Letter from Abraham de Sola to Isaac Leeser;February 22, 1849 · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter from Abraham de Sola to Isaac Leeser;February 22, 1849

Author

Abraham de Sola

Contributor

Isaac Leeser

Date Created

22 February 1849

Location(s)

Montreal

Philadelphia

Format

Letter. 4 page(s).

Type

Letter

Language(s)

English

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p32f7k74v/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p32f7k74v

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Wax Seal

Manuscript

Is Part Of

The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries

content

Montreal 22nd Feby 5609—
Rev Isaac Leeser
Philadelphia
My dear Friend
Many thanks for your kind attention in forwarding me the books for our newly established Sunday School. Mr J H Joseph having some time back sent me a parcel of such books, I shall not require for the present any others there one or two dozen of Pykes Catechism which I have requested Miss Gratz in the enclosed note (which I must ask you to to hand her) to let us have. I am sorry that I did not hear from you by mail as you intended I should, but am more sorry that the cause was indisposition. I sincerely hope, dear friend that you are more perfectly well and able to apply yourself to your usual labors.
I was not a little surprised at your remarks on my article “? ? & their opponents,” you say—“the theme,” our opponents' admits of a much larger elucidation than you have yet given it. You surely must have found (if you went through the commencement of the article) that I write “I shall reserve what I have to say until I bring forward the quotations I speak of” It does appear to me that you judge too hastily when you condemn one (friendly enough I know) for not doing what cannot be done at once but is proposed to be done in the course of the article. I start with propositions that Hebrew authors have been maligned abused and misrepresented now as friends would not do this for there they must ergo have opponents, I quote from P? & Eregoire 2 grossly illiberal one ? attacks in proof, reserving for hereafter other illustrations and proofs of

my proposition. I begin with a quotation from Peritsol? as one, when I have concluded my quotation I shall add some more remarks which I had intended writing in explanation, and which would embrace the objection you make or suggest against my course viz of “selling the point in an off hand manner which may do very well for an orator but not in a philosophical inquiry,” Now I have no wish to settle the point in this way and so you shall see, and indeed I think the lengthy apology I make for a chapter that Peritsol? never should have written is a proof of this. In short and in conclusion. I say Hebrew writers have been misrepresented and I prove it by quotations from those who have attacked them, their opponents, and let this be enough on a subject that can't be over and above interesting to you.
I feel proud of your good opinion in thinking I am qualified to refute what able and learned tho bejothed men have brought against our writers and Rabbis. Although I am aware (thank God for enlightening me) that I am not “of the class Hebrew” still I have sufficient common sense to know that there are others more qualified for such a taste and nothing would give me greater pleasure than to see yourself and many others in America set about it. I only want the credit for suggesting such an employment if it deserve any, and if it do not then I dont want any. I am very well convinced that all you write is based on good feelings towards me, and I would not have you understand anything else from what I have written above. I am not too proud to receive suggestions from you tho' I might be from ours I don't mind the stroke of the hour but I dont like the kick of the ass. ? in the latter case I always feel

inclined to kick again.
I gave your respects best regard compliments & I was going to say love, to the ladies and some of these to Dr. & Mrs David By the way the latter may ? say Hebrew. Mrs A H David presented her lord this morning with another son and heir.
I could not communicate with my friend or any one else in London competent to undertake the office of Hazan for Richmond unless I was aware of all particulars. You say the salary and perquesites would probably be £200 stlng?. What is the actual salary? Would they pay his passage out from England? Would they elect him for life? What are the number of families belonging to the P. Congregation? Are there fees for marriages etc? Does the Congreg provide a dwelling house for him? and are rents high? These are questions it appears to me that the applicant should be enlightend on, and if you will answer them to me in your next favor (which I hope will be soon) I would write “right off” to England It would be as well to say whether they require a married man and whether in case there is no house of the Cong whether he could board out. By the way, how comes it that Mr Lyons has left, and why would not his congregation take him back. I understood he was much liked there.
You omitted sending me a double number of the Oc containing my article. I have therefore requested Mr Joseph to send me one
There is nothing of interest to write you just now, so I conclude expecting to hear from you soon I am dear Friend
Very Sincerely yours
Abraham de Sola
Please send me an extra No next time— I will send you in the course of next week a lecture for the Passover, if published let it be in the No just before Hebrew, if you can't publish it then, don't publish it at all.

Rev Isaac Leeser
371 Walnut Street
Philadelphia

The above text refers to Occident Volume 6 No. 11 pages 559 through 562. Click here to view.

Identifier

LSDCBx1FF6_16

Date

1849-02-22