Letter from Abraham de Sola to Isaac Leeser;November 24, 1847 · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter from Abraham de Sola to Isaac Leeser;November 24, 1847

Author

Abraham de Sola

Contributor

Isaac Leeser

Location(s)

Montreal

Philadelphia

Format

Letter. 4 page(s).

Type

Letter

Has Format

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/items/ark:/81431/p39883d25/manifest.json

Link to Colenda

https://colenda.library.upenn.edu/catalog/81431-p39883d25

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Manuscript

Is Part Of

The Dropsie College Isaac Leeser Collection at the Penn Libraries

content

1 Presde Ville Place
Montreal
Nov 24 1847
Rev Isaac Leeser
Philadelphia

My dear Friend
You flatter me much when you say you will be happy to count me among the few you favor with an interchange of communication. Though I am pleased to stand in correspondence with the Rev Isaac Leeser Minister of the Portugese Israelites in Philadelphia I am much more pleased to communicate with the Editor of the Occident, and the author of the "Jewish Discourses," and of the "Mosaic Law" If therefore I am at any time not to remedy in answering your favors as this feeling would prompt, do not impute it to neglect but to its true cause inability. It has been inability that has prevented my answering yours of the 16th till the present moment, and it has been inability that has forbidden my sending you by opportunity of Mr Joseph an article which I have but just now been able to commence, and which I promised you in my last. I know not whether it will suit the Occident, because although a Jewish subject, it is likely to prove more interesting to the readers of a British Periodical, it may be called an Essay or Enquiry into the first settlement of Jews in England. When in London I took some little trouble in collecting materials for the subject and in the above form they are much at the service of yourself and of the readers of the Occident Please let me know by earliest opportunity whether you [?] to receive it. I would have sent you sermon for publication but suppose that even now you would be unable to insert it from the number you have on hand. Will my father's be among those you intend publishing. English news would lead one to believe

that its remarks are as pertinent now as when delivered. News from here I can send you but little, A friend who lately paid us a visit, and still more lately visits Philadelphia (I believe) is pleased to say "altho we Canadians do not form (here) one of the largest and most influential congregations we prove that we sufficiently understand what is [?] to the respectability of Synagogue worship "The building is most striking for its very neat & pretty appearance, marked decorum pervaded the assembled, and an utter absence of that boisterousness, sometimes unfortunately prevailing in our larger Synagogues was observable xxx The prayers were read by the [Hebrew] [?] with an apparent desire to avoid that style which reminds one so much of the opera and which for time and place is alike objectionable xxxx It must be highly gratifying to you to know that your discourses, and general services as reader and teacher are highly spoken of (dont[?] you think dear friend I have some excuse if I grow vain?) My friend ([?]) continues, But what pleased me most was to see your pupil (Mouther[?] I Ascher the son of the Parnass) called us Maphlir[?], The very correct and pleasing name of his reading afforded me much pleasure." If you wish to give us all a fond character here you can insert it in your news Items. The name of the writer (tho' perhaps known to you shall be provided if you require it editorially tho' I am not sure he would like it (his name) to appear in the Occident for All he says is–"If you choose, write Mr Leeser what a first rate character stranger gives you." All the news I can give you of us (should you pronounce that no news) is that our Parnas is Mr Ascher whose inde[?]able services as Parnas, and whose jealous endeavors to promote the welfare and quiet of the community with his colleage Dr David the President are mentioned by all in the highest terms. They all have been unanimously re-elected. The formation[?] of the new Board of Trustees has also caused general satisfaction among to the members. These are Messrs S. Benjamin, Simon Hart, and Jesse Joseph, Treasurer John Levy (re-elected) and Levy Myer Solomons (also re-elected.) During the late summer an unprecedented[?] number of German Jewish Emigrants visited Canada, Indigent, and in many cases sick! They provide most services drain on the funds of our Infant Philanthropic Society, About Thirty unfortunate persons many with families besides one noatbly[?] pensioner, were recipients. On [?] that the committee contemplated a Benefit Ball but have not yet held any [?] of [?]. Should they determine upon this, they will no doubt make it known in the Occident. This dear friend is all the news I can scrape together concerning our precious selves, and I have preferred giving you most of it as an "Extract from a private communication" because if I had myself

undertaken to "give characters" I should altho' finding much to praise still find a little to censure–But to other matters. I received last week a letter from my friend D Benisk now Editor of the Voice of Jews He writes me that it is to be considerably enlarged and the whole to be under his management. This last would imply, strange fingers in the Free and I think this has been the case with the late [?] articles contend in the Voice. In a letter received from my father the same mail he writes "I hear that it is the intention of your friend Mr Leeser to visit old England–Do you know whether this is really the case, I should be most happy to have it in my power to exercise my great esteem for him." What am I to reply, dear friend? I hear this for the fist time. He encloses me a prospectus of Mayer's projected publication–What do you think of this. There is no doubt I should say that as far as abilities, Rabbinical and general knowledge so, there is not a man, christian or Jew who is better able to answer Mr C[?] than this said Hoya. As a Hebraist he has not I firmly believe his equal. Witness his [Hebrew] and Hebrew Translation of Mr Cauls Old Paths. Some attribute the Heb version of the Christian Common Prayer to him but looking at the style of that sublime composition I should doubt this much His last articles too in the London Jewish Chronicle are–to make use of a mysterious old saying "not to be sneezed at. I am more anxious to see his 1st no. The [?] of state [?] I suppose has retired purposely to make room for the "faithful missionary" who will doubtless occupy much room on the tables of the religious reading world, but the Jewish & Christian, altho' the same apathy unfortunately exist to [?] [Hebrew] here, as on the subject of an efficient ministry. With respect to this last the observation of my father very often seems occurs to me. He very dryly observed one day "The [Hebrew] to sail them must be [Hebrew] [?]" and I think he is right. But I sincerely hope this unhealthy state of things will give way to more worthy & [?] notions It has done so in many cases let us hope that its observence will soon be universal.
I informed Mrs Ascher of your invitation not to charge for the nos, and she denies to acknowledge your politeness–

So you are a reformer. I have not yet seen your November number but doubt well that the reforms there propounded will shock orthodox susceptibility but little, and that they are of a practiced and [?]. I too am a reformer as far as endeavours which I believe to be consistent and legal, in improving the manner of Synagogue worship are concerned. I don't think the cause of orthodoxy would suffer much did conservative Synagogues introduce quiet & respectability in their services. Orthodoxy by nature by age, and by character is respectable. Absurd and inconsistent novelty in the Synagogue is disrefutable in its very essence and it appears therefore a serious & cruel anomaly that while all that care [?] devotional feelings prevail in the new [?] in the old, very much that is calculated to excite disgust worldly and impure feelings is there observable. But my dear friend [Hebrew], continue to sound in the unwilling ears of the [Hebrew], and [?] success must one day follow.
"Prata albicaul camis friunis" Our Canadian winter approaches in the shape of a few slight snow storms. See too looks more plentiful in the streets than it did in summer, But with all its severity speaking from last winters experienced I like the winter here much. There is a [?] the cold [?] clearness of atmosphere that renders the season here much more agreeable and healthy than in London.
I must now bid you good bye dear friend for the present. Hoping you will write me very soon, and [?] and that you may receive this [Hebrew]!
I am My dear Friend
Yours very sincerely
Abraham deSola
Mrs Joseph & daughters desire
me to remember them to you
with comforts.

Identifier

LSDCBx1FF4_18

Date

1847-11-24