with the
Emperor of Russia. Many others, from various places, on the same
subject followed. Most of the principal communities in Germany,
France, Italy, and America entreated him to accede to the petitions of
their brethren in Russia and Poland; and Sir Moses now began seriously
to consider the desirability of serving the cause of humanity anew.

In the same month he and the Hebrew communities in England sustained a
severe loss by the death of their Ecclesiastical Chief, the Rev. Dr
Solomon Hirschell.

"I was at Bury Street at twelve o'clock," he writes in his diary, "on
October 31st, and found our esteemed Chief Rabbi apparently in a state
of insensibility; his chamber was filled with his friends, and his bed
closely surrounded by the members of the Ecclesiastical Court, and
other persons. They were saying prayers; he was very calm, and at
12.25 his spirit fled from its earthly tenement to receive that reward
which his righteousness in this world secured to him; eternal
happiness and peace to his memory!"

Sir Moses was entirely guided by him in all matters concerning
religion, and felt the loss of such a friend and counsellor acutely.

He appears to have been roused by that sorrowful event to fresh acts
of benevolence, and believing it possible to render some service to
the Jews in Russia, he thought it necessary now to make himself fully
acquainted with all the recent publications referring to that country
and its inhabitants, and obtained information from German and English
travellers who had just returned from visiting Warsaw, St Petersburg,
Moscow, and other important cities in the Czar's vast empire.

_November 5th._--The entry in his diary contains the following
lines:--"Extremely cold morning; nevertheless dear Judith and I left
Park Lane before eight o'clock to walk to Synagogue. It was very well
attended, and prayers were offered up for the late lamented Chief
Rabbi. We remained in the city, and attended afternoon and evening
prayers at our own (the Portuguese) Synagogue. Afterwards we rode
home to Park Lane. Dr Loewe accompanied us, and agreed to go with us
to Russia and Poland whenever that should seem necessary."

_November 15th, 19th, and 27th._--The number of petitions to go to
Russia increased considerably, especially entreating Sir Moses to
accept an invitation from Count Ouvaroff, the Minister of Public
Instruction, who wished him to be present at the deliberation of the
government referring t