2056. [Exod. xxii. 18.] The witch-act, a disgrace to the code of English laws, was not repealed till the year 1736. Observations on Popular Antiq. p. 319. Several writings are well known, which mention, that the negroes in South America have a kind of poison with which they kill each other, though the effect be not sudden, but happen a long time after the person have taken it: the same dangerous art of poisoning is known by the negroes of North America, as has frequently been experienced. See PINKERTON's Coll. part liii. p. 503. 2057. [19.] The word behemah (Hebr.), here translated beast, should be rendered savage or slave. Thus in Jonah, iii. 8, it is said, Let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily to God; yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Where it is evident, that a beast cannot cry for mercy, has no evil way of sin to turn from in the way of repentance, nor hands to be cleansed from violence or extortion and oppression. But to the civilized great and untutored Gentiles, then inhabitants of Nineveh, the above phrases were strictly appropriate, and became salutary admonitions. The Israelites were ever forbid to intermarry or connect themselves with Gentiles, on pain of being utterly cut off from every privilege and all inheritance in the land of promise toward which they were now marching. 2059. [ See Pinkerton's Coll. part liii: p. 502. 25.] Nothing is more destructive to Syria, than the shameful and excessive usury customary in that country. When the peasants are in want of money to purchase grain, cattle, &c. they can find none but by mortgaging the whole or part of their future crop, greatly under its value. - The danger of letting money appear, closes the hands of all by whom it is possessed; and if it is parted with, it must be from the hope of a rapid and exorbitant gain; the most moderate interest is twelve per cent : the usual rate is twenty, and it frequently rises as high as even to thirty. VOLNEY'S Trav. vol. ii. p. 410. - By this is to be understood the taking of bribes, at all events; whether they can or will do any thing to deserve them or not. Thus, it is at this day the common talk, that A Bey, BKyayah, and C Chiouse, ate forty or fifty purses of money each, of Ali Kyayah Le Jelfy's widow; who, being left very rich, would spare no cost, first to be revenged on such as she suspected to have abetted the mas sacre of her late husband; and, secondly, to get his and her friends and creatures preferred. Preface to PERRY's Levant, p. 12. 2061. [Exod. xxii. 26, 27. Raiment to pledge] The better to understand this law, we inust know, that the upper garment of the Israelites was a large square piece of cloth, which they threw loosely over them, and which by the poor was always used for a blanket or coverlet to their beds. Dr. SHAW, (in his Travels through Barbary) has given the best description of it, under its modern Arabic name Hyke. (See on Deut. xxiv. 12, 13.) It might be laid aside in the day time, and, in fact, in walking it was so troublesome, that labouring people preferred being clear of it, and were then, what the Antients so often called, naked. When they had to walk, they tucked it together, and hung it over their shoulder. By night it was indispensible to the poor man, for a covering at least, it was at the risk of his health, and even his life, by exposure to the cold, if he wanted it; for in southern climates the nights, particularly in the summer, are extremely cold. (See on Gen. xxxi. 40.) 2062. Smith's MICHAELIS, vol. ii. p. 318. The hyke, which now serves an Arab, and might have then served a Hebrew, as a plaid does a Highlander, was probably the raiment here referred to: it is a sort of coarse blanket, about six yards long, and five or six feet broad, which an Arab always carries with him, and on which he sleeps at night; it being his only substitute for a bed. How necessary was it that such a pledge should be restored to a poor man each night; and how just to return it to the creditor every morning. Dr. A. CLARKE. 2065. [12.] It would be absurd to suppose that real animals were here meant, as beasts cannot on any day perform work without man's assistance. 2066. [ 19. Thou shalt not seethe a kid in its mother's milk] Such peculiar prohibitions as this, we shall find in general, were given in direct opposition to some idolatrous practice of the Heathens. Thus Dr. Cudworth, in his Treatise on the Lord's Supper, informs us that he learnt, from the comment of an antient Karaite on the Pentateuch, that a superstitious rite prevailed among the antient idolaters, of seething a kid in its mother's milk, when they had gathered in all their fruits; and sprinkling the trees and fields and gardens, with the broth, after a magical manner, to make them more fruitful for the following year. Spencer also observes that the Zabii use this kind of magical milk to sprinkle their trees and fields in hopes of obtaining plenty. 2067. Dr. DODD. Maize or Indian corn grows from six to ten feet high, on a stalk full of joints, which is stiff and solid, and when grown, ahounds with a sweet juice. The leaves are like those of the reed, about two feet in length, and three or four inches broad. The flowers which are produced at some distance from the fruit on the same plant, grow like the ears of oats, and are sometimes white, yellow, or of a purple color. The seeds are as large as pease, and like them quite naked and smooth, but of a roundish surface, rather compressed. One spike generally consists of about six hundred grains, which are placed closely together in rows to the number of eight or ten, and sometimes twelve. This corn is very wholesome, easy of digestion, and yields as good nourishment as any other sort. After the Indians have reduced it into meal by pounding it, they make cakes of it, and bake them before the fire. See No. 933. CARVER'S Trav. in N. America, - 2070. [Exod. xxiv. 11. He laid not his hand] In the way of special favor. The Persian minister, says Bell, received the ambassador's credentials, and laid them before the Shah, who touched them with his hand, as a mark of respect. (Travels to Persia, p. 103.) – At the court of the Great Mogul, those officers of the districts, whose time has expired, or who have been recalled from similar stations, repair to the imperial presence, and receive the reward, good or evil, of their administration. When they are admitted into the presence, or retire thence, if their rank and merit. be eminent, they are called near to his majesty's person, and allowed the honor of placing their heads below his sacred foot. The Emperor lays his hand on the back of a person, on whom he means to bestow an extraordinary mark of favor. Others from a distance receive tokens of kindness, by the motion of the imperial brow or eyes. See Month. Mag. for. Jan. 1894. 2071. [12. Which I have written] The Hebrew conjugations, Hiphil & Hithpaël, give significations to verbs, which the want of answerable conjugations in Western languages, makes us unable to fill or equal without paraphrases, which are very rarely so comprehensive as the original words. In the New Testament, the Greek tongue wanting those conjugations, active or intransitive verbs are used in a transitive or reciprocal signification. (BOYLE, on the Style of the Holy Scriptures, p. 157.) We should readWhich I have caused to be written. See No. 845. 2072. [- 17. Devouring fire] The famous Grecian wild-fire, first used in the year 717, adhered so tenaciously to the objects on which it was flung in battle, that no art of man could possibly extinguish its devouring rage. See No. 1010, 850. Nat. Delin. vol. iii. p. 212. } 2068. [ 28.] Kourt signifies a bee; and Baschkourts, the Bee-people. Baschkourts are a tribe of Tartars. History of Russia, vol. ii. P. 177. 2073. [Exod. xxv. 4.] In Barbary, and Asiatic Turkey, about Angora, there is a large consumption of goat's hair. As it is extremely fine and beautiful, the natives spin it, and convert it into camblets, and other stuffs, as glossy as silk itself. See No. 877. Ibid. p. 23. 2075. [8.] Nadir Shah, out of the abundance of his spoils, caused a tent or tabernacle to be made of such beauty and magnificence as were almost beyond description. The outside was covered with fine scarlet broad cloth, the lining was of violet-coloured sattin, on which were representations of all the birds and beasts in the creation, with trees and flowers, the whole made of pearls, diamonds, rubies, emeralds, amethysts, and other precious stones : and the tentpoles were decorated in like manner. On both sides of the Peacock-Throne was a screen, on which were the figures of two angels in precious stones. The roof of the tent consisted of seven pieces, and when it was transported to any place, two of these pieces packed in cotton, were put into a wooden chest; two of which chests were a sufficient load for an elephant the screen filled another chest. The walls of the tent, the tent-poles and the tent-pins, which latter were of massy gold, loaded five more elephants; so that for the carriage of the whole were required seven elephants. This magnificent tent was displayed on all festivals in the Public Hall at Herat, during the remainder of Nadir Shah's reign. GLADWIN'S Khojen Abdulkurreem, p. 31. 2079. [Exod. xxv. 9.] In the spiritual world are all the things which exist in the natural world in its three kingdoms. They are the correspondent representations of the affections and thoughts exhibited respectively out of the will and the intellect, as also of the ultimate vital principles, of those who inhabit there. Around whom such correspondences appear in a similar aspect to that of the created universe; with this difference, that they are comparatively miniature representations. From these effluxive mauifestations it is evident to angels, that the created universe is an image representative of God-Man; and that His Love and Wisdom are what are imaged forth in the universe. Exod. xxv. 40. Sec SWEDENBORG, on Divine Love, p. 40. 2083. [ 16.] In 1721, some rustics, sent from Jobol-skoy, by the governor of Siberia, privately to look for ruins and antient sepulchres, found certain images of gold, silver, and brass, in all the tombs. And, having advanced 120 German miles towards the Caspian sea, they met with the ruins of splendid buildings: among which were some chambers under ground, whose floors and sides consisted of most shining stones. They saw here and there black ebony-chests; which, instead of treasure, contained writings or books. Deut. iv. 16 Modern Univer. Hist. vol. iv. p. 308. - 18. 2084. [ 17.] This lid of the ark, so long as it existed, being made of pure gold, may be considered as the most invariable of all standards whereby to ascertain from time to time the exact length of the Mosaic ell. — Every country, says MICHAELIS, ought to have one common standard kept somewhere or other, for all its weights and measures, according to which all others might be rectified. In England, he adds, it has been proposed, that these standards should be kept in the Exchange at London, with all possible care under numerous keys, that thus many people might always be present at the opening of this autient national sanctuary, on any momentous occasion. This proposal, and the loss that arises from the otherwise unavoidable variation of weights and measures, continues our illustrious German, was put in a very clear light, in a book well worth reading, published in 1758, and entitled, An Essay on Money and Coins. That the Legislature noticed it, and took the matter seriously into consideration, he perceived, he acknowledges, from the account. given of the parliamentary proceedings in the London Magazine for June, 1759; but he does not know, he confesses, whether any Act of Parliament on the subject has yet passed. If however, he argues, the British legislature were desirous to insure future ages the true measure of the ell, on the Mosaic principles and plan, they ought to have it ascertained by the mathematicians of St. Paul's church, with most perfect accuracy, and to have an authentic record of the mensuration drawn up in the plainest and briefest terms, and published in a book, which every Briton might read, as easily, at any rate, as the Israelite heard the Law read, once every seven years in the calendar, for instance, which should not be allowed to be printed without this appendix concerning St. Paul's. Smith's Michaelis, vol. iii. pp. 382, 390. 2085. [Exod. xxv. 29.] Belonging to the table of shewbread, there were not only golden tankards (menakyaim, Hebr.), in which wine stood, and from which it was to be poured out; but also small drinking vessels, shaped like our cups, likewise of gold. Ibid. P 391. 2086. On this table, which was placed on the north-side of the temple, not far from the most holy place, were laid twelve unleavened loaves of bread; six on each heap, one above another: and above those loaves were put two vials full of frankincense. ch. xxxvii. 16. JOSEPH. Antiq. b. iii. ch. iii. § 6. The frankincense was put not UPON, but BY the loaves in vessels proper for that purpose. Lev. xxiv. 7. Essay on the Sacrifices, p. 94. 2087. Among certain Roman Antiquities, a metal vase and patera, with some elegant little cups of Samian ware, were discovered June 28th, 1800, at Topesfield, in Essex. The vase is what MONTFAUCON calls a præfericulum used by the Romans at their sacrifices for pouring wine into the patera. The metal patera differs from the earthen pateræ in general, by being bossed in the centre; a circumstance not easily accounted for, unless it were intended for receiving and fixing the præfericulum more firmly, when placed upon it (to stand unemployed on the altar table). As to the cups, unless we can gain some authentic information respecting them, we may conclude they contained the consecrated perfumes, unguents, &c. Archæologia, vol. xiv. pp. 24, 25. 2089. [Exod. xxv. 31. A candlestick of pure gold] This candlestick, or chandelier, is generally described as having one shaft or stock, with six branches proceeding from it, adorned, at equal distances, with six flowers, like lilies, with as many bowls and knops placed alternately. On each of the branches there was a lamp; and one at the top of the shaft, which occupied the centre, thus there were seven lamps in all. We are not so certain of the precise form of any instrument or utensil of the tabernacle or temple, as we are of this, the golden table, and the two silver trumpets. Titus after the overthrow of Jerusalem, A. D. 70, had the golden candlestick, and the golden table of shew-bread, the silver trumpets, and the book of the Law, taken out of the temple, and carried in triumph to Rome; and Vespasian lodged them in the temple which he had consecrated to the goddess of Peace! At the foot of mount Palatine there are the ruins of an arch, on which the triumph of Titus for his conquest of the Jews, is represented, and on which the several monuments which were carried in the procession are sculptured, and particularly the golden candlestick, the table of the shew-bread, and the two silver trumpets. 2090. Dr. A. CLARKE. From these knops issues a series of almond flowers, following one another, till the branch terminates in that flower which contains the lamp. ch. xxxvii. 17. 2091. Frag. to CALMET's Dict, 2d Hund. p. 56. The lotos, so often introduced into the Hindoo mythology, forms a principal object in the sculpture and paintings in their temples, is the ornament of their sacred lakes, and the most conspicuous beauty in their flowery sacrifices. The lotos is often seen in the Egyptian and Grecian sculpture. FORBES' Oriental Memoirs, vol. i. p. 430. 2092. [39.] A talent of gold is equivalent to £6750 Sterling. See No. 879. 2093. [Exod. xxvi. 7.] Skins, which were the clothing of the first men, when sewed together were made into tents that were not only portable, but extremely lasting as their hair or wool was impenetrable to the most plentiful dews. The workmen who dress skins, are of two sorts. The one sort prepare the furs, that is, dress certain delicate skins with the hair on, which constitutes their chief beauty and value. T The others employ the strongest and most serviceable skins either in apparel, furniture, or various kinds of coverings; and the most ordinary way of dressing them for these purposes, is to get off the hair or wool, and penetrate them with substances proper to render them firm or pliant. The shamoy-dresser soaks in oil not only the skin of the true shamoy, which is a wild goat, but likewise those of all other goats, though much inferior to the true, and even sheepskins, which he dresses like shamoy. See Nat. Delin. vol. vi. pp. 223,-229. 2098. They could not furnish me, says THEVENOT, with any thing of a certain fish, which they call a sea-man. However, he adds, I got the hand of one since. This fish is taken in the Red Sea, close by Tor. It is a great strong fish, and has nothing extraordinary but two hands, which are indeed like the hands of a man, saving that the fingers are joined together with a skin as in the foot of a goose; but the skin of the fish is like the skin of the 2102. [29.] In Eastern houses of better fashion, the apartments, from the middle of the wall downwards, are covered or adorned with velvet or damask hangings of white, blue, red, green, or other colors (Esth. i. 6) suspended on hooks, or taken down at pleasure: but the upper part is embellished with more permanent ornaments, being adorned with the most ingenious wreathings and devices, in stucco and fretwork. The ceiling is generally of wainscot, artfully painted, or beautifully pannelled, with gilded mouldings. And the floors are laid with painted tiles or terrace-plaster, covered generally with the richest carpets. Dr. SHAW. See Bib. Research. vol. ii. p. 211. 2103. [ - 36.] The Temple also, instead of doors, had its gate-ways closed with very costly vails, enriched with variety of flowering of gold, silver, purple, and every thing that was rich and curious; and on each side of these gates or gate-ways were placed two stately columns, from whose |