The mother comes to take leave. She weeps, and tenderly embraces her, saying, "My daughter, I shall see you no more! Forget not your mother." The brother enfolds his sister in his arms, and promises soon to come and see her, The father is absorbed in thought, and is only aroused by the sobs of the party. He then affectionately embraces his daughter, and tells her not to fear. The female domestics must each smell of the poor girl, and the men touch her feet.

As Rebekah had her nurse to accompany her, so, at this day, the aya," the nurse," who has from infancy brought up the bride, goes with her to the new scene. She is her adviser, her assistant, and friend; and to her she will tell all her hopes, and all her fears.

They blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions.-Verse 60.

From the numerous instances which are recorded in the scriptures, of those who were aged or holy giving their blessing, may be seen the importance which was attached to such benedictions. Has a son or a daughter to leave a father, an aged friend, or a priest? a blessing is always given.

To be the mother of a numerous progeny is considered a great honour. Hence parents often say to their daughters, "Be thou the mother of thousands." Beggars, also, when relieved, say to the mistress of the house, "Ah! madam, millions will come from you."

Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the even-tide.-Verse 63. In the margin, "to pray."

The Moormen always go out in the evening to repeat their prayers, and make their prostrations.

CHAP. XXV.

Unto the sons of the concubines Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac.-Verse 6.

Just so here, the father gives gifts to the children whom his concubines have borne to him; and advises them to go to distant places, where they will be likely to live together in peace.

He died.-Verse 18. The Hebrew, for died, has “fell.”

This is a common way of speaking of those who are dead, "They have fallen." "Tamben fell last night;" which

means, he died.

Isaac entreated the Lord for his wife, because she was barren.-Verse 21.

Under similar circumstances, the husband and the wife fast and pray, and make a vow before the temple, that, should their desire be granted, they will make certain gifts, specifying their kind; or that they will repair the walls of the temple, or add a new wing to it; or that the child shall be dedicated to the deity of the place, and be called by the same name. Or they go to a distant temple which has obtained notoriety by granting the favours they require. I have heard of husbands and wives remaining for a year together at such sacred places to gain the desire of their hearts!

He did eat of his venison.-Verse 28. In the margin, "Venison was in his mouth."

Has a man been supported by another, and is it asked, "Why does Kandan love Muttoo?" the reply is, "Because Muttoo's rice is in his mouth."-" Why have you such a regard for that man?" "Is not his rice in my mouth?"

Feed me, I pray thee, with that same red pottage.-Verse 30. The people of the East are exceedingly fond of pottage, which they call kool. It is something like gruel, and is made of various kinds of grain, which are first beaten in a mortar. The red pottage is made of kurakan, and other grains, but is not superior to the other. For such a contemptible mess as this, then, did Esau sell his birthright!

When a man has sold his fields or gardens for an insignificant sum, the people say, "The fellow has sold his land for pottage." Does a father give his daughter in marriage to a low-caste man? it is observed, "He has given her for pottage." Does a person by base means seek for some paltry enjoyment? it is said, "For one leaf of pottage, he will

• It is common to fold a large leaf so as to hold the pottage.

do nine days' work." Has a learned man stooped to any thing which was not expected from him? it is said, "The learned one has fallen into the pottage-pot." Has he given instruction or advice to others? they then say, "The lizard,* which gave warning to the people, has fallen into the pottagepot." Of a man in great poverty, it is remarked, "Alas! he cannot get pottage." A beggar asks, "Sir, will you give me a little pottage?" Does a man seek to acquire great things by small means? it is observed, "He is trying to procure rubies by pottage." When a person greatly flatters another, it is common to say, "He praises him only for his pottage.' Does a king grievously oppress his subjects? it is said, "He only governs for the pottage." Has an individual lost much money by trade? the reflection is, "The speculation has broken his pottage-pot." Does a rich man threaten to ruin a poor man? the latter will ask, "Will the lightning strike my pottage-pot?"

CHAP. XXVI.

For all the wells, the Philistines had stopped them, and filled them with earth.-Verse 15.

It is not uncommon for these wretched creatures, when they hate a person, to send their slaves in the night to fill up the poor man's well. Sometimes they throw-in a dead serpent, or a crow, or a dog, to make the water impure.

CHAP. XXVII.

She gave the savoury meat and the bread, which she had prepared.— Verse 17.

Though a woman be very rich, it is considered honourable for her to prepare food for her husband, or any holy or great man. Such victuals are always preferred; and it is the greatest recommendation to say, "The amma, the lady,' prepared this."

• The lizard is believed to be very ominous, and gives warning, by its chirping, of approaching good or evil. There is a science called the pallesätteram, that is, "the lizard-science."

He smelled the smell of his raiment, and said, See, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field.-Verse 27.

The natives are universally fond of having their garments strongly perfumed; so much so, that Europeans can scarcely bear the smell. They use camphor, civet, sandal-wood, or sandal-oil, and a great variety of strongly-scented waters.

It is not common to salute as in England: they simply smell each other; and it is said that some people know their own children by the smell. It is common for a mother or father to say, "Ah! child, thy smell is like the Sen-PagaPoo." The crown of the head is the principal place for smelling.

Of an amiable man, it is said, "How sweet is the smell of that man! the smell of his goodness is universal."

That delightful traveller, Captain Mangles, R.N., (with whom I had the pleasure of meeting in the East,) informed me, that, while on a short visit at the house of Mr. Barker, our consul at Aleppo, he heard Mrs. Barker, who was a Greek lady, say something to her child, accompanied by signs of great endearment. Mr. Barker said to Captain Mangles, "You do not understand her: she says, 'Come, hither, my darling! and let me smell thee.""

The days of mourning for my father are at hand.-Verse 41.

When the father or the mother has become aged, the children say, "The day for the lamentation of our father is at hand:" "The sorrowful time for our mother is fast approaching." If requested to go to another part of the country, the son will ask, "How can I go? the day of sorrow for my father is fast approaching." When the aged parents are seriously ill, it is said, "Ah! the days of mourning have come."

Tarry with him a few days, until thy brother's fury turn away.-Verse 44. See also Gen. xxxiii. 3.

How exactly does this advice agree with that which is given under similar circumstances at this day! Any Tamul mother would have recommended the same thing as did Rebekah, and any son would have acted in the same way as Jacob did.

• Michelia Champacca, a flower which is sacred to Chrishna, and which tips one of the arrows of Cama, the Indian Cupid.

See a person that has deeply offended another whom he wishes to conciliate he will, for weeks and months, keep entirely out of his way, and yet inquire of the servants and others if they ever hear their master mention his name. He will, perhaps, request a person to go, (as if not sent by himself,) and say, "How great is his distress! His sleep has departed from him, his food has become bitter, and his soul is withered.” Should there be a slight hope of reconciliation, he inquires in what direction his offended friend will walk that day; and then he occupies a place where he must be seen. So soon as he can attract the attention of his superior, he puts his hand to his forehead, stoops to the ground as if touching his feet, to show submission. Should no notice be taken, he will go and "tarry a few days" longer, and again repeat the same humiliations, till he shall have gained his object.

CHAP. XXVIII.

Jacob set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.-Verse 18. At the consecration of the Lingam, or of an altar, ghee, that is, clarified butter, (with other things,) is always poured upon it.

CHAP. XXIX.

Jacob went on his journey.-Verse 1.

The margin has, "lift up his feet;" which, in Eastern language, signifies "to walk quickly, to reach out, to be in good earnest, not to hesitate."

Thus Jacob journeyed to the East: he lifted up his feet, and stretched forth in good earnest, having been greatly encouraged by the vision of the ladder, and the promise, "Thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth."

It is yet high day.-Verse 7. In the Hebrew, "Yet the day is great." Are people travelling through places in which wild beasts abound? those who are timid will not cease importunately to entreat the rest of the party, "Let us seek for a place of safety: but the others reply, "Not yet; for the day is

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