THE JEWS IN ENGLAND.

Thames Advertiser, Volume IX, Issue 2439, 9 October 1876, Page 3

THE JEWS IN ENGLAND.

WfliLT. as wo have scou, Jewish artisans :nre placed at'-ii' decided disadvantage as regards their Ohristianfellosv-workmeu, iit is an undoubted fact.that more individual Jews than Gentiles have risen from the humblest ranks to positionsofrclaiivo affluence. The. Israelite appears to possess Certain qualities that enable him to bear i igreator weight tb.au bis neighbours; Ho is [persevering and industrious, and ready to 'endure an amount of' privation that no ; would consent to undergo, 'in his domestic relations be has more definite notions of morality than the proverbial British workman, and be is far moro affectionate to'his wife and children. He does not in moments of playfuluess dush out with a pbker the brains' of the woman ho has sworn to love and protect, nor does he sportively drive tbo hobnails iof his boots into her flesh. Neither docs be, as a rule, frequent public-house's, and squander bis earnings in, and muddle his head with, doctored beor, _or burn his stomach with adulterated gin. The sobriuty of tho Jewish race is proverbial, audit is reflected in tbo superior cleanliness and neatness of their dwellings, as

compared with the inhabitants of the nonJewish indigent. Extreme squalor is seldom apparent in Jewish homes } scrofula andintemperarice'aroa'lmo'sti unknown, and miserable humanity is never seen so utterly fallen ancLdegraded -among that sect as among their neighbours. A Jewish child who has neverheardof the existence of God is a moral impossibility. The most illiterate Jew canread his Hebrew prayers, and has a glimmering of the principles of ■his religion; The most forlorn and destitute Jew does notlos'e'allhope, forhehas still friends to save kin* from : sirikin'g ihto the abyss of despair, like one forgotten by God and man., If wo rise to the next social stratum wo'shall find the Jews engaged in retail tradeori a large or 'small scale. The British 1 shopkeeper" appears to entertain peculiar views on the subject of the weight or measure and quantity of the articles vended, "and we caunofc say that a Jewish slops'eller, cigar dealer, or jeweller, is necessarily endowed with 'loftier'probity than' his 'Gentile fellowtradesmen. But the Israelite here again is placed under serious ■■disadvantage,-in-asmuch as his 'conscience compels him; to keep one Sabbath and.tho; law. of the land another Sabbath.. This is an important consideration' tq tlio", shopkeeper.; (who has a.small capital and a large family, fMoreover; his expenses are much'heavier.than those of his Ohristianneighbours; In addition to his contributions tothouecessities of : bis Government and his pavigb, the Jew is.called.upon:to-support the especial re* ligious, educational, and charitable establishments of his ; race, -ffovertheless, tlie Israelite; by dint bF j l)is ndtiiral and intelligence, by; superior industry] activity, aud'SobriotyV fairly maintains bis position in the race ollife, and not soldom outstrips hirGentilepdmpetltor'sl At the : same time, the'slriiggle for existence on : the part ofsomo of the petty shopkeepers ; is certainly severe, and they frequently i receive more or less direct assistancpfrpra ; their richer brethren.;.' .They*obtain gratuitous education' for their children, they ) sharo in various distributions in kind, and

tbey participate, whenever adverse circunistauccs constrainthem, in the numerous benefits held dufcby the institutions' ! p?

their'nation.' The Jew ! of tbls:claag, : ks indeed 'of other classes, is seen nowhere more favourably than in his : own ; dome'stic circle. Ho is.usuallyn fond husband and a tender-hearted father.' However sharp or hard he, may. occasionally, appear in business, in his family relations he is aeavly always kind and indulgent to a fault. The, seeming Scrooge behind tho counter becomes a Oheeryble'iu Imhonui whelhor-.it bo a humble 4welling L or a comfortable residence. •. The battle of life is fought for the day.; the time of enjoy, meat has,arrived in ; the .niidjjtj of;thpseijhe Wes.'besHu;tlie.',w6rM^ ziWS,{ . ..(.': ?-a '.:•;(!.' .'■ ■'■~,*. hn-: ■.:■■!■ ■■<'■'