The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-12-02
Ghe GatelL6Qel1l5rtr:,
The Jews in England.

From the Examiner.
With the spread Of enlightenment and
the removal OF their disabilities, q ten
dency has manifested itself among the
middle classes Of the Jews 10 give their
sons University education, and to train
them to professions. Many young men
have graduated in our Universities some
with honors, and the unwonted spectacle
has been seen Of q Hebrew senior wrangle.
The two branches OF the law have attracted
numerous Jewish lads. Indeed, legal pur-
suits seem to be peculiarly adapted to the
bent OF their mind. A member oil the
Jewish body, Sir George Jessel, by sheer
strength Of intellect, and without the
slightest family influence, has succeeded
in grasping one OF the greatest prizes Of
the bar. There are also one or two other
members Of the legal profession who bid
fair to achieve eminence, and II is not I'M
likely that the Master Of the Rolla
may not remain the only Jew.
ish Judge. Science in the abstract
does not find many deyotees among Eng
lish Jews. The Hebrew genius, neyerthe-
less, from the time OF the ancient rabbis
to our days, has always leaned toward
mathematical studies; and among the
great mathematicians Of the age may be
reckoned Professor Sylvester, late Of Wool.
wich. The Jewish community does not
appear to shine in constructive genius.
We doubt whether 1t includes any engi.
neers, unless 1t be few young men begin
ming life; but there are some jewish archi-
tects OF fair repute. The Israelites take q
keen interest in politics. Several mem.
bers OF their body have represented and
still represent Christian constituencies in
Parliament. ...
In general literature the English Jews
have certainly not equalled the perior-
mances OF their foreign coreligionists.
The Jews OF Germany have shed lustre on
the literature Of their country. They have
attained the front rank as archie ologists
and Oriental scholars. The; plays Of
Mosenthal and the novels OF Auerbach
have gained q European reputation. In
Italy the Jewish mind is equally active.
Israelites guide the press, fill professional
chairs, and enrich the literature Of the
land in its various branches. In France,
too, in addition to such illustrious scholars
as NJ. Michel Bleal, NJ. Derenbourg, and
some others, the Hebrews are distinguish
ing themselves in the lighter kinds OF lit
eiature, and are producing q galaxy OF
pungent journalists, Of witty dramatists, Of
powerful novelists. The English Jews
have cultivated literature to o limited ex.
tent. Some Jewish professors, men OF
considerable abilities, adorn their various
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several ripe scholars, though death has
thinned their ranks. These gentlemen,
however, are mostly English only by adop-
ton, and their labors, with some excep.
tons, must be regarded as contributions TO
Jewish or Oriental lore, rather than as ad.
ditions TO purely English literature. The
Anglo-J ewish press Is exceeding well con.
Quoted, and contrasts favorably with
other organs OF opinion. The Jews pos
sess no hereditary aristocraoy. may be
said Of them-and more especially OF the
Ashenazim. or Germans-that every man
is the son OF his own works, or at most OF
those Of his father or grandfather. vi the
Sephardim, or Peninsular families who I'M.
migrated into this country, many have
ceased 10 exist; but even when they
uUuElblthf WIN III kiSiA piuo bUSet sASy
were only honest merchants, and not
ashamed Of their calling. tits only when
some Of these families embraced Chris
tianity that they abandoned the voca-
tons by which they had realized their for
tunes, and their names may at present be
found among the landed gentry Of Great
Britain, and even In tho peerage. Now
that their former disabilities haye disap-
peared. thers is q tendency in some OF the
wealthy Jewish families to acquire q per-
manent stakein the country. Being per.
mitted TO hold land, they are investing
part OF their capital In broad acres. The
Rothschilds, the Monteaores, the Gold
smids, the Sassoons, and few others, have
purchased an interest In the soil OF Great
Britain. They may thus found families
destined to live for generations. though 1t
is impossible to say whether they will form
an exclusive Jewish aristocracy. Religion
is no longer an obstacle in England to So
cial or political advancement; Jews are on
the commission Of the peace, and they
have served in The civic offices ofaldermen,
sheritfs and lord mayors.