with Socinians, or Nothingarians; in France, with the Infidel part, which is by far the largest. Mixing among such classes, the young Jewess participates in their habits, imbibes their notions, adopts their principles, acquires their tastes. The books, therefore, our fair French sisters like most are of a most trifling nature; novels-of all the rubbish which characterises this department of literature in general, it does so the works of French novelists in particular become their meat and drink, which have the effect of quenching every spark of religion which even French Judaism teaches; her mind becomes filled with love for excitement and adventures. If it were not too serious a matter, one might be disposed to indulge in ludicrous. remarks at the Quixotic propensities of French Jewesses.

The young men, again, with whom the Parisian Hebrew girl holds intercourse, are extremely expert in well-worded and softly-articulated compliments, which is, in fact, the national forte-fill her mind with ideas of her personal beauty, charms, and attractions. The poor girl is thus flattered for a time, and even temporarily adored, which has the baneful effect of turning her brains. She spares neither time, nor trouble, nor expense for the outward adorning of her person, none of which is bestowed upon the improvement of the mind. The result is such as every one would expect from such means. The French Jewess is developed a conceited and ignorant being. How humiliating to the house of Israel! Their "precious children" were once compared to "fine gold," but now eaten up by corroding dross.

Somehow or other, the Jewish females are the devoted victims of the grossest ignorance, arrogance and superstition, according to the countries of their dispersion. In Poland, alas! dearest mother, need I tell you how prostrate

the Jewess's intellect has become by reason of the neglect of its cultivation? There the Jews "dwell alone" to all intents and purposes, mix not with the people amongst whom they dwell, become thorough slaves of the most monstrous superstition. It is true their lords and masters-the Rabbies-sold them into such exile, still the Jewess is not the less a sufferer; whatever the cause may be, the effect is the same. In Germany, England and France, where a smattering education is accorded them, and where they condescend to mix with the nations amongst whom they dwell; it is, however, among such classes as I have already described. Adulations are lavished are lavished upon the "pretty Jewesses" by silly men; and what is the consequence? They become vain in their imaginations, and puffed up with pride.

Yet even in the latter countries, they are not altogether free from superstition. I conversed with many daughters of the French Israelites of various classes; and very often did I meet in the same person a large share of infidelity, and superstitious bigotry.

The Jewish females of the poorer classes, who were deprived, by lack of means, of any education whatever, and are reduced to the society of their own level amongst their own people, or to the society of the lower classes of the French, are a decided disgrace to any respectable society. However, I have better hopes for the rising generation of the French Jewesses. A school for Jewish children has lately been erected, at the expense of 200,000 francs, which will doubtless make education amongst Hebrew females more general. I wish you, however, beloved mother, to bear in mind that the above remarks apply only to the generality of the daughters of Judah in this great city. It would be doing a great injustice to some,

few though they be, if I made it appear that my remarks applied to the universality. There are some noble exceptions, whose names might be enrolled amongst the brightest ornaments of the female sex. With some of these exceptions I had the honour to converse, who deplored as much the low condition-mental and moral-of their national sisters, as I do, and were endeavouring to strike out some plan to ameliorate and improve the position of their less favoured co-religionists. I was glad to find that they perfectly agreed with me, that unless the Bible was made the basis upon which the great fabric of education is to be reared, no great success need be expected. "Mental improvement without moral," observed these enlightened daughters of Zion, "often produces sevenfold deeper demoralization; and the Bible is the only infallible preceptor of pure morals." They spoke the truth.

They seemed very much pleased with an account I gave them of the parochial system of education in England. "Ah," said they, "you live in a blessed country, where the Bible is nationally revered and loved; but, alas! this nation boasts of her disregard for that sacred volume." You see, dear mother, "there is no rule without an exception." Even poor benighted Poland possesses. a few exceptions amongst the Jewish females, of whom, I am proud to say, you are one. Germany can also point out a few Jewesses, endowed with great talents, and possessed of cultivated minds. So may France. The enlightened Israelitish women, however, outvie them all in England-my adopted country-in point of numbers. The exceptions in that country are decidedly more numerous than in any other; which I account for by the fact, that the English Christian female is the most superior of her sex throughout the world. Example goes a great way towards civilization, as well as demoralization.

Another striking feature in the present condition of the higher classes of English women, which deserves to be noticed, is that there are more Hebrew scholars amongst the English Christian ladies, than there are amongst the Jews themselves; which seems to have provoked to emulation, the fair daughters of the British Hebrews. England possesses many an Anna Moria Schurman,* of which very few countries can boast. However we may soon expect better days for the daughters of our race everywhere. The doctrines and dogma of the Talmud are fast giving way; and the principles of Moses and the Prophets are taking their legitimate position in the camp of Israel; and in the same ratio as those events progress will the female character rise from the dust to which human tradition and cunningly-devised fables reduced it.

I have thus given you an insight, dear mother, into the state of French Jewesses, as well as into my mind respecting the writings of some of the Rabbies. My most affectionate salutation to my dear father. I shall write to him from Metz. Let me hear soon from

you.

Your affectionate son, &c., &c.

Now, dear Lady Powerscourt, you will be able to form an idea of my notion of the French female character in general. With regard to the Hebrew French females, I will add here that they have produced several genuine musical geniuses. The majority of them, however, not being obliged to make their living by public performances, are comparatively unknown. There is at present a Jewish youth in this city, who is attracting great attention in the musical circles, and very great things are expected from

*See Appendix A.

him. Those who know him, and are able to judge, affirm that he is destined to be a fair and successful rival of Mendelssohn and Meyerbeer. He is under the tuition of Kalkbrenner. He has just been elected, though but nineteen years of age, an associate of the Conservatoire. He is already the composer and writer of several distinguished pieces of music, for which he received the highest panegyrics from the musical Savans, who heard them performed. His name is Silas, and is a native of Amsterdam. I am, &c., &c.

LETTER IX.

Translation of a Hebrew letter which I addressed to my father, who resides in Poland.

My dear Father,

Metz, Sept. 1847.

You expressed a desire in your last to me to hear something about the schools and synagogues of this city, where your ancestors, in years of yore, filled the professional chairs in its colleges and seminaries. To comply with your wish, I put myself out of my direct road towards Africa, so that I may gratify your request. I know of nothing more delightful than for a child to be able to comply with his affectionate parent's wishes. I have devoted almost all my time since my arrival here, to obtain the most correct information, so as to make my letter as complete as possible.

It is of course impossible for me to find out the respective descendants of the four families, who first settled in this city. It is a long time since 1567. I met with about a dozen of the children of Israel, who affirm that