Chapter XXIV: The Spanish Jews

Influence of the Semitic Race on Civilization--Enterprise
of the Ancient Jews--Their Eminent Talents--Their
Power during the Middle Ages--Their Universal
Proscription--Their Condition under the Moors of
Spain--Their Extraordinary Attainments--Their Devotion
to Letters--Their Academies--Rabbis as Ambassadors of
the Khalifs--Learned Men--Poets, Physicians, Statesmen,
Philosophers--Maimonides: His Genius and His Works--His
Character--Preponderating Influence of the Spanish Jews
in Government and Society--Their Necessity to the Ruling
Classes--They are driven to Usury--Their Prosperity--They
are favored by Alfonso X. and Pedro el Cruel--Their
Proficiency in Medicine--Obligations of Mediæval and
Modern Science to the Jews--Their Wonderful Survival
under Oppression--Their Exile from the Peninsula--Their
Sufferings--The Taint of Hebrew Blood in the Aristocracy of
Spain and Portugal 105