But Israel was not yet forsaken. Italy, which had now become the seat of European learning, and had become very prosperous through the commercial and industrial zeal of the Spanish Jews, to whom it had offered refuge, and also Turkey, bade the Portuguese fugitives a hearty welcome. What Spain and Portugal rejected, they knew how to value. Even some of the Popes, Clement VII and Paul III. (I rejoice to give them credit for it), favored their stay in Italy. They had learned to appreciate the services of the Jews. The flourishing Italian and Turkish Jewish congregations ransomed their brethren, and enabled them to settle in Ancona, Pesaro, Livorno, Naples, Venice, Ferrara and elsewhere, and the blessing of God rested upon whatever city the Jews were permitted to settle. Many of the Portuguese Jews settled, and became prosperous, in the Indies, in Southern France and in Hamburg. Others settled in the Netherlands, and became especially prosperous in Holland. From Holland large numbers of the descendants of the Portuguese and Spanish exiles entered England, through the intercession of _Menasse ben Israel_ with Oliver Cromwell, and from England and from the Indies and from Italy they entered the United States, into the land where tyranny is known no more, and persecution is fettered fast. Here dwell Christian and Jew side by side, peacefully, lovingly, aiding each other, uniting with each other in the blessed work for which religion exists on earth, and in the spreading of the great principles of political and religious liberty. Here, where Christian extends the hand of fellowship unto Jew, and the heart of the Jew beats as loyally American as that of the Christian, solemnly they pledge: "We swear to be a nation of true brothers, Never to part in danger or in death," --_Schiller's "Tell"_ [Illustration] ISABEL LA CATOLICA. In den Raeumen der Alhambra Wandelt Spaniens fromme Herrin Isabella, die geruehmt wird Als "katholische Regentin". Wandelt durch die Zauberhallen, Die ein Maerchenglanz umspielet, Und befriedigt laechelnd laesst sie Auf den Thron sich langsam nieder. Denkt voll Selbstgefuehl des Seufzers Jenes letzten Maurenherschers: "A Dios Granada!" rief er, "Ach, ich muss mich von dir wenden!" Denket jenes alten Stammes, Dem Vernichtung sie geschworen, Jenes hartverstockten Stammes, Den einst Gott in Lieb' erkoren. Was sich zaehlte zu den Ketzern Musste ihr Gebiet verlassen, Die "katholische Regentin" Laesst nur Einen Glauben walten. Froelich schaut sie auf die Staette, Wo Columbus einst gestanden, Der ihr neues Land entdeckte, Ihre Herrschaft zu entfalten. Da erscheint vor ihr die Tochter, Gleichfalls Isabel geheissen, Die den Gatten den geliebten. Still beklagt im Trauerkleide.