mmerce is stagnant; taxation excessive, in
consequence of the great debt the country had incurred during the war;
the labouring classes cry out; food is scarce; there is no demand for
labour, and wages are low. Nevertheless, Mr Montefiore and his wife
entertain the hope of a continuance of peace, which, they say, will
soon remedy all evils. They frequently visit Highgate, where Mr N. M.
Rothschild has his country house; go to Hastings, where their
brother-in-law Mr S. M. Samuel, has taken a summer residence, and
visit their mother, Mrs Montefiore, at Kennington Terrace. They
contrive to devote a portion of the day or evening to the study of the
French language and literature. Mr Montefiore, as captain of the local
militia, continues taking lessons on the bugle.

1815 (5575 A.M.).--Mr Montefiore agrees with Lord Mayor Birch
(grandfather of Dr Samuel Birch of the British Museum) to pay L600,
for the transfer to himself, of Medina's Broker's medal (at that time
the few Jewish brokers admitted had to pay an extraordinarily high fee
for the privilege); he is engaged in his financial transactions with
Mr N. M. Rothschild, and goes, in the interest of the latter and in
his own, to Dunkirk and Yarmouth. On his return he frequently attends
the meetings of the representatives of the Spanish and Portuguese
synagogues; checks and signs the synagogue books, as treasurer, and is
present at the meetings of a committee, representing four Hebrew
congregations in London, for devising proper regulations to ensure the
provision of meat prepared in accordance with Scriptural injunctions.

1816 (5576 A.M.).--He frequently attends the meetings of the Velhos
(Elders) of the Spanish and Portuguese community, and the society for
granting marriage portions to orphans. His work in connection with
finance daily increases.

Great agitation prevails throughout the country; the Government
having, in the previous year, passed a Corn Act to favour the English
farmer, forbidding the importation of foreign grain, the price of
wheat had reached 80s. per quarter; political societies, under the
name of "Hampden Clubs," are formed all over the country. There is a
cry for reform in the House of Commons; the Ministry, influenced by
Lord Castlereagh, refuses all change; the price of wheat continues to
rise daily after the peace.

Financiers feel very anxious about the result, but Mr and Mrs
Montefiore, less apprehensive of serious disturbances, and desirous