THIRD PART. THE SOCIAL CONDITION OF THE JEWS. In this part of our work we intend to lay before our reader some account of the social condition of the British Jews. And at the outset, we must confess that there are obstacles in the way which render it somewhat difficult to do the subject justice. In addition to the difficulty of giving a fair description of any community, consisting of a great diversity in rank, education, morals, and religion, there is another connected with our present inquiry, peculiar to the Jewish brotherhood. It is this: a goodly proportion is composed of foreigners, and a still greater portion of those of foreign parentage-these, not being anglicised, retain the peculiarities of the countries whence they came-peculiarities of ideas and habits, entirely dissimilar, in most respects, to their English brethren. These, however, we shall endeavour to avoid, and confine ourselves, when touching upon traits of character, as much as possible to English Jews. CHAPTER I. THE JEWISH COMMUNITY. I. THE number of Jews in Great Britain cannot be ascertained with any degree of certainty, they themselves having no statistical accounts on this head. It is generally calculated that they amount, in round numbers, to about 30,000-some 25,000 in London and its suburbs, and the remainder in other parts of the United Kingdom. But from the registers of the various Synagogues for the last. year, we should say the number is something under the above. The most complete and correct list is that of deaths, which amounted in the last twelve months to about 560. Calculating somewhat under the general bill of mortality, this would give us a population, at farthest, of no more than 25,000. Of these about 20,000 are in the Metropolis, and the remaining 5,000 in the provinces. The number of foreign Jews has greatly increased for years past, although there has been now, of late, a continuous stream of emigration, especially from among the travel ling Jews, principally to America and California. A goodly number have also, within the last few months, left our shores for Australia and her diggings, and a host of others are likely to follow in their train. II. Among such a number, there is, of course, a great diversity of conditions. Many are in daily want of the necessaries of life, and a still larger number scarcely able to obtain sufficient to support existence. This class is more numerous, in proportion, in London than in the provinces. One reason is, as we have already mentioned, the great influx of foreigners. These come from all parts of Europe-but the majority being poor, without money, or a word of English, or any definite avocation, immediately they arrive in the metropolis they mix with their brethren, and depend, in a great measure upon them, thus materially adding to the poverty of their community. Much destitution prevails amongst them-nevertheless, from all we have been able to learn, we may venture to say that not a single instance of that extreme want and misery can be found within their community as is abundantly witnessed in some localities among their English neighbours, but more especially the Irish. This is accounted for in part by their habits of industry, and in part by their national charities. On the other hand, many are wealthy, and some exceedingly so-yet, perhaps, not to so great an extent as some of their Gentile neighbours. One reason for this is-and, doubtless, the principal-that their condition, as a nation, has been through past ages so very unfavourable for them retaining their wealth-not being allowed to become landed proprietors-their descendants have not had the advantage of augmenting the family pro S perty; but their riches, as well as their homes, have been unfixed and insecure. All the rich families, with few exceptions, have attained their wealth and position either by their own industry or that of their parents, some of whom at the present day rank among the most opulent in the world. Thus, among the Jews, as with the Gentiles, there are extremes of wealth and poverty, especially in London. But between these extremes, and upon which the prosperity of their community principally depends, there is a middle class, comprising the leading intelligence and activity of the nation. Should we attempt to make a numerical comparison of the classes, perhaps we should not be far from the truthassuming 25,000 to be the whole amount, in apportioning 5,000 to the upper class, 8,000 to the middle, and 12,000 to the lower. III. The Jews live in all parts of the United Kingdom. Having no particular attachment to place, they settle down in those towns most favourable for business. Single families are not frequently met with, because their religious ceremonies cannot be performed without a certain number being together: consequently, they generally congregate to the same town and neighbourhood. Wherever a sufficient number of families be together, so that ten male adults may regularly attend service, a Synagogue may be there erected. There are now forty-one registered Synagogues throughout the kingdom, with several others of less importance. The following table will give to our reader the most correct view that has yet been compiled of their localities and statistics. A list of all the Synagogues in the United Kingdom, |