Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

they hope to obtain more accurate information than they now possess, from a gentleman, whose return to his people may be expected in a few weeks.

"Having thus spoken of the means employed to extend the knowledge and influence of the Association, and to secure for it friends and resources, your Committee will state what has been done towards accomplishing the particular objects of this Society. The publication of tracts received their earliest attention, and arrangements were made for furnishing a succession of such as should contain an exposition and defence of Unitarian Christianity. Some difficulty has been experienced in obtaining tracts, which should at once be unexceptionable in doctrine and in spirit, and be suited to the peculiar wants of the community. Four tracts have been published by the Committee."

"In connexion with the publication of tracts, the Committee considered the subject of a Unitarian weekly paper. Being satisfied that it might be an instrument of great good, they were anxious that the Christian Register' should be conducted in such a manner as would entitle it to a liberal patronage. The multiplied engagements of the editor prevented his giving it a due share of his attention, and after several attempts at an arrangement, which should be favourable both to the proprietor and the Association, the Executive Committee undertook the conduct of the paper at the commencement of the present year."

[ocr errors]

"The next duty which the Executive Committee considered incumbent on them, was the support of missionaries. They have been prevented from making such appropriations as they desired for this object, by the difficulty of finding persons who could be employed in such service. They have made an appropriation of 100 dol. to the Rev. James Kay, a valuable minister, who resides in Northumberland, Penn. ;+ and who preaches at stated times in several neighbouring towns, and has spent a few sabbaths in Harrisburg."

The Committee then enter into farther detail as to appropriations of funds, &c., and conclude their Report by recommending the formation of an Auxiliary Association in every congregation, and to unite the existing Unitarian societies

We have received several numbers of the "Christian Register," from which possibly we may at some future time be enabled to give some extracts.

Formerly of Hindley in Lancashire.

in one general Association. These recommendations were afterwards embodied in resolutions and passed unanimously.

LITERARY NOTICES.

Mr. Charles A. Elton, a convert of a few years' standing from the Church of England to Unitarianism, and of late one of its ablest and most successful champions, has, it seems, retraced his steps, and re-entered the fold which he had quitted. He has announced, as in the press, "Second Thoughts on the Person of Christ, &c. containing Reasons for withdrawing from the Unitarian Body, and of Adhesion to the Church of England." We are curious to see the "Reasons" by which he is able to controvert to his own satisfaction, his masterly expositions and defences of the Unitarian doctrine.

Mr. Gilchrist, of Newington Green, we perceive from a printed circular notice, "is preparing for the press a work to be entitled Unitarianism Abandoned, or Reasons assigned for ceasing to be connected with that description of Religious Professors who designate themselves Unitarians." From the terms of this notice, we presume that Mr. Gilchrist has "ceased to be connected" with the two congregations, "designating themselves" Unitarian, of which he was the minister.

We are glad to learn that Mr. Belsham is about to publish a second volume of Doctrinal and Practical Discourses.

Godfrey Higgins, Esq., of Skellow Grange, near Doncaster, author of a treatise entitled Hora Sabbaticæ, has nearly ready for publication a work called the Celtic Druids. It will consist of one volume quarto, and be elucidated by upwards of Fifty highly-finished Lithographic Prints of the most curious Druidical Monuments of Europe and Asia, executed by one of the first French Artists in that branch of the graphic art.

The Rev. T. Morell will shortly publish the Elements of the History of Philoso phy and Science, in one volume octavo.

The Rev. T. F. Dibdin, D. D. F. R.S., is editing a splendid edition of Fox's Book of Martyrs, which will forın about twelve volumes in octavo.

The Rev. J. N. Coleman, M. A., late of Queen's College, Oxford, has in the press Sixteen Sermons, Doctrinal, Practical, and Occasional.

The Rev. Julius Hare, and C. Thirlwall, Esq., of Cambridge, are preparing for publication a translation of a new and revised edition of Neibuhr's Roman History.

[ocr errors]

Mr. Britton will shortly publish the Union of Architecture, Sculpture, and Painting, exemplified in a series of illustrations of, and descriptive dissertations on, the House aud Museum of Mr. Soane, of Liucoln's Inn Fields.

Professor Lee's Lectures on the Hebrew Language, are announced as nearly ready for publication.

It is said that Sir Hudson Lowe has sent for publication to this country, a Memoir of all the transactions at St. Helena, while he was Governor of that island, and Custodiar [Anglice, GAOLER] of Bonaparte.

Memoirs of the Rival Houses of York and Lancaster, Historical and Biographical, by Emma Roberts, have been announced as in the press, and to form two volumes in octavo.

Colonel Trench is about to publish a Collection of Papers, illustrated by explanatory Plates, relating to his famed project of the Thames Quay; with Hints for some further improvements of the Metropolis.

Mr. J. C. Loudon, the popular author of the Encyclopædias of Gardening and Agriculture, has announced as shortly to be published, a Hortus Britannicus, or a Catalogue of all the plants, indigenous, cultivated, or introduced into Britain. Mr. Archdeacon Cox is again pursuing

his editorial avocations, and will shortly publish a History of the Administration of the Right Honourable Henry Pelham, drawn from authentic sources, with pri vate and original correspondence, from 1743 to 1754.

The seventh and concluding volume of Humboldt's Personal Narrative, translated by Helen Maria Williams, is now in the press. This portion contains his account of the very important and inte. resting Island of Cuba.

Mr. Merivale, one of the Chancery Commissioners, has announced as shortly to be published, a Letter to William Courtenay, Esq., on the subject of that Commission.

The copious Greek Grammar of Dr. Philip Buttman, so justly celebrated on the Continent, is nearly ready for publication; translated from the German, by a distinguished Scholar.

Mr. Smith, of the British Museum, is preparing for the press a Life of Nollekens. A Life of Fuseli, by his Executor, comprising an interesting correspondence with Cowper, relating to his translation of Homer, is among the promised publications of the present season.

A Treatise on the Natural History, Physiology, and Management of the Honey Bee, by Dr. Bevan, will be shortly published.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

The History of the Rise and Progress of the United States of North America, till the British Revolution in 1688. By James Grahame, Esq. 2 Vols. 8vo. 1. 8. boards.

The Architectural Antiquities of Great Britain, represented and illustrated in a Series of Views, Elevations, Plans, Sections, and Details of various Ancient English Edifices. By John Britton, F.S.A. Part I. 27. 28. in boards, containing Twenty-eight Plates, with ample LetterPress Descriptions, and to be completed in Ten Parts, forming four handsome volumes in 4to.

The Antiquarian Trio; consisting of Views and Descriptions of the Duke of Buckingham's House, Kirby; Rudston Church and Obelisk: Effigy at Scarborough to which will be added, The Poet's Favourite Tree. By the Rev. Archdeacon Wraugham. 18mo. 2s. boards.

Memoirs of Scipio de Recci, Bishop of Pistoia and Prato, and Reformer of Catholicism in Tuscany, under the Reign of Leopold. By M. De Potter. 8vo.

A Second Volume of Reminiscences, with a Correspondence between the late Dr. Parr and the Author. By Charles Butler, Esq. 8vo. 9s. 6d.

Sir Herbert Taylor's Memoir of His Royal Highness the Duke of York. 8vo. \ 2s.

The Modern Jesuits; a Biographical Work. Translated from the French of L'Abbé Martial Marcet de la Roche Arnauld. By Emile Lepage, Professor of the French Language, Fulham. 12mo. 6s 6d. boards.

Travels and Adventures in South Africa. By G. Thomson, Esq. 4to.

Sketches of Persia, from the Journals of a Traveller in the East. 2 Vols. 8vo. 18s.

Voyage of His Majesty's Ship Blonde to the Sandwich Isands. By Capt. the Right Hon. Lord Byron. 4to. 21. 2s.

Personal Narrative of Adventures in the Peninsula, during the War in 1812 and 1813. By an Officer. 8vo. 9s. 6d. A Tour round Scarborough: Historically and Bibliographically unfolded. By John Cole. 12mo. 5s. boards.

Select Pieces for Reading and Recitation. By George Harris. 2s. 6d.

An Explanation of the Greek Article. By John Jones, LL.D. M. R. L. S. 12mo. 4s. boards.

The Objects, Advantages and Pleasures of Science; being a Discourse introductory to a Series of Treatises to be published under the Superintendence and Management of a Society for the Diffu. sion of Useful Knowledge. 8vo. 6d.

The Distribution of National Wealth, considered in its Bearings upon the several Questions now before the Public, more especially those of the Corn Laws, and Restriction in general. By Cedric. 8vo. 2s. 6d.

Observations on the Corn Laws, addressed to W. W. Whitmore, Esq., M. P., in consequence of his Letters to the Electors of Bridgenorth. 8vo. 2s sewed.

An Apology for the Corn Laws, or High Wages and Cheap Bread incompatible. By a Country Curate. 8vo. 6s.

Theological and Ecclesiastical. Systematic Morality; or a Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Human Duty on the Grounds of Natural Religion. 2 Vols. 8vo. 21s.

Divinity, or Discourses on the Being

of God, the Divinity of Christ, and the Personality and Divinity of the Holy Ghost, and on the Sacred Trinity. By the Rev. W. Davy. 2 Vols. 8vo. 17. 88.

Character and Offices of Christ, illustrated by a comparison with the Typical Characters of the Old and New Testament, in a Series of Discourses. By the Rev. John Crombie, A. M. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

The Nature and Extent of the Christian Dispensation, with reference to the Salvability of the Heathen. By E. W. Greisfield. 8vo. 12s.

An Earnest but Temperate Appeal to the Bishops and Clergy of the Church of England, in behalf of Apostolical Christianity. 8vo. 18. sewed.

Lux Renata, a Protestant Epistle, with Notes. By the Author of Religio Clerici. 8vo. 48. 6d.

The Claims of the Established Church : a Sermon. By the Rev. W. H. Cole, A. M. 8vo. 1s. sewed.

Memorial of the Established Church of Ireland to the King, Lords and Com. mons of Great Britain. 12mo. 4s.

[blocks in formation]

CORRESPONDENCE.

The Conductors are making arrangements to give occasional Biographical and Critical Accounts of the more eminent German Theologians and their Works. They would be glad to receive information as to the state of religious opinion among the higher and lower classes of Jews in England and in Foreign Countries, embracing a wider range than mere ceremonial conformity.

The Resolutions from Manchester on the subject of the Test and Corporation Acts, came too late for insertion.

The Conductors decline the insertion of the paper from Tavistock, on the ground of their determination not to continue in the New Series controversies commenced in the Old.

The pressure of interesting matter has obliged the Conductors to add half a sheet to the present Number. Several valuable Communications have notwithstanding been unavoidably postponed.

ERRATA.

At the bottom of page 188, and at the top of page 189, of the last Number, for Janus read Jason, passim. The name, as previously printed, was Jason Maynus. Have Mr. Clarke's initials, page 264, been correctly deciphered?

THE MONTHLY REPOSITORY

AND

REVIEW.

NEW SERIES, No. V.

MAY, 1827.

BIBLICAL GLEANINGS FROM RECENT WORKS ON EGYPTIAN
ANTIQUITIES.

No event in the history of literature has ever promised more curious and interesting results than the remarkable discoveries made in Egyptian antiquities by Dr. Young and M. Champollion. The light of historical truth and certainty has been thrown on ages, which had hitherto been abandoned to ancient fable and modern hypothesis: the long-lost key to the stores of Egyptian wisdom has been found, and though there is no probability that any hidden treasures of moral, political or scientific truth will be found in them, it is a discovery of some importance, even in this view, to know what they do not contain, while we may reasonably hope that our knowledge of the history both of this country and others connected with it will receive very important accessions.

The nature of Dr. Young's and M. Champollion's discoveries is now become familiar to the public by means of various articles of periodical literature, and especially the last number of the Edinburgh Review, in which they are very fully and clearly detailed.* It is not the purpose of the

The Reviewer is not equally successful in his interpretation of the celebrated passage of the Stromata of Clemens Alexandrinus, Vol. II. p. 657, Potter, in which that father explains the different kinds of Egyptian writing. He translates did Tav ROUTEY OTOIXEίWv "by the initial letters," which he thinks corresponds exactly with M. Champollion's discovery. But "alphabetical letters" would have been a more correct translation. It is true that area by itself means alphabetical letters, but such pleonasms as primary elements, (Hor. Serm. I. i. 26,) where elements alone would have expressed the meaning, are too common in all languages to allow of any stress being laid on pτa." Probe scio literas interdum alphabeticas (apud Platonem scilicet Aristotelemque) пρãта σтоxɛîα nuncuperi." Bailey, Hierog. Or. et Us. p. 33. It is, besides, by no means certain, that the phonetic system is derived from the initial letters. That M. Champollion's alphabet represents correctly the sounds of the letters, there can be no reasonable doubt; that the figures represent objects whose Coptic names began with these letters, is a probable conjecture, and strongly supported by analogy; but hitherto only a small proportion of his phonetic characters have been found capable of such an explanation. Précis, p. 312. Again, the words ἡ δ ̓ ὥσπερ τροπικῶς γράφεται· ἡ δὲ ἄντικρυς ἀλληγορεῖται κατά τινας drypois, the Reviewer reuders, (following, indeed, Warburton and others, including

[blocks in formation]

present paper, therefore, to enter into any examination of their evidence, or the respective merits of the alleged discoveries, but merely to collect whatever may serve to illustrate the history and chronology of the Old Testament, or the customs and ideas by which its phraseology has been influenced.

Gen. i. 6, "And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters." On the true meaning of the word y' in this passage much has been written, and many persons, unwilling to admit that the author entertained so erroneous a notion of the structure of the heavens as to suppose that a solid arch was extended above the earth, have strenuously argued for rendering it "expanse." It appears, however, from M. Champollion that the Egyptians, from whom the Jews are most likely to have derived what little knowledge they might possess of the system of the universe, conceived of the heavens as a real firmament." The sky is represented as a real ceiling of a temple, sometimes covered with stars ;" and he adds in a note, "such was the popular idea of the firmament in Egypt, as we are warranted in believing from the homily of a Coptic Father, who tells his audience that they must not suppose that the heavens were placed over the earth like a roof upon a house." Précis, p. 277.

Gen. x. 1-4. The sons of Japheth, Javan, &c.; and the sons of Javan, Elishah, &c. It is generally agreed among commentators that this curious document is to be understood as exhibiting a table of national rather than individual genealogies. The name Javan is given throughout the Old Testament to the Greeks, Is. lxvi. 19, Ezek. xxvii. 13, Dan. viii. 21, and it appears to have been used by the Syrians and Arabs, probably by the Persians too, (Esch. Pers. 183, Blomf.) in the same sense. The Rosetta stone contains a resolution that the honours decreed to Ptolemy should be recorded τοῖς τε ἱεροῖς καὶ ἔγχωρίοις * καὶ Ἑλληνικοῖς γράμμασιν· and the hieroglyphic in

Champollion,)" the third, on the contrary, suggests them by means of certain allegorical enigmas." But what contrariety can there be between a tropical and an allegorical representation, when the latter is nothing but the former pushed to excess ? "AVTIKρuç is here used in a sense in which it may be found in Homer and many other authors-plane, omnino: "the second is expressed in a certain degree tropically; the third runs into downright allegory;" the qualifying σep and the absolute avtikρuç have now their proper contrast. Most unfortunate of all is the Reviewer's rendering of the concluding words τῶν βασιλέων ἐπαίνους θεολογουμένοις μύθοις παραδίδοντες, ἀναγράφουσι διὰ τῶν ἀναγλύφων· “ they describe them by means of anaglyphs (that is, by transpositions or transformations of the hieroglyphs);" and in his tabular view of the different modes of Egyptian writing, he gives the anaglyphic as a species of the tropic. Now ȧvayλúpy is neither more nor less than a basrelief, and the passage describes the monuments of Egypt most exactly; they are praises of their kings, conceived in theological fables, (Son of the Sun, Beloved of Ptha, Guardian of the Upper and Lower Regions, &c. &c.,) and recorded in basreliefs. The origin of the Reviewer's translation appears to be this. M. Latronne, to whom Champollion applied for a version, renders avayλúpwv, basreliefs allégoriques; on this Champollion founds the supposition that the anaglyphs contained mystical doctrines of theology, morals and physics, (Précis, pp. 360, 361,) contrary to the express declaration of Clemens, that it was the praises of their kings which they recorded; and last of all, the Edinburgh Reviewer, dropping the word basreliefs altogether, creates an anaglyphic writing with the same propriety as he might attribute to the English a lithographic or a chalcographic mode of writing as a distinct species.

Dr. Young, though he has much cause to complain of M. Champollion, blames him without reason (p. 9) for calling the character in common use in Egypt demotic, and not, after his own example, enchorial. Enchorial, native or vernacular, is evidently used as a contrast to Greek, and therefore when the sacred writing is to be distinguished from the popular, demotic is the more proper word.

« ПредишнаНапред »