Letter from Abraham de Sola to Isaac Leeser;May 11, 1855
- Title
- Letter from Abraham de Sola to Isaac Leeser;May 11, 1855
- Author
- Abraham de Sola
- Contributor
- Isaac Leeser
- Date Created
- 11 May 1855
- Format
- Letter. 2 page(s) on 1 sheet(s).
- Type
- Letter
- Language(s)
- English
- Has Format
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p3ht2gz01/manifest.json
- Link to Colenda
- https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p3ht2gz01
- Physical Characteristics
- Unlined Paper
- Manuscript
- content
-
Montreal 11th May 5615
Rev. Isaac Leeser
Philadelphia
Dear Sir,
My brother in law Rev. A. P. Mendes of Birmingham calls my attention in a letter received from him yesterday to the fact that Dr Wise of Cincinnati accuses him most wrongfully of plagiarism in a sermon called “The Perpetual Light” preached by Mr. M. in London and continues “I have addressed myself to Mr Leeser to whom I have written a letter for publication in the Occident and have also sent my sermon claimed by this Wise, for publication in his pages. I do not know whether he will oblige me with the space solicited as I have not the pleasure to be known to him. Will you oblige me by using your influence with him to procure for my request his kind consideration?” At Mr M's expression “all my influence with you” I could but smile. I regretted however that though misconception he should have written to the last person competent to do him a service with you in the matter. Fortunately for him his case (in my humble, estimation) is one that recommends itself by its own merits. Though I believe too much is made of the affair on both sides yet some texts (and God forbid there should be a monopoly of Scripture) and even identical ideas do not warrant the harsh term plagiarism. I have not seen Mr M's sermon (and therefore my name must not appear in this controversy as yet,) but (I am pretty sure from my intimate knowledge) of him his abilities & (principles that he would not stoop
to the plagiarism of which he is accused. Now, my dear Sir, although I cannot “use any influence with you to procure for M's request your kind consideration” still I will venture to represent to you that as Mr Mendes considers himself wrongfully accused of no trifling thing, and as you have in the pages of the Occident declared your willingness to give them to any defense of the Jewish Ministry when wrongfully accused—and as Mr M's reputation (and perhaps even to some extent his usefulness may be endangered were the charge of literary theft not immediately refuted—your own charity shown in cases somewhat similar will induce you to give Mr M, an opportunity of being heard in his defence. I do not urge the many considerations which occur to me & which would have the effect of entitling your sympathy in his cause for I do not wish nor have I time to trouble you with a longer letter, but they will very—much more—readily occur to you.
Will you oblige me with a line at your convenience to inform me definitely whether you are willing or decline to with the joint publication of Templo's Grammar Sarah Joseph told me you had “said something about its being no use to print the school books but she forgot what you said exactly” Did your remarks apply to the Grammar as well as to the other books? I had thought of being able to put the question to you personally in New York at the dedication of the hospital, but I can't conveniently go. Trusting you are in good health I am with Mrs deS' kind regards
Yours truly
Abraham de Sola - Identifier
- LSDCBx2FF2_25
- Date
- 1855-05-11
Part of Letter from Abraham de Sola to Isaac Leeser;May 11, 1855
Abraham de Sola, “Letter from Abraham de Sola to Isaac Leeser;May 11, 1855”, 1855-05-11, Isaac Leeser Digital Repository, accessed September 7, 2024, https://judaicadhpenn.org/legacyprojects/s/leeser/item/68151