It had long been his ardent desire to establish a hospital in Jerusalem, and as the maintenance of such an institution necessitated considerable capital, he entered into correspondence with his friends on the subject, spent several hundred pounds in having proper plans drawn up by English and foreign architects, and consulted medical authorities in the large hospitals respecting various modern improvements which had been introduced. Count Pizzamano, the Austrian Consul at Jerusalem, also took a lively interest in the scheme, and promised to assist Sir Moses to his utmost.
During July and September he and Lady Montefiore visited Plymouth, Exeter, and Yarmouth, and on October the 15th we find them again in London at the closing of the Exhibition. "We were there," says Sir Moses, "at half-past nine; secured capital seats. The ceremony commenced at twelve, and was concluded before one. Prince Albert, the Bishop of London, and Lord Canning were the only persons who spoke; there was a large orchestra, and many singers; the building was very full."
On November the 11th he records in his Diary the loss he sustained by the death of an old and esteemed friend, Matthias Attwood, who was one of the original founders of the Imperial Continental Gas Association. He was often the subject of Sir Moses' conversation in connection with financial operations; and his portrait, to which he used to call the attention of his visitors, was conspicuously placed near the entrance to the Gothic library at East Cliff. In the course of the same day Mr Gladstone introduced to him Lieutenant Pym, who was going in search of Sir John Franklin, and Sir Moses made him a present of some beautiful furs.
During the year 1852 he devoted much time to important meetings in his own community, and on the 3rd of May accompanied the Chief Rabbi to Manchester for similar communal purposes.
A few days later, Dr Thompson of Beyrout came to inform him that he was on his way to Constantinople to obtain a firman for a railway route by the Euphrates Valley to India, and that he then proposed forming a company for the purpose under Colonel Chesney. Sir Moses understanding that an easy road would then be made from Aleppo to Damascus, thence to Safed and other places in the Holy Land, felt much interested in the scheme, and promised to communicate with his friends on the subject.