"Tbe 6prctator," 3utp 27th, 1850 By noon on Friday a
large number of Jews had assembled at the House of Commons to witness .the demand by Mr. Rothschild to be sworn in as the elected representative in Parliament of the citizens of London. He was conducted to the table by Mr. John Abel Smith and Mr. Page Wood ; and the Clerk at the table was proceeding to swear him, when he said; in a clear voice, " I desire to be sworn on the Old Testa- ment." Sir Robert Inglis, from the seat which used to be occupied by Sir Robert Peel, exclaimed, in a voice which quivered with emotion—" I protest against that! " Amidst loud cheers and counter-cheers, the Speaker uttered his mandate to withdraw ; and Mr. Rothschild retired to a seat behind the bar. Sir Robert Inglis then, in a tone of voice which marked great agitation, poured forth an argumentative protestation against the concession that any man might pre- sume to claim a seat in that House unless he took it under the solemn enaction and invocation of the name of our common redeemer. After an animated discussion, Mr. Page Wood declared, on the authority of the Member for London, that he did not wish to be heard in support of his claim either in person or by counsel. Ultimately it was resolved to adjourn the debate.
Previous page
