ews paternally, and with forbearance. But to
Sir Moses' great sorrow, he had also heard complaints against them. He
therefore entreated the deputation to give him all the information
they could on all the subjects to which he had drawn their attention."

Having listened, with tears in their eyes, to the accusations brought
against them, the deputation promised to provide him, with a statement
in which all the questions brought to his notice would be treated
_seriatim_, and containing many historically interesting notices on
the civil condition of the Russian Jews, also many letters from Jewish
families that had, at that time, been expelled from villages and
taverns.

"The Civil Governor of the town," Sir Moses enters in his diary, "sent
the chief officer of police to say he should be happy to accompany me
at any time I might fix, to the several public institutions. We cannot
move a step without being surrounded by hundreds of people, all giving
us their blessing."

_Wilna, May 1st._--Sir Moses went to the Civil Governor, and was with
him an hour. The Governor repeated all that the other Ministers had
said, and told him that the Jews were not obliged to leave the
villages, but only to discontinue selling brandy. This, at least, was
something gained.

During our absence, Monsieur E. Gruber left his card. The Military
Governor paid us a visit, and invited Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore to
a ball on Sunday, the 17th inst. Sir Moses, not expecting to be
present at a ball in Wilna, had left his uniform at Wilcomir, and
intended for this reason to decline accepting the invitation; but the
Governor at once observed that a special messenger would bring his
uniform from Wilcomir in due time, and hoped to see him at the ball.
Many members of the aristocracy called, among whom was Count
Wittgenstein.

CHAPTER XLII.

1846.

THE JEWISH SCHOOLS AT WILNA--WILCOMIR--DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF THE
HEBREW COMMUNITY IN THAT TOWN--KOWNO--WARSAW.

On the following morning, Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore offered up
prayers amidst thousands of their brethren, and many visitors, who
"from curiosity," as they said, "came to see the English
philanthropist." The rest of the day was devoted to the reception of
the members of the community, their wives and children, so as to have
the opportunity of becoming acquainted with their manners and mode of
conversation.

It being customary in that place to send wine and sweetmeats of every