It was her delight to join with her melodious voice in
the hymns which on Sabbaths and festivals resounded
in her house. Her home life was a pattern. "Possessed
of a refined mind," said the Chief Eabbi in his dis-
course over her grave, " of the most cultivated taste,
she stm, in a quiet unassuming way, devoutlj- fulfilled
the duties of a Jewish wife. To mention onl}' one of
these, never, not even during severe illness, did she
neglect to light the Sabbath lamp — she who herself
was the light of her home." Her generosity knew no
bounds ; no one ever sought help of her and was
denied. Her husband still tells a story illustrative
of her large hearted benevolence. Among those who
had frequently received money fi-om him was a co-
religionist of the most imdeserving kind. Again and
again had Sir Moses sent him cheques, and again and
again had the irrepressible beggar applied for assist-
ance. Sir Moses, having discovered that his money was
spent in gambling, informed his wife that he should give
the ne'er-do-wellno more help; whereupon Lady Monte-
fiore opened her own cheque-book, and wrote a cheque,
remarking, " My dear, I think we had better send him
something ; I am sure nobody else will, if we do not."



CH. XIV.] In Memoriam. 211

In communal affairs she was by no means inactive.
At school prize distributions she was a familiar figure,
and she worked, together with her sister the Baroness
de Rothschild and her niece. Baroness Lionel de
Rothschild, in the organisation and administration of
many philanthropic enterprises. At the Jews' Free
School and the schools of the Sephardic community
she was a frequent visitor. The Jewish Ladies Loan
and Visiting Society was started partlj' imder her
auspices.
