Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-08-26

AT one end of the room Is small closet con-
tanning an oil painting, the age of which is not
known; but its history Is one of peculiar inters
est. II represents Moses and Aaron presenting
to the world the tablets containing the ten COM
mandments, written in both Hebrew and Por-
tuguese. The outlines of the picture are still
quite distinct and some of the details are plain
ly visible. Above the figures of Moses and
Aaron are represented those of angel forms
with halo of glory surrounding them. During
the days of the persecution in Europe, this pie.
ture was twice buried, to prevent Its falling into
the hands of the Christians; and while in Brazil,
its owners were again obliged to place it in the
ground for safe keeping. A new frame, with
some touches by modern artist, has served
to give the picture a somewhat different appear
ance from that borne when it was first hung in
the synagogue, but its evidence of great age
are still marked.
Just inside the entrance to the old burying
ground lies a small stone, with no inscription.
This marks the grave of suicide, who, in &c.
cordance with the lsraelite law, could not be
buried with those who died natural death. On
the right of the main avenue lie the remains of
those whose names are familiar to those aUquaint-
cd with Newport history. Chief among these are
the names of Abram and Judah Touro, BROTH
ers, born in Newport, who lived TO arnass i'm.
mense fortunes. Abram Touro removed to
Boston, and there added to his wealth. While
riding through the streets of that city, in 1924,
his horse became frightened by military pro-
ccssion, and he was thrown from his carriage,
suffering severe injuries. In the opinion Of the
surgeons, the amputation of a leg would have
saved his life; but according to the Levitican
law, no true Israelite will suffer dismember-
ment, the theory being that, "as a man dies, so
shall he be raised again" and the Jews desire TO
enter the New Jerusalem with no limb missing,
and with no unseemly scars. So this martyr to
his religious faith lived awhile with the decay
ing flesh of his wounded leg, and then slept
with his fathers.
The fate of his brother was also striking.
Judah went to New Orleans, and, being present
at the battle of that city, was pressed into the
service by Gen. jackson. He received severe
wound, from which he suffered till his death,
although he lived till 1854 His remains were
removed here, and over them were scattered soil
bIuuHHl llOiu tuc OIu CCnClCiJ III OSiuedlSuls IL
is to the thoughtful generosity of these brothers
that the Jews are indebted for the present APP
pearance of the synagogue and burial ground.
Abram left $4,000 to keep the synagogue in or
der, and $4,000 to be expended in repairing Touro
street; while Judah gave $4,000 for the grave
yard. The income of these sums, expended I'M
der the supervision of trustees, serves to keep
the entire property in fine order; the closely
shaven lawn around the synagogue and the
beautiful flowers in the cemetery are admired by
all visitors.
Near these graves is another worthy of men,
ton, that of Aaron Lopez, who died in 1882.
Lopez was a man of mark in his day, and was
the owner of thirty-six ships engaged in foreign
trade The entire number of vessels running to
foreign ports from Newport, at the present time,
is probably considerably less than the number
once owned by this one merchant. One grave
has a stone with deep cut in its side. In this
cut was originally lead tablet bearing the
name of the dead lying below. But, the patriot
ism of the early men Of Newport did not respect
the sanctty of the spot, and the lead was melted
into bullets, with which to shoot the British.
So the name is now forgotten, though the ap-
pearance of the stone would seem to indicate
that the dead was notable person.
The details of the experience of the Jews in
Brazil, their experience in Jamaica, their recep-
ton in Rhode Island, personal anecdotes of the
principal men among them-including an inter-
esting love story concerning Judah Touro-might
be given, but the mere outlines herein sketched
must suffice for a newspaper letter.
YMLA.