Star.
London, England, 1830-01-14 00:00:00

" But it may, in the first instance, be necessary to explain, as far
as this is possible, what is the present legal situation of the Jews In
this kingdom. The difference of ideas prevailing on this head la
quite amazing. Oa the one hand, many perhaps imagined.—nay.
it is reported to have been said a few months since by a Minister
in Parliament,—that after the completion of the measure then in
progress, no civil distinction, on account of belief, except an inca-
pacity for three great offices of State, would exist among the inha-
bitants of these islands. On the other hand, it has, I have heard,
even recently been urged by some members of the higher classes
of society, that all Jews are aliens, and that they are therefore in-
capable of holding land, and ought to continue deprived of the
other rights of British subjects."
After some observations on the legal fictions that pre-
vail with respect to the settlement of the Jews, the author
proceeds to enumerate the hardships to which their be-
lie! actually exposes them. Among these, he says—
" The local usage of the Corporation of London withholds from
Jews the freedom of the city, and thus prevents them from cur-
etting retail trades within its limits. It would scarcely be believed,
unless the fact were known, that a custom like this could still sub-
sist—a custom excluding men on account of their religion, from an
humble means of gaining their subsistence. lam desirous to avoid,
In this case, strong expressions, particularly es measures are now is
progress, which will probably end in the removal of such a relic of
barbarism. But if I were disposed to employ the most forcible
terms that could be selected, few men, I think, would be inclined
to dispute the propriety of their application s'
The writer thon proceeds to state the privations, which
the general law of the country inflicts upon the Jews,
and says :
" The first sentiment which a knowledge of these facts will ex-
cite, which it has excited in the minds of almost all who have be-
stowed attention upon (hem, is an emotion of surprise, that they
should not have drawn more complaints from those whom they im-
mediately interest. Are the Jews, it will be said, devoid of the
feelings that seem common to other mess? Though degraded
below all other sects here, and below all persons of their own per.
suasion in France, in Holland, and in the United States of Ame-
rica, are they still unaware of the disadvantages of their condition ?
They may, I believe, with truth assure their countrymen that they
are not. They have not been insensible, because they are passive ;
there have been other causes of their silence.
" For several years past, a large proportion of the population at
Ireland had constantly demanded privileges, which Parliament
persevered in withholding, whilst even thou who thought them-
selves bound by conscience and principle to resist the Catholic
claims, were alarmed at the discontent which the rejection of them
occasioned. When things were in this state, it might fairly be
questioned, whether any favour granted to the Jews would have
been regarded by the, Catholics with perfect satisfaction—whether
they might not have felt even more than astonishment. that conces-
sions should be denied to them, yet made to a body of men compa-
ratively so unimportant. The Jews were sensible of this they
were sensible that it became not them to ask that which it could
not become the Legislature to bestow ; that where such vast in-
terests were concerned, they ought not to hope, nay, scarcely to
wish, that theirs should be considered. Now, however, these cir-
cumstances exist no longer ; sod with them have disappeared, as I
believe, the only reasons for the maintenance of Jewish disabilities.
It is known that the Dutch and the French have some years since
removed all restraints on that kind of liberty which is assuredly
not the least valuable—liberty of conscience. Can It be supposed
that England, in other cases the parent of all that tends to free-
dom, will here refuse to follow the example of those nations?
In order"—says the author—" to avoid the possibility of mis-
apprehension, it will be requisite clearly to state the nature of the
boon which the Jews at ibis moment seek, and which, if. obtaissied,
will put an end to such anomalies as this. Lt consists of a permis-
sion for natural-burn subjects proftsaing. the Jewish religion to
omit, In taking the Abjuration Oath, and making the Declaration
at the 9th of his present Majesty, the words " the use faith of a
Christian." To this permission it may be desirable to add,a di-
rection, that all oaths shall be administered to British Jews oa.M.
Old Testament, accordiog to•thescustom long adopted In courts of
justice, whenever Jews have been sworn whether as witnemes or
jurymen. Such a direction appears onessety, Dot MOW for the
satisfaction of the Jews who am to take, gibe 4.04041.4/.0144j/f.
Christian members of the community. bywiras Sray ore, remised,
and who must therefore be desitotis of that mop of administering
them, which will make then most bind the conerienat,
thOuld beeelected. Our whole ragesesyrlt suit he observed le
totally distinct from the Jew Bill of 17060 which the elljestmee:
to enable ferns views to !nein natettalisasioss, Isi'dispassiag in
their ease with the ,S' Lament, of , the Lard:s Upper; otherwise al
necessity prelliirriirt. Whither 'thes•ohjeetions rafted. sedan,
that Mt Were rekeinable or is the *Wig env. ItitrfOOl99ll, It.
is not 124; blltio.3B to ingOArei fOr 140 Pirtti,Pl as. JlKT,..._ailiMasfe•
nu coinectios those ofAa #w stow Rr9= "PSll°
measures ale whialipidelsendidt of each other. Is this pWs,
And 'broad afferent, betwien Altar" poi relief holy' to:
• loreigskre ; this is Intended los the belie& at isative.hnits.ll ;
There are some of the authorities on which theoadawi
bailds,.wbich we iball take up on a future
..oecegolk.'t
Mightlnie, we repeat that; us its all pobabillty, 1411,1
Ilomoscipation of the Jews. shall .be breagbt.bWoteztr--/
palarin a form which-is hluily to cos Bassin
itthiny tie well that mine preliaultary coseidowitiao .3i
bit losider" by iheso *base pibviaes it. nay b 1190119
190111191V11110111 the subject