences of their numerous relatives, with whom they were always on
affectionate terms. At Highgate, Clapham, Lavender Hill, and Hastings,
in all of these places they were most heartily welcomed, and they
often went there to dine, take tea, or spend a few days in the family
circle. But the place to which they repaired for the enjoyment of a
complete rest, or for considering and maturing a plan for some very
great and important object, was an insignificant little spot of the
name of "Smithembottom" in Surrey.

They used to go there on Sunday and remain until the next day,
sometimes until the middle of the week, occasionally inviting a friend
to join them. They greatly enjoyed the walk over hills, while forming
pleasing anticipations of the future; and they always found on their
return to the little inn, an excellent dinner, which their servants
had brought with them from London--never forgetting, by the order of
their master, a few bottles of his choice wine. "Wine, good and pure
wine," Mr Montefiore used to say, "God has given to man to cheer him
up when borne down by grief and sorrow; it gladdens his heart, and
causes him to render thanks to heaven for mercies conferred upon him."
In holy writ we find "give wine unto those that be of heavy heart;"
also, "wine maketh glad the heart of man." No sanctification of our
Sabbaths and festivals, and no union between two loving hearts, can be
solemnised, without partaking of wine over which the blessing has been
pronounced.

It was his desire to be happy, and make others around him happy, for
such he said was the will of God (Deut. xxvi. II). When certain
friends of his, who intended taking the total abstinence pledge,
ventured to raise an argument on the desirability of his substituting
water for wine, he would reply in the words which the vine said to the
trees when they came to anoint him as king over them, "Should I leave
my wine which cheereth God and man" (Judges ix. 13)? His friends
smiled at this reasoning, and on their next visit to him drank to each
other's health in the choice wine of his cellar.

I invariably heard him pronounce the blessing before he touched the
exhilarating beverage, in such a tone as to leave no doubt in the
minds of those present that he fully appreciated this gift of God.

He never gave up the habit of taking wine himself, and it was his
greatest pleasure to see his friends enjoy it with him. To the