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CHAPTER X.

A new era in Anglo-Jewish History-The Brothers Goldsmid -They become the competitors of the bankers-The general benefit Brothers Goldsmid stars of the first magnitude in the firmament of 'Change Alley - Their brilliant benevolence-Their Catholic disposition of philanthropy The dejected waiter - The poor country curate The death of the Chief Rabbi of the German Synagogue A series of Hebrew works began to be printed-Jewish politicians - Lewis Goldsmith-J. H. Sumbal-The Brothers Goldsmid's charitable and munificent disposition-The founders of the Jews' Hospital, Mile End, called N'wayh Tzedeck-Regulations of the sameWhen is a man eligible for admission-A woman's, boy's, girl's- Daily arrangements-Education-EmploymentThe suicide of Abraham Goldsmid-The effect upon the country-Upon the Members of Capel Court-His funeral -The ideas associated with his name-Curious Jewish legend about the Goldsmid family.

A NEW era in the history of the Anglo-Jewish population seems to have commenced with the completion of the great German Synagogue.

The Anglo-Hebrews boldly assumed a position of eminence and greatness; and proved by their conduct that they were full worthy of the same. So eventful are the last sixty years, in the annals of the British Hebrews, that it is difficult to compress their history within the compass of one volume. The brothers Goldsmid, who had hitherto moved in a comparatively unobserved sphere, shone forth most brilliantly in the year

1792.

Up to that year, when the Chancellor was in want of the needful, the banking faculty was the monopolizer in supplying to government the necessary funds; and those who are well versed in money transactions affirm that such was scarcely a legitimate portion of banking business. In that year, however, the Goldsmids became the competitors of the bankers, and superseded them too. The Goldsmids were not the only gainers by the competition. The government and the people at large reaped no small harvest by the wreck of the monopoly. The combination of that interest being broken, the bargains for public loans became more open; there was no confederation to limit and lower the prices; and the ministry and country reaped the benefit in improved terms. The astonish

ment of the monopolists was very intense at the time, at the daring blow, coming as it did from individuals who were scarcely known to fame in the golden region. But the effects of the shock did not last long. Abraham and Benjamin Goldsmid soon became stars of the first magnitude in the firmament of "Change Alley." The name resounded in every corner of the Metropolis, nay, of the kingdom. High and low, rich and poor, had reason to mention the word "Goldsmid " with respectful and grateful lips. Nor were the public papers of that period silent in sounding the praises of Abraham and Benjamin. The brothers were possessed of a Catholic spirit, and they received universal homage. A modern writer thus chronicles some things belonging to their history.

"The daily papers bore an almost daily testimony to their munificence. Naturally openhanded, the poor of all creeds found kindly benefactors. On one day the grandeur of an entertainment to royalty was recorded, and on the next a few words related a visit of mercy to a condemned cell. At one time, mansions, vieing in architectural beauty with those of our nobility, were described; at another some great

and gracious act of charity was recorded. Entertainments to princes and ambassadors, reviving the glories of the Arabian Nights, were frequent; and galleries, with works of art worthy the magnificence of a Medici, graced their homes."

The following anecdotes may be recorded here, as illustrations of Abraham Goldsmid's Catholic feeling of philanthropy. Observing one day, in a dining house where he usually dined, the waiter particularly dejected and low spirited, Abraham enquired the cause, and found that a pecuniary pressure reduced the spirits of the melancholy domestic. The benevolent Hebrew availed himself of a scrap of paper which he found on the table, on which he penned an order for double the amount, which he forced into the feeble hand of the bewildered waiter, and rushed out of the house in order to escape a shower of thanks from the grateful recipient.

It is also related of the same individual, that "he became acquainted by accident with one of those simple and single-minded country curates, whose poverty was the disgrace, and whose piety was the glory, of the Church of England. This was the man for Abraham Goldsmid at once to

appreciate and to benefit. He obtained all necessary particulars, and in a few weeks a letter was received which told the curate he had been allotted a share of a new loan.

"The letter was a mystery to the country clergyman, who placed it on one side, with a confused notion that a hoax was intended. He had not long to wait. The next day brought a second letter, and with it comfort and consolation, in the shape of a large sum, which had been realized on the allotment. These things are pleasant to record; and it is doubtful whether the cheque gave most pleasure to the wealthy Hebrew to write, or the country curate to receive."

This same year, 1792, the great synagogue was bereaved of its head, in the death of Rabbi David Tebly Cohen, who governed the German congregation for the last twenty-seven years. The loss was considered great indeed amongst the members of that congregation, and remained irreparable for nearly ten years, when the late Dr. Solomon Herschell was appointed successor. Of which, however, anon.

There were not wanting at that time amongst the British Hebrews, men of genius and of

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