That the peculiar characteristic of the Psalms, which Bishop Lowth calls" parallelism," is well preserved by the Right Rev. Translator, will appear from the following specimens, which we shall insert under Lowth's own observations and literal readings. "When a proposition is delivered, and a second is subjoined to it, or drawn under it, equivalent or contrasted with it in sense, or similar to it in the form of grammatical construction, these I call parallel lines. Parallel lines may be reduced to three sorts;-parallels synonymous, parallels antithetic, and parallels synthetic. "Parallel lines synonymous, that is, which correspond with one another by expressing the same sense in different but equivalent terms. Psalm xxi. 1, 2. "O Jehovah, in thy strength the king shall rejoice: Thy strength shall be the king's delight! "The second sort of parallels are antithetic; when two lines correspond with one another by an opposition of terms and sentiments, when the second is contrasted with the first, sometimes in expressions, sometimes in sense only. Psalm xxx. 5. "For his wrath is but for a moment, his favour for life: Sorrow may lodge for the evening, but in the morning is gladness." Dr. Mant's Version. "For his wrath a moment stays, Weeping may endure a night, Shouts of gladness hail the light." "Synthetic parallels, where the parallelism consists only in the similar form of construction, where there is a correspondence and equality between different propositions, such as noun answering to noun, verb to verb, member to member, negative to negative, and interrogation to interrogation. Psalm cxxxv. 6. "Whatsoever Jehovah pleaseth That doeth he in the heavens and in the earth, Dr. Mant's Version. "Pow'r supreme Jehovah shows, Heav'n and earth his word fulfil, As a further example of the Bishop's close adherence to the construction and imagery of the original, we will subjoin a few stanzas of his 104th Psalm, the introduction to which explains, that it consists of parts sung alternately by two companies. The parts are easily distinguished, inasmuch as one semichorus always speaks of God in the third person, and the other addresses him in the first." First Semichorus. "1 Bless, O my soul, Jehovah bless! Second Semichorus. Jehovah, Thee thy works confess, 2 His robe of light he round him flung; 3 The fabrick of his dwelling laid In wat'ry mists' compacted shade. With whirlwind-blasts, and light'ning flame." Sometimes the embarrassing nature of his rhyme obliges the Bishop to use a periphrasis, instead of the simple term which is found in the authorized version; but he takes care to select an expression which shall correspond closely with the primitive or radical signification of the Hebrew word. Thus, "as for the world, and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them," is rendered, "This mingled mass of land and sea -Psalm 1xxxix. 11. ban is the word which translators have expressed by the term, orbis, or world, and it is derived from the verb literally to mix or mingle. For "the stars which thou hast ordained," Psalm viii, 3. we read in Bishop Mant's version, "those orbs of radiant flame I see." This periphrasis also is a literal interpretation of ' which Parkhurst says comes from the Arabic "which signifies to glitter, glisten, or shine; and as a noun, any glittering thing, but generally a round one.' In the choice of his epithets, when the Bishop wants to fill up a line, he is equally scrupulous, in using none, but such as the sacred text will warrant him in applying. One example will suffice. "Thus my heart was grieved."-Psalm lxxiii. 21. My heart ..."—Mant. The original word which is here rendered, "heaved with sharp fermenting pains," is on from yon, which Parkhurst translates, "to ferment, as liquors do, hence as a N, vinegar, which is made by strong fermentation.” In the above instances we have consulted Parkhurst, because his Lexicon is referred to almost exclusively by Bishop Mant; not, be it understood, because we are inclined to rely implicitly on his dicta, or yet reject the lexicographers who use the vowel points. The notes, with which the Bishop has enriched his volume, are copious, well selected, instructive, and, in many places, extremely interesting from their illustration of local and temporary allusions. "I am willing to hope," the learned prelate modestly says, "that the reader may find a pleasing variety in the elucidation of national customs, and of the local peculiarities of natural history. In this respect, as in others, Parkhurst's Lexicon is a valuable and entertaining work, and has contributed numerous annotations." Bishop Lowth's Prælections on Hebrew Poetry, Bishop Horne's Commentary on the Psalms, and Bishop Horsley's Translation and Notes, are the sources from which Dr. Mant professes to have derived his principal assistance; but his own observations are such as will deservedly stand by the side of those of any of his predecessors. We cannot conclude this notice of one of the best metrical versions of the Psalms which have yet appeared, without quoting the Right Rev. Translator's last sentence in his Introduction: "It would be my highest delight to believe, that, in the opinion of those, whose piety, taste, and learning, qualify them to be judges, I have not materially disgraced my original.” A Paraphrase of the Book of Ecclesiastes, first published in the Year 1768, and entitled Choheleth, or the Royal Preacher. A Poem, most humbly inscribed to the King. With Notes Philological, Critical, and Explanatory. To which are added, the Text of the Authorized Version, Supplementary Notes, Corrections and Improvements. By NATHANIEL HIGGINS. 8vo. 150pp. 58. Rivingtons. 1824. THE editor's preface hints that this reprint has been published in consequence of the high opinion which the late John Wesley, Dr. Adam Clarke, and the Rev. Samuel Lee, Professor of Arabic in the University of Cambridge, have expressed of its merits. It is one of those laborious undertakings which has not much attraction for common readers; and though it display considerable learning, and an honest desire to give a faithful interpretation of the original, yet its loose nature as a Paraphrase, will not admit of its being consulted as authority. The author's preface, which occupies twenty closely printed pages, contains an analysis of what he supposes to have been the Preacher's object in the composition of this sacred poem; and discusses some of its peculiarities with the tone of a person who is familiar with his subject. His observations on Hebrew poetry will be thought in general correct, and very much to the purpose. The beginning of the Second Book is a fair specimen of the general plan and execution of the work. "As when the weary trav'ler, having past We give the authorized version for the sake of comparison. "So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun and, behold, the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter: and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter." A Letter to a Friend on the Authority, Purpose, and Effects of Christianity, and especially on the Doctrine of Redemption. By JOSEPH JOHN GURNEY. Third Edition. 12mo. 70pp. 1s. 6d. Arch. 1824. Observations on the Religious Peculiarities of the Society of Friends. By JOSEPH JOHN GURNEY. Third Edition. 12mo. 334pp. 58. Arch. 1824. We have rarely met with two little works more perfect of their kind than these. They will not bear to be separated without injustice to their subject, being mutually illustrative and apologetic of each other. Yet they were written for very different purposes, and will, probably, be read with very different feelings:-they are not distinguished by the same excellencies, nor are they liable to the same objections. The name, abilities, and station of the author stamp them both with the seal of authority, and both are, no doubt, to be equally regarded as the accredited declarations of the Society of Friends. In addition to their extrinsic claims on the attention of the public, as well as of those to whom they are particularly addressed, there are many intrinsic qualities which recommend them to the serious perusal of all who are interested in the constitution of the Christian Catholic Church. To speak first of the general character of these tracts-we do not hesitate to avow that there are, throughout them, a gravity and sobriety, a well-considered and deliberate style, a respectful and charitable air, which impart no common charm to the mode of handling the momentous topics that are discussed. And this is the more perceptible, because we have so often to lament that a flippant, supercilious, irreverent, and hasty manner is adopted by the advocates and supporters of doctrines and practices far more consonant with evangelical truth, as we conceive, than those which are asserted and defended in the pages now before us. Such is Mr. Gurney's address, that, when we lay down his books, though we may differ with him on some vital questions, we may yet agree with him cordially on others; |