Letter from Abraham de Sola to Isaac Leeser · Isaac Leeser Digital Repository · Legacy Projects from Judaica DH at Penn Libraries

Title

Letter from Abraham de Sola to Isaac Leeser

Author

Abraham de Sola

Contributor

Isaac Leeser

Location(s)

Montreal

Philadelphia

Format

Letter. 4 page(s) on 2 sheet(s).

Letter

Type

Letter

Language(s)

English

Physical Characteristics

Unlined Paper

Manuscript

Is Part Of

http://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124516100

content

Montreal Hebrew
Rev Isaac Leeser
Philadelphia
Dear Friend
Having a few minutes leisure before synagogue I embrace it gladly to reply to your last which for my inclination has remained too long unanswered. I regret much that you did not order my article to be altered as I requested you, since it will force me to continue the said article to a greater length than agreeable to me. But as you say it was unavoidably so I must be content. You are mistaken however if you think I don't know what inconvenience it causes to alter a form. I have seen a great deal of printing in my time and have corrected more than one proof for the press. My dear Mr Leeser you must not again write me “I am a little tired of a work that brings me nothing but vexation” You are yet too young in your vocation to cry with Solomon — Hebrew nor can you with any truth say with him Hebrew no such thing, dear friend, you are appreciated if not by Hebrew, yet by all those whose good ? is worth having. You, no doubt, with me, think one roar of the lion more agreeable than 50 brays of the jackass. And these roars of the lions (not of New York or Richmond) you have. What more then do you want? Is it assistance, look through your vol. 6, and see whether I have not done my share. I never asked any other return than what you chose to give me. Your favorable opinion was enough for me. You are not a Saxon, don't be a grumbler then but continue like a good boy at your task. If you continue to perform it as properly as heretofore, the Sugarphim? shall not be long in coming

neglect it and expect to receive what we used to style in our Hebrew school — palackas. I promise you that the first one you get shall be from from the hand (if it be alive) that is now perusing these words. So look out. Now I shall give you a little more vexation in respect to the Occident à la Carondle?; A pretty Editor you are Mr. I. I should like to know how you expect to keep a subscriber when you send your numbers so irregularly. Here is the half of April over and your Canadian subscribers have not yet received either their March or April numbers. Pretty ? truly. I guess your news will be pretty stale to them, And then the circular that was to go with them, why how can we know what's going on. The Proposed assembly may be no longer a proposed assembly but have already taken place to and we poor unfortunate neglected and abandoned creatures know nothing of it If this isn't enough to make a person swear I don't know what is. Take care your eyes for if they get near my nails Mr I I don't know what the consequences might not be — but really you must be a little more regular in sending them i.e. in getting your agent in New York to do so, for I hear it is his fault. It is doubly disagreeable for a correspondent to receive them so late as there might be some Er? to be made in his article which he would like to send forth next number. I shall say no more about it now because I hope that you will take steps to let us have them in future by the 6th or 7th of the month. I shall write to England the? endeavor to press the sale of these. I don't think you have a good agent in Mrs Joel She lives in F? Street which is entirely out of the world and especially out of the Jewish world. I think Sam' Solomons of Bevis Marks would be able to push the sale

better. Did you ever try him? Not having received the March Occident I have not seen the circular. As soon as received I shall call a meeting of the congregation and we will doubtless not be needful. I am a little vext at the delay of the Occident this ? There is no other congregation in Canada but the ? in Montreal and the German one that formerly existed is on its last legs. They were but a poor and troublesome set who lately composed it neither ornamental nor useful in a synagogue above all in a Portuguese synagogue the Hebrew of which they “?.” As for my long being inclined to support the assembly without being able to say ? with Dr. Cantwell I can lead the poor deluded men where I please” I think I shall be able to induce within them a favourable opinion on these matters. If you don't go to New Orleans I shall expect you in Canada this summer. Let me know whether you come and I will prepare a room for you in my house which is next door to Mrs Josephs. Mr and Mrs JHJ and Miss Sarah J start Sunday, I believe for the States. Is it true that Nathan has given up his situation in St. Thomas and is now in New Orleans with Carillon? also. That this letter worthy who is required by all as a madman should care to look for another nest, I am not at all surprised for he has made the West Indies “too hot to hold him” but Mr. Nathan what does he run about for. I can't help thinking that it is a great pity he ever gave up his situation in Kingston. I sincerely hope that those congregations wanting a Hazan in the States will be especially carefully of Carillon?. He has ? discord wherever he has been — and will continue to do so wherever he goes. And then his principles, as accomodating

as the weather cock to every puff of wind. I hope that you will keep your eye upon him, and look to the interests of our cause. You will understand me. I never saw Carillon in my life have never corresponded with him but what I do know of him as a Rabbi and Teacher I can't admire. And more I ask you keep your eye on him. With respect to the situation at Richmond I have written to Mr. Hyman for farther particulars but I confess more with the intention of ascertaining whether the situation as worthy the acceptance of my brother in law Hazan Mendes of Montego Bay. He is a most worthy & talented young man, a gentleman and scholar and quite orthodox. I would like him to be near me I did not mention names to Mr. Hyman nor does Mr Mendes know that I have written. I need scarcely tell you then that the name is to continue Hebrew. I am glad to see that I have not been too severe in forming my estimate of the attainments of Mr Lyons of New York I agree with you in considering that the (his brother I dont know is not one who ought to be at the head of a Congregation in the present state of things. His surprising land? I say with all my heart, most lamentable that with such a field before him he has not done more to make our religion more respectable among his flock. I asked you to insert my sermon in your ? because it would have been read with more interest with the Passover but do with it what you please. It is not so formidable thing to write a sermon Having now replied to your letter in full I shall send you one or two news items if indeed you have not already received them. I expected? writing you more fully but I must break off I milk will write by Mr Joseph wishing you all blessings and prosperity
Hebrew
Believe me yours ever faithfully
Abraham de Sola

Identifier

LSDCBx3FF6_3