Montefiore attended the Queen's
Drawing-Room, and met with a most gracious reception. The Duchess of
Kent and the Princess Sophia Matilda expressed pleasure at seeing
them. The Duke of Cambridge shook Sir Moses by the hand in a very
friendly manner, and said he was glad to see him safe back, that his
efforts had done him great honour, and that he deserved much praise.

_May 23rd._--He presented an address to Mr H. de Castro, voted to him
by the Deputies, in appreciation of his services in connection with
the Mission of Damascus. On this occasion all the Deputies were
entertained by Sir Moses at his house in Park Lane.

A week later he attended a meeting to consider the means for
establishing a branch Synagogue in the West End, which, when opened
to the community, would afford a practical proof that the statutes of
their ancient community hitherto prohibiting divine service to be held
in any other building than that at Bevis Marks, had been reconsidered.

The events of the year continued to bring with them much anxiety,
owing to the agitated state of the community in connection with the
reform movement. In the month of August the Ecclesiastical Chief took
what he considered necessary measures to express his opinion publicly
for the guidance of those who adhered to his rule, which naturally
raised the excitement of the contending parties, and not unfrequently
disturbed the peace of many a family circle.

The death of the mother of Sir Moses, a most virtuous daughter of
Israel, spread a deep gloom over the whole family, and more especially
over her beloved son Moses, and Judith his wife.

His brethren in the East appealed to Sir Moses to intercede with the
English Government to take them under their protection. They
complained of being compelled by local governors to pay heavier taxes
than any of the non-Israelite inhabitants. Both Lord Palmerston and
his successor, Lord Aberdeen, listened with great kindness to the
statements made to them on that subject by Sir Moses. Lord Palmerston,
in reply to his representations, said the Christians had suffered more
than the Jews from the Governor being a fanatic, and added that he
(Sir Moses) had his authority to write to the Jews in the East that if
they had any serious complaints to make, the English Consuls would
attend to them, and forward them to the Ambassador at Constantinople,
who would represent them to the Ministers of the Porte. Sir Moses took
the opportunity of spe