ESSAY IV.

Es ist fast traurig zu sehen, wie man von der Hebraischen Quellen so ganz sich abgewendet hat. In Egyptens selbst dunkeln unenträthselbaren Hieroglyphen hat man der Schlüssel alter Weisheit suchen wollen; jetzt ist von nichts als Indiens Sprache und Weisheit die Rede; aber die Rabbinische Schriften liegen unerforscht.- -SCHELLING.

Translation.--It is mournful to observe, how entirely we have turned our backs on the Hebrew sources In the obscure insolvable riddles of the Egyptian Hieroglyphics the Learned have been hoping to find the key of ancient doctrine, and now we hear of nothing but the language aud wisdom of India, while the writings and traditions of the Rabbins are consigned to neglect without examination.

THE LORD HELPETH MAN AND BEAST.

During his march to conquer the world. Alexander the Macedonian, came to a people in Africa, who dwelt in a remote and secluded

corner in peaceful huts, and knew neither war nor conqueror. They led him to the hut of their Chief, who received him hospitably and placed before him golden dates, golden figs, and bread of gold. Do you eat gold in this country? said Alexander. I take it for granted (replied the Chief) that thou wert able to find eatable food in thine own country. For what reason then art thou come among us? Your gold has not tempted me hither, said Alexander, but I would willingly become acquainted with your manners and customs. So be it, rejoined the other, sojourn among us as long as it pleaseth thee. At the close of this conversation two citizens entered as into their Court of Justice. The plaintiff said, I bought of this man a piece of land, and as I was making a deep drain through it I found a treasure. This is not mine, for I only bargained for the land, and not for any treasure that might be concealed beneath it: and yet the former owner of the land will not receive it. The defendant answered: I hope I have a conscience as well as my fellow-citizen. I sold him the land with all its contingent, as well as existing advan

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tages and consequently the treasure inclusively.

The Chief, who was at the same time their supreme judge, recapitulated their words, in order that the parties might see whether or no he understood them aright. Then after some reflection said: Thou hast a Son, Friend, I believe? Yes! And thou (addressing the other) a Daughter? Yes!-Well then, let thy Son marry thy Daughter, and bestow the treasure on the young couple for their marriage portion. Alexander seemed surprized and perplexed. Think you my sentence unjust? the Chief asked him-O no, replied Alexander, but it astonishes me. And how, then, rejoined the Chief, would the case have been decided in your country ?-To confess the truth, said Alexander, we should have taken both parties into custody and have seized the treasure for the king's use. For the king's use! exclaimed the Chief, now in his turn astonished. Does the sun shine on that country?-O yes! Does it rain there?—Assuredly, Wonderful! but are therę tame Animals in the country that live on the grass and green herbs?

Very many, and of many kinds.-Aye, that must be the cause, said the Chief: for the sake of those innocent Animals the All-gracious Being continues to let the sun shine and the rain drop down on your country.

WHOSO HATH FOUND A VIRTUOUS WIFE HATH A GREATER TREASURE THAN COSTLY PEARLS.

Such a treasure had the celebrated Teacher RABBI MEIR found. He set during the whole of one Sabbath day in the public school, and instructed the people. During his absence from his house his two sons died, both of them of uncommon beauty and enlightened in the law. His wife bore them to her bed-chamber, laid them upon the marriage-bed, and spread a white covering over their bodies. In the evening Rabbi Meir came home. Where are my two sons, he asked, that I may give them my blessing? They are gone to the school, was the answer. I repeatedly looked round the school, he replied, and I did not see them there. She reached to him a goblet, he praised

the Lord at the going out of the Sabbath, drank and again asked: where are my Sons that they too may drink of the cup of blessing? They will not be far off, she said, and placed food before him that he might eat. He was in a gladsome and genial mood, and when he had said grace after the meal, she thus addressed him. Rabbi, with thy permission I would fain propose to thee one question. Ask it then my love! he replied: A few days ago, a person entrusted some jewels to my custody, and now he demands them again: should I give them back again? This is a question, said Rabbi Meir, which my wife should not have thought it necessary to ask. What, wouldst thou hesitate or be reluctant to restore to every one his own?—No, she replied; but yet I thought it best not to restore them without acquainting thee therewith. She then led him to their chamber, and stepping to the bed, took the white covering from the dead bodies, Ah, my Sons, my Sons, thus loudly lamented the Father, my Sons, the Light of mine Eyes and the Light of my Understanding, I was your Father, but ye were my Teachers in the