THE LATIN PRINCES PROTECTED THE JEWS.

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ing information on this subject. We find that the Jews were already numerous in Corfu in the time of the Princes of Tarentum. Many decrees were promulgated in their favour; but their frequent repetition is a proof of their general insufficiency. One order, still preserved, is dated the 6th of March, 1323, another is of the 12th of March, 1324. In 1336, Robert of Tarentum, then lord of the island, issued a proclamation to mitigate the sufferings of the Jews. Similar steps were taken by other Latin princes in the course of the fourteenth century.

The late Chevalier Mustoxidi informs us, that Philip of Tarentum, the successor of Robert, titular Emperor of Constantinople, reiterated, in 1366, the orders of his predecessors for ensuring the toleration and good treatment of the Jews; "which," continues the candid historian, "were probably always inefficacious to save them from constant violence."*

An old Italian writer (quoted by the same author), declared that there were in his time some descendants of Judas Iscariot living in the island of Corfu, where the house and country villa of the traitor still existed. This, of course, was a mere fable. But it is certainly curious that the modern Corfiots appear to cherish against the memory of Judas, a hatred greater than can be traced in the customs of other Christians. On every Easter Eve, a gun is fired as a signal at eleven, A.M.; and, at the

* Delle Cose Corciresi. By A. Mustoxidi.

same instant, from the windows and tops of all the houses in Corfu, great quantities of crockery are discharged into the streets. For this memorable occasion, all broken or cracked earthenware jugs and dishes are carefully preserved throughout the year. The supposition is, that good Christians are stoning, in imagination, the traitor Jew. The Greeks will not readily confess this fact to strangers, yet it is generally believed. On Saturday the 14th of April, 1860, I (to use a sporting phrase) very nearly came to grief, from a misunderstanding in regard to this custom. I had been led to believe that operations were to commence at noon. But about two minutes to eleven, I was riding quietly along the Line Wall, on my way home, when I observed that the streets were unusually empty. My suspicions being excited, I asked of a man in a doorway if it were not at twelve that the gun would be discharged. He replied that it would be fired in a minute or two. I instantly set spurs to my horse, and galloped to my house at racing speed. Just as I had dismounted, bang went the gun, and down came the crash of crockery from the houses. From the moment the crockery falls, guns and pistols are fired in all directions. This part of the ceremony lasts for three or four days, and is by no means agreeable to ladies, or quiet strangers. But I must now return to the subject of the Ionian Jews.

In 1386, Venice (in the same year in which she

VENICE GRANTS THE JEWS PRIVILEGES.

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took possession of Corfu) directed the Jews in the island to be treated with especial kindness; forbidding that greater taxes should be imposed upon them than upon the rest of the inhabitants. In 1560, the Jews, quoting this order in an appeal to the Serene Republic, obtained the revocation of a tax imposed upon them by the local Government. When in 1571, the Venetian State decreed the expulsion of the Jews from all its territories, a single exception was made in favour of those of Corfu. These, moreover, were granted certain privileges. They were permitted to follow the profession of advocates, as well as to become traders. They were also organized politically, after the manner of the other citizens. They had a council which elected its own functionaries. The Venetian Baillie (and in after times the Proveditor) presided at the elections, at which four syndics, two censors, and two directors of Synagogues were duly appointed by the majority of votes.

For some time the Jews and Christians lived together in an amicable manner; which, however, scandalized some of the Proveditors. Anthony Foscarini, complained to the Senate in 1588, of this disgrace (as he called it) to all good Christians. In 1760, the Jews in Corfu were calculated at 1171 souls. The laws were not always made in their favour. On the contrary, harsh edicts were sometimes directed against them, at all events in ap

pearance. They were ordered to wear yellow caps and yellow badges on their breasts, to distinguish them from Christians. But this act may have originated in sentiments of compassion; for it expressly substituted these badges for stoning, which it forbade for the future. It was evidently, therefore, the practice of the Greeks at that period, to throw stones at the Jews whenever they appeared in the streets. These badges were afterwards practically converted into taxes; an annual fine being imposed on all those who did not obey the order.

The cruel manner in which the poor Hebrews were treated, in spite of protective decrees, is candidly narrated by Count Lunzi. In 1614, the Syndics, Giovanni Pasqualigo and Ottavius Bon, published on the 14th of September, the following proclamation in Corfu : "As persons are found in the city who (from their own fancy or out of contempt for the Jews, who have complained to us) are accustomed to enter the cemeteries by night, and to take the dead bodies of Jews out of their graves; stripping them and committing other indecent and disgraceful acts, barbarous, inhuman, and repugnant to nature, which forbids such treatment of corpses; and as these acts are also repulsive to the pious sentiments of the Serene Republic, which impartially cherishes all her subjects without exception; it is, therefore, necessary to make due provi

MARSHAL SCHULEMBERG BEFRIENDS THE JEWS. 51

sion for the remedy of such great evils." The penalty of death was then threatened to offenders; whilst informers were promised (if not principals) a reward of 200 sequins each.

The desecration of the graves of those whom they consider as heretics or unbelievers, is still one of the greatest stains upon the moral character of the Greek race. The English tombs in the Islands have frequently furnished indisputable evidence of these uncivilized barbarities.

On the Greek Good Friday night, there is always a grand torch-light procession, in which the remains of St. Spiridion are carried; whilst the Archbishop moves in state under a canopy, followed by the inhabitants of all ranks, bare-headed, and carrying huge lighted candles. On the following morning there is another procession, which terminates a little before the annual imaginary stoning of Judas Iscariot takes place. There are two other processions of the patron saint in the course of the year in the capital. They are interesting sights. The picturesque appearance of the peasantry, and especially of the females (with their jackets profusely embroidered with gold, and their massive ornaments of the same precious metal), add greatly to the beauty of the spectacle. But I must return to the Jews.

When Marshal Schulemberg was raising the new fortifications, in 1719, he caused the Venetian