offices, all of which, it appears, he had at some time consulted for
information.

Of both the above companies he was elected president, offices which he
held to the last moment of his life. They are now numbered among the
most prosperous companies in England.

His presence at the board was always a cause of the highest
satisfaction, not only to the directors and shareholders, all of whom
appreciated his sound judgment, cautious disposition and energy in the
promotion and welfare of the company, but also to all the officers and
employees of the respective offices.

In conversing with his friends on this subject, he used to say, "When
our companies prosper, I wish to see everyone employed by us, from the
highest to the lowest, derive some benefit from them in proportion to
the position he occupies in the office." He also strongly advocated
the promotion of harmony and friendliness among the officers of the
companies, for which purpose, he used annually to give them an
excellent dinner in one of the large hotels, inviting several of his
personal friends to join them.

When travelling on the Continent, he invariably made a point of
visiting every one of the branches of the Imperial Gas Association,
making strict enquiries on every subject connected with the
operations, and inviting all the officers to his table.

I have frequently (after the year 1839) accompanied him on such
occasions, and often wondered at his minute knowledge of every item
entered in the books of the respective offices.

He often gave proof, in the last years of his life, of his special
interest in the prosperity of these companies by the exertions he
would make in signing every document sent down to him at Ramsgate for
that purpose, even when he appeared to experience a difficulty in
holding a pen.

He strongly objected to a system of giving high dividends to the
shareholders. "Let us be satisfied," he used to say, "with five per
cent., so that we may always rest in the full enjoyment of undisturbed
life on the firm rock of security,"--the emblem represented on the
office seal of the Alliance.

On August the 15th of that year he received a letter from Genoa
stating that his brother Abraham was getting worse, and on Saturday,
the 28th, he received the sad news of his death, which took place at
Lyons whilst on his way back from Cannes.

"It was only in the month of January last," Mr Montefiore says of his
brother, "that when his medical atten