The Jews of Russia are clearly suffering grievous things. So
far as we can see, the Government honestly desires to protect them, but the rage of the populace has risen high. They are resorting to fire ; and town after town inhabited wholly, like Mohileff, or principally by Jews, is destroyed by fire. The object of the peasants is partly to compel the Jews to fly,. partly, we suspect, to burn their bonds, exactly as it was in the middle-ages. The Jews, as a population, are, of course, far too numerous to move, but thousands are flying, and from 12,00(} to 15,000 are assembled at Brody, in Galicia, in the last ex- tremity of distress. They are unable even to procure food, the charitable fund is insufficient, and the children are perishing of exposure. Mr. Oliphant and others are assisting them to emi- grate to America and Palestine, but the Sultan, while welcom- ing them to Turkey, has suddenly prohibited. them from entering- Palestine. It is supposed he fears their asserting their independ- ence, but it is quite possible that some superstitious idea enters into the matter. It will be a good thing for Eastern Europe if the Porte incurs the hatred of the Jews. Its last strong bulwark in the West will then have disappeared.
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