Note 89 — CHAP. XI.

Another class of Jews which belong to the Portuguese Synagogue are generally opulent and respectable, and hold no community with the others; they use a different Liturgy and their language is even different; their number does not exceed three thousand; they never intermarry with the Jews of the Dutch Synagogue.—They generally pride themselves on their Ancestry, and give their Children the best education which can be obtained in the countries where they reside.—While the Dutch Jews (or rather the German Dutch Jews) get no education at all. Even the most affluent of them are said to be generally unable either to read or write the language of the country which gave them birth.—They confine themselves to a Bastard or vulgar Hebrew which has little analogy to the original. The Portuguese Synagogue has been established in England ever since the Usurpation.—Their place of worship is in Bevis Marks.—The Members of it being mostly wealthy are extremely attentive to their poor, among whom there is said not to be a single beggar or itinerant.—The Brokers upon the Exchange of the Jewish Persuasion, are all or chiefly of the Portuguese Synagogue. Their number is limited to Twelve by a particular Act of Parliament.—Originally this privilege was given gratis by the Lord Mayor, but afterwards 100l. was required, which has gradually increased to One Thousand Guineas for each Broker.

The schism between the two classes of Jews prevail all over the world, though the rational Jews treat the distinction as absurd.

The German Dutch Jews, who may amount to from twelve to fifteen thousand have Six Synagogues, the principal of which are in Duke's Place, Leadenhall Street, and Church Row, Fenchurch Street. They observe the particular ritual of the German Synagogue, and also include the Polish, Russian, and Turkish Jews, established in London.—With the exception of three or four wealthy Individuals, and as many Families who are in trade on the Royal Exchange, they are in general a very indigent class of people, through whose medium crimes are generated to a considerable extent.—Their Community is too poor to afford them adequate relief, whence they have resorted to the expedient of lending them small sums of money at interest to trade upon, which is required to be repaid monthly or weekly, as the case may be. Otherwise they forfeit all claim to this aid.—The reproach arising from their evil practices and idleness, is said to have engaged the attention of the respectable part of both Synagogues with a view to a remedy, but all their attempts have been heretofore unsuccessful.