Miscellanies: The Hon. Mr. Justice Simeon Jacobs

<plain_text><page sequence="1">Miscellanies THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SIMEON JACOBS, C.M.G., Q.C.1 Simeon Jacobs was one of many Jews who, like Sir Saul Samuel, Sir Julian Emanuel Salomons, and Sir Julius Vogel, raised the prestige of British Jewry in the nineteenth century by their contribution to public life in the British Empire. Simeon Jacobs was unique in being the only conforming Jew so far to have held cabinet rank in South Africa.2 Born in 1830 or 1831, he belonged to a well-known Anglo Jewish family, his father being a London solicitor. A sister of his married Jonah Nathan and was by him the mother of Sir Frederic, Sir Matthew, Sir Robert, and Walter Nathan, four of five brothers who distinguished themselves in the Civil Service of their country. Educated at the City of London School, Jacobs was called to the Bar in 1851. Shortly after his marriage he had, on account of ill health, to live in a warmer climate, and he and his wife settled at the Cape of Good Hope. Jacobs was always an observant Jew and also of a most charitable nature. In 1860 he arrived in Cape Town and joined the Cape Bar ; it was a time of political con? fusion in South Africa. On arrival Jacobs sought the newly created office of Attorney-General of British Kaffraria?an important area on the Eastern frontier. He applied to the Governor, Sir George Grey, who recommended him to the Colonial Secretary for the appoint? ment which was ratified in London. Jacobs was eagerly welcomed in British Kaffraria, which was described as then " only slowly emerging from its semi-barbarous con? dition and he did important work in drafting new ordinances for a colony which hitherto had been governed by martial law. In 1866 he was promoted to the newly created office of Solicitor-General at the Cape and he then settled at Grahamstown where he played a great part in public life apart from his official duties. In 1872 Jacobs, then Acting Attorney-General, introduced the " Responsible Government Bill " which sought to place more political power in the hands of the Colonists. He is reported in the local press as having " with admirable tact and without an ill tempered word, skilfully steered the Bill in both Houses of Parliament ". Jacobs played the role of politician rather than that of the civil servant, and in December, 1873, he was confirmed in the office of Attorney-General with a seat in the Cabinet. In 1875 Jacobs was prominent in regard to the heated discussions that centred round the proposal for a confederation of the South African states. James Froude had been sent out to South Africa to survey the possibilities and was the cause of much friction between the Colonial Secretary, Lord Carnarvon, and the local administration. Jacobs strongly insisted upon the constitutional rights of the colony and carried the day. He did not oppose confederation but objected to the encroachments upon the rights of the colonists. In 1877, owing to failing health, he was forced to resign the Attorney-General? ship. He had been in office for some 16 or 17 years during which period he had gained the confidence of the public by his judicial fairness. On leaving Cape Town, he came to England and submitted a claim for a pension from the Colonial funds. There was some opposition to this in Parliament but his claim was finally acknow 1 Summary of a paper read before the Jewish Historical Society of England on 20th December, I938 2 Dr. Henry Gluckman was Minister of Health in the Government of the Union of South Africa (1945-8)</page><page sequence="2">222 MISCELLANIES ledged. He was created Queen's Counsel in 1878 being one of the earliest South African lawyers to gain this distinction. In 1881 he was recommended for the honour of a knighthood, but was made a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. His health was now rapidly failing and he died on the 15th June, 1883. Thus at a comparatively early age a life was cut short which, had it been spared longer, might have added even greater lustre to the tale of Jewish Colonial Pioneer Service. S. A. RocHLiN (Johannesburg). That sith its apparent by the Scriptures, That the Jews, Gods ancient People, shall be converted to the Faith, as these Scriptures testifie, Rom 11.25.26. Psal. 53 6 &amp; 67 5.6 &amp; 69.35, 36- Isa- 1 ?25. 26 &amp; 11. 1. Zeph. 3 9 &amp;c. And being converted, they shall be a blessing unto the Godly amongst whom they live, they ministring to them exceeding cause of joy ; for if their Fall be the Riches of the world, and their Diminution is the riches of the Gentiles, how</page></plain_text>