PREFACE

ΤΟ

THE FIRST EDITION.

In the preface to the original Edition of the Oriental Customs, and the Oriental Literature, in four volumes, the Author has particularly stated the circumstances in which those works were formed and perfected. The extensive circulation which they have obtained, both at home and in foreign countries, cannot but be considered as an evidence of the importance of the mode of interpreting the Sacred Scriptures to which they are devoted, and he hopes also, in some measure, of the manner in which they are executed. He is, however, notwithstanding his former success, desirous of obtaining for this method of interpretation a still greater degree of attention, and particularly that it should be known by the

general reader, and by young persons, as well as by those of studious habits. He cannot but apprehend that his plan happily combines amusement with instruction, and leads by a pleasing path to the temple of truth. He therefore hopes that the present volume will be found, from its limited dimensions, specially acceptable to those persons for whose use it is compiled. Such articles have been selected from the larger works as are adapted to general perusal; he has also introduced as much original matter as constitutes one fifth part of the whole. The new observations have been extracted from several valuable

works which have been recently published. He has deviated from his former plan, in which the articles were arranged according to the order of the books of the Bible, without regard to the subjects on which they treat. They are now disposed in chapters, and referred to particular heads of illustration, preserving in each the order of the Sacred Writings.

The Author has further to state, that though the present volume is complete in itself, he intends shortly to present to the public another exactly similar in size and design, under the title of Oriental

History, applied to the illustration of the Sacred Scriptures. This will include such portions of his former volumes as are chiefly historical, interspersed with as many yet unpublished articles as will form a moiety of his performance.

It is generally acknowledged, that the peculiar phraseology which occurs in many parts of the Holy Scriptures, can be correctly understood only through the medium of Eastern science. Many learned men have failed in attempting to develope the meaning of some difficult passages, because they have not availed themselves of such assistance; while the simple application of observations and facts, taken from travellers and historians, has removed every degree of obscurity, and placed the passages under consideration in a clear and intelligible light.

A spirit of inquiry and research seems to have animated those persons who, during the two last centuries, explored the regions of the East. Many of them were men of considerable natural talents and acquired learning. While they indulged a laudable curiosity in collecting information on general subjects, they did not neglect sacred literature. By their industry, the geography, natural history, re

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PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.

ligious ceremonies, and miscellaneous customs of the Bible and the Eastern nations, have been compared and explained; and that, essentially to the advantage of the former.

Should the same spirit of inquiry and observation, by which so many enterprising and intelligent travellers have been actuated, continue to influence those who may in future explore the countries of the East, we may expect an accession of useful information on Biblical subjects, in addition to the stores already in our possession.