The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1876-03-16
Observable . OF Sir Mosca Montenor.
During His .RecenG Visit 20 the Holy
Land.

Sir Moses Monte6ore has just issued the
long looked-for report of his experiences of
bis recent visit TO the Holy Land. He has
embodied in his statement let,er addressed
to him from two of the leading rabbits Of Je-
rusalem, ip which they refute tine chsrgeso Of
idleness aud incapaciiy to work brought
against them by prominent Ceulber of the
AnRlo-Jewish community, Mr.. Samuel
Montague. The publication of these charges,
indeed, prompted Sir Moses Montefiore, now
10 his ninety second year, 70 undertake
seventh journey to the Holy Land, TO see for
himself whether his brethren were the de-
generate people they had been described.
The report now published by Sir Moses pos
sesses great significance at the present mo-
ment, when the Jewish community are en-
deavoring TO promote the establishment OF
an extensive agricultural colony in Jerusa-
lem. The following facts, summarized from
the report in the order in whcih they are
therein given, ara of considerable interest.
Sir Moses states that dwelling houses in
Jerusalem producing an annual rent Of Rs05
have been offered on sale ut price of ela,-
900. Awhole village has been pointed out
% him which might be purchased at mod
crate price. All of the persons who re-
ported to Sir Moses on tins subject stated
that there. would be no difficulty whatever
to secure as much land as might be required,
eitherlfor cultivation or building purposes.
The Governor and Kadi of Jerusalem assured
the worthy baronet of the readiness Of the
Turkish government to render every possi-
BILE assistance TO encourage agriculture, as
we'll as any other industrial scheme for the
promotion of the welfare of the people in
the Holy Land. The French and American
consnls also assured him of their willing
ness to assist. Sir Moses stated that great
struggle may arise In the future, in Jerusa-
lem, between the educated and progressist
party--those who did not come to the Holy
LAAd, from religious motives, rut from rea-
sons connected with special circumstances
and the strictly conservative party, whose
sole object in going 10 Jerusalem was the
preservation of their religion. During his
short stay at Jaffa, Sir Moses noticed some
indications to that effect. .-
Sir Moses speaks of the skill OF the Jewish
mechanics in Jerusalem, and his statements
are of great interest, seeing that it has been
said that there are no Jewish mechanics in
the Holy City. Sir Moses saw watchmakers,
engravers, photographers, sculptors, gold
smiths, bookbinders and carpenters, and,
says he, San did their work most satisfac-
toriiy.n A matchmaker into whose hands
he gave valuable repeater for repairs put
il, IN a very short time, in excellent order
The same man, in addition to his skin as q
matchmaker, displayed also great talent as
Hebrew caligraphist. He, presented Sir
Moses Monteiore with q grain Of wheat on
which were written nineteen lines, forming
an acrostic on the name Of the philanthropist.
The distinguished traveller states that he has
had every opportunity OF convincing him
self himself that the Jews are eager and
willing to engage in any kind of labor, agri-
cultural or otherwise, which will obtain for
them the necessaries of life, and place them
above the charity of their co-religionists..
Sir Moses says that the great regard which
he always entertained toward his brethren
in the Holy Land has now become, if possi-
Bile, doublY increased, and he emphatically
asserts that they are worthy and deserving
Of assistance, they are willing and capable
to work, their mental powers are Of q satis-
factory nature, and that all Israelites ought
TO render them support the Jews in Jerusa-
lem, and in every part of the Holy Land, he
observes, t.doi work, and. he furthermore
says that they ''sre more industrious even
than many men in Europe, otherwise none
of them would remain alive, but when the
work does not sufficiently pay, when there
is) no market for the produce of the land,
when famine, cholera and other n.isfortunes
befsll the Inhabitants, we Israelities, unto
whom God revealed Himself on Moint Sinai,
more than any other nation must step for
ward and render them help-raise them from
their state of distress.p He suggests the
building of houses In and outside OF
Jerusalem, with European improvements,
also colleges and public baths. Each house
should possess piotof ground large enough
for the cultivation of olive trees, the vine,
and necessary vegetables SO as TO give the
occupiers of the house taste for agricul-
ture. He states that many persons in the
cities around Jerusalem have already an
nonncef their Willingness to follow agricul-
tuEal pursuits, r.