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 BIOGRAPHY 
 
 DAVID AARON DE SOLA, 
 
 'ER OF THE PORTUGUESE COMMUNITY 
 IN LONDON, 
 
 BY HIS SON, 
 
 THE REV. DR. ABRAHAM DE SOLA, 
 
 OF MONTREAL.
 
 BIOGRAPHY 
 
 OF 
 
 DAVID AARON DE SOLA, 
 
 LATE SENIOR MINISTER OF THE PORTUGUESE JEWISH 
 COMMUNITY IN LONDON. 
 
 UY HIS SOX, 
 
 THE REV. DR. ABRAHAM DE SOLA, 
 
 OF MONTREAL. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 WM. H. JONES & SON, PRINTERS, 
 
 Xo. 510 MIXOR STREET.
 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 To the cherished memory of a beloved father, revered teacher, 
 and pious exemplar; to a dear mother, his much-prized and loved 
 helpmeet, as a memento of her deep solicitude and devotion; 
 to his uniformly warm and zealous friend, SIR MOSES MONTEFIORE, 
 Israel's champion, who, with his lamented consort, THE LADY JU- 
 DITH, r\"y, were, from first to last, the main supporters and encour- 
 agers of his literary and all other undertakings; in grateful re- 
 cognition of this and numerous other tokens of more than a friend's 
 kindness to himself and family, I dedicate the present faint sketch 
 of one whose name will ever be associated with the respect which 
 wisdom, virtue, and piety command from their admirers. 
 
 ABRAHAM DE SOLA. 
 MONTREAL, Kisler, 6625.
 
 : 
 
 OF 
 
 DAVID AAEON DE SOLA, 
 
 LATE SENIOR MINISTER OF THE PORTUGUESE JEWISH COMMUNITY 
 
 IN LONDON. 
 
 BY HIS SON, THE KEY. DR. ABRAHAM BE SOLA, OF MONTREAL. 
 
 DAVID AARON DE SOLA was descended from an ancient family 
 of Sephardhn, who emigrated from Spain in 1492, on the expul- 
 sion of the Jews from that country, by Ferdinand and Isabella. 
 The family seem to have settled mainly in Holland ; but their 
 name appears at a very early period of the re-establishment of 
 the Jewish community in England, under Charles II. It may be 
 permitted us, as preliminary to the biographical sketch we at- 
 tempt, to give a brief account of some of the members of this fa- 
 mily which, both in Holland and England, has produced for us so 
 many ministers and scholars of repute. We shall only refer to 
 such members of the Holland branch as were connected with the 
 early history and training of the subject of this notice. 
 
 In the first row of graves in what used to be called the New 
 Burial Ground at Mile End, London, is the tombstone of Isaac 
 de Sola, who was preacher in London in 5450-5460 (1690-1700), 
 consequently, only some thirty-five years after the re-admission of 
 Jews into England under Charles II, and before any of the ex- 
 isting Synagogues had been built the most ancient, that of the 
 Portuguese in Bevis Marks, having been erected in 1701. He 
 died Hesvan 5495 (1735), as is recorded on his tombstone. He
 
 4 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 was the author of the following works in Spanish : 1, A volume 
 of Sermons,* printed in Amsterdam 5464 (1704). 2, Elucidations 
 of mooted points of law,t Amsterdam, 5464. 3, Exposition of the 
 Psalms. 4, "Questions and Replies" on the Pentateuch. 5, An- 
 other volume of " Questions and Replies," for pulpit purposes. 
 6, A Collection of twenty-one Sermons preached in Amsterdam. 
 The first of these works, which displays deep theological research 
 and a wide acquaintance with general literature, contains the un- 
 qualified approval of the communal chief Rabbi and Principal of 
 the Rabbinical College, the celebrated Haham Selomoh de Oli- 
 veyra,J as also the warm eulogium of " the honored Haham and 
 learned preacher," R. Selomoh Yehuda Leon Templo, author of 
 the well-known " Reshith Chochmah ;" the latter styles our au- 
 thor his "esteemed and intelligent disciple," and speaks of his 
 earliest productions)] in the most laudatory terms. ^f He was about 
 
 * "Sermones hechos sobrc diferentes asumptos." Compuestos y Predicados 
 por el Docto Ingenio Ishac De Sola, En Amsterdam aflo 5464. En casa de 
 JMoseh Diaz. They were chiefly delivered in the Yesiba Livyat Hen, and Ye- 
 siba ftaale Teshuba, Amst., and are dedicated to Jacob. Abm. Nunes Hen- 
 riques. 
 
 | " Preguntas con sus Respuestos." Hechas en la Yesiba de Livyat Hen, en 
 las Festividades del aiio. Por el estudioso Ishac De Sola. Amst. 5464. M. Diaz. 
 
 J This learned Rabbi, whose reputation in the eminent Amsterdam school 
 stands second only to that of the historical Menasseh ben Israel, and who was 
 the attached friend of Isaac De Sola, was "a theologian, astronomer, moral- 
 philosopher, and grammarian of great repute." (Vide De Rossi, "Diz.' Stor. 
 degli Autori Ebrei," vol. ii. p. 81, Parma ed. : Lindo's " Jews of Spain," &c., 
 p. 368, and Zinn's " Sephardim," p. 4G4.) He was author of the following 
 highly esteemed works in Hebrew and Portuguese: 1, \\W^) T Hebrew Gram- 
 mar. 2, DTI2ty Vl Chaldee Grammar. 3, jJjH nv Hebrew and Portuguese 
 Vocabulary. 4, V3JJM j^X Port, and Heb. Vocabulary. 5, D M n \y Scripture 
 Roots. 6, D'ariX rh'K Hebrew Rhetoric. 7, ivhll niSjntf Hebrew Poetry. 8, 
 'n O"n on the Precepts. 9, D^'IJ '31T Rabbinical Logic, &c. 
 
 \ rYDDn rmo "GramathicaHebrayca,"&c. Amst. Athias 5463. 
 
 || On page 37 of No. 1 he himself says: "Ofreciendo estas primicias q'en la 
 primavera de mis verdes estudios cogi del jardin de la divina ley, a la houraf?) 
 de los M. M. Ss. Parnassim y Gabay desta Santa Yesiba." 
 
 ^[ Pois os primcyros lavores descobre tantos vises, como contem estes Ser- 
 moins, &c., tao admiravis em tudo, na fulileza do engenho, na fineza do dis- 
 curso, no eloquente do estilo, no pezo das razoins, & pureza das palavras que 
 mais paresem discuroos de hum progador provecto, que Scrmoins de hum en- 
 tend'unento pr'mc'ipia.nie , &c.
 
 BIOGRAPUY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 5 
 
 twenty-five Years old when he published his first volume of Ser- 
 mons, and appears then to have been married,* was in London 
 . in 1704,f went to Amsterdam the same year, and had also visit- 
 ed Bayonne, since one of his Sermons (No. 10) was delivered there 
 before the "K. K. Nefutsoth Yehudah," whence we may con- 
 clude that he enjoyed an extensive reputation as preacher. A 
 period of thirty-one years intervened between the publication of 
 this volume and his decease, which was in Hesvan, 5495, when he 
 had not yet attained his sixtieth year. His reputation was shared 
 by his, we believe, only son, Abraham De Sola, (Kazan and Beth 
 Din of the London Portuguese community,) who as Hebrew scho- 
 lar and theologian had but few superiors in his day. The name of 
 his wife Abigail appears in the list of those who bequeathed lega- 
 cies to the Congregational Orphan Society,! of which charity she 
 w;is a warm friend. They are interred in the same Beth Haim, 
 and near their graves is that of another friend to the communal 
 institutions, Elias De Sola, who died 5571 (1811); but as the 
 subject of this notice had, at this period, already attained his 
 thirteenth year, we will now revert to such members of his family 
 in Holland as were connected with his early history. 
 
 Dr. Benjamin De Sola, Court Physician to William V., Prince 
 of Orange, and Stadthouder of the Netherlands, was an eminent 
 practitioner at the Hague, and received his secular training at 
 the University of Utrecht enlightened Holland imposing no re- 
 ligious tests or civil disqualifications on her Jewish population, to 
 prevent their attaining the highest pinnacle of political and intel- 
 lectual distinction. A striking and interesting proof of this is 
 afforded in the Inaugural Medical Dissertation which he wrote in 
 Latin previous to his obtaining his degree of M. D., a copy of 
 which lies before us, printed in 1773. The title-page shows that 
 
 * Page 56. 
 
 f " En el peco tiempo que assisti en aquella ponpulosa ciudad de Londres." 
 
 "I See Report of the Society, issued in 182o. 
 
 $ "Dissertatio Medica Inauguralis de Matris prsc Alieno Nutricis Lactis 
 Necessitate ac Utilitate, quam annuente Summo Numine nee non 
 amplissimi Senatus Academici consensu, atque Nobilissimse Facultatis Medi- 
 csc decreto, pro gradu Doctoratus. Eruditorum Examini submittit Benjamin 
 de Sola, Amstflodamensis, Die xxix. Decembris MDCCLXXIII. H. L. Q. S" 
 It is accompanied with a copperplate vignette of Utrecht University, &c.
 
 6 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 he was " candidate for the highest honors and privileges in Medi- 
 cine,"* "which he in fact obtained; and although he wrote this 
 treatise " ex auctoritate Rector is Magnifici Joannis Henrici Voor- 
 da J. U. P. et Juris Civilis Professor is Ordinarii" still he does 
 not dedicate it to that high functionary, but to three of his co- 
 religionists. He exhibits his respectful consideration for the reli- 
 gious chief of his Synagogue by dedicating it first to the Haham, 
 S. Salem ("viro venerabili eruditissimo," &c.), next to his chief 
 instructor, Jacob de Meza, a Jewish physician (Med. Doctori ex- 
 pertissimo studiorum suorum ductori fidelessimo), and lastly to 
 his fellow-student, J. Belmonte (Alumno suo dilectissimo). A 
 noteworthy fact, proving his Hebrew attainments and his indepen- 
 dence in treating his subject, not less than the enlightened libe- 
 rality which obtained in his Alrna Mater and among the literati 
 around him, is that he supports his line of argument not merely 
 by reference to Latin and Greek authors, but also by the Hebrew 
 commentators. f This learned and eminent man, to whose high 
 reputation the literature of the day bears ample testimony, be- 
 came so much attached to, and favorably impressed with his ne- 
 phew David, that he took him at the early age of eleven years to 
 train him for his profession ; but after studying osteology for 
 some time, our young student preferred to devote himself exclu- 
 sively to his favorite theology and Hebrew literature. In 1814, 
 Dr. Benjamin De Sola having had the misfortune to become blind, 
 went to Amsterdam, and underwent there an operation which par- 
 tially restored his sight. A brother having died at Cui^oa who 
 left him a considerable legacy, he went to reside there ; but did 
 not survive his arrival above a year. His remaining brother in 
 Amsterdam, David Aaron De Sola,J who was distinguished for 
 his Jewish learning, had four sons, the eldest of whom, Aaron, |( 
 
 * "Summisque in Hedecina Honoribus Privileges, rite ac iegitime con- 
 sequendis. 
 
 f See pp. 11, 12. At the end of the Treatise is a rythinic Eulogy by another 
 friend and co-religionist, A. Coronel, M. D. 
 
 J Ob. 5558. He married Sarah Jessurun d'Oliveyra, Ob. 5568. 
 2 Aaron, Moses, Isaac, and Samuel. 
 || Born 1770, died. 13th June, 1821.
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 7 
 
 married Sarah Namias Torres,* by whom he had issue two daugh- 
 tersf and one son, the subject of this sketch. 
 
 David Aaron de Sola was born in Amsterdam on the 26th day 
 of Kislev, 5557 (26th Dec. 1796). His parents were highly edu- 
 cated persons, whose intelligence was only exceeded by their 
 piety and scrupulous observance of their religious duties. The 
 then Chief Rabbi of Amsterdam, Haham Daniel Cohen D'Aza- 
 vedo, styles the father " a man of superior intelligence, perfect 
 and upright." Jxurna xisa xin ntri on tsrx And of the mother, 
 whose Hebrew attainments were deemed extraordinary even in a 
 community where female proficiency in the sacred language was 
 by no means a rarity, he writes, " She was in truth * a virtuous 
 woman,' who was constantly employed in the study of sacred 
 literature, until her soul went to heaven some years since." 
 or -TO anp |n3D3 nVbi DV^NDISD KD~M p'03 xSn Vn m?x nn'n rroxJ3i 
 0-357 niypb D-off 1 ? nrraffj nrhy -IPX iy vnrh ennni on 
 
 On their only son these gifted parents lavished their best care, 
 so that at a very early age his progress in Hebrew and general 
 literature was very great. His mother's chief delight was to 
 watch and further this progress, and the development of pious 
 principles, by unceasing exertions ; Vmd he never forgot her un- 
 ceasing solicitude, but to the latest day of his life always spoke 
 of her in the warmest terms of affection and reverence. The an- 
 nual mortuary service he held for her was always a melancholy 
 occasion for him. The memory of such a mother in Israel is in- 
 ' deed blessed. 
 
 Long before he attained his religious majority he was compe- 
 tent to act as Baal Koreh. His Hebrew grammatical studies 
 commenced with Templo's noun rrwi and were continued in the 
 more elaborate works of De Balmis, Lumbroso, M. Kimchi, and 
 Redak. These studies branched out to Hebrew Poetry, which he 
 read with great avidity, becoming well acquainted with that glo- 
 rious band of Spanish-Jewish poets whose productions have never 
 been excelled. The regular reading and translation of the sacred 
 
 * On 2d Tarauz, 5553. 
 
 f The first died prematurely, the second married Heer Jacob J. Bassan, an 
 eminent mathematician in Amsterdam. 
 
 j See his in 1 ? nVnn g ibid.
 
 8 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 Scriptures, with their exposition, formed an essential part of his 
 early training. In the pious and happy home of Aaron and Sa- 
 rah De Sola the favorite volume which invariably made its ap- 
 pearance on Sabbath evenings was the " Paraphrdzia Commenta- 
 rio" of R. Isaac Aboab, an excellent work written in Spanish, 
 and a favorite expositor among the Sephardiin of Amsterdam. 
 This book, diligently studied as it was, would in itself have af- 
 forded him considerable acquaintance with Jewish interpretation ; 
 but his father, who designed for him a thorough theological train- 
 ing, soon introduced him to the original Hebrew sources, and he 
 thus speedily became acquainted with the Commentaries of Kim- 
 chi, Aben Ezra, Rashi, Nachmanides, and the Midrashim. The 
 philosophical acumen and beautiful style of Abarbanel always 
 rendered him, even in later .'days, a favorite author. His father, 
 a great Talmudist, soon had the pleasure of seeing him devote 
 himself to the higher branches of Hebrew theology, and in the 
 Beth-Harnidrash he studied with great assiduity the Talmud,* 
 Turim, and later Possekim. He was admitted in the Medras at the 
 unusually early age of eleven years, and continued his attendance 
 there for nearly nine years. During this time he was promoted 
 through all the five degrees, 1 up to the highest, which could only 
 be attained by public competition among the students (esouchag).^ 
 Of this famous Jewish College he himself gives us a brief notice 
 when in 1854 he contributed to the Jewish papers an interesting 
 account of the visit of the king of Portugal and suite to the Am- 
 sterdam Portuguese Synagogue. He says : 
 
 " His Majesty next proceeded to the ancient and famous Beth 
 Hamedrash ' Ets Hayim,' which, with its valuable library, is in 
 one of the buildings forming the spacious quadrangle in which 
 the Synagogue stands. There are two Medrashim, several reli- 
 gious schools, and Yeshiboth. This seminary is famous for the 
 many celebrated and erudite theologians who have therein flour- 
 ished. Of these it is only necessary to mention Menasseh ben Is- 
 
 * From a memorandum made by himself in a volume of the Talmud we find 
 that Moed Katon and Betzah were the treatises read by him in his earlier years, 
 while yet in the Medras Pequeno or Junior Seminary. Another volume of the 
 Talmud shows he had studied Massecheth Megillah in 5575, when in his seven- 
 teenth year. 
 
 f Sec Letter to the Velhos, 1st of March, 1854.
 
 BIOGRAPHY OP DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 9 
 
 rael, Saul Levy Morteira, Raphael de Aguilar, Sasportas, Athias, 
 Oliveyufi,, Meldola, &c. The volumes of doctrinal decisions pub- 
 lished under the title of D"n }'y na rn"vf contain the works of the 
 more modern theologians who have there studied." 
 
 In this eminent seminary of Jewish learning he was constantly 
 to be found. " His youth," writes Chief Rabbi D'Azavedo, " was 
 passed within the walls of the College or of the Synagogue. In 
 either of these was he always to be found from the time that his 
 mind developed itself and he left his mother's care.*" It is not 
 surprising that as the result of this close application, joined to 
 great intellectual gifts, we should find so competent and* trust- 
 worthy authority as Haham D'Azavedo pronounce him a tho- 
 rough Talmudist, a title which at that time and in that community 
 was not bestowed on smatterers, but only on those who by years 
 of successful study had rendered themselves worthy of distinction. 
 He applies to him the flattering titles Nann tfbsba DDm fi3j. He 
 also speaks in laudatory terms of his general attainments, and 
 presented him with a diploma such as few young men under the 
 age of twenty had there received. He pronounces him to the 
 fullest extent competent to discharge Rabbinical functions, to 
 examine Shochetim in their duties, both theoretically and practi- 
 cally, and to assume the ministerial office " in every city and 
 every place." 
 
 But while he was thus assiduously pursuing his theological stu- 
 dies, his secular training was not at all neglected. The Spanish 
 and Portuguese languages being commonly spoken in his father's 
 house, and being in fact the chief medium of religious instruction 
 both in the Synagogue and Beth Hamedrash, they became as fa- 
 miliar to him as his vernacular ; while his intercourse with culti- 
 vated members of the Ashkenazim community assisted him in 
 his study of the German, which, as his contributions to " Der 
 Orient," &c., will show, he wrote with fluency and elegance. He 
 cultivated the German and French secular literature to an extent, , 
 indeed, that not all the orthodox Jewish families would then ap- 
 prove. But his parents combined intelligence with their piety ; 
 
 nvn \r xtsmn '3? KTIDJD "3D p'3j *p -y *]" VII;M '3 
 
 : IDK p'HD wri mjn
 
 10 BIOGKAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 they dill not oppose these studies, and the best authors in all the 
 languages mentioned were placed at his disposal. So with the 
 Jewish philosophico-religious writings. Although the Jewish 
 community of Amsterdam were justly noted for their superior en- 
 lightenment ; although our student might read the philosophical 
 pages of Arama, Albo, Yehudah Halevi, Maimonides, and others 
 of the Spanish school, without calling forth remark ; yet were 
 there many who looked upon the productions of Mendelssohn and 
 his disciples with any thing but favor. But he was too ardent an 
 admirer of this great man's writings to be easily deterred from 
 pursuing their study. At the same time he did not neglect the phy- 
 sical sciences, for which he had acquired a taste while under the 
 instruction of Dr. Benjamin De Sola. On the contrary, he found 
 it absolutely necessary measurably to cultivate them for the pro- 
 per understanding of the authors he read, and he never would 
 read without comprehending. In late years, when the appearance 
 of such works as the "Bridgewater Treatises" compelled minis- 
 ters of religion to acquire some knowledge of natural science, he 
 found the value of such a training. Nor did his more serious stu- 
 dies cause him to neglect the acquisition of the accomplishments 
 of life. He became quite a proficient in drawing,* sketching, and 
 music. Of the latter he was all his life passionately fond. Nature 
 had gifted him with a fine ear and most melodious voice, and he 
 composed several very beautiful sacred pieces a specimen of 
 which we may find in the appendix to a work published by him 
 on the Sephardic Ritual Melodies, which we shall notice hereaf- 
 ter. Mathematics and Astronomy, History and Belles Lettres 
 formed integral parts of his educational course, and so quick and 
 clear was his perception of all he read, so remarkably retentive 
 was his memory, that before he had attained his twentieth year 
 he was regarded as the most learned and gifted young man in the 
 large and intelligent community in which he lived.f 
 
 * Beautiful Hebrew caligraphy was at this time highly esteemed as a ne- 
 cessary accomplishment. Some specimens in the possession of the writer, such 
 as an illuminated Omer and portion of a Pentateuch, done by him about 5570, 
 exhibit a proficiency creditable to a Sopher Mahir. 
 
 f His mother however was not spared to see the fruits of this training ; for 
 she changed her earthly cares for the heavenly rest on the 7th April, 21st 
 Nissan, 1817, one year before he entered upon the duties of his future public 
 career.
 
 BIOGRAPHY OP DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 11 
 
 The ancient and influential congregation Shaar Ashamayim, 
 of London, having decided, in 1818, to appoint a Hazan Sheni, 
 intimation thereof was duly conveyed to the Amsterdam congre- 
 gation, and the two deemed most competent to fill the office were 
 invited to proceed to London as candidates. The two alumni 
 selected were Solomon Aaron del Canho and David Aaron de 
 Sola ; the former, senior with respect to age only, was the warm 
 friend and admirer of his junior fellow-student through life. If 
 we now pause to examine what was the position he was about to 
 assume, what were the requirements of the office he was to fulfil, 
 we shall find that the field he was leaving seemed in every respect 
 more desirable retrogression rather than advancement appeared 
 to be the prospect. An examination of the Ascamot* or by-laws, 
 referring to the office and duties of Hazan in this congregation, 
 will sufficiently demonstrate this. Thus we find that, although 
 there may be nominally a Hazan Rishon, or senior Reader, he is 
 only to be considered senior in so far as priority of appointment 
 is concerned, he has no special duties, no rights or privileges, 
 different from his junior, save, perhaps, a precedence in the per- 
 formance of divine worship. This duty is to be performed by 
 the two Hazanim in alternate weeks (chap. ix. 2, p. 35). So 
 also with the solemnization of weddings and births. Section 7, 
 p. 37 shows that the Hazan cannot perform any official act without 
 the permission of the presiding Parnas ; he is to yield obedience 
 to all orders of the Elders of the Mahamad, and any neglect of 
 duty is to be visited with fine or temporary suspension. f Before 
 election, the Hazan is to undergo a probation, which consists in 
 saying prayers in Synagogue as Hazan one whole week, in order 
 
 * Ascamot, or Laws and Eegulations, &c. London, Kevised Ed., 5610, 1850. 
 
 f The Hazanim, in matters of Synagogue discipline, were, of course, to be 
 considered under the direction of both the Haham and Mahamad (vestry). 
 Thus a letter from the Mahamad chamber, dated 26th July, 1822, directed to 
 the Hazanim, shows that various penalties having been incurred by certain 
 cbngregators, the Hazanim were directed to guide themselves accordingly, 
 the penalties to remain in force till they received orders to the contrary. The 
 Hazanim were expected to be present at the drawing of the marriage portions 
 given by the Society Mehil Tsedaca, See Keport 1840, p. 14. The above seem 
 to be the only references made to the office of Hazan.
 
 12 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 that all the Yehidim may have opportunity to hear and judge of 
 his capacity and voice. From the ahove it will be seen that a 
 Reader was required rather than a minister or preacher. But it 
 is proper to remember that the congregation was at this time 
 under the spiritual direction of a Chief Rabbi, whose fame as 
 author, theologian, and scholar was world-wide. It is scarcely 
 necessary to mention the name of Haham Raphael Meldola, him- 
 self descended from a family who had given Chief Rabbis and 
 theologians to Italy, France, and Holland uninterruptedly for 
 twelve generations.* Pulpit discourses and supervision of the 
 public schools were, therefore, not expected from the Hazanim,f 
 but devolved upon Haham Meldola, than whom no more zealous 
 friend and promoter of religious education could be found. This 
 is amply shown in an English pamphlet published by him,J and 
 in his various Hebrew works, one of which was partially trans- 
 lated and published by his son and successor, R. David Meldola. 
 Previous to the appointment of Haham Meldola there appears to 
 have been a sorrowful falling off in the religious educational 
 efforts of the congregation, as is shown by the zealous J. Mocatta 
 in his address to the congregation || published in 1803. And 
 although Dr. Meldola introduced many salutary reforms, we yet 
 
 *See 111 '"131 chap. 54, p. 139, and the Biography of K. David Meldola, 
 in the Jewish papers. 
 
 f Indeed, not very frequently even from the Haham. The Ascama says: 
 " The Haham shall preach in Synagogue when the Mahamad may require 
 it." This was generally on SnJH 'iff rtSltyfi 'iff and special occasions. The 
 sermons of Haham, and E. David Meldola, chiefly in Spanish, are of marked 
 
 ability and learning. 
 i 
 
 J Letter to David Abarbanel Lindo, Esq. London, June 19, 5587. 
 
 I njlDX "pi The Way of Faith, &c. London, 5609, S. Meldola & Co. 
 
 || An address to the congregation of Portuguese Jews, delivered at a meet- 
 ing of their elders on the examination of the report presented by the com- 
 mittee on the Ecclesiastical State. A.M. 5563. London, Adlard, 1803. He 
 says: "The ecclesiastical state of our nation portends a rapid decline of reli- 
 gion." On p. 8 he refers to the practice of using Spanish and Portuguese in 
 the schools as media of translation, and says: "Hard to toll, we still retain 
 this practice to the exclusion of more significant information * * * 
 they are only proficient in this ladinaring and reading."
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DB SOLA. 13 
 
 find that his complaint of the apathy of the people is reiterated 
 by the lay directors of some of the educational institutions,* even 
 when the new Hazan was assuming office. The slight glance we 
 have given will show that the improbability of any extended use- 
 fulness or reputation, and the promise of a but limited sphere of 
 action in a community not exempt from a distressing apathy ; 
 further a not large stipend increased by the objectionable system 
 of voluntary offerings, tended, unless the distinction of a con- 
 nection with so respectable and influential a congregation be 
 taken into account, to form a prospect which a young man of 
 respectable status and of more than ordinary talents and acquire- 
 ments, could scarcely regard as the fullest realization of those 
 soaring aspirations in which youth so much indulge. But it was 
 because he was young, ardent, active, and zealous that he could 
 invest the office with the bright halo of promise ; and when ad- 
 vised by his friends to respond to the call, he made the resolve 
 to himself that he would yet widen the narrow sphere he was 
 about to enter, and in elevating his sacred office by a single- 
 minded devotion to the holy cause, benefit his congregation and 
 the Hebrew community at large. f So resolved, he left his home, 
 carrying with him the paternal blessing and the scarcely less 
 prized benediction of his venerable Rabbi, Haham D'Azevedo, 
 who accompanied it with letters of the highest recommendation, 
 nor did he lack the best wishes of his many attached friends. J 
 He arrived in England, the 9th of July, 1818, and on the 1st 
 
 * " It is with deep regret I am compelled to notice that a considerable 
 degree of apathy seems to pervade our ranks." Sketch of a speech delivered 
 by the President of the Spanish and Portuguese Charity Schools, July 1, 1821. 
 
 f During his long connection with his congregation, this was always steadily 
 kept in view. In a letter written some thirty years later, he says, that his 
 endeavors have ever been to raise his office, as far as he could, by his personal 
 conduct and unwearied exercise of his talents. 
 
 J The venerable Chief Kabbi D'Azevedo pathetically laments the separation 
 from him, which he says "is very hard" for him 1ED1 inT"i3 *hy njyp '3 
 
 xrrx-D nwv *\z nr vhzmn iTioSn 1 ? V'r D'D'j u:n Snjn itwn 
 
 DJ onx 'J3 'rjn fn 
 
 D'ryS on 1 ? rrni D'D^n ijw rm D'pn ^n^ o^bp rhxn D^JXH
 
 14 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 of August (Sabbath MashS) performed his probationary service 
 to the satisfaction of a congregation yet vividly impressed with, 
 and attached to, the ministrations of the popular Kazan, Mordecai 
 Salom, and then enjoying the able services of the scarcely less 
 popular Kazan, Isaac Almosnino ; but he was elected Kazan on 
 the 12th of August (10th Menahem) of the same year, an appoint- 
 ment upon which the congregation ever after saw cause to con- 
 gratulate themselves. On the 20th of May, 1819, he was married 
 to Rebecca, eldest daughter of the Haham, Dr. Meldola. Born 
 in Florence, the minister's young bride joined to her native 
 musical Italian an intimate knowledge of the Spanish and other 
 continental languages, and, as might have been expected, her 
 Hebrew and religious training had been specially promoted and 
 not lost sight of in the acquisition of the various accomplishments 
 of her sex. Nurtured in that cheerful piety, loftiness of thought, 
 and thorough culture of heart and mind which the training of 
 her gifted parents was designed fully to develop, she was a fit- 
 ting helpmeet for the newly appointed minister. But it was 
 her unbounded loving devotion to her husband through his life, 
 her total negation of self for him and for their children, which 
 caused him ever to regard her as the light of his eyes and his 
 chief blessing on earth. If ever home was happy and blessed to 
 the last hour of wedded life, it was theirs. 
 
 Having entered on the discharge of his official duties, he con- 
 tinued to perform them with zeal and punctuality. At the same 
 time, his efforts were directed to the attainment of the English 
 language and literature with which he had been but slightly ac- 
 quainted. In this he succeeded most surprisingly, even during 
 the first year of his appointment, as his correspondence suffi- 
 ciently shows; and in furtherance of this object he collected 
 around him an extensive library of standard English works. In 
 these studies, and in the exercise of the duties of his office, he 
 employed the first ten years of his appointment, when, having 
 received intelligence of the serious indisposition of his father, he 
 prepared to revisit the home of his youth. After the usually 
 prolonged and comfortless journey of that period, he arrived at 
 Rotterdam April 3, 1821, where he received alarming tidings of
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 15 
 
 his father's state. He left the following day for Amsterdam 
 with melancholy forebodings.* 
 
 He went to one of his uncles, from whom he learned that his 
 father still lived, but that three of the most eminent physicians 
 who were attending him had declared him incurable. His uncle 
 having duly prepared the invalid, a very affecting interview took 
 place between the father and son. The visit seems to have "had 
 a very beneficial influence on the patient, and quite exhilarated 
 him." He rallied, but died on the 12th of the following June, 
 about two months after his son's return to London. During the 
 stay of the latter in Amsterdam he writes : " The reception I 
 met here from all is most flattering, and I have not a moment to 
 myself." On the Sabbath he was accompanied to the Synagogue, 
 and a seat among the Velhos appropriated to him. He had to 
 devote one entire day to the reception of the immense congrega- 
 tion, among whom came to greet him not a few of his Ashkenazi 
 friends. The same cordial welcome was given him when he re- 
 visited Amsterdam (July 29, 1825), the London Synagogue then 
 undergoing repairs, and not re-opening for public service till the 
 9th of September of the same year.f 
 
 In 1829 appeared his first published work, " The Blessings," 
 with an introductory essay on Thanksgiving.^ Laying down the 
 
 *He writes: "I tremble at every footstep I take towards home; for God 
 knows what I shall find there." On his arrival at Amsterdam he writes: "I 
 reached here at six o'clock in the morning. I cannot possibly describe to you 
 with what feelings I again entered my native city, not daring to enter our 
 house abruptly, and not knowing whether I should embrace my father alive 
 or be obliged to bewail him. You may suppose what I felt when I reached 
 our door where I stood like one enchanted, and as if I would have inquired 
 from the stones of the house the situation of my father. Being early in the 
 morning, few people were yet stirring, and of these I was afraid to inquire, 
 expecting to hear the worst." 
 
 * Though divine service was performed in the smaller buildings of the con- 
 gregation. 
 
 ffll3"U "HD "The Blessings;" or, expressions of praise and thanksgiving 
 said by Israelites on various occasions, with an interlineary translation, ac- 
 companied with an explication of their source, the precepts and DTT (regu- 
 lations) attached to them, and explanatory notes. To which is prefixed an 
 introductory essay on the nature and duty of thanksgiving." London, "Wert- 
 heimer, Baruet & Soloman, 5590-1829. 8vo.
 
 16 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 rule that it is " desirable to collect a variety of useful matter 
 within a small compass, and to divest it of the austere garb of a 
 professed book of instruction without, at the same time, detract- 
 ing from its usefulness," he designed the work to be " a book of 
 religious information as well as a manual of private devotion." 
 He states, in a lucid manner, the origin of the various precepts, 
 explains the same, and adds much useful matter for those unable 
 to consult the original Hebrew. The interlinear system of trans- 
 lation is adopted in the text in order to give some " insight into 
 the construction and idiom of the Hebrew, and to incite to the 
 study of those rules of grammar by which a competent knowledge 
 of the sacred language might be obtained." The origin of the 
 subject and plan of the work, he gratefully mentions, originated 
 with Moses Montefiore, Esq., (afterwards Sir Moses Montefiore), 
 to whom he was afterwards no less indebted for the generous 
 support he gave to his published works than for countless proofs 
 of a warm an enduring friendship.* 
 
 The Essay on Thanksgiving renders this work particularly 
 valuable. It is written in that terse, vigorous style which he 
 always retained, and at once called the attention of the anglo- 
 Jewish community to him, and, we believe, gave no small impetus 
 to the organization mm *nx man, when he associated with Dr. 
 Joshua van Oven, Michael Josephs, Selig Newman, and others, 
 in maintaining this Hebra as an adult school. We have before us 
 a communication to him, dated March 7, 1830, from the manag- 
 ing committee, who, being " desirous of continuing the delivery 
 of religious and instructive lectures on Saturdays at the Jews' 
 Free School, and quite assured of his excellent talent for that 
 purpose, request the favor of his services for 20th March." 
 
 * They were both doubtlessly anxious to introduce something that should 
 usefully substitute the old system of ladinaring ; and although Hannaniah 
 Bolaffey had published one part or number of his fll/nrin miD, or "Extracts 
 from the Prayers," with an interlinear translation, yet he did not proceed 
 with his work. Mr. B. was author of a very good Hebrew grammar and 
 primer, was a good linguist and Hebrew writer, and was for some time 
 teacher at Eton College, and Hebrew master of the Sephardim schools in 
 London.
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 17 
 
 The same year his co-operation was solicited by, and given 
 to, " The Society for the Cultivation of the Hebrew Language 
 and Literature," his co-laborers being Michael Josephs,* Dr. 
 Van Oven,f Arthur Lumley Davids,^ Harris Jacob Raphall, 
 Selig Newman,|| and others. The present venerable Sampson 
 Samuel was secretary of the society. His services were rewarded 
 by the warm acknowledgments of the committee, and a solicita- 
 tion " for the repetition of his favors, the continuance of which 
 would enable the society to look forward to the future with hope 
 and confidence." His subject was "Sacred Biography as con- 
 nected with Hebrew Literature," on which he gave three lec- 
 tures, the continuation being in the following session (Oct. 31), 
 all of which were duly acknowledged in very flattering terms. 
 His success in this department seems to have determined some 
 intelligent members of his congregation among whom were the 
 Maharnad or vestry to realize their wish for the introduction 
 of occasional English discourses in the Synagogue. On his as- 
 senting to their wish, the first English sermon ever heard within 
 the walls of the ancient Portuguese Synagogue in London was 
 delivered by him on Sabbath Hagadol, 12th Nissan, 5591, (26th 
 March, 1831,) before a large and admiring audience. As reli- 
 gious discourses had been hitherto of very unfrequent occur- 
 rence, and invariably delivered in the Spanish or Portuguese 
 languages, the preacher found himself in a more than ordinary 
 
 * Author of the English-Hebrew Lexicon, &c. He lectured on the book 
 of Job. 
 
 f Author of the Manual of Judaism, &c. He was one of the original pro- 
 jectors and founders of the Jews' Free School. 
 
 J Author of the Turkish Grammar, &c. His lecture was on the Philosophy 
 of the Jews. Published in 1833, early after his death. 
 
 \ Here commenced his intimacy with the learned Raphall, his subsequent 
 co-laborer. Dr. Eaphall then gave one lecture on Hebrew Poetry, which we 
 believe afterwards grew out to that course to which so many have listened. 
 Mr. De Sola cordially compliments him in his own lecture. 
 
 || Author of Emendations of the Scriptures, Hebrew Grammar, Lexicon, 
 Challenge Accepted, &c.
 
 18 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 embarrassing position. "We will quote from his introduction to 
 the printed discourse,* his own description of its origin : 
 
 " The gentlemen elders of the congregation, impressed with 
 these truths (just referred to hy him), and ever ready to promote 
 the spiritual improvement of the congregation, finding that, 
 owing to the change of times and circumstances, the religious 
 instruction hitherto given in the Synagogue in the Spanish lan- 
 guage had ceased to be useful, since that language is at the 
 present day no longer understood by the greater portion of those 
 members of the congregation who are natives of this country, 
 resolved that in future sermons in the English language should 
 be delivered, in order to afford the congregation religious in- 
 struction in the only way it could prove useful. Some gentle- 
 men of that body did me the honor to declare their opinion that 
 they considered me fit to execute their laudable intention ; and 
 although I was deeply impressed with the arduousness of the 
 task required of me, and justly diffident of any capacity to do it 
 justice, yet hoping that the purity of my intention, and the 
 
 * A Sermon on the Excellence of the Holy Law, and the Necessity and 
 Importance of Keligious Instruction. London, H. Barnett and M. Solomon, 
 1831. This sermon and the auspicious occasion called forth the following beau- 
 tifully written eulogy of the preacher, hy an anonymous hand. "We believe 
 it was the production of his esteemed friend, the venerable Michael Josephs : 
 
 mpj : ytsn Dibt? 'ir nSio H nn pn nn ipi V-IWD ur$ maaS 
 mtsai IBHK na nx nton I^N % or Snjn mua IDDNDH "itsw D'JOH -pra 
 
 SJ rrnn D3 ID^J oyoi 'n>'DBMjnx 
 THEN wyy 1 ) ^ vrn ybo pnoo 'rro;?a ^JN ^N o f^'i a 
 ana wx nx nxo nijio 1 ? ib nrrni mini nanx 
 
 p-rc 
 nru DID 
 nj'j nna 
 
 D"t3j;n 
 nbnsj 'nx 
 
 1 10*73 13T3H 13 JH
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 19 
 
 beauty and holiness inherent in the subject on which I was to 
 treat, might induce an indulgent audience of my brethren to 
 look leniently upon the imperfections of a first attempt, joined 
 to the desire of marking, by a prompt obedience, my sense of 
 the honor conferred on me by their request, I was induced to 
 make an effort to surmount all difficulties ; and the result was 
 that I found I had not miscalculated upon the forbearance and 
 indulgence of my brethren, since my attempt was honored with 
 their approbation." On page 1 we are made acquainted with 
 the feelings which, when standing up to speak to the people, 
 " agitated and almost overpowered" him. He asks that due 
 allowance should be made for them, because of the peculiar diffi- 
 culties attending his undertaking, the honor and perhaps also 
 the boldness of raising his feeble voice within those holy walls 
 which had so often resounded with the eloquence of great, wise, 
 and pious men, to address an audience so numerous and well 
 informed as he then felt honored in behaloing. The nature of 
 the subject on which he was to speak, diffidence of his qualifica- 
 tions to do it justice, dread of criticism of all kinds, the appre- 
 hension of the imputation of vain presumption, together with the 
 many other difficulties inseparable from a first attempt all these 
 were sufficient to appal even the stoutest heart, and claim indul- 
 gence "in the prosecution of his new career new not only to 
 me but in some degree also to yourselves, this being the first day 
 on which a sermon was ever pronounced within this holy place 
 in the language of this country." 
 
 His next published sermon * (and it is only to his published 
 sermons that we shall now refer, giving a list of those in MS. 
 hereafter) was on the "Consolation of Jerusalem," delivered on 
 Sabbath Nahamu (Menahem 11, 5693 July 27, 1833). This 
 was just before those dark days when many a family in England 
 needed consolation, his own not excepted ; for on his return in 
 August from Amsterdam, where he had piously proceeded to 
 visit his parents' graves (max I3p)> be received the overwhelming 
 intelligence that one of his sons had been snatched from him 
 after a few hours' illness only by Asiatic cholera, then devastat- 
 
 * " The Consolation of Jerusalem," a sermon &c., printed by the express 
 desire of the gentlemen of the Mahamad. London, Wertheimer, 5594.
 
 20 BIOGRAPHY OP DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 ing London. Only the preceding year he had followed to the 
 grave an infant son. His pious resignation, however, enabled 
 him to recover from what was a very terrible shock to him. His 
 public duties also tended to engage him from his private griefs ; 
 and when Dr. Raphall started his "Hebrew Review," in 1834, 
 he took a lively interest in its success, and contributed some 
 literary assistance. One article in volume iii. (p. 381, et seq.) 
 was called forth from his observing in Peter Beer's Grcscldclite 
 oiler SeTcten der Juden, his partiality for the Caraites, and his 
 scarcely disguised hostility to the Talmud, which led him to 
 represent Caraitism in a much better light than is conformable 
 with truth. His pulpit duties also claimed much of his atten- 
 tion. He was sought now to make English discourses a perma- 
 nent institution. Thus the Mahamad resolved that at least once 
 a month discourses should be delivered by Kazan De Sola during 
 the year 5595 (1835), and a notice to that effect was duly pub- 
 lished and sent to the members. The twelve sermons were de- 
 livered in due course. 
 
 The same year appeared his proposals for a new Translation 
 of the Portuguese Prayers. In a prospectus of four octavo pages, 
 he lays down four main rules for his guidance in translation, aud 
 to which he, in fact, strictly adheres in his work. The Hebrew 
 text was most scrupulously collated and revised from the best con- 
 tinental editions, such as Athias, Silva Mendes, llodrigues Men- 
 des, Tcmplo, Heidenheim, &c., and the important particular of 
 a clear and perfect vowel punctuation rigidly attended to. In 
 the English translation, that of David Levi was taken as a basis; 
 but this was very generally departed from, when the author's 
 study of the original, aided by a careful comparison with Haliani 
 Nietto in Spanish, Florentine and Ottolenghi in Italian, Ventura 
 in French, Euchel and Friedlander in German, and other conti- 
 nental translators, rendered it desirable. D. Levi was unable 
 to avail himself of the advantages of these translations, and, as 
 truly stated in this prospectus, was " very unsuccessful in trans- 
 fusing the spirit and beauty of the original," though Levi's 
 work (5549-1789), as cordially admitted, was " the first deserv- 
 ing the name of a translation," the incompetent efforts of Gam- 
 liel ben Pedaazur and A. Alexander not meriting notice but as
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 21 
 
 first attempts. The former editions being out of- print, it "was 
 deemed a proper opportunity to prevent defective editions being 
 multiplied by mercenary booksellers ;* and he was induced to 
 undertake the task, urged thereto by many gentlemen of zeal, 
 taste, and ability, but chiefly by Sir Moses Montefiore, who very 
 munificently supported this, as he did his previous and subse- 
 quent publications. The "additional matter" of this edition is 
 stated under ten heads, one of which is the valuable tabular 
 matter with which this edition was enriched. 
 
 The work f on its appearance was received with the utmost 
 satisfaction and approval on the part of his congregation, the 
 universal opinion being that expressed by one of the leading 
 members, that " it conferred infinite credit on him and lasting 
 obligation on the part of the community." It received the warm- 
 est laudations also of the German-Jewish press (there was then 
 no Jewish periodical in England). The Algenieine Zeitung des 
 JudentJiums (Beiblatt, 2 J. No. 13) devotes five of its quarto 
 columns, and again two columns- (April 30, 1839), to a review 
 of the whole work, " which," writes the editor, " has made on us 
 one of the most agreeable impressions." Farther, he says: "That 
 in England the Portuguese community should become sensible of 
 the want of a good translation of their liturgy is not be wondered 
 at, as they have been so deficient in this respect. It is pleasing, 
 then, to see that this undertaking has fallen into the hands of 
 Mr. De Sola, and that it has obtained so much support. * * 
 A number of names of old and illustrious families appear among 
 them, and Jamaica, United States, Sydney, Montreal, &c., have 
 received their copies. * * * The characteristics of Mr. De 
 Sola's translation are clearness and perspicuity. * * * In 
 taking this laborious task on himself, Mr. De Sola has rendered ( 
 himself highly meritorious to the English-Portuguese Synagogue, 
 and its results will doubtless prove beneficial to that community. 
 
 * See the preface. 
 
 f Forms of Prayer according to the customs of the Spanish and Portuguese 
 Jews, with an English Translation. To which are added tables, forming a 
 complete Hobrew Almanac, from A. M. 5596-1836, till the year 5646-1886. 
 London, 0-596-1836, J. "VVertheimer. An edition of the Daily Prayers, all 
 Hebrew, was published in the same year.
 
 22 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 The author, in a beautifully written preface of sixteen pages to 
 volume one, offers first, some thoughts on prayer in general, then 
 a short history of our liturgy, and treats finally of the various 
 translations of the prayers for the Spanish and Portuguese Jews. 
 * * * Of the Aden Olam he has given a metrical transla- 
 tion." 
 
 Without entering into a full examination of this work, we may 
 add to what the German reviewer has stated, that one feature 
 presented is the valuable notes with which it is interspersed, both 
 at the foot of the pages and in supplemental form. The tabular 
 matter at the end of the first volume, forming an almanac for 
 fifty years, exhibits, of course, a close intimacy with the Jewish 
 calendar system, and was itself a labor of no slight character. 
 We will also not dwell upon the extensive intimacy with Rabbini- 
 cal literature which his rendering of the Piyutim for Kippur, 
 Roshashana, and the Festivals indicate; we refer only to the 
 laudatory terms in which the German reviewer speaks of his 
 translation of the Keter MalcJiutk of R. S. ben Gabirol in the 
 third volume.* To this translation he added an introduction, in 
 which, after a brief notice of the author and design of the poem, 
 he points out the difference between the Copernican and Ptolemaic 
 systems, on which latter the astronomical references of the poem 
 are based, adding an astronomical table for the purpose of com- 
 paring and rectifying modern calculations and those received in 
 the days of Gabirol. Dr. S. I. Mulder, in Amsterdam, printed 
 on his model an edition of the Daily Prayers in Dutch in the 
 same year, and refers in most complimentary terms to his Lon- 
 don prototype, and copies all the tables. But though a close 
 copy, even in mechanical execution, yet it is in every respect 
 inferior, the London edition still remaining the most beautiful 
 specimen of Hebrew printing extant, and only equalled by the 
 second edition, which the translator subsequently undertook of 
 the same work. Both Hebrew and English type were new. The 
 Hebrew was cut expressly for the work by the celebrated firm 
 of Messrs. Alexander Wilson & Sons, Glasgow, and the matrices 
 were copied from the letter of Athias, as being the best specimen 
 
 * The erudite Dukes also refers to his translation of this poem. J. Chr., 
 Vol. v. No. 34.
 
 BIOGKAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 23 
 
 of printed Hebrew attainable. It lias now almost entirely super- 
 seded all other fonts in England. The printing of the work 
 reflected the highest credit on the office of Wertheimer, and was 
 chiefly performed by Messrs. Samuel Meldola and Coppe Green. 
 
 This work, though of great magnitude, did not distract his 
 attention from his newly imposed pulpit duties ; and accordingly 
 we find, that on 26th Kislev, 5597, (1837,) the elders passed a 
 resolution, conveyed to him by Hananel De Castro, Esq., the 
 President, assuring him of "their thanks and entire approbation 
 of the very able manner in which he had delivered his sermons 
 during the past and preceding years." 
 
 During the outbreak of the Druses in Safet, &c., in 1838, he was 
 employed in translating correspondence, reports, &c., affecting 
 the Israelites of the Holy Land. This year was also an eventful 
 one for the Hebrew community in England. A growing desire 
 for change in the Synagogue worship, and perhaps also for cere- 
 monial observances, had been for some time manifest on the part 
 of many leading members of both Sephardim and Ashkenazim. 
 A choir was introduced, first in the Portuguese and afterwards 
 in the German Synagogue, but not with general approval. Sus- 
 picious of the length to which the reform leaders desired to go, 
 a large conservative party had determined to oppose all conces- 
 sions to what they deemed mere clamor; and this .produced an 
 antagonism which resulted in the formation of the Burton Street 
 congregation. We have before us a very complete report of a 
 meeting of the Yehidim, held at the Mahamad Chamber, in 
 Heshvan, 1838, being the notes taken by Hazan De Sola, who 
 was present as a Yahid of the congregation. It exhibits the 
 prevalence of an unfortunate spirit of contention from which no 
 good result could possibly follow. At this meeting, a proposi- 
 tion was made for the appointment of a committee, in which the 
 Hazanini were to be included, " to inquire into the propriety of 
 altering or curtailing the prayers, and to supply more regular 
 religious instruction." The stormy discussion which arose there- 
 upon was but the prelude to others of a more violent character ; 
 and organizations were formed out of the meetings on both sides. 
 One of these called tnpn msao nosy, or " Society for supporting 
 and upholding the Jewish religion as handed clown to us by our
 
 24 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DL] SOLA. 
 
 ancestors, and for preventing innovations or alterations in any 
 of its recognised forms and customs, unless sanctioned by pro- 
 perly constituted religious authorities," was formed almost imme- 
 diately after the meeting above mentioned, and its founders 
 issued a circular inviting co-operation on 26th Heshvan, (14th 
 November) 1838. This agitation originated Mr. De Sola's next 
 literary work, the translation into English of eighteen treatises 
 of the Mishnah. Some three years after the completion of the 
 MS., Mr. Benjamin Elkin, a zealous member of the Burton 
 Street congregation, put the work to press,* and, without the 
 knowledge or consent of the translator, f added an anonymously 
 written preface, and announced the publication of the work in the 
 Times of 23d December, 1842. This preface states the origin 
 of the work to be in consequence of the discussions at the Vestry 
 Board of the Sephardim, when the reform party "urged the ne- 
 cessity of being supplied with an English translation of the 
 Mishnah from persons of their own faith. In consequence of this 
 application, the meeting passed a resolution authorizing the Rev. 
 D. A. De Sola to translate the Mishnah. Mr. De Sola having 
 been empowered to call in a coadjutor made choice of the B-ev. 
 M. J. Baphall." Mr. Elkin, we find, had been no party to the 
 articles of agreement drawn up between the translators and the 
 original projectors of the work. Of the latter, only two names, 
 Moses Mocatta and Horatio J. Montefiore, appear. Upon the 
 publication of the advertisement, the translators formally repu- 
 diated (by advertisement in the Times of 29th) all connection 
 with the work, " which they had not seen since they completed 
 the translation some three years ago, and, consequently, had not 
 been revised or prepared by them for publication." They add, 
 "that the prospectus and preface were not written by them, and 
 that they were in every way unconnected with the publication of 
 the work." 
 
 o r\WVn mrODO n 1 nntyo, Eighteen Treatises of the Mish- 
 nah, translated by the Rev. D. A. De Sola and the Eev. M. J. Eaphall." 
 London, Sherwood, Gilbert & Piper, 1842. 
 
 f And also without the knowledge of the projectors of, and parties to, the 
 translation, as communications from these to Mr. De Sola clearly show.
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 25 
 
 During the six days intervening the two advertisements, we 
 find from a formal disclaimer sent to the Jewish press,* that the 
 translators say, " We procured the work, and find from the cur- 
 sory view we have given to it that, as our translation was hur- 
 ried through the press without our knowledge, it has not under- 
 gone that revision and correction which even the most carefully 
 executed work requires, and was brought under the public eye 
 with all its imperfections. * * * * But when we see that 
 the attempt is made, under the sanction of our names, to foist 
 on the public a spurious preface spurious, because not written 
 by us, or even with our knowledge, and expressing sentiments 
 we do riot entertain, we do not stay to examine whether this un- 
 fair proceeding had for its object to ruin us in public estimation, 
 or simply to obtain for the anti-Judaic principles expressed in 
 the preface such weight as our names might be supposed to im- 
 part to them." " The anti-Judaic principles above referred to," 
 adds the editor, " we understand to include a covert attempt to 
 bring the Mishnah into contempt as well as the oral law which 
 it contains. ''f It were needless to review the controversy which 
 arose on this subject. Mr. Elkin issued a pamphlet of thirty 
 pages,! in which he endeavored to show that no discourtesy was 
 intended the translators, though in perusing this pamphlet after 
 so long a lapse of time, one cannot but be surprised how a gen- 
 tleman, who in his day, was so generally and deservedly re- 
 spected, should have allowed his zeal to outrun his discretion and 
 sense of strict justice. 
 
 In 1840, Mr. De Sola issued a prospectus of a new edition of 
 the Sacred Scriptures, with notes critical and explanatory. His 
 
 * " Voice of Jacob," No. 37, January 6, 1843. 
 
 | The editor remarks, "We know the preface was ascribed to them by 
 cursory readers." 
 
 J Letters addressed to the editor of the "Voice of Jacob," &c., by the 
 writer of the preface to the lately published Mishnah. London, J. "Wert- 
 heimer, 1843. 
 
 \ An ostensible publisher advertised subsequently in the Jewish papers that 
 the Kev. translators were not connected with the publication. The preface 
 has an italicised passage referring to the expressive silence of Scripture with 
 reference to an oral law. 
 D
 
 26 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 literary co-laborer was again Dr. Raphall, while the correction 
 of the Hebrew text and the publishing department was entrusted 
 chiefly to Mr. I. L. Lindenthal, Secretary of the new Synagogue. 
 The prospectus, embracing a brief history of former translations, 
 was in itself a valuable literary production, and was republished 
 in Germany by Dr. Fiirst in his Orient, (No. 52, December 20, 
 1840), when welcoming the publication. We will only quote 
 from this prospectus some details, in order to show the plan of 
 the work, which was executed in strict conformity therewith. 
 
 " The Hebrew text will be printed with the most scrupulous 
 attention to correctness in every particular, and will be carefully 
 collated with ,all the acknowledged authorities. In the English 
 translation we will endeavor to combine elegance with perspe- 
 cuity, and a strict adherence to the literal meaning of the text. 
 Our model in this respect will be Mendelssohn's version, and 
 like him, we shall carefully avail ourselves of the Targumim, and 
 of the various commentaries and translations. Respecting the 
 notes, it is intended, in order to assist the reader without dis- 
 tracting his attention, to give explanatory notes at the bottom 
 of each page, and at the end of each weekly section to append 
 notes illustrating the following subjects : 1. Explanations of the 
 precepts as they respectively occur in each section, particularly 
 of those in use at present. 2. Critical and grammatical investi- 
 gations, reconciling apparent contradictions, solving questions, 
 and removing difficulties that present themselves in the text. 
 
 3. Moral reflections and inferences to be deduced from the 
 events related in each weekly section, which will, in some de- 
 gree, supply the want of religious instruction in our Synagogues. 
 
 4. Sacred geography, geology, and natural history of the Bible, 
 manners and customs of the East, &c. Under this head will be 
 collected the best of all that has appeared in modern publications 
 on these subjects travels in the Holy Land, together with 
 whatever information ancient writers have bequeathed to us. 
 The whole of the notes will be selected from an immense variety 
 of sources and authorities, in all languages, both ancient and 
 modern." 
 
 The plan of the work received the formal approval of the Rev.
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. n 27 
 
 Dr. Meldola, Chief Rabbi of the Portuguese,* and of the Rev. 
 Dr. Solomon Hirschel, Chief Rabbi of the German congregation. 
 Its importance was duly recognised by the Jewish press, and 
 regarded as a pleasing sign of the times. f Its first number, 
 which appeared in September, 1841, created a profound sensa- 
 tion also in Christian literary circles, " it being the first work of 
 the kind ever issued in England by learned Jews ;" and the 
 translators were overwhelmed with letters of congratulation 
 from all classes. High dignitaries of the church showed their 
 interest in the undertaking, though perhaps no one was more 
 deeply interested in its progress than the Rev. George Becket, 
 a learned and amiable divine and cordial friend of Jewish eman- 
 cipation. The completion of the first volumej (consisting of 
 seven hundred and ten pages 8vo.) elicited the same cordial com- 
 mendations of the press. It was a matter of deep regret to all 
 that the publication was not farther continued. The chief 
 causes of its discontinuance we believe to have been the irregu- 
 larity of those entrusted with its publication, and the unwilling- 
 ness of Mr. De Sola to continue so grave a literary undertaking 
 by himself when Dr. Raphall had removed to the pastoral charge 
 of the Birmingham congregation, though we find that Mr. Lin- 
 
 * This revered Rabbi writes in a periodical of which he was co-editor 
 (Jewish Chronicle, 1st Series, No. 11, January 28. 1842) : "It will be to this 
 generation of Israelites the most valuable book they can possess. The choicest 
 passages have been culled by master hands from our most eminent commen- 
 tators, and translated into English, so that the great difficulty to the perfect 
 understanding of the holy law is removed. 
 
 f See "Voice of Jacob," No. 1, an article by the erudite Theodores in No. 
 2, and a review in No. 3, &c. 
 
 J D mm 13I) The'Sacred Scriptures, in Hebrew and English; a new trans- 
 lation, with notes critical and explanatory, &c., vol. 1, Genesis. London, 
 Bagster, 1844. 
 
 $ Jewish Chronicle, January 3, 1845. Even at the Antipodes the same 
 note was heard. A Christian writer in Sydney adopts the opinion of another 
 London Christian critic, that "the book is one of extraordinary learning," 
 and " the result will open up sources of interest and inquiry for readers of 
 every faith." " Such," he adds, " is the natural effect of true learning. It 
 does not labor to become exclusive and sectarian." See Australian, June 2, 
 1842, and the Sydney " Voice of Jacob," June 24, 1842.
 
 28 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 denthal is said* to have asserted that "it was not continued for 
 the want of that support which such a work had a right to ex- 
 pect." The list of contents shows the work to have heen pretty 
 equally divided between Messrs. De Sola and Raphall, one sec- 
 tion only having heen translated and annotated by Mr. Linden- 
 thai. In 5603 (1843) they issued another edition of Genesis,f 
 being the English translation without the Hebrew text and notes, 
 the only difference between these two versions being, that in the 
 ^arger work they give the Scriptural names in accordance with 
 the orthography of the Hebrew text, and in the second they 
 retain the ordinary mode of spelling these names. 
 
 While engaged in a work of so grave a character, his literary 
 aid was sought and cheerfully rendered to an effort originating 
 with the late excellent and amiable Charlotte Montcfiore, to 
 supply the humble classes of Israelites with interesting and in- 
 structive reading. The pious design of this lamented lady was 
 carried out in conjunction with her sister and Mr. De Sola, and 
 the " Cheap Jewish Library" appeared. The first volume con- 
 sisted of seven moral and religious tales, or as in the "Evenings 
 in Judea," in the second volume, useful information is conveyed 
 in the form of a dialogue on the Geography of Palestine, His- 
 tory and Antiquities of the Jews, &c. Of the design of the 
 work, the authoress says : " Amongst the many means that have 
 hitherto been employed to inculcate religious truths and princi- 
 ples of morality, none have proved more efficient than the pub- 
 lication of tracts in the form of tales conveying instruction and 
 entertainment.'! The position of the worthy authoress enabled 
 her to publish them at a pecuniary loss, a nominal price having 
 been put upon each number, while it was announced at the same 
 time, that they might be obtained for the poor by application to 
 
 * See letters of N. H. Solomon, S. C., &c., in the Jewish Chronicle, Decem- 
 ber, 1852. This periodical frequently copied the notes of the work. Somo 
 letters on the Egyptian names occurring in the Scriptures from Dr. Loewe to 
 Rev. D. A. De Sola were not published. See preface. 
 
 } The Sacred Scriptures ; translated from the original Hebrew, &c. Lon- 
 don, , 5603. 
 
 J Several of the tales were reprinted in America, as soon as they appeared, 
 by the Jewish Publication Society of Philadelphia. They were also repub- 
 lished by several periodicals.
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 29 
 
 the Rev. D. A. De Sola, who, in a letter to a friend, gives the 
 following account of their publication : 
 
 * * * " Therefore they essayed what good could be done 
 by the publication of moral tracts in the attractive garb of tales 
 for Jewish readers. They commenced by printing two hundred 
 and fifty copies of each of the four first tales, which were pub- 
 lished at one penny, or, when they exceeded two sheets, at two 
 pence each. It is not necessary to state to any one acquainted 
 with printing, that this was tantamount to giving them away. 
 But these ladies wisely judged, that what was given away was 
 either looked upon with suspicion or neglected ; whereas, if the 
 class for which it was intended were to .make the sacrifice of even 
 a penny to buy it, it would show that they appreciated it, and 
 that they had a desire for useful literature. They had the gra- 
 tification to see that the said small impression was soon ex- 
 hausted, and another edition of five hundred (though at an addi- 
 tional sacrifice) was issued by them. For the good of their 
 humbler brethren these ladies continue to devote their talents, 
 time, and means. Their strict incognito prevents their receiving 
 the thanks of their brethren, being content ' to do good by 
 stealth, and blush to find it fame.' * * * As it was neces- 
 sary that some one should attend to the publication, I was hon- 
 ored with their confidence, and willingly undertook the pleasing 
 task of promoting their good intentions." 
 
 This confidence was duly respected, and the incognito of the 
 authoress always maintained on his part. It may be permitted 
 us here, however, now that both authoress and editor have been 
 removed from their earthly labors, to show by some extracts from 
 the correspondence written currente calamo of this most wor- 
 thy daughter of Israel with Mr. De Sola, how warmly she felt 
 and how much she intended to do had she been spared for her 
 people, more especially for that humbler class, in whom all her 
 thoughts and sympathies seemed to be centered, notwithstanding 
 the many seductions of her exalted position and immense wealth. 
 She writes to Mr. De Sola thus : 
 
 " From what I had heard of your general kindness, I had ex- 
 pected that my project would come in for a share of it ; but I 
 never could fwve anticipated that you would take so deep an
 
 30 BIOGRAPHY OP DAVID AAROX DE SOLA. 
 
 interest in its success, and be willing to devote so much time to 
 the furtherance of it. Nothing could have given me so much 
 courage to proceed as the knowledge of having some one to assist 
 me, who, like yourself, has so intimate an acquaintance with 
 Jewish character, manners, and religion. Pray accept my sin- 
 cerest thanks for what you have said upon the subject, and for 
 what you have offered to do. You have quite excited my curiosity 
 about the additional things you wish my ' Letter to the Jews ' to 
 contain, and shall feel greatly obliged if you will gratify it as 
 soon as possible. * * * I fear I am exceedingly deficient as 
 regards the habits and prejudices of the Jews of the working 
 class. This may affect all I write, weakening its utility and 
 depriving it of a character of reality which is certainly one of 
 the greatest charms of such works. By an earnest study of the 
 Bible I may learn all what the Jews ought to be, and, derived 
 from that sacred source, I trust my delineations of good jnay 
 always be correct. To trace what they are requires a different 
 study. I must be indebted to you if I do so at all faithfully. I 
 intend to make it a personal study ; but this will demand time. 
 Upon such points of religion as can hardly be treated in tales, 
 I purpose writing little essays or discourses. As soon as any 
 are completed, they shall be forwarded to you for your criticism 
 or approval ; but whatever opinions they may give rise to, I 
 hope you will always have the kindness to tell me quite frankly. 
 I am confident that I shall be always very grateful for your sug- 
 gestions, which will be to me of great utility, and contribute 
 materially to the success of my undertaking. * * * In the 
 approval of Mrs. De Sola and your daughters of l Rachel Levi,' 
 I have a most agreeable guarantee of success, which, as you may 
 suppose, has been a matter of great doubt and anxiety to me. 
 Will you be good enough to say to them that the author heard 
 with the greatest pleasure that they took some interest in the 
 story of the orphan, and that the writer hopes their good wishes 
 will attend Rachel's entrance into the world. * * * I ought 
 to apologize for taking up so much of your time, and accepting 
 your kind offer of devoting still more to my service. I trust it 
 may not be to my service alone, but, with the Almighty's bless- 
 ing, prove a lasting benefit to many of our humble Brethren. In
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 31 
 
 this case you will need no thanks of mine, being far more fully 
 repaid by the gpod you will have effected." On another occasion 
 she writes Mr. De Sola : "All the information I may have, all 
 the energy and perseverance that has been bestowed upon me, I 
 have long wished to consecrate to the religious good of our poor 
 brethren. I must, I know, expect to meet with difficulties ; but 
 these I hope eventually, by patience and perseverance, to over- 
 come. And I am likewise prepared to find it a losing concern, 
 in one sense of the word ; but if it should be of real utility to but 
 even a very few, I shall be amply repaid. My task must remain 
 incomplete, unless you give me the benefit of your superior abili- 
 ties. With another undertaking on hand, this I feel is request- 
 ing a service I can never hope adequately to return ; but I solicit 
 it with confidence, as I ask it for the welfare of those to whose 
 interests you have always devoted yourself." She was very de- 
 sirous that Mr. De Sola should establish a Jewish periodical, 
 and says : " I should be really delighted if in some little way I 
 could promote the success of an undertaking likely to be produc- 
 tive of so extended an utility, besides the pleasure it would give 
 me to be able to do any thing that would be agreeable to one to 
 whom I am so much indebted. I have a friend who writes beau- 
 tifully, and who would be willing to add some contributions." 
 
 Mr. De Sola was very desirous that Grace Aguilar, his friend 
 and pupil,* in whom he ever took a paternal interest, should 
 contribute to the " Cheap Jewish Library," and with the ready 
 consent and the encouragement of the amiable editress, Miss 
 Aguilar wrote the "Perez Family," which duly appeared in the 
 series. In a communication to Mr. De Sola on this subject, Miss 
 Aguilar says : 
 
 " But in a Christian country we should rather enlarge on the 
 tenets of our faith, not perhaps so much for our own people as to 
 do away with some of the mistaken notions regarding it adopted 
 by other creeds. This is my simple opinion, which I hope you 
 will not consider too free." With reference to the Perez Family, 
 
 * She was then studying Hebrew under Mr. De Sola, and was always ac- 
 customed to guide herself very much by his advice, and to ~apply to him for 
 information in all cases of doubt. She showed her respect for him and appre- 
 ciation of his writings by frequently quoting from them in her works. See 
 " Spirit of Judaism," " "Womon of Israel," &c.
 
 32 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AAROX DE SOLA. 
 
 she writes on another occasion : " The whole tale was written 
 while sickening for and recovering from a severe illness. * * 
 I still indulge the hope, however fallacious, of one day seeing 
 my writings more known than they are now." 
 
 Referring to this effort of Miss Aguilar, the amiable editress 
 writes Mr. De Sola : 
 
 "I cannot tell you how much pleasure it gives me to have seen 
 something by one of our co-religionists that is so good as Miss 
 A.'s story. I sincerely congratulate her upon having the means 
 of raising some time, by her talent, the opinion that is enter- 
 tained of Jewish intellectual abilities. It is quite a satisfaction 
 to think that a Jew may become celebrated for something else 
 than their wealth and their talent on the stock exchange. For 
 this alone it would be worth Miss Aguilar's while to devote her 
 energy, time, and talents to the cultivation of her intellectual 
 powers. * * * If I did not make any allusions to the com- 
 mendations Miss Aguilar bestowed, it was not from indifference 
 to them, but because agreeable truths are always known to be 
 more acceptable, and to me, who am still very anxious as to the 
 probable success of my arduous undertaking, particularly so." 
 
 We cannot say that the wealthy classes of our English co-reli- 
 gionists followed the patriotic example of our worthy authoress * 
 and her respected sister, Lady Rothschild, who assisted her. One 
 honorable exception to this remark should be made. Mr. Haim 
 Guedallah published his "Sabbath Leaves,"f containing sermons 
 of our most esteemed divines (among them he announces Rev. D. A. 
 De Sola) ; but after publishing some five numbers, he was com- 
 pelled to relinquish it owing to the extreme apathy of the people. 
 
 * This pious and excellent woman died July 2, 1854. In an qbituary writ- 
 ten on what was every where deemed a national loss, the writer says : " In 
 an afflicted body conversant with him, the deceased harbored a mind overflow- 
 ing with affection to its kind, and constantly solicitous to relieve its miseries. 
 She to whom physical exertion was not easy, she who had been reared in all 
 the luxuries of life, who could only have known misery from hearsay, she 
 not only did not shrink back from visiting in person the dingy lanes and 
 dismal hovels where wretchedness, sickness, and its concomitant evils revelled, 
 but delighted to appear as an angel of mercy in the abodes of poverty. Heb. 
 Observer, July 7, 1854. 
 
 f " Sabbath Leaves," adapted for the use of Jewish families, to be read on 
 Sabbaths, &c. London, April, 1845.
 
 BIOGRAPHY OP DAVID AAJION BE SOLA. 33 
 
 On the return of Sir Moses Montefiore and his worthy lady 
 from their patriotic journey to the East in behalf of the perse- 
 cuted Jews of Damascus, a solemn service was held in the Por- 
 tuguese Synagogue on the 8th of March, 1841, and the exten- 
 sive edifice was crowded to its utmost capacity by the elite of 
 the Jewish community, besides many eminent Christians.* On 
 this occasion he was selected to preach, f and while he duly 
 dwelt on the topic appropriate to the occasion, he did not fail to 
 refer to the example of civil and religious liberty shown by the 
 Sultan, and the claims Israel as a people had thereto a topic 
 which, when the report of his sermon appeared in the London 
 press, was duly taken by them as a hint that England "should 
 go and do so likewise," and improved by the liberal portion of 
 the press for the special behoof of those who still persistently 
 opposed Jewish emancipation. That emancipation was a subject 
 in which he had intense interest is sufficiently demonstrated by 
 his writings and correspondence ; though he had too high a sense 
 of the dignity of his office to allow himself to appear in public 
 as a political orator. In connection with a few friends, he was 
 instrumental, during the following year (1842), in organizing an 
 "Association for the promotion of Jewish Literature." We 
 quote the following exposition of the design: 
 
 "It would be supererogatory to dilate on the benefits to be 
 derived from the promotion of Jewish literature by a general 
 circulation of the valuable works which daily issue from various 
 presses without limitation of language, but which, owing to 
 several circumstances, it is but in the power of a few to obtain. 
 The Rev. D. A. De Sola, Mr. Lindenthal, and Dr. Benisch 
 have been elected 8, provisional committee," &c. And again,;}; 
 "The attention which is now forced upon Jews throughout the 
 civilized world is well known. It is owing to this attention that 
 eminent men are constantly laying down in highly "valuable pub- 
 
 * In the splendid piece of plate presented as a testimonial to Sir Moses, he 
 had the honor, in company with his colleague, to be represented, as they stood 
 near Sir Moses when the latter repeated the Agomel. (""Voice of Jacob," 
 vol. ii. p. IS.) 
 
 f The "Orient," (25th May, 1841,) refers in laudatory terms to thio 
 discourse. 
 
 J "Voice of Jacob," vol. ii. Nos. 32 and -31. 
 E
 
 84 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 lications the result of their researches and reflections on Israel. 
 It is clear that Israel itself, the object of this attention, should 
 be acquainted with what is said of it." 
 
 This organization was not more permanent than the "Jews 
 and General Literary and Scientific Institution," at Sussex Hall, 
 subsequently started under the presidency of Hananel De Castro, 
 Esq. In this he also took great interest from its commencement. 
 Thus we find him assisting at the opening of the lecture season, 
 and on many other occasions ; and although his multifarious du- 
 ties prevented his giving the more active assistance he desired, 
 yet he was represented in the committee of management by his 
 son, and through him made many useful suggestions, assisting the 
 classes with books, &c. In the early part of the year 1843, his 
 colleague, the Rev. Isaac Almosnino was attacked with a very 
 painful malady which incapacitated him from the performance of 
 his duties, and which terminated fatally on Friday, 16th Tamooz, 
 (14th July) of the same year. The decease of Kazan Almosnino 
 was a source of much grief to him, and on him devolved the per- 
 formance of the last sad rites. " The reverend colleague of the 
 departed, (Mr. De Sola,) who read the prayers, was deeply 
 affected," writes the Jewish Reporter.* Indeed he was losing 
 the daily companion of a quarter of a century, and one whom ho 
 had always regarded and treated with respectful consideration 
 and warm friendship. His official duties were, therefore, now 
 considerably increased ; and as the Synagogue was to be re- 
 opened, after a thorough repair, on Friday, 22d September, f the 
 training of a choir, in conjunction with Mr. Saqui, was super- 
 added to his other duties. During these repairs, the regular ser- 
 vices were continued in the Mahamad and Medras buildings, and 
 until the appointment of the Rev. David Piza, he was assisted by 
 Mr. Judah Mudahi, and his son, Abraham. On the 12th May, 
 1844, he had the pleasure of seeing realized a project in which 
 he was much interested, the opening of an infant school for the 
 children of the congregation, erected at the cost of Mrs. Lara. 
 On this occasion " he addressed the children a suitable admoni- 
 
 * "Voice of Jacob," vol. ii., No. 61. 
 
 f "The Voice of Jacob," vol. iii., No. 50, contains an account of tliis "iin- 
 pressivo ceremony."
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON J)E SOLA. 35 
 
 tion and exhortation, which was conceived in a spirit worthy of 
 the occasion, as we are still better able to affirm from a more de- 
 liberate perusal."* 
 
 In this year Mr. Abraham Mendes, of Kingston, Jamaica, ar- 
 rived in England, with the design of completing his Hebrew and 
 theological studies under Mr. De Sola. Mr. Mendes was chiefly 
 urged to this step by his friends from the fact that three English- 
 men who had gone to the West Indies to fill the ministerial office 
 had successively died of the yellow fever. Mr. Mendes, in con- 
 junction with his fellow-student, Abraham De Sola, pursued his 
 theological course under Mr De Sola, until the autumn of the 
 year 1S46, when he was appointed minister of Kingston, Jamaica; 
 and Abraham De Sola was appointed at the same time to the 
 ministry of Montreal, Canada. And if the public labors of these, 
 his loving disciples, have been, or shall hereafter be, at all in- 
 strumental in promoting the spiritual weal of their brethren, or 
 disabusing the Gentile mind of the erroneous notions it is wont 
 to entertain of Jews and Judaism, to his patient, learned teach- 
 ings, to his valuable advice, above all, to his excellent practical 
 example, will they, under God, refer all. For the writer may 
 assert with respect to both, that the influence of his admonitions 
 will ever be with them to urge them on to all the farther activity 
 and usefulness of which they may be capable. On the departure 
 of his son from England, he accompanied him to Portsmouth, 
 where he gave him his parting blessing his last spoken blessing, 
 for they never met again. 
 
 The year 1847 will be long remembered in Great Britain for 
 the misery it entailed, as a year of scarcity, on thousands in all 
 parts of the kingdom. On Wednesday, 24th March, " being the 
 day appointed by her Majesty as a general fast," a solemn ser- 
 vice was held, at which he officiated, and pronounced a discourse 
 that was most favorably noticed by both Jewish and Christian 
 press. The sermon was printed by the Mahamad. Another dis- 
 course, spoken on the death of Miss Abigail Lindo, authoress of 
 the Hebrew Lexicon, was " so very superior to the usual produc- 
 tions of this kind" that the editor of the Anglo-Jewish Magazine 
 published it in his October number, and the editor of Der Orient 
 
 * "Voice of Jacob," vol. iii., No. 74.
 
 86 BIOGRAPHY OP DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 deemed it worthy of translating into German.* The only preach- 
 ers in the London orthodox Synagogues on the occasion above 
 referred to, we believe, were himself and Dr. Adler, Chief Rabbi 
 of the German Congregations ; and we may state here that with 
 this respected Rabbi at whose installation he had assisted he 
 always maintained the most friendly relations, as he did with 
 his predecessor, and with all the leading members of the Ashke- 
 nazim.f Thus, it was a source of great satisfaction to him when 
 Dr. Adler visited the Portuguese Synagogue on Sabbath Besha- 
 lach, February, 1849, and was entertained at a banquet. On 
 this occasion, he, in conjunction with the officers of his congre- 
 gation, gave expression to a most cordial welcome to the respected 
 guest. But we shall proceed now with our enumeration of a few 
 of the evidences of his activity, giving them but a brief notice. 
 
 In April, 1849, he announced his intention of issuing a second 
 edition of his translation of the Sephardim Prayers. He added 
 various new features to this edition, while all the excellencies of 
 the old were retained. In the first volume, which appeared in 
 1852, the calendar was continued to the year 1902. The me- 
 chanical execution of this edition was, as before, all that could be 
 desired. It was dedicated to Sir Moses and Lady Montefiore, who 
 evinced the same interest in this as they did in the first edition. On 
 the 15th of November of this year, (1849,) "being the day ap- 
 pointed by her Majesty as a generalthanksgiving for the removal 
 of the cholera," he delivered a discourse that was not only pub- 
 lished by the Mahamad, but very fully reported in both Jewish 
 and Gentile journals. His remarks on the exemption of the Jews 
 from this scourge, and the reasons assigned therefor, based on 
 references to rabbinical authorities, were particularly noticed ; 
 and suggested a series of articles, written by his son, in the 
 Canada Medical Journal, on the " Sanitary Institutions of the 
 Hebrews." In June, 1850, we 'find him again assisting at the 
 formation of a Jewish literary society. His address at the pre- 
 
 * Literatur-Blatt, Jan. 13, 1849. 
 
 j- Thus, at a meeting when the subject of the admission of certain rejected 
 deputies was discussed, we find, (Jewish Chronicle, 1854), "The Kev. Mr. Do 
 Sola proposed an amendment to leave the matter with the Mahamad to com- 
 municate with the now Synagogue expressive of the wish of the Sephardim to 
 be in terms of love and peace with all their -brethren."
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON D SOLA. 37 
 
 liminary meeting was specially recommended by the Jewish press 
 to the consideration of the friends of the society. His interest 
 in religious education was farther exhibited in the same month, 
 when he assisted at the examination of the Jews' Free School ; 
 and about the same time his name was announced by Mr. Mitchell 
 as one of the adjudicators on the prize essays written for that 
 gentleman. On Thursday evening, 29th September, 1853, was 
 consecrated a branch Portuguese Synagogue. The active part 
 he took in the preparations for this event will be seen by refer- 
 ence to the Jewish press of the day. "We may state here, how- 
 ever, that he composed a Hebrew poem for the occasion, that the 
 melody was also his production, so the translation of the prayers, 
 and the arrangement of the service. The acknowledgments of 
 the whole congregation were very cordially conveyed to him. 
 On Sabbath Yithro of the following year he delivered, at the re- 
 quest of the Mahamad, a sermon " which well-deserved to be dif- 
 fused in wider circles than that to which it was originally ad- 
 dressed." .The Jewish Clironicle having published it in full, it 
 was not, like his other published sermons, issued in pamphlet 
 form by the Mahamad ; but they did not fail to convey to him. 
 their acknowledgments, as on former occasions. He contributed 
 the same year to the Jewish papers, among other pieces, a very 
 interesting account of the visit of the King of Portugal and suite 
 to the Portuguese Synagogue at Amsterdam. 'This communica- 
 tion was read before a meeting of the London Board of Deputies, 
 who, at the same meeting, took action to bring the claims of the 
 Jews of Spain before the Cortes. On Thursday, 12th April, 1855, 
 the Birmingham Hebrew Congregation laid the foundation stone 
 of their new Synagogue. On this occasion he received from the 
 executive a special invitation to assist in the arrangement of the 
 service, the first time that a German Congregation in England 
 had so honored a Portuguese minister. For this occasion he also 
 composed a Hebrew ode,* and his services generally, which 
 afforded the highest satisfaction, were handsomely acknowledged, 
 and the respects of the congregation duly paid to him at the 
 banquet succeeding the ceremony. On the completion of the 
 
 * Reprinted, with a metrical translation in Dutch, in the Nederlandsch 
 Israelitische Jarrtoekje, 1857, by Mr. Belinfante.
 
 38 BIOGRAPHY OP DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 building,* he revisited Birmingham by invitation to assist at the 
 consecration, for which he composed another Hebrew ode, and, 
 as before, met with a most cordial welcome from all. In Decem- 
 ber of the same year, he completed a biography of the celebrated 
 Isaac Samuel Reggio. This was written by him in Dutch, for 
 the Society " Tot Nut der Israeliten," in the Netherlands, of 
 which he had been elected an honorary member an honor then 
 conferred only on Dr. Sommerhausen, of Brussels, besides him- 
 self. This was published iii their organ, the Tijdsckrift, and 
 covered forty-eight closely printed octavo pages. It was in part 
 translated into English, for the Occident magazine, by Jacob J. 
 Peres, Professor of Oriental Languages. The same year a former 
 pupil, Miss Miriam Belisario, issued the prospectus of her " Sab- 
 bath Evenings at Home"f a work of a very high order of merit, 
 in which she was warmly encouraged and assisted by Mr. De 
 Sola. She writes she " has submitted her humble efforts to the 
 religious supervision of the Rev. D. A. De Sola, not feeling her- 
 self justified in proffering instruction of such vital importance to 
 her co-religionists on her own unsanctioned authority." This 
 work, which was published in two parts, was very well received, 
 as its utility deserved. 
 
 In 1857, Mr. De Sola issued the prospectus of a new work, 
 entitled " The Ancient Melodies of the Liturgy of the Spanish 
 and Portuguese Jews," with an Historical Essay on the Poets, 
 Poetry, and Melodies of this Ritual. J For the notation of these 
 melodies he associated with him Mr. Emanuel Aguilar, an artist 
 and composer of great eminence, and brother to the lamented 
 authoress. The prospectus, like all others issued by him, is in 
 itself of literary value, containing as it does a brief notice of 
 sacred music in Israel. We cannot now refer to this, but quote 
 the following to show the design and contents of the publication : 
 
 * Tljdschrift van de Maatschappij Tot Nut der Israeliten, deel iii., No. 4. 
 
 f "Sabbath Evenings at Home, or Familiar Conversations on the Jewish 
 Religion, its Spirit and Observances," by Miriam Mendes Belisario Eevised 
 by the Eev. D. A. De Sola. In two parts. London : S. Joel, 6616-1856. 
 
 J " The Ancient Melodies of the Liturgy of the Spanish and Portuguese 
 Jews," harmonized by Emanuel Aguilar, preceded by an Historical Essay, 
 &c., by the Eev. D. A. De Sola. London : Groombriclgo & Sons.
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 39 
 
 At the present day, however, when constant attendance in Synagogue, and 
 the use of Hebrew devotional hymns in private families, once so prevalent 
 among us and by which means alone these melodies were acquired and orally 
 transmitted are both much diminished and daily decreasing, it is greatly to 
 be feared that in a few years our sacred music will, for the most part, be en- 
 tirely forgotten and lost, which, for the reasons mentioned, would indeed be 
 a lamentable and national loss, especially as few among those who have heard 
 these melodies, imperfectly and inharmoniously as they are sung in almost 
 every congregation, can form an adequate idea of their beauty and eflect when 
 properly performed, and as we have here endeavored to present them. While 
 these causes still remain, while our choirs are selected from musically untaught 
 persons, while new congregations constantly arise in distant parts of the globe, 
 who, as well as private individuals and families everywhere, would gladly 
 avail themselves of those fine melodies were they known or accessible to them, 
 and are obliged to substitute in their worship new compositions, mostly ill 
 adapted for the sacred purpose they are to subserve, deficient in dignity and 
 solemnity, and incongruous with the rest of the service, a work, therefore, 
 like the present, which will prevent that loss, possibly remedy that decay, and, 
 in the universal language of music, can address itself and be understood in 
 every clime and country, has assuredly a claim to the support of all our co- 
 religionists. For it is not only to our brethren following the Sephardim Ritual 
 that these melodies are solely interesting, or exclusively appertain ; even as 
 the sublime hymns to which they are joined, they are the common property 
 of all Israel, and available to them either for public or private devotion. This 
 work will be divided under the following general heads : 1. The most ancient 
 melodies, or those whose origin is supposed to be prior to the settlement of the 
 Jews in Spain. 2. Melodies composed and adapted in Spain, and introduced 
 by them into the various countries in which they took refuge from the perse- 
 cution of the Inquisition in the Iberian Peninsula. 3. The ancient melodies 
 composed since that period. The most recent of these inserted is at least a 
 century and a half old. 
 
 In his learned work, which he styles "An Historical Essay on 
 the Poets, Poetry, and Melodies of the Sephardic Liturgy,'* and 
 which, as it is the first work of the kind, contains a rich mine for 
 students in this department, introducing them as it does to all 
 the sources, he gives, first, the history of the hymns and poeti- 
 cal pieces inserted in the liturgy of the Sephardim, their struc- 
 ture and peculiarities ; secondly, an account of the principal 
 authors of them, and of the times in which they flourished ; and, 
 thirdly, he states what he has been able to collect respecting the 
 melodies with which they are combined. He classifies the melo- 
 dies as follows ; 1. Morning hymns, of which he gives six. 2. 
 Sabbath melodies and hymns, of which there are given nineteen ; 
 some of these are here translated into English for the first time'.
 
 40 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 8. Hymns, &c., for New Year and Kippur. of which we have eleven. 
 4. Festival hymns, of which there are given thirteen. 5. Elegies 
 for Ninth Day of Ab, also thirteen. 6. Occasional hymns, of 
 which there are given eight. There is also an Appendix, con- 
 taining a new melody for Adone Olam, composed by himself, and 
 received with much favor by Sephardic Congregations in Eng- 
 land, Holland, and America. The Essay, which is a conversa- 
 tion of most valuable lore, and could only have been written by 
 one who had been a labgrious, painstaking student of the subject. 
 drew down upon him most unqualified praise from the Jewish 
 literati of Europe. Jewish and Christian critics alike gave the 
 same verdict. The Zeitung des Judenthums, &c., in Germany, 
 the Tijdsvhrift, and also the Weekblad, in Holland, re-echo the 
 opinion of the London Chronicle, that " the antecedents, the edu- 
 cation, and the calling of the author eminently fitted him for the 
 task." The Athenceum and the Literary Gazette (November 14, 
 1857), contains elaborate and flattering reviews of the work, as 
 does the Clerical Journal (December 8, 1857), and other of the 
 leading scientific and theological magazines. Our limits do not 
 allow us the gratification of showing how these organs of Christian 
 learning and opinion speak of the Jewish minister. In America, 
 Christian critics were not less complementary than the Jewish 
 press; of the latter the Rev. Mr. Leeser's Occident contained a 
 review running through three consecutive numbers. The Rev. 
 Mr. Isaacs, of New York, (Jeivish Messenger,} thanks the author 
 for "his unparalleled essay," which, says the Rev. Dr. Wise, of 
 Cincinnati (Israelite), "displays an extraordinary erudition." 
 In London, the well-known William Haslam, in the interesting 
 lecture delivered by him in various parts of England on the 
 "History, Beauties, &c., of the Choral Services of the Synagogue 
 of the Greek, Latin, and Protestant Churches," derives most of 
 the materials of his first lecture " On the Hebrew Service" from 
 this work. In the unique syllabus before us he mentions some 
 ten pieces from Mr. De Sola's work, and adds explanatory no- 
 tices derived from the same source. One musical piece of Mr. 
 De Sola's composition, the Adone Olam, is also selected, and Mr. 
 Haslam styles it " an exquisitely beautiful specimen of modern 
 Jewish music."
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 41 
 
 On the 26th of December, 1859, he concluded an agreement 
 with Mr. Phillip Vallentine, Hebrew bookseller, who had urged 
 him to undertake for him the translation of the Prayers of the 
 German and Polish Machsor ; and in March of the following 
 year, the first volume of the new edition the Passover Prayers 
 appeared.* The space of time thus allowed him was altogether 
 too short for so laborious and difficult a task, especially when 
 his other engagements be taken into consideration ; but with this 
 volume, as with the others, the publisher feared a pecuniary loss, 
 unless the work rapidly appeared. The publisher's plan also pre- 
 cluded the addition of notes, rightly deemed by the author indis- 
 pensable. Some few however were printed at the. end of the volumes 
 Mr. De Sola had published, but had never yet been published 
 by another ; he had to acquire a new experience ; and we doubt 
 whether he would ever have consented to write in a similar way 
 again. It is right to state however, that Mr. Vallentine duly 
 performed his part of the agreement, and Mr. De Sola's inter- 
 course with him was always of a perfectly harmonious character, 
 even his protests against the hurryf of his commercial friend 
 being always conveyed in words of jocose remonstrance. We 
 will quote from the Preface to the first volume what he himself 
 says of this work and its difficulties. He reserves, he says, for a 
 future opportunity his observations upon the history and com- 
 position of the German and Polish liturgy and continues : 
 
 "When urged to undertake this task, I should not have acqui- 
 esced in the proposal, if I had not been promised that my labors 
 should be shared by Mr. M. H. Breslau, a gentleman of well 
 known erudition, from whose able co-operation I undoubtedly 
 expected to derive effective aid. That gentleman, however, soon 
 perceived that the great labor and time which the work would 
 demand to do justice to its importance, would considerably inter- 
 fere with his other literary engagements, and he consequently 
 felt himself compelled to relinquish his share of the work at its 
 
 * " The Festival Prayers according to the custom of the German and Pp- 
 lish Jews, with a new English translation, by the Eev. D. A. De Sola. Lon- 
 don : P. Vallentine, 56201860." 
 
 f In a letter, he wittily applies to this undue pressure the textExod. v. 12 
 
 1 ? D^N 
 p
 
 42 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 very commencement, throwing the whole burden upon myself 
 alone. I must own that I did not form at the outset a correct 
 estimate of the difficulties attendant upon the effort to supply a 
 proper translation of the German Machsor. It was only as I 
 proceeded that these difficulties presented themselves successively, 
 until they assumed a character far more formidable than any I 
 had encountered while rendering into the vernacular the prayers 
 of the Sephardic Liturgy. This observation is intended to apply 
 especially to those poetical passages, Piyutim, with which the 
 German Machsor abounds, the difficulties of which will be readily 
 recognised by those who are at all acquainted with the style of 
 the Franco-German school of Hebrew poetry therein found, its 
 ungrammatical and forced construction of the Hebrew its in- 
 termixture of the sacred language with that of the Midrash 
 (the Aramean,) and, though last not least, its brevity and obscu- 
 rity of expression. These characteristics of the Piyutim ren- 
 dered a succession of commentaries indispensable, and originated 
 various and very divergent readings according to the peculiar 
 genius of each successive commentator. Hence it is that a 
 vast number of notes are absolutely necessary in order to con- 
 vey with accuracy the meaning of the poet. But the small size 
 of this edition, and the fact that the Hebrew pages were already 
 cast, precluded me from appending notes for the elucidation of 
 every obscure passage; and in many cases I was forced, much to 
 my regret, to consign to the end of the volume indispensable ob- 
 servations, which should have properly accompanied the transla- 
 tion. I very soon found that I could make but little or no use 
 of the version by the late David Levi, unless I wished to propa- 
 gate his errors both of language and sense, and that conse- 
 quently it was comparatively easier to make a new translation 
 than to revise and correct his. My labors have however been 
 considerably aided by the perusal and comparison of the able 
 versions found in various continental languages, especially those 
 in German by the celebrated Heidenheim, and the poetical 
 paraphrase of the eloquent and erudite Dr. Michael Sachs. Emi- 
 nently useful have also proved the Hebrew commentaries on tho 
 Piyutim, and the translation of prayers and scriptural passages 
 found in various languages, which were either inaccessible to
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 43 
 
 David Levi from his non-acquaintance with these languages, or 
 are of a date subsequent to the period in which he lived and 
 labored. The praise of having been a laborious and conscien- 
 tious translator cannot be denied to that learned individual ; 
 but it must be equally admitted by all that his version is often 
 inelegant and obscure. * * * As after these remarks the 
 reader will naturally be surprised at seeing portions of Levi's 
 translation in these pages, I deem, it necessary to declare here, 
 what will be found reiterated throughout the work, that I posi- 
 tively declined to translate what Heidenheim, and others had 
 omitted from their versions ; but the proprietor preferred to 
 employ Levi's rendering of those passages to the alternative of 
 leaving them untranslated as in the continental editions. Every 
 such passage will be found emphatically designated." 
 
 The reviews of this work were of a very nattering character, 
 but we shall merely quote the opinion of the ripe Hebrew scholar, 
 since deceased, to whom Mr. De Sola refers in the Preface as his 
 intended collaborateur. Mr. Breslau in his " Hebrew Review" 
 vol. i, p. 754, says " The translation is replete with remarkable 
 improvements upon every previous version in the English lan- 
 guage, manifesting good judgment and excellent taste. Having 
 ourselves labored in this field of literature, we can appreciate 
 the difficulties of the task to render cabalistic, astrological and 
 allegorical ideas in which the Piyutim abound, so as to be intel- 
 ligible to a modern reader, and to make sound sense of the com- 
 position in which propriety and devotional sentiment have been 
 sacrificed to rhyme. This task has been most ably and skilfully 
 performed by the Rev. D. A. De Sola, coping with the difficulty 
 of producing a nearly faithful yet judicious version, and for 
 which the reverend translator is entitled to the unqualified grati- 
 tude of the advocates of the Piyutim in toto." 
 
 Besides the works already mentioned, he produced others of 
 lesser magnitude. We will presently give a list of these ; but 
 first we would proceed to show that they were not the produc- 
 tions of a man of leisure, but of one whose every hour was de- 
 manded by numerous other engagements and actual official duties. 
 
 The indisposition of the Sephardim in England to establish 
 any other but their venerable Synagogue in Bevis Marks formed
 
 44 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 the community, until recently, into but one large congregation, 
 greatly increased by an almost daily accession of adherents to 
 the Minhag from all parts of the world the number of this 
 floating population being in fact considerably larger than that of 
 the residents. The births, deaths and marriages in such a con- 
 gregation would necessarily occupy a considerable portion of his 
 time, dispersed as his constituents were miles distant from the 
 synagogue and his residence.* And besides attendance twice 
 in the early summer three times a day in the Synagogue he was 
 also Hazan of Hebra^ and as such required by the Ascama 
 "to accompany to the grave every deceased person, and say 
 prayers at the house of mourners who may require it morning 
 and evening during the seven days of Abel." In the winter 
 months he was required to attend at least twice a week at 
 the Medras for the study of Harambam, &c. Here the good 
 sense and proper temper which characterized his share of the 
 discussions were pre-eminent. Instruction in the Hebrew lan- 
 guage, literature and religion also occupied no inconsiderable 
 portion of his time. Indeed, his residence may have been re- 
 garded as a kind of normal school whereat many a Jewish minis- 
 ter, some now in office both in England and the colonies the 
 writer gratefully includes himself among them obtained their 
 chief training. | Besides his private engagements which were 
 very numerous, his services were in acquisition at various times 
 in the leading schools of Solomons, Neumegen, Cohen, &c., and 
 for many years were regularly continued at the well-known and 
 excellent establishment of the Belisarios at Clapton. The in- 
 
 * A communication made jointly with his colleague, Hazan Almosnino to 
 the Velhos, says: " It is notorious that the numerous duties of the Hazanim 
 require the devotion of the whole of their time, since they are always liable 
 to he called upon for the performance of some of their duties," &c. 
 
 f It was probably in virtue of this office that we find him assisting at a 
 Presentation by that pious confraternity the " Lavadores," to their venerable 
 brother Sir Moses Montefiore, (Jew. Chron. xii. 15, J the meetings of the 
 brethren being generally of an exclusive character. The Manual of the 
 Brethren presented by Hermano Isaac Jalfon, Esq., adopts his translation of 
 the Psalms. 
 
 J His youngest son Samuel, the present talented and very promising Junior 
 Incumbent of K. K. Shaar Ashamaim is no exception to this statement.
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 45 
 
 terest he took in the communal schools was evinced by his fre- 
 quent presence on private as well as public occasions on the 
 latter he was generally requested to act as Examiner. In the 
 schools of his own congregation, his interest was of a more 
 anxious and special character. This is evidenced in the repre- 
 sentations made by him from time to time to the Elders and 
 others.* The secular education of the community also greatly 
 engaged his attention. Fully appreciating the exclusiveness of 
 Oxford and Cambridge, he was among the earliest advocates of 
 the non-sectarian London University, and when the corporation 
 proposed the establishment of " The City of London School" 
 on a comprehensive and liberal basis in 1834, besides sending 
 his own sons among the earliest pupils, he gave it his most 
 zealous co-operation. But the corporeal as well as the spiritual 
 and mental wants of his flock required his time and attention. 
 His office of Kazan of Hebra brought him necessarily in contact 
 with much misery and want. To make himself acquainted with 
 such cases, and to relieve them through their more fortunate 
 brethren, he always used his best endeavors. Besides the 
 lamented Lady Judith Montefiore, there were other noble daugh- 
 ters of Israel, some still living, who would not desire their 
 names to be divulged, who determined upon a systematic scheme 
 of relief, by issuing privately through Mr. De Sola tickets for 
 food, clothing and fuel. The issue of tickets was specially made 
 on Fridays, when his residence presented rather the appearance 
 of a public office than a private dwelling. " The Sephardim 
 Ladies' Relief Society," on the Committee of which were his 
 daughters,! received its full share of his sympathy and aid. He 
 was one of the first projectors of that excellent Institution 
 " The Soup Kitchen for Jewish Poor," and the interest he took 
 in this his favorite charity was indeed very great. He was a 
 permanent member of the Committee, was seldom absent from its 
 distributions, and always contributed as liberally as he could to 
 its funds. His literary labors took him much to the Library of 
 
 * See bis Plan, &c., for Jewish formal School and letter to the Yelhos; 
 also his address on the laying of the foundation Stone of the National In- 
 fant School, 5603. 
 
 f Heb. Observer, Dec. 9, 1853.
 
 46 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 the British Museum, and he was also a daily visitor at the Lon- 
 don Institution, where besides the library, there were the best 
 issues of the Periodical Press to claim his attention. Literary 
 men whether of great or lesser reputation, and from all quarters 
 had their drafts to present on his leisure ; but there was nothing 
 in which he so much delighted as this intellectual converse, and 
 he sacrificed much to it. There were few Jewish literati in 
 England or on the Continent, who did not become acquainted 
 with him and by all was he respected and esteemed. The same 
 may be said of his intercourse with Christians, which was very 
 extensive.* We are in possession of quite a mass of correspon- 
 dence chiefly from the most eminent Jewish scholars, all of a 
 purely literary character, and so valuable as well to deserve 
 publication, more especially the communications of Drs. Jost, 
 Delitsch, Fiirst, Zunz, Rapoport, Asher, &c., in Germany; Belin- 
 fante, Isaacson, Bassan, &c., in Holland; Carmoly, Cohen, &c., in 
 France ; Loewe, Zedner, Raphall, Dukes, Picciotto, and numerous 
 others in England, f We notice particularly the correspondence 
 of Dr. Jost, because it refers to a design that learned man had 
 to publish an English translation of the History of the Jews, 
 under the editorial care of Mr. De Sola. The so-called " Pros- 
 pectus" of the proposed publication contains six closely written 
 folio pages. The learned Doctor imparted his design while on a 
 visit chiefly undertaken for the purpose to Mr. De Sola in 1841. 
 We are not quite certain of the reason why this important under- 
 taking was abandoned. It need scarcely be said that this elabo- 
 rate prospectus is of great literary interest. With reference to 
 
 * We cannot deprive ourself of the pleasure of especially mentioning 
 Colonel Moody of Waltham Abbey, Kev. George Beckel, Captain Boyse, 
 Messrs. "W. G. Dresser, and the Brothers Frost. 
 
 f Many communications are in Hebrew, with copies of his replies. One, 
 exempli gratia, written by him to Dr. Isaacson, Chief .Rabbi of the German 
 Community in Rotterdam, on the subject of D'lJ displays a facile Hebrew 
 pen and great Talmudic learning. One letter is written (mirabile dictu!) 
 in good Hebrew, by a young lady co-religionist, the late worthy Abigail 
 Lindo, when sending him a presentation copy of her Hebrew Dictionary. 
 Here we may add that the large number of presentation copies sent to him from 
 all quarters, but. more especially from Germany, shows the high esteem in 
 which he was held.
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 47 
 
 it Dr. Jost writes (Frankfort, o. M., September 7, 1841): "If 
 it does not entirely displease you, there is permission given to 
 you both to change phrases and expressions as you like, best, or 
 to add whatever you may think to the purpose." Next we might 
 refer to the communications of Mr. A. Asher. This gentleman, 
 his warm admirer and friend, the accomplished translator and 
 annotator of Benjamin of Tudela, was head of the well-known 
 firm of Asher & Co., one of the most extensive publishing houses 
 in Berlin. Mr. Asher was accustomed to make periodic visits 
 always a source of extreme pleasure to Mr. De Sola and his 
 family, chiefly to make collections of rare Hebrew and Oriental 
 works for the Prussian government. On these occasions he 
 gladly availed himself of the great bibliographical knowledge of 
 Mr. De Sola, and was the means of making him known to Bunsen 
 and other German celebrities. Some of the most important ac- 
 quisitions of Mr. Asher,* who also collected for the British 
 Museum, were in consequence of his friend's aid and advice. 
 The gratitude of Mr. Asher was shown by sending him every- 
 thing that appeared in Germany in the domain of Jewish litera- 
 ture. In this connection it may be stated, that bibliographers 
 were accustomed to send to Mr. De Sola scarce and valuable 
 works for his notice and opinion, and he collected for his own 
 library many rare printed books and MSS., some of great lite- 
 rary value.f 
 
 A farther examination of such of his correspondence as is still 
 preserved shows the lively interest he took in all the important 
 Jewish questions of the day, and this without limit of language 
 or country. Thus we find Chief Rabbi Adler thanking him " for 
 his lucid and ample description in his valuable letter which Dr. 
 Adler would forward to the Chief Rabbi of Gay a." Various 
 letters from Sir Moses Montefiore, acknowledge in cordial terms 
 
 * Among them was that valuable MS. the 'pblVK ^Sp3 turn in two folio 
 volumes. 
 
 | They contain the Spanish (fol. ) Verdad de la ley de Moseh, a curious col- 
 lection of Spanish, Portuguese MSS., a beautifully written copy of the Por- 
 tuguese Prayers in English, &c. One very valuable Spanish MS., of a con- 
 troversial character, he obtained for the late Gershom Kursheedt, (See 
 Occident, vol. svii, No. 23.
 
 48 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 various translations and other literary labors performed by him, 
 and expressing at the same time sentiments of peculiar regard. 
 We find Baron Rothschild thanking him on one occasion " for 
 his communication which would aid the good cause in the prose- 
 cution of his just rights and in the vindication of civil and reli- 
 gious liberty," and again addressing him upon "certain misre- 
 presentations in the House of Commons so clearly and fully 
 refuted by the information from Holland which Mr. De Sola 
 has taken the trouble to obtain." Another subject which seems 
 to have been very dear to him was the return of his co-religionists 
 to Spain and Portugal. Here we find some most interesting in- 
 formation imparted by his friend Joshua Benoliel. From the 
 United States* we have a large number of communications on a 
 variety of topics, some as far back as the first Reform movement 
 in Charleston. Glancing through others, we find here a com- 
 mission from the Antipodes to select the materials for a Jewish 
 library in Sydney, there a commission from Canada to present a 
 congratulatory address from the Jews of Montreal to the first 
 Jewish Lord Mayor of London. From the West Indies, in- 
 struction and advice are sought on certain doctrinal points. f 
 
 * The late Solomon Solis, the able contributor to the Occident, was a fre- 
 quent visitor at Mr. De Sola's during his stay in England. The writer well 
 remembers how earnestly he sought opinion and information from Mr. De 
 Sola on a topic he was then discussing in the Occident the Immortality of 
 the Soul. 
 
 f There is a characteristic letter from the well known B. C. Carillon. After 
 thanking him " with heartfelt gratitude" for aiding him to discharge a filial 
 duty, he refers to Mr. De Sola's Bible translation as a gigantic under- 
 taking, and continues " to translate well that interesting portion of Scrip- 
 ture (the Prophets) demands thorough theologians. To render it as it should 
 be, a perfect knowledge of the Hebrew grammar is but the least requirement. 
 A scholar is not yet a theologian, and if I grant that besides yourself, Mr. 
 Raphall and a few others, there be many perfect Hebrew scholars in Eng- 
 land, yet will that enable them to translate the Prophets? To do so they 
 ought not only to be well-trained theologians, but also Poets, and they must 
 have entered into the spirit of the sacred Poetry. Moreover a mere trans- 
 lation, without proper illustrations, is as good as nothing. Your plan is 
 the best made within the last fifty years, and I therefore beBeech you to 
 proceed with it. "Were I to translate the Bible I would follow the example 
 of the old Targumim and that of Mendelssohn, by giving at once the true 
 meaning of the original in the translation ; for unless we paraphrase we give
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 49 
 
 From Belgium he receives from the Jewish Literary Society a 
 highly complimentary letter, accompanying his Diploma as 
 Honorary member. From his native Holland the communica- 
 tions are quite voluminous, chiefly from the learned J. J. Beliu- 
 fante, to whose magazines he was an industrious contributor.* 
 Next we perceive various Hebrew letters, chiefly calls for mate- 
 rial aid and sympathy from distant Asia and Africa, and nearer 
 home we find not a few letters of thanks from Jewish authors for 
 literary assistance rendered, or for aid in circulating their 
 works. Among these we find the names of almost every Anglo- 
 Jewish writer, besides a large number from abroad. The editors 
 of the Jewish Journals also acknowledge their indebtedness to 
 him for occasional assistance and translations from the various 
 foreign Jewish periodicals, such as the Hebrew "Hamagid," the 
 Spanish " Shaarai Misrach," the Italian " Cronica Israelita," 
 the French "Archives Israelites," the Dutch " Tijdschrift," the 
 German " Orient," Zeitung des Judenthums, &c. Indeed his 
 extensive attainments as a linguist were brought into request 
 not only in this manner, but some of the principal Proctors of 
 Doctors Commons, Mr. De Pinna and other votaries, were for 
 many years accustomed to avail themselves of his services for 
 important translations. The number and variety of subjects 
 whereon he is addressed by Christian writers is truly curious ; 
 clergy and laity alike propound questions in Philology, Biblical 
 Archaeology, Jewish Antiquities, History, &c. frequently with 
 a view of evolving Jewish opinion on the great moral movements 
 of the day, such as the Temperance Question, and his replies 
 have been embodied in their works.f The writer himself records 
 
 but the dead letter without th spirit. I have myself already rendered in 
 that manner several chapters of Isaiah and would undertake to finish it ; but 
 what can we do in the West Indies? Were I in England, I would assist 
 you in convincing our English brethren, that if they be richer, because they 
 live among the greatest commercial nation of the present time, yet can they 
 not cope with the Dutch and German Jews in kuowledge, and least of all in 
 theological knowledge." 
 
 .* His co-religionists in his native city always cvincod groat interest and 
 pride in him. JSIr. J. J. Belinfante in his "Sketch of Jewish writers since 
 Mendelssohn," which appeared in the quarterly Tijdschrift, JTo. 3, Amster- 
 dam, 1851, refers to him in a most complimentary manner and gives a long 
 account of his activity. See also Leerredc door A. C. Carillon, Amsterdam, 
 1>;;:!, and an article on "The Anglo-Jewi.-h Writer?,'' in the Nederlandsch 
 Israelitische Jaarboekje, 1855. 
 
 f See among others "The Strong Drink Question," "Total Abstinence 
 harmonized with Scripture,'' &c.
 
 50 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 as a duty his undying gratitude for the instruction and aid he 
 has obtained from him in the solution of doubts on many theo- 
 logical and scientific points. His communications received from 
 1847 to 1860, and which have been preserved, would be regarded 
 by every Hebrew student as exceedingly valuable and interest- 
 ing. They created one of those debts for which there can be no 
 return. From various MS. Addresses, Funeral Discourses, Re- 
 ports of Committees drafted by him, and printed notices, we per- 
 ceive that of late years much of his time must have been devoted 
 to the service of the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a highly 
 esteemed member and the respected chaplain of the Joppa Lodge. 
 The published report of a celebration of the exalted Joppa Royal 
 Arch Chapter styles him "Companion" of the Chapter.* It 
 might be supposed that so many engagements would necessarily 
 narrow his leisure in the family and social circles. Bat this was 
 not so. He was eminently of a social disposition and gathered 
 around him not merely a number of acquaintances, but of warm 
 friends, who deemed it a privilege to draw nearer yet in their 
 intercourse with one so highly gifted and, yet withal, so remark- 
 ably unassuming. The writer will not essay to describe him 
 fully in the family circle. Venerated and idolized by his chil- 
 dren, time has only served to develop the wide and desolate 
 extent of their loss. There is not a shadow, however faint, to 
 darken the bright, even if tearful, memories of this best of 
 parents. Specially dignified in manner as in personal appear- 
 ance, he was yet most indulgent to all short-comings, most 
 patient in his teachings, and was wont to reprove not with seve- 
 rity, but by some wise and witty saying, or some humorous 
 etching of his ever ready pencil. To promote the happiness and 
 welfare of his children was the great study and main effort of 
 his life. Around the cheerful fireside he would gather with them 
 and the dear partner of his cares, and, putting aside the graver 
 engagements and studies of the day, would become a very child 
 among children, interested in all their occupations, participating 
 in all their amusements, turning, it might be, from the profound 
 pages of a Maimonides and Abarbanel to read aloud to them the 
 sayings of Sam Weller and Mr. Pickwick. But here is a topic 
 
 * Jew. Chron. vi, 37, xiv. 137, &c.
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. . 51 
 
 we may not continue. Days made happy by his ever considerate 
 love and improved by his ever watchful care, peaceful Sabbaths, 
 joyous festivals and merry anniversaries, alike speak out from 
 the tomb of the past with their tender memories on which the 
 mind loves to dwell not unpleasureably. 
 
 We now append the list of his works to which we before 
 referred : 
 
 IN HEBREW. 
 
 I. ' pSn D-nsD JHJO niVann vo 
 II. *3 UJDI 'Dan 1 ? nnjx 
 
 III. '"D nai rrrppa ruin rcwh W om;'jn 'ja rhx * 
 
 IV. puiba D'liao p"pb ntsrinn 'ana "p^n ova mm vt? 
 
 V. orurDTa p"pb ninnn 'ana rua px p*6 mm ora mn bip 
 VI. S'':n 'ona -]un or a mm TB^ 
 
 * "We extract from one of his ordinary communications to us the following, 
 respecting this delightful production, of Luzzato, which he has enriched 
 with learned critical notices. * * "A work unique in its kind. The ori- 
 ginal edition was printed by him (Luzzato) in London ; but as only one hun- 
 dred copies were struck off, it has quite disappeared. Even the British Mu- 
 eeum and Oxford Libraries do not possess a copy. It was however reprinted 
 by Satnov some years ago but full of errors, and with omissions of a great 
 many of the Poems. Having had it lent to me by Dr. Van Ovan (in 1824), 
 1 copied it. Its literary merit I need not enlarge upon. It is the best work 
 of its kind, and is sufficiently known and celebrated as such. I have writ- 
 ten an article on E. Luzzato in " Der Orient." You will find it entitled 
 "De Sola uber Ephraim Luzzato." The following is his record of the time 
 when he finished this work : 
 
 pun ann? D 'jrai ara "piasi aio jn'oa nin -ison npnyn non Tim 
 
 To the original title he adds the following : 
 
 1~66 r-wa G. Eichardson & S. Clark 'V SjJ K" 
 
 D3 in Y;'n 'jx Nvo:a irxo D:I inia'lyn ipi l 
 
 ya wrr m pn r
 
 52 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 IN HEBREW AND ENGLISH. 
 
 VII. ni3*OYiD "The Blessings," with Introductory Essay 
 
 on Thanksgiving, 1 vol., 1829. 
 VIII. ni^ann *nD " Forms of Prayer," of the Portuguese 
 
 Minhag, new Translation with Notes and Calendar for 
 
 Fifty Years, &c., 6 vols., 1836. 
 IX. Second edition of the same, with additions, &c., 6 
 
 vols., 1852. 
 
 X. jvtytn:} 130 " The Sacred Scriptures," new Transla- 
 tion with copious Notes, in conjunction with Dr. 
 
 Raphall, Genesis, 1 vol., 1844. 
 XL 'n 'TyioS "mrm "Festival Prayers," according to the 
 
 German and Polish Minhag, 4 vols., 1860. 
 
 IN ENGLISH. 
 
 XII. " The Mishna," conjointly with Dr. Raphall. A por- 
 tion (Eighteen Treatises) of this work was published 
 by Mr. B. Elkin, 1 vol., 1845. 
 
 XIII. The Sacred Scriptures, English edition, 1 vol., 1848. 
 
 XIV. The Ancient Melodies of the Liturgy of the Spanish 
 and Portuguese Jews, 1 vol., 1857. 
 
 XV. The Cheap Jewish Library, edited and revised for 
 
 Charlotte Montefiore, 2 vols., 1841. 
 XVI. Sabbath Evenings at Home, edited and revised for 
 
 Miriam Belisario, 2 parts, 1856. 
 XVII. Sermons delivered on various occasions in K. K. Shaar 
 
 Ashamaim, London, 8 vols., MS. 
 XVIII. Sermons printed by the Mahamad, &c. 
 XIX. Three Lectures delivered before the Jewish Literary 
 Society " Moses the Prophet, Moses Maimonides and 
 Moses Mendelssohn, MS. 
 
 XX. Contributions to the Oriental Review, 1836-40. 
 XXI. Contributions to the Hebrew Review of Dr. Raphall. 
 XXII. Sermons on the Decalogue, from the German of Dr. 
 Salomon, (incomplete) MS. 
 
 XXIII. " The Proper Names in the Scriptures," 1887. 
 
 XXIV. Detailed Calendar, being Tables for Fifty Years, &c., 
 5594-5644, MS.
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DB SOLA. 53 
 
 XXV. "A Common Place Book," in which a variety of sub- 
 jects are contained, extracts from rare books, &c., MS. 
 XXVI. Address to the Israelites of Great Britain, MS. 
 XXVII. On the Establishment of a Jewish Normal School, 
 
 Plan and explanatory remarks, MS. 
 XXVIII. Notes on Basnage and Milman's History of the Jews, 
 
 } MS. 
 
 XXIX. Contributions to the Anglo-Jewish periodicals. 
 XXX. Miscellanies, some minor pieces in MS. e. g. on the 
 discussion of Sam. xix. 13, in the Hebrew Review ; 
 Translation of the Preface of the Chizuk Emunah, 
 for a translation of that work made by the writer, on 
 the Legend of the Wandering Jew. A Scheme of 
 Alterations of the Pregaos in Synagogue, and for 
 some necessary authorized alterations in the mode of 
 performing divine service ; the Jewish Commentators 
 on the Nazir and Temperance Question. On the 
 Exile of the Jews of Spain. A translation of Aben 
 Ezra's Poem on Chess, made for Alexandre, &c., &o. 
 
 IN GERMAN. 
 
 XXXI. Contributions to the Algemeine Zeitung des Juden- 
 
 thums, 1836-1845. 
 XXXII. Biography of Distinguished Israelites in England; 
 
 XXXIII. Biography of Ephraim Luzzato. 
 
 XXXIV. Contributions to the Orient. 
 
 IN DUTCH. 
 
 XXXV. Biography of Reggio (pamphlet). 
 XXXVI. Correspondence with J. J. Belinfante, MS. 
 XXXVII. Historical Account of Jewish Periodicals from the 
 
 latter half of the last century till the present day. 
 XXXVIII. Biography of Grace Aguilar. 
 XXXIX. Contributions to the Quarterly Magazine of the " So- 
 ciety for the Benefit of the Israelites in the Nether- 
 lands, published at the Hague. 
 XL. Contributions to the Ned. Isr. Jaarboek.
 
 64 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 "With the above list, we close our very incomplete notice of his 
 literary activity, and having essayed to give a sketch equally 
 imperfect, of the manner in which he discharged the various 
 duties and relations of life, it remains for us now but to speak of 
 the final close of a career not less honorable to the house of Israel 
 than to himself. In the middle of August, 1860, he was attacked 
 with erysipelas in his left hand and arm, and after a week of 
 intense suffering received permission from his physician to go to 
 Ramsgate for the benefit of the sea air. In a communication 
 written to us at this time, he refers to the pressure put upon him 
 to hurry the completion of the translation of the German Pray- 
 ers on which he was then engaged, though able to use one hand 
 only. He was translating the concluding service of Kipur 
 a strangely appropriate subject for the conclusion of his labors 
 and writes: "I have had to do this enormous and difficult work 
 single-handed, without the slightest assistance, and I cannot 
 turn out anything to which my name is attached unless it 
 be as well done as it is in my power to make it. I fear, 
 though, that I have worked too much at it. * * * I am now 
 at the nVyj and must work unceasingly at it, even with one 
 hand, until it is finished."* The work was finished before the 
 holydays, just as the publisher had sought of him. He had 
 worked on in pain, or in intervals of relief, until he arrived at 
 the last words uttered on the holy Kipur day words which are 
 also the last syllabled with the failing breath of the dying 
 Israelite. With these most solemn words he closed his literary 
 labors, never more to resume them. 
 
 He returned from the sea-shore to be in town during the holy- 
 days ; but a month's suffering had so reduced him that he was 
 unable to officiate even on the sacred day of Kipur and this 
 being for the first time in forty-three years, caused him the deepest 
 grief. With the arrival of the Succot feast, he felt sufficiently 
 recovered to officiate, but was deterred from doing so, by the 
 kind remonstrances of his friends. He spent the holyday even- 
 ing in the family tabernacle, as he had been accustomed for 
 
 * He saw no revise of the four volumes translated by him, which were un- 
 fortunately shorn of his valuable explanatory notes by the too contracted plan 
 of the publisher.
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 55 
 
 nearly half a century ; but this, it was thought, was most unfor- 
 tunate, as probably too long a stay there assisted to develope, or 
 perhaps laid the germs of the disease which subsequently proved 
 fatal. Symptoms appeared which were pronounced by his phy- 
 sicians to be rheumatic fever, and he was again advised to leave 
 town. He, however, assisted in the morning service of Simhat 
 Torah, one of his sons-in-law being the Hatan of the day. 
 With this is connected a circumstance of remarkable character. 
 When the law had been taken out, to the surprise of many and 
 delight of all, he advanced to the Teba, and after a silence of so 
 many weeks, his voice was once more heard within those holy 
 walls commencing " This is the Messing wherewith Moses the 
 man of Crod blessed the children of Israel before his death." 
 The manner in which he chanted this last portion of the law, we 
 are assured, will never be forgotten by those who heard him. 
 No sick man's voice was that which now, with so much energy 
 and so much sweetness, thrilled through every nerve of his 
 hearers. The whole congregation were electrified with a delivery 
 of which their Kazan had not been capable in the best days of 
 his youth and strength. Yet many besides his relatives shed 
 tears, for it prognosticated to them that they were hearing him 
 for the last time ; and it was of general remark after the service 
 had concluded, that it appeared as if he was addressing that 
 blessing to his congregation as his own final benediction to them. 
 When leaving the Synagogue, all crowded around him to offer 
 their congratulations at seeing him again at his post ; and at 
 the banquet in the Vestry chamber which succeeded, all the 
 speakers expressed the delight they felt in having once more 
 heard his revered voice. These evidences of the warm love of 
 his flock greatly affected him. He had seemed overjoyed to be 
 again at the Teba ; but with the departure of the holydays all 
 joys and cares were for him to fade away. And here let it be 
 permitted us to say, that, if we are dwelling somewhat fully in 
 describing his last hours, we do so because they were so edify- 
 ing, so indicative of true piety and resignation, that we deem it 
 not less right than profitable to recall them. His disease daily 
 continued to make cruel progress, the most eminent physicians 
 in London were summoned, who pronounced his condition to be
 
 66 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 most perilous, and they directed his removal to Shacklewell. 
 On the Thursday four days before he was freed it was an- 
 nounced to his family that his case was hopeless. On the same 
 day he calmly inquired of one of his physicians if he thought 
 him in extremis, and with equal calmness received the announce- 
 ment that he ought immediately to arrange his earthly affairs. 
 But always understanding the frail tenure of human life, he had 
 long since set his house in order, as pious Jews will. His only 
 remark, some time after was " What am I better than my ances- 
 tors?" either applying these words to the shortness of his life, 
 (he was then in his sixty-fourth year) or following out some other 
 train of thought. He called his family to him, and in all their grief 
 controlled before him it was matter of wonder to them how 
 clear and collected he was speaking to them and acquainting 
 them with his last wishes. He desired his son-in-law, Rev. Mr. 
 Mendes, who was present, to read the Vidui, the last solemn 
 confessions, with him ; and when the reader faltered, he urged 
 him on by repeating from memory every word. His last Sab- 
 bath on earth approached. He had greatly suffered on the 
 Friday, but towards dusk he remarked to his children around 
 him that it was Friday evening, and inquired whether their 
 mother had lit the Sabbath light. He was asked if he would 
 like to make the Kidush; and the bread being cut for him, he 
 said the Sanctification word for word in his old manner though 
 those around him had the agony of knowing that they were 
 listening to the well-known words for the last time that the 
 most hallowed associations of many years were to be rent asun- 
 der, and that they should no more bend their heads to receive 
 his blessing as they were used on those peaceful and happy 
 Friday nights. He maintained his consciousness throughout 
 the Sabbath, though he suffered acutely ; and desirous that 
 his children should not be harrowed by witnessing his suf- 
 ferings, called them singly to him and dismissed them with 
 his blessing. Not less fervently did he bestow his last blessing 
 on his absent children in America, and on his eldest daughter 
 who was prevented by sickness from being there. On the Sun- 
 day he was still conscious and repeated from memory several 
 Psalms and the Vidui, with his attached friend Mr. Benoliel,
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 57 
 
 who, like many others, sought as highest privilege to join in the 
 last prayers of such a man. Indeed, so soon as it became known 
 there was no more hope, the utmost consternation and deepest 
 grief seized his congregation and friends who found it impossible 
 to realize that he was going from them. The house of Shackle- 
 well was crowded by anxious inquirers and those desiring to see 
 him yet once more, and to aid and comfort his family. 
 
 His colleague, the Rev. Mr. Piza, who always looked up to 
 him with the esteem and reverence of a son, could not be per- 
 suaded to leave his bedside, day or night. So with the vene- 
 rable Solomon Almosnino, and other equally devoted friends of 
 both sexes. "Feeling," writes one, to express the sentiments of 
 all, " that I was losing a dear friend and adviser, whom I loved 
 as if nature had bound me to him, I remained near him to the 
 end." The nearer that end approached the more anxious did he 
 become to be removed to his ol<t home, which adjoined the Syna- 
 gogue. This was his constant request, but it was one which his 
 family saw in their grief might not be granted him. His mind 
 seemed to settle almost entirely on the one point, that the final 
 separation of soul and body might be in closest possible proximi- 
 ty to the old Synagogue near the hallowed spot where the 
 greater part of his life had been piously spent. This was his al- 
 most sole articulation, unless when he joined in the prayers so 
 solemnly offered by the Ministers near him ; and when the last 
 Shemang was pronounced, it was a beautiful and edifying sight 
 to witness how his face lighted up as he repeated it after them. 
 The last word he uttered was the Almighty's name ; and he was 
 not, for God took him. 
 
 He was freed on Monday, the thirteenth day of Heshvan, (29th 
 October) 5G21, at about five minutes before eight o'clock. At the 
 same hour there was commenced in the Shaar Ashamain Syna- 
 gogue the ordinary morning service, the first words of which are, 
 "My God, the soul which thou hast given me is pure; thou takest 
 it from me, but restorest it to me in futurity." The young reader 
 knew not that the pure soul of his revered Minister, a few miles 
 distant, had just departed, to commence in a state of greater pu- 
 rity yet, and among the higher intelligences, its adorations of 
 the ADON KOL HANESHAMOT.
 
 * 
 58 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 If any thing could alleviate the grief of his distracted family it 
 was the extraordinary respect shown to his memory on all sides, 
 and that their sorrow was shared by so many. The authorities 
 of the congregation did all they possibly could to evince their af- 
 fectionate esteem for their late Minister. They determined that 
 every thing consistent with the last wishes of the deceased for 
 he had prohibited all funeral pomp in his will should be done to 
 invest with befiting dignity the last tribute they could offer to 
 one who had so long and devotedly ministered to their highest 
 interests. They proceeded to Shacklewell, where the brethren 
 of the Lavadores took charge of his honored remains and removed 
 him to his old home. The melancholy cortege at its return was 
 met with general evidences of regret and grief. On the day of the 
 funeral, an immense assembly, swelled with the arrival of friends 
 from long distances, filled the neighborhood, Jew and Gentile 
 alike desirous of exhibiting a last token of respect to one they 
 deemed so worthy of it. And in that mixed crowd of rich and 
 poor, learned and untaught, orthodox and reformers, the preva- 
 lent exclamation was, not how great a scholar, but how good a 
 man, had left them. Some threescore mourning and private car- 
 riages followed the hearse, some sent by the Masonic body* who 
 with the various societies and the general public formed an im- 
 mense procession, such as few there had ever witnessed. Those 
 most solemn obsequies which the Sephardim are accustomed to 
 accord to their departed Hazanim were proceeded with, partici- 
 pated in by Ministers of all Synagogues ; and, amidst the solemn 
 chants which left no heart untouched and no eye tearless, the 
 honored dead was carried from the scene of his past labors; 
 from the place and people he had so greatly loved in life. Un- 
 able to control their emotion, strong men stepped aside to weep 
 like children. And when the sad rites were completed, all turned 
 from his grave with the indelible consciousness that there had 
 been deposited a man of extraordinary moral worth, of unsullied 
 principles, distinguished for all those amiable qualities that grace 
 humanity; one who had ever done honor to the office he held, as 
 
 * A solemn Masonic funeral service was subsequently (on the 4th No- 
 vember) performed in honor of his memory. Brother Berkowitz officiating 
 on the mournful occasion.
 
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 59 
 
 he had been the pride and ornament of the congregation he had 
 BO long and faithfully served. Thoroughly assured that he had 
 gone to reap the reward of his many virtues, as son, husband, pa- 
 rent and Israelite, deeply touched hearts dictated to willing lips 
 the words of the inspired page, "Let me die the death of the 
 righteous, and let my last end be like his !" 
 
 We do not refer to the eulogiums which the press, the resolu- 
 tions of various societies and letters of condolence from all quar- 
 ters alike bestowed on his memory,* but we close our willingly 
 imposed task by subjoining some remarks with which we have been 
 favored by one who was neither related to him nor a member of his 
 flock, but who was a dispassionate observer of his course. Mr. 
 J. L. Levison, the erudite author of "Mental Culture,"f thus 
 writes of him. 
 
 * * * "The deceased had indeed much of the suaviter in 
 modoj and yet he was not deficient in tlaefortiter in re; for he 
 acted with a steadiness of purpose on all occasions." 
 
 "Although a good linguist and biblical student with many offi- 
 cial duties to perform and the care and anxiety consequent on a 
 large family, yet he always appeared cheerful. And we espe- 
 cially noticed that he manifested much quiet good-tempered wit, 
 without any tinge of ill humor ; and although he could excite the 
 risible muscles of his associates on such occasions, that he did so 
 without leaving any unpleasant recollections to rankle in the 
 memory; for he was never malicious or personal. His ample and 
 active natural benevolence interposed to prevent either harshness 
 or malevolence ; consistently religious himself, he did not act with. 
 
 *Not the least prized by his family were the feeling eulogistic addresses 
 delivered in the vestry chamber, the kind consideration manifested toward his 
 widow and children, and the immediate appointment of his youngest son to 
 an almost similar office. 
 
 f We quote from Mr. Levison's kind communication. 
 
 "In a recent conversation with your brother, he incidentally mentioned that 
 you were preparing an account of the life and literary labors of your late es- 
 teemed father, Cpeace to his soul, Amen,) and he said that you would not ob- 
 ject to insert a few memoranda, which I had jotted down after attending his 
 funeral." 
 
 Westriclge Villa, St. John's Wood.
 
 60 BIOGRAPHY OP DAVID AARON DE SOLA. 
 
 asperity or vindictiveness to those who were lax, but he would 
 give some apposite anecdote, the moral of which might convey a 
 covert reproof or not, as he left it to the sagacity of his hearers 
 to form their own inference. 
 
 "We have visited him at his own house, where surrounded by 
 his amiable partner and family he appeared the same considerate 
 being, and when he addressed young or old, all were impressed 
 with a feeling of esteem from his good-heartedness and consider- 
 ation. 
 
 "Modest, as all true scholars are said to be, he spoke not as 
 if he were a master, but as a student interchanging ideas with a 
 kindred companion. Such a state of mind is a surety that he 
 had cultivated his moral attributes with his intellectual powers. 
 Possessing a tendency to study individualities of minds, we had no- 
 ticed the peculiar traits of the Rev. D. A. De Sola, and had marked 
 the influence of certain combinations of his mental powers in the 
 formation of his own individuality of character. Thus we are 
 assured that he possessed both strong feelings and moral senti- 
 ments, and these conjointly gave to his religious professions their 
 practical tendency. As husband, father, and friend, he was both 
 considerate and kind. His humor partook more of the playful- 
 ness of a happy, child-like spirit, trying to throw off worldly cares 
 from his own mind and from .the minds of those with whom he 
 associated. 
 
 " Other observations presented him to us under graver aspects, 
 and yet under even such circumstances he invariably preserved his 
 cordial and unostentatious character, and was, therefore, always 
 the true gentleman. We also often noticed, that though himself 
 a scholar and thinker, yet he could make himself perfectly in- 
 telligible to those who had no pretensions to learning, and that, 
 when he addressed such persons, he did not offend their egotism, 
 but used the most unpedantic terms and assumed a quiet, collo- 
 quial manner. It was the latter traits that invariably brought 
 to our minds the words which Moses Mendelssohn addressed to 
 the surviving brother of Lessing, we quote from memory, 
 4 Your brother had the capacity to impart knowledge in such a 
 simple and natural manner, that those who were the recipients of 
 his information could scarcely distinguish the fact whether they
 
 BIOGRAPHY OF DAVID AARON DE SOLA." 61 
 
 had or had not themselves excogitated the new ideas, and thus 
 he was unlike some of the rich who, when they confer favors, 
 make us feel the weight of the obligations we incur, he, on the 
 contrary, bestowed his mental wealth so generously that, in appro- 
 priating it, we became unconscious of the source from which we 
 had received it.' 
 
 " This faculty of giving generously his thoughts for the benefit 
 of others, we had often observed in our late esteemed friend, even 
 in a promiscuous conversation. And that he would make the 
 most erudite remarks or give some curious antiquarian informa- 
 tion without any one having his feelings compromised from the 
 absence of any thing like egotism on his part. 
 
 "It must not be supposed that he was not greatly appreciated. 
 At the last sad scene of suffering humanity, where 'the body is 
 returned to the earth" and the spirit to the God who gave it,' there 
 were unmistakable proofs how much he was beloved and respected, 
 as the aspect of that large assembly had a sadness of expression 
 as if some one near akin had departed from each of them. 
 
 "We have not entered into any details confirmatory of the 
 above mentioned statements, as, in all probability, the learned 
 Editor will supply many illustrative facts to confirm their accu- 
 racy. This he will do from a deep sense of filial love and to do 
 justice to one who had devoted his life to elucidate and instruct 
 his contemporaries in their duties, which as Israelites they owe 
 to God, to their faith, and as members of the community. And 
 we believe that he indeed practised what he taught."

 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Page 4, line 28, for Zinn's, read, Finn's ; page 4, line 36, for a la houra (?) 
 read, a la boura; page 7, line 15, for nDKJSl read, riDX31 J page 10, line 16, for 
 late, read, later; page 14, line 8, for 20th, read, 26th; page 14, line 33, for ten, 
 read, two; page 15, line 9, for 12th, read, 13th; page 16, line 17, for an, read, 
 and; page 17, line 4, for Marris, read, Morris; page 19, line 17, for behalv- 
 ing, read, beholding; page 20, line 13, for He, read, It; page 20, line 37, for 
 incompetent, read, incomplete; page 24, line 11, for translator, read, transla- 
 tors; page 32, line 3 of note, for him, read, pain; page 40, line 7, for conver- 
 sation, read, condensation; page 46, line 20, for the History, read, his Histo- 
 ry ; page 49, line 20, for votaries, read, notaries.