188 A SECRET 



he became possessed of so much, wealth was a secret — a 

 secret Avhich is ever held most sacred by the children of 

 Abraham. 



It was, however, generally reported and believed, that 

 when the great Napoleon's star was approaching its 

 apogee, this gentleman was employed by that military 

 chief to levy contributions on the inhabitants of Belgium 

 and Holland, and upon the sudden and successful out- 

 break of Orange Boven, that caused the man who had 

 trodden upon the laws and liberties of the Batavian 

 Republic to retire behind the Rhine, the Jew had not an 

 opportunity of discharging his duties to a fallen Govern- 

 ment ; and thinking that both his person and his property, 

 consisting of the money he had thus borrowed of his 

 countrymen, would be safer under British protection, 

 he wisely crossed the channel, knowing that no questions 

 would be asked as to the means he employed to become 

 the possessor of that which all classes here so devotedly 

 worship. 



But to the praise of this gentleman it must be recorded 

 that he kept a good house and gave sumptuous entertain- 

 ments, taking occasion to observe to his guests, as his 

 daughters one after the other left the dining-room, " Dare 

 goes dirty dousand pounds — dare goes dirty dousand 

 more ; " and, notwithstanding all these oddities, was most 

 kind and charitable to the poor of the parishes of West- 

 meon and Warnford, among whom his name will long be 

 remembered. 



It will not be difficult for the reader to understand how 

 the tirst four years of my married life were passed. In the 

 full enjoyment of health, as well as domestic comfort and 



