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"That this fine eastern pastoral was designed for a vehicle of religious truths, is an opinion hand. ed down from the earliest antiquity. That it may be so, has been clearly proved by one of the best critics of the age (Dr. Lowth): and that it is so, may be strongly presumed, not only from that ancient and universal opinion, but from its being preserved in a book, all whose other contents are of a divine religious nature."

lations shew, as the translator ob- the following, the last of them,
serves that the poetry of the especially, not very cogent:-
Scalds chiefly displays itself in
images of terror.” In a note to
the Dying Ode of Regnar Lod-
brog, attributed to the 9th cen-
tury, the translator, in the expres.
sion of 66
a mass of weapons," de-
tects "
a sneer on the Christian
religion," which they considered as
the religion of cowards, because
it would have corrected their
savage manners," or rather be-
cause they had not witnessed the
Crusades into the East, or the
wars for "religion and social
order" in Christian Europe.

While the New Translation
was in the press,
66 appeared a
In 1764, was published, in one new edition of the Prælectiones,
small volume, 12mo. The Sung with notes, by Michaëlis," who,
of Solomon, newly translated from according to our translator's post-
the original Hebrew, with a Com- script, (p. 103) differs from Lowth,
mentary and Annotations. This as to the Song of Solomon "being
translation has been long ascribed a sacred allegory, and is inclined
to Mr. Percy, and we apprehend, to look no further than the literal
may be now confidently regard- meaning. Yet allows it to be a
ed as the production of his pen. production not unworthy the ce-
The translator describes his work lestial muse, and thinks it was
as "an atttempt to rescue one of inserted in the great code of sa-
the most beautiful pastorals in cred and moral truths, to shew
the world, as well as the most that wedded love has the express
ancient, from that obscurity and approbation of the Deity." It is
confusion, in which it has been surprising that the learned profes-
involved by the injudicious prac. sor could discover any recommen-
tice of former commentators. The dation of marriage, in the story
generality of these," he complains, of an amorous prince, possessed
"have been so busily employed already of "threescore queens
in opening and unfolding its alle. and fourscore concubines," yet
gorical meaning, as wholly to neg- inclined, like a modern grand
lect that literal sense, which ought seignior, to add another bride to
to be the basis of their dis. his seraglio. It is yet more to
coveries." On the contrary, it is be admired that our translator
bis "sole design to establish and could conjecture (p. 103), “that
illustrate the literal sense;" pro- this elegant description of con-
posing," in a future attempt, to jugal love is, after all, only a
enquire, what sublime truths are veil to shadow that divine and
concealed under it." The trans- tender regard which subsists be-
lator's reasons for expecting to dis- tween the Redeemer and the souls
cover "sublime truths," conceal- of men; a subject," he adds, "of
ed in the Song of Solomon, are so much importance as to deserve

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a particular and distinct inquiry, and therefore reserved for a future undertaking."

lator regrets as "the assistant and companion of his studies, the instructor of his youth, and the correspondent of his riper age."

In 1765, appeared “: The Outlines of a New Commentary on Solomon's Song, drawn by help of Instructions from the East." The author, the late Mr. Harmer, since well known by his " Observations on Divers passages of

Dr. Watts has hinted at the progress of good sense and sobermindedness as to the religious use of the Song of Songs. In a later edition of the Preface to his Lyric Poems, first published in 1709, he has this note:-" Solomon's Song was much more in use amongst preachers and writers of Scripture," comments" the learn divinity, when these poems were ing, the candour and the elegance written, than it is now, 1736." displayed in the New Translation.” Whiston, about this time, in a Of this he makes large use, it inDiscourse on the subject, had deed his own work were not occalled in question, not only the casioned by its publication. He divinity, but the moral decorum of however, differs from Bossuet and the book, alledging "the general the translator, and contends, in character of vanity and dissolute. opposition to the latter, that the ness, which reigns through the Song of Songs was occasioned by Canticles, in which there is not Solomon's marriage with Pharaoh's one thought that leads the mind daughter, introducing among the toward religion, but all is worldly characters a former wife degraded and carnal, to say no worse." At on occasion of that marriage. the date of the "New Transla- This work of Mr. Harmer being, tion," it had become quite safe for we believe, little known, in coma clergyman, without incurring parison with his Observations,” scandal, to consider the Canticles we subjoin from his preface the merely as a work of human genius, following explanation of his plan. prudently reserving the point of a spiritual sense. In thus consider ing it, the translator adopted the scheme of Bossuet, who divides the book into seven parts, each comprehending one day of the nuptial festivities.

The Annotations," annexed to the New Translation, discover a critical acquaintance with the customs and phraseology of the Hebrews, and are interspersed with apposite quotations from the Greek and Roman Classics. In the preface, the notes marked B. are ascribed to "the Rev. Mr. Binnel, of Newport, in Shropshire," who died while the sheets were printing off," and whom the trans.

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That two wives of Solomon, the one just married, and another whose jealousy was greatly awakened by that event, are referred to, and indeed introduced speakers, which is the ground-work of the whole of what I have offered, and, for aught I know, a thought perfectly new, is a point about which I have very little doubtfulness in my own mind, though perhaps I may not be so happy as to have the generality of my readers adopt the sentiment.

When I speak of my sketching out the interpretation of this vene. rable Song, I would be under. stood to mean, as to the literal sense of it, the giving of which the

author of the New Translation, with an Introduction, containing very judiciously observes, is the some remarks on a late New first duty of an expositor, without Translation of this Sacred Poem: which it is impossible to discover also a Commentary and Notes, what other truths are couched Critical and Practical. Written under it. though it has been terribly neglected."

in the year 1769." This work is dedicated to Bishop Lowth, and introduced by a letter to an unnam ed reverend friend, in which the writer acknowledges his obligations to the New Translation, but proceeds to shew, that it is, in his

Mr. Harmer communicates his plan in Remark xii. and xi. of the Outines. Dr. Priestley remarks on this poem, (Notes ii. 92.) that every attempt made to give a spiritual meaning to it, apprehension, both defective has only served to throw ridicule and faulty, in several respects." on those who have undertaken it." This commentator is certainly Yet Mr. Harmer found the gos. more at home, in the spiritual pel-state adumbrated in the Song sense of the Canticles, than his of Songs, adducing "the likeness precursor, a disposition likely to be we may observe between Solo- encouraged by Dr. Gill's Ex. mon's marrying a Gentile princess, planation of the Divine Song," and making her equal in honour which he had just met with, as and privileges with his former well as Harmer's Outlines. To Jewish queen, and in her being both works he frequently refers. frequently mentioned afterwards in He not only speaks" of Christ history, while the other is passed the heavenly bridegrom, whom over in total silence; and the Solomon, in this poem is certainly conduct of the Messiah towards meant to represent," but his fancy the Gentile and Jewish churches." runs riot upon this notion, till he This learned Biblicist was syll presently adds, "The author of further satisfied with his plan, the book of Canticles, (for Solobecause "the universal church is mon, as the rest of the prophets, spoken of under the notion of a was only the instrument,) the au-, bride, and the Messiah as her hus- thor, I say, was not a man, but band, Ephes. v. He found also he who judges right; not from support in "St. Paun's method of appearances, nor from any irregu explaining the history of Sarah lar motion in his own breast, as and Agar," and at length arrived at all the determinateness that can be expected, in a matter that has been so perplexed by the learned, and," as he added, unlike a fierce cubines," are considered as a sort polemic, "of no greater conse. quence to our salvation,"

man does, but who knows the inmost thoughts of his frail imperfect creatures." The "three. score queens and fourscore con

of heir looms, descended to Solomon, "the spoils of war in his The New Translation gave oc- father's time, the purchase of his casion to another work which own treasure, or fallen to him as appeared some years after. It was his regal inheritance." Having published anonymously at Edin- thus disposed of these bosom slaves, burgh, in 1775, and entitled The Whom eastern tyrants from the light of Song of Solomon, Paraphrased,

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our commentator can bring himself to believe that" however criminal Solomon became in his old age," this early purchaser, if not inheritor, of queens and concubines, "still retained the simplicity and innocency of his youth, at the time this poem was wrote." He can, however, express himself in a man. ner more creditable to a sober

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sometimes in a pleasing transport agitate the whole frame. If you love me, keep my commandments, saith our blessed Saviour. And an excellent rule it is, whereby to judge of the reality of our affec tions. But then on the other side, let us not tancy we do this where there are no affections at all."

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Mr. Percy, as we have seen, projudgment. Having maintained posed to follow his New Transla. a mind untainted by vice, tion, by a search after "sublime will find in the Song of Solomon, truths," concealed in the Song of solid instruction," he adds:- Solomon. This he reserved for a "If we examine the lives of future undertaking. Mr. Harsuch as have been noted for en mer, expressed a wish to see thusiastic flights, we shall find, "what allegorical sense he would that, if they have not lived in the put on this antient poem," and in practice of vice, (though too many the Commentary, published at of them have,) yet have they Edinburgh, hopes were entertained, of wild and wanton persons of seeing such a work performed dispositions, careless of their con- by him." Mr. Percy, however, duct, and more careless of their to the credit of his maturer judgconversation and studies, such as ment, appeared not to have purhave had strong passions, and sued the subject further. If he been only kept from indulging them by the restraints of conscience, fear, regard for reputation, or by having met with cruel disappointments. Such persons, when they take a turn to devotion, love God with the same sensual affections they were wont to feel for an human object, and find their own warm ideas in places of scripture, where no such are really to be found. And though in all this they may not be absolutely criminal, yet are they too apt to deceive themselves and others. The love of God is not a sensible pas. sion, nor to be judged of by the seeming pious affections which possess the imagination, and which

addressed himself to the particular and distinct inquiry" he had proposed, he probably soon found it a labour more herculean than he had expected, to assimilate the sensual Solomon to the pure and holy Jesus. 'Their characters would no more amalmagate than the iron and the clay," in the image presented to the imagi. nation of the king of Babylon. Our industrious scholar soon at tempted another subject, to his successful prosecution of which he was principally indebted for that reputation he has acquired among the writers of his time.

[To be continued.]

Died, October 5th, at Bewd- stitutions and numbers, with those ley in Worcestershire, SAMUEL of his own day, of which he reKENRICK, Esq. This excel- tained a most accurate rememlent man was the third son of the brance. It was at college that Rev. John Kenrick, Minister of his acquaintance began with Dr. the Dissenting Congregation at Wodrow, who was also studying Wrexham in Denbighshire, and under Dr. Leechman, and who was born at Wynnehall, in the has given so interesting an account same county, in the year 1728. of his master, in the Memoir preHaving received his preparatory fixed to his Posthumous Sermons. education in that neighbourhood, Similarity of temper and pursuits he was sent, in the year 1743, to soon ripened their acquaintance the University of Glasgow. This into the closest friendship, which circumstance gave a colour to all only the death of Dr. Wodrow the events of his succeeding life: interrupted. (See M. R. vol. vi. p. and he always regarded it as most 122). They were accustomed to kindly ordered for him by Provi- meet after the hour of lecture, to dence. Having passed through compare and correct the notes the classes of languages and phi. which they had taken, and to purlosophy, he entered the Divinity sue the ideas which their teacher Hall, and attended the lectures of had suggested. Mr. Kenrick the celebrated Dr. Leechman, never spoke of Dr. Leechman but who had been recently elected to with enthusiastic affection; rethe theological chair, after violent opposition from his orthodox brethren. Time past lightly on with Mr. K. while he pursued his studies. The period of academical education and the place where it has been carried on, seldom fail to be remembered with regret and affection by an ingenuous mind,being endeared by two of the highest pleasures which a human being can enjoy, the acquisition of Mr. K. continued at Glasgow knowledge and the formation of till the year 1750, when he was friendship. In the mind of Mr. engaged as Tutor to the two sons K. these feelings were peculiarly of James Milliken, Esq. of Millistrong--being heightened, perhaps, ken, in Renfrewshire. With the by the contrast between the studies of his youth and the business to which his later years were de voted. Even when he was on the verge of eighty, accident having renewed his connection with the University, his affection for his Alma Mater revived with una. bated strength; and he was de lighted to compare its present in

VOL. VII.

garding himself as indebted to him for those rational and animating views of God and of the Christian Revelation, which he early embraced and cherished to the end of life. His vacations were spent with his near relation, the Rev. Rob. Millar, minister of the Abbey Church, Paisley, the learned author of the History of the Propa. gation of Christianity.

elder of these young men he set out in the spring of 1760, to make a tour on the Continent. At the Hague, he became acquainted with the learned translator of Mosheim, who gave him much valuable information respecting the route which he was to pursue. From Holland (as we were at war with France) they past through part of

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