December 1835._--"Walked with Judith to Gracechurch
Street. We met Louis and Florette (the late Mr Louis Cohen, of 5 South
Street, Finsbury, their nephew, and his wife) and Dr Loewe. We all
went with the Tally-Ho at three o'clock; they having the whole inside,
and I riding outside on the box seat. We took tea at Sittingbourne,
and proceeded from Canterbury about ten o'clock by the night stage
coach with post horses to East Cliff.

"I found it extremely cold; it was near one when we arrived at East
Cliff, thanks to Heaven, in safety, and found all well. Our library
looked delightfully comfortable, with a good fire and lamps. I was
almost perishing with cold. We took tea, &c., and when our visitors
retired to their chambers it was near two o'clock."

The inconvenient mode of travelling at that time did not prevent his
making such journeys whenever required, and however much he may have
suffered by taking his seat outside the coach (which he evidently
always did from politeness to his visitors), his comfortable home soon
made him forget the unpleasantness of a long cold ride.

During my stay in East Cliff, the time of the party was generally
devoted either to little excursions in the neighbourhood, or to
conversations on literary subjects. Sometimes Mr and Mrs Montefiore
entertained us by giving their reminiscences of travels in Italy,
France, and Egypt.

There was a kind of charm which the visitor felt in their company; a
very short time after his arrival a delightful sensation of comfort
overcame him, and soon made him feel at home. The amiability of both
the hostess and host made the days pass agreeably and rapidly, and
they were always loth to retire when the midnight hour was announced.

Mrs Montefiore showed us all the curiosities she brought with her from
Egypt, and told us how much she had been entertained in that country
by the number of languages spoken around her. There was an amusing
incident that day, which particularly induced her to speak on the
study of languages. Mr Montefiore had laid a wager with her to the
effect that if, at a stated time, she would be able to pass an
examination by him in Italian grammar, he would give her a cheque for
L100. She was fortunate enough to acquit herself most creditably in
our presence, and received the amount in question.

Mr Montefiore was delighted at the perseverance and ability displayed
by his wife, and she was truly happy to have again succeeded (as she
alway