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was a veil covering the neck, back, and bosom. Among the wealthier classes the addition of golden or silver anklets, armlets, and bracelets, nose-jewels-consisting of rings inserted in the cartilage of the nose with pendant jewels-pearls entwined in the hair, ear-rings, and other trinkets, contributed to the splendour of the costume. Fathers claimed the absolute disposal of their sons and daughters in marriage: it was generally expected that they should marry among their own kinsmen in order that the property might be retained in their own tribe: to prevent the contamination of idolatry, all marriages with foreigners were strictly forbidden. A father did not, as with us, give a fortune with his daughter; but, on the contrary, expected to receive a consideration or dowry for giving her in marriage. An instance of this is given in holy writ, where we find Jacob serving a term. of seven years in order to obtain possession of Rachael as his wife. In some instances this exaction was dispensed with, in which case the marriage was deemed more honourable.

The literary attainments of the ancient Hebrews appear to have been somewhat limited, owing, no doubt, to the absence of any educational system; the great mass of the people "being content with oral instruction in the law of God, which was the only kind of instruction deemed necessary. When occasion required, those who could, wrote for those who could not; and persons who were in the habit of thus acting as scribes were usually Levites, and always went with ink-horns in their girdles, as is still done by the learned in the East." Music and poetry appear to have been much cultivated, and David is recorded to have arranged a splendid establishment for sacred music, performed in public worship by the Levites. Dancing was sometimes associated with music, and was often an act of religious exultation. The religious services were conducted with much solemnity and grandeur, as is evident from Scripture; and, when in later times it was performed in the temple of Solomon, it attained its utmost magnificence. The priests and Levites were not only sacerdotal ministers, but held State offices. When not engaged in their sacred offices they wore the national costume, but when so employed their dress was composed of white linen. In the time of David, the priests became so numerous that, it was impossible for their entire number to be employed in their sacred duties at the same time they were, therefore, divided into twenty-four companies, who gave their services in rotation.

The concluding chapters are devoted to an examination of the political and judicial institutions of the Hebrews: they contain matter of considerable interest, and evince no slight research. The greater portion of the "History of Palestine" is,

of course, an iteration of the Scripture narrative; but the extensive attainments of Dr. Kitto have enabled him to treat it in a manner worthy of a subject of such deep import without detracting from its interest.

Containing-1. A

1. The German Language in One Volume. Practical Grammar, with Exercises to Every Rule-2. Undine : a Tale. By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUE. With Explanatory Notes on all Difficult Words and Phrases.-3. A Vocabulary of 4,500 Words, Synonymous in German and English. London: Simpkin and Marshall.

2. Practice in German, adapted for Self-Instruction; Containing the First Three Chapters of" Undine :" A Tale. By DE LA MOTTE FOUQUE. With a Literal Interlinear Translation and Copious Notes. London: Whittaker and Co.

3. A First German Reading-Book: Containing Das Fäubchen; or, the Dove: A Tale for the Young. By C. SCHMID. With an Introductory Grammar, and a Vocabulary containing every Word occurring in the Text. London: Charles H. Law, Fleet-street. 4. In What Manner Henry Von Eichenfels came to the Knowledge of God: A Tale for the Young. By C. SCHMID. With a Complete Vocabulary, and a Collection of Familiar Sentences and Dialogues. London: C. H. Clarke, Bouverie-street, Fleet-street. 5. The Self-Instructor in German. Containing-1. Der Muthwillige, a Comedy in Five Acts. By FRIEDRICK VON SCHIller. With a Vocabulary and Copious Explanatory Notes. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.

6. The Wonderful History of Peter Schlemihl. By ADELBERT VON CHAMISSO. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.

7. Egmont: A Tragedy. By GOETHE. The Original German Edition. With a Complete Vocabulary. London: C. H. Clarke, Bouverie-street, Fleet-street.

THESE seven volumes are by Mr. Falc Lebahn, one of the most eminent German professors in the metropolis; and, we think, the one who has succeeded best in communicating to English students the method of acquiring that language through the medium of books. No education, whether it be that of a gentleman, a professional man, or one who devotes his attention to trade or commerce, is ever complete without a knowledge of German. There are a great many beauties in the language. Its literature is copious: with much to condemn, it has more to admire; and the translations which we possess, meritorious as some of them are as translations, yet, in most instances, give us a very faint idea of the peculiar claims of the originals. To the student, therefore, a knowledge of

German is invaluable. It opens out to him new sources of knowledge-it enlarges his ideas-and, above all, it forces him to think. Whatever facilitates the acquisition of a language so useful must be of great value; and we are much indebted to Mr. Lebahn for the trouble and labour he has taken to make this language familiar to us Englishmen-a task to which he has brought a willing mind, great erudition, and a happy method of conveying his meaning to others. Each of the volumes before us has its distinctive merit, and we shall briefly introduce them to our readers.

1. This is certainly the best grammar of the German language with which we are acquainted and we have examined several. Mr. Lebahn says, very justly, in his introduction that "students who, beginning to study German, peruse the grammar they have selected, are disheartened by the number of rules, and yet greater number of exceptions, which meet them at the very beginning, and which prevent them from rightly estimating the facts. that can be adduced in proof of the assertion that the German language may be be easily acquired." Without pretending that there are no difficulties in the way of its acquisition, he shows us that "fivesixths of all English words are of German origin;" that the pronunciation of German is exceedingly simple; that the construction of German, as far as it varies from the English, can be brought under a few rules; that it may really be learnt with comparatively little trouble; and that the difficulties are, in fact, few, and may be easily got over. Thus, with respect to the declension of nouns, all that is really necessary is comprised in three or four pages; and whereas the subject "in common grammars, extending over twenty to twenty-five pages," is "enough to frighten even those endowed with a colossal memory," the rules in this grammar are plain and intelligible; the examples simple but effective; and the notes to "Undine" admirably explanatory of the peculiarities of the language. "The Key" also will be found a great "help" to students.

2. "Practice in German" is an excellent companion to the "Grammar." It is more especially intended for those who wish to pursue the study of the language without a teacher; and we know no better method of learning the idioms of a language than by literal translations. The notes are very instructive: they not only explain the various phrases upon which doubts may arise; but the illustrations drawn "from the stores of literature and general science," and selected from the works "of about eighty authors," form in themselves an interesting German mythology. A perusal of these notes will make the

student a master of German syntax, and they also show how nearly, in many respects, the English and German languages resemble each other.

3. This is a little volume which may be used independently of the large "Grammar" by the student who only has time or inclination to make himself acquainted with the language through the shortest mode. The "Introductory Grammar" is very intelligible, being extremely simple and clear in the construction. This, with the "Vocabulary," which contains every word occurring in the text, and ample information concerning the "irregulars"-words that do not come under the general rules-will enable any person of common understanding to peruse the tale in the original with facility. The author gives an excellent recommendation to students-" Those who study without the assistance of a teacher should translate the text into English, re-translate it section by section into German, and then compare their versions with the original. This process will establish the words and sentences more effectually upon the memory." We may add that Schmid's tale of "Das Fäubchen" is a pleasing specimen of German literature.

4. This is a good companion to the "First German Reading Book." Like that, it contains a tale in German and a vocabulary; and, instead of the "Introductory Grammar," series of familiar sentences and dialogues-the whole forming another "step" in the acquisition of the German language,

5. This volume may very well succeed the last two we have noticed. The two comedies which Herr Lebahn has published, if not the highest in merit of Kotzebue's and Schiller's works, present what are of great use to learners of a language-examples of light conversation and colloquial phraseology: for this reason the author has selected them. All the difficult passages are explained by the explanatory notes being classified and arranged in groups. Such words as do not admit of this kind of arrangement are given in the vocabulary. "Care has been taken (the author tells us) to collect numerous examples," in the notes, "on the expletives which are so extensively used in common life, and impart so peculiar a colouring to the style of German conversation. These are parts of the language of which dictionaries "afford only a very superficial explanation;" whilst "students and translators contrive either to put a wrong interpretation upon them, or even to disregard them altogether." This is a very useful part of the volume, and is possessed of no little interest, illustrating, as it does, the common language of the country.

6. Who has not read Chamisso's "Peter Schlemihl," familiar as it has been rendered to us by translations? "The

shadowless man," indeed, has won for himself a home in every country. The French, Dutch, and Spaniards, have translated his adventures; and the Americans have reprinted the English edition. It is a judicious selection to lure the student on in the acquisition of German; for it is as popular with us as in Germany, where it has made its way among the children. One clear winter evening, a boy who was seen sliding on the Bangstrasze in Berlin laughed at one of the lookers-on, who, not entering into the spirit of the lad's gaity, "caught him under his bear-skin cloak and carried him a good way. The lad, during this, remained quite still; but when he was set down again, and had proceeded to a safe distance, as if nothing had happened, he turned round and shouted after his captor, Wait a bit, I'll serve you out, Peter Schlemihl!"

7. This is a still further "step" in German. The student who can master Goethe's "Egmont" must be somewhat advanced in the language. The vocabulary and notes, display, as usual, great care and erudition.

The above works it will be seen form a 66 Series" of instructions in German, and of German reading, admirably adapted to make the student familiar with the language, and to render his "pursuit of knowledge pleasant and agreeable." Again we thank Mr. Lebahn for his contributions to this department of literature.

The Illustrated Catalogue of the Exhibition, Hall and Virtue. 1851. It is simply sufficient to say of this very elegant and highly illustrated work that with such approbation has it been received by the public that, with all the industry and resources of their extensive establishment, the spirited publishers have had no little difficulty to make the supply at all commensurate with the demand. The extraordinarily extensive sale of this work is a tolerably sufficient guarantee of its value.

The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott. One Vol. Thick 12mo. Edinburgh: A. and C. Black.

THIS edition has been prepared with considerable care and diligence: it contains a well-written biography of the author, some valuable notes, and is embellished with some well finished engravings of the most picturesque localities in Scotland.

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