by the force of the artisans were the engines drawn back, and when they had been so held a few moments, were let drive against the walls, and all those who had chosen so to devote themselves miserably perished. Shrieks of agony, cries of horror, and imprecations of divine vengeance at that filled the air. Yet it now availed not. The engines were quickly drawn back again, and again driven against the walls, destroying all who still were in their way. But when by the Jews, who still possessed their reason, it was thus seen that no signs of devotion and no proofs of constancy could prevent the fated devastation, they then, as it were with one accord, determined that their wives and children should no longer be permitted to be either witnesses or sufferers in what was further to ensue; and they were borne away not without force, so full were they of the spirit which is ready to sacrifice itself in the service of its God, to the dwellings which bordered upon the space in which the Synagogue stood. Long before this I had with anxiety searched in the crowds for Anna and her mother, but in vain. But while I with others was engaged in this service of placing the women beyond the reach of danger, it was with the greatest joy that I discovered them already secure upon the roof of one of the loftiest dwellings.

"Now while this duty had been performing, the Romans, taking advantage of the temporary dispersion of the crowd, plied vigorously on every side their huge battering rams, and clouds of dust, and the crash of falling stones gave evidence how rapidly the work was going on. The walls of the outer court and the porches were fast tumbling in ruins. But no sooner were the women disposed of, than the Jews, actuated by one spirit of revenge, forgetting in the heat of the hour the sacredness of the day and their resolutions of forbearance, and rushing in upon the workmen, by the overwhelming force of numbers, drove them from their posts. At this, the Roman horse, and at the same time also the Greeks, and all others who were hostile to the Jews, poured in to the defence of the workmen; and thus all around, both within and without the walls of the Court, and throughout all the surrounding streets, were the whole multitude mingled in bloody fight. As soon, however, as the Centurion had ordered to the attack the soldiers under him, then forth from out the courts of the neighboring houses, from the windows and doors, poured, fully armed, Philip, Simon, and their adherents; and, though on foot, fell with fury on the Roman and his troop.

1

--

The Jews were now concentrated on one side of the square, the Romans and the Greeks on the other, and with or without weapons, all were engaged. But the Jews, notwithstanding their desperate bravery, and the freedom with which they sold their lives, were no match for the cavalry of the Romans, and were soon seen to yield their ground, and were, indeed, falling back fast, when they were arrested, and made to turn again with success upon their enemy, by the sudden appearance of a small troop of mounted Jews, with one at their head, whose commanding air, and impetuous charge, inspired his countrymen with new courage. 'Come on,' cried he, ' men of Israel. For the Lord and Judea and, followed by his little band, fell with fury upon the Romans. It was at a moment when it was needful that fortune should show some favor to our people, though to me it was clear that they could not but soon be routed, and that with great slaughter for Philip, upon whom dependence was placed, more than upon any other, was just then nearly borne down by the advancing horse. But refusing steadfastly to retreat before those whom he hated, but feared not, and to whom, if so it must be, he was ready to sell his life, he sought, and engaged, hand to hand, with the Centurion. Though so unequal in their advantages, Philip made up for his position, in some manner, by his stature, and the superior strength of his arm. The fight hung long doubtful, but, alas! as it could not but be, the Centurion prevailed, and by a well aimed blow, clove his antagonist to the ground. At this moment the Jew horseman came up, and I looked that he should on the instant revenge the death of Philip; but suddenly drawing in his horse, he cried out, in the Hebrew tongue, 'Hah, Gentile, Gentile, beware the fate of Abimelech.' Had he to whom this was said understood what those words conveyed, he might, by stooping upon his horse, have evaded the messenger of death; but he knew them not; and they were scarcely uttered, when a stone from a roof struck him to the pavement. I raised my eye to the spot whence it it was Anna's form I there saw, bending over to behold the work she had done; but at the same instant, even as I gazed upon her with both wonder and sorrow, a javelin from the hand of a Roman pierced her through, and she fell back upon the tiles. There was then, my mother, no longer any Cesarea for me; and I flung myself from the place where, till then, I had remained, (that I might, in the event of the house being assailed, be at hand for the defence of Anna and her mother,)

came

I

and mingled as full of the spirit of revenge, as any in the thickest of the fight. But why should I now say more? that soon happened, which I had been looking for. The news of the affray had been carried to Pilate a legion was on the moment despatched to the Synagogue, and with its overwhelming force soon decided the contest. But I heeded not its presence, knew it not. Blind with passion and grief, I fought madly, till, as I suppose, I fell senseless, through loss of strength and blood. I awoke in a Roman dungeon. I am in the hands of Pilate. What the event will be, I cannot foresee. If I perish, though thou wilt lose an unworthy son, yet is he one who, in whatever else he failed, failed never in his love of thee. I can

now say no more.

"These lines I am permitted to place in the hands of Zeno, the Greek, trusting that he will despatch them speedily to Rome. Farewell."

NOTICES AND INTELLIGENCE.

Gesenius' Hebrew Grammar, translated from the Eleventh German Edition, by THOMAS J. CONANT, Professor of Hebrew, and of Biblical Criticism, and Interpretation, in the Literary and Theological Institution at Hamilton, N. Y. With a Course of Exercises in Hebrew Grammar, and a Hebrew Chrestomathy, prepared by the Translator. Boston: Gould, Kendall, and Lincoln. 1839. 8vo. pp. xvi., 326, and 60. The character of Gesenius as a Hebrew scholar is now so well known in this country, that a commendatory notice of any work from him is hardly needed. Those, who are acquainted with his labors as a grammarian, a lexicographer, and an interpreter, know that in all these respects he stands unrivalled amongst his countrymen. Whilst he is equal to any of them in the depth and fulness of his learning, he surpasses all of them, with whom we are acquainted, in soundness and exactness of judgment, in keenness of critical sagacity, and in the logical and luminous order with which he disposes his materials. He unites English common sense with German freedom and depth of research; and presents to us the results of his in

quiries in what may be called an English style, that is, in language, the meaning of which is readily and easily apprehended by all, without being initiated in the various schools of German philosophy. In philology he appears peculiarly free from any bias, such as leads many of his countrymen astray, such as an ambition of gaining notoriety by the display of his ingenuity, or the mere novelty of his views. He is not, in the language of his countrymen, one-sided, einseitig. He pursues no one view with such earnestness and partiality, as to be blind to all others. While he is independent in his judgment, and has done more than any of his contemporaries for Hebrew literature by original research, he practises on the eclectic principle of seizing upon the truth wherever he finds it. It is pleasing to observe the candor and sagacity with which he has profited even from the writings of his opponents, such as Ewald.

In reading several translations from the German, in the Biblical Repository, and in separate works, we could not help thinking, that the translators might have done much better by giving the results of their own investigations. But in regard to Gesenius, we have thought from the first, that it would have been better to have translated his Grammar, as well as his Lexicon, into our language. They are adapted to each other. We are, indeed, much indebted to Professor Stuart for his Hebrew Grammar. To him, more than to any other, belongs the praise of having given the impulse, which has led to the present interest in Hebrew literature in our country. But in availing himself of the labors of Gesenius to a considerable extent in the preparation of his Grammar, we cannot perceive that he has gained anything by departing from his method. Whoever will compare the Grammar of Gesenius with any others now before the public, will, we think, be satisfied, that in respect to luminous and philosophic arrangement, fulness of matter, precision of statement, felicity of illustration, and absence of useless distinctions and extraneous matter, it is as yet unrivalled.

The translation of this Grammar is by Professor Conant of the Baptist denomination. It is a pleasing evidence of the progress of theological literature in our country, and especially in the extensive denomination to which the translator belongs. We have not the original before us; but from the examination we have given the translation should judge it to be well executed. The translator has also added a course of Exercises, and a short Chrestomathy, which must be useful, especially to those who pursue the study of Hebrew without a teacher. The book is printed in a large, clear, and beautiful type, and well sustains the reputation of the University Press, and reflects credit on the enterprising publishers.

Rural Sketches, by THOMAS MILLER. Author of Day in the Woods, Beauties of the Country, &c. London. - The superficial character of modern books has long been complained of; but the evil, instead of being amended, has increased. Not only are the sciences simplified to the utmost for popular use, and compilations of history multiplied in such forms as to render them accessible to every class of readers; but even works of mere amusement must be of the lightest possible character, to suit the rapidity with which we move in this age of steam.

What would the novel-reader of our day say to the ponderous folio of ancient times, or even to the six-volume octavo of a later age? We cannot grieve that the huge tomes of Scuderi have been laid aside; nor that the romances of Scott have superseded the less bulky, but not less voluminous, works of Richardson. But to the Waverley romances a much lighter kind have succeeded; and the not altogether unexceptionable productions of Capt. Marryatt, with a host of sea-tales, have seized the general attention, and point out, if they do not lead, the prevailing taste. It is true, indeed, that a more recent and still more popular writer has nearly thrown Capt. Marryatt into the shade; and that he has delineated low character with equal humor, better taste, and perhaps with more life. It is well that it is so; since his writings are of a more moral character. Still, the avidity with which these books are read shows the demand for works of the very lightest description.

Amidst works of amusement, there is a class which is devoid of the piquancy and excitement of the novel, and which, if they leave no very permanent impression, have at least the advantage of leaving no bad one. They amuse and interest, and serve to occupy an occasional leisure half hour pleasantly and innocently. The book before us is of this class. The author is a sincere and earnest admirer of nature; and in the present volume, we have his description of rural scenes and characters; such as he found them on his return to his native village, where he had formerly pursued the humble occupation of basket-maker. With the partialities natural to a lover of nature, he prefers to the present the past as he knew it in his early years. The scenes he formerly loved he regrets to see altered. He likes the safe jog-trot of a farm-horse better than the bewildering rapidity of steam travelling; and is even inclined to prefer the lumbering waggon of the time of Smollett to the less social stage-coach. He is therefore an admirer and commemorator temporis acti. He does not indeed inveigh against modern improvements, or look upon them with any degree of spite. On the contrary, he seems blest with an overflowing fund of good-nature; and if there