The Jewish advance., 1880-06-04

1atnefS, WnGrc were le1G Don1nQ so many
of those whom they had loved so we'll
will not recall the soul-struggles en-
dured by poor mothers, when at the
command of the Portuguese king Don
Manuel, their children were torn from
their arms, and, after baptism, were
left to the tender mercies of utter stran-
gers, to be reared in the Christian faith
will not call to mind the horrors sus-
tanned by the banished their oppres-
sions, miseries and wrongs.
Some of the exiles, indeed, the most
intelligent part, sought refuge in Italy.
Here they were met by people as en-
dowed with intellect and KNOWLEDGE,
and with aspirations as good and noble
as theirs. Among these fugitives were
also women. Part of these distinguish
ed themselves by the strength of their
faith, part by the pre- eminence Of their
polish, education, and healmost mascu-
line power Of their energy. We will
freshen our memory with the names Of
some.
When Don Joseph Ibn: Jachia, an old
man Of seventy years, much liked and
of great influence at the court of the
austere Don Joao II, refused to submit
to baptism and fed with his sons from
Spain, Dina, the courageous, twenty
three year old wife of his eldest son,
David, disguised in man 'ssapparel hasti
ly followed. She concealed them in the
stern Of the ship and was. but discovered
when the fugitives laaded far from
Spain.
Notwithstanding her pregnancy she
! denied herself of all forbidden meats
during the several months journey. At
Pisa, fearing the French.rabble and the
opportunities of the Baptism loving
priests, she flung herself from a thirty
feet high steeple, but miraeulouslys was
not harmed, and in FvFtfice, which
was the destination Of the fugitives,-
she gave birth to a son who, like his
grandfather, was named Joseph, and
who holds a distinguished place in jew
ish literature.
This woman so heroic, so courageous,
so strong of faith, we afterward find in
Naples, to which place her husband,
David Ibn Jachia, was lcalled as minis
ter, by the rich and highly educated Dr.
Samuel Abravanel, the youngest son Of
the philosophical statesman, DR.. Isaac
Abravanel. Here she found a worthy
associate In the wife of DIR. AbraVanel,
first mentioned, one of the noblest
women praised in contemporary history
as a model of benevolence, of true reli-
gion, Of wisdom and Of courage. Don
Pedro, NicerOy Of Naples, who was
served by d. Samuel in finance affairs,
allowed his daughter, Lonora, to hold
familiar intercourse with and receive
instructions from Bienvenida. Lonora,
who afterward became the second wife
of Cosmos Of Medici and Grand Duchess
of Tuscany, was always pleased to asso-
ciate with her Jewish friend she hon
ored Bunvenida as mother, which en-
dearing title she always used when ad-
dressing her.
Through all honors conferred on Bien-
venida at the royal palace, she ever re-
manned the modest Jewess. She lived
amid her coreligionistsl with whose joys
and SORROWS she deeply sympathized.
When the bigoted Emperor Charles
V, yielding to the importunations Of the
pious pahicians of Naples, was about to
Danish the Jews from that city, Bien-
venida, accompanied and abetted by her
royal friend, the Grand Duchess Leon
ora and other princesses Of Naples, went
to the Emperor and begged him so sup
pliantly to spare her coreliglonlsts, that
he could not withstand her pleading and
promised to recall the edict of Danish
ment. Scarcely five years later, how
ever, Charles V. issued the decree chat
every Jew and Jewess must wear
badge of shame and recognition or leave
Naples then Bienvenida and her hus