Page "Benjamin Disraeli" Paragraph 6

His father groomed him for a career in law, and Disraeli was articled to a solicitor in 1821.

In 1824, Disraeli toured Belgium and the Rhine Valley with his father and later wrote that it was while travelling on the Rhine that he decided to abandon the law: " I determined when descending those magical waters that I would not be a lawyer.

" He visited the towns of Oppenheim and Speyer, both of which have notable Jewish communities.

On his return to England he speculated on the stock exchange on various South American mining companies.

The recognition of the new South American republics on the recommendation of George Canning had led to a considerable boom, encouraged by various promoters.

In this connection, Disraeli became involved with the financier J. D. Powles, one such booster.

In the course of 1825, Disraeli wrote three anonymous pamphlets for Powles, promoting the companies.