dopted with respect to America, Next comes the story that nawe may allege, that the cocknies tive Americans have no beards ; of London cannot possibly be and this is refuted by the Amerpossessed of natural powers equal ican editors by stating the perto those exhibited by the ancient fectly well known manner in Romans. They may cut a toler- which their beards are eradicated. able figure, to be sure, in their The story of Patagonian giants counting-houses, or at a city is rejected as entirely fabulous ; feast, but as for labour or fatigue but from various information they are totally unwilling and subjoined by the American editunable to bear it. A single mus- ors, it seems there is the most ter in the/city train-bands over satisfactory reason to believe that comes them; what then would there is, near the southern exthey do if they were compelled tremity of our continent, a race to traverse a continent, amidst of uncommonly tall men. forests, morasses, and mountains, That our readers may not in forced marches, encased in think we speak too contemptumail, and with sixty pounds bur- ously of the manner in which den of armour and baggage? Is this article is treated, a few seit not plain, they must immediate- lections shall be made, and suc. ly sink under such enormous toils? ceeded by remarks. After speak

By such contemptible sophis. ing of various natural causes, try any thing can be proved, such as great forests, lakes, coldhowever absurd and contradictory er climate, &c. &.c. the writer to common sense it may be. In goes on to say ; this way you might convict even Bonaparte of imbecility, for we

“Now, these several causes opimagine he would hardly be able erating conjointly must have had

an intiuence on the constitution of to march, like Septimius Severus, the indigenous people, so as to proon foot at the head of his legions, duce some alteration in their facand to sleep at night on the bare ulties : accordingly, it is only to ground, accoutred as in the day,

want of penetration that we

can ascribe the little progress they surrounded by his cuirassers on

had made in metallurgy, &c." their arms. Indeed, it would be rather hard to impute it to the How does it follow, that these natural inferiority of a delicate causes must have had an influmatron in a European metropo- ence to produce some alteration Jis, that she is not able to rake in the faculties of these people ? bay, or reap at the same time for ought that is here, or any that she nurses a child, like the where said, the faculties of the wife of a Russian, or a Scotch people on the eastern continent peasant. But enough of this. are by nature equal. They are It would scem plain to . man who placed by nature, (for God is stahas a particle of understanding, diously excluded from any influthat you cannot institute a com- ence, or interest in the matter) parison between the powers of on the same level, elevated, to be men who are, as to all the opera- sure, not a littie above the detive causes in the formation of a pressed, indigenous people of character, entirely different from this western world. Now let each other,

these arrogant pretenders to

:

a

science mention or describe a ernment, as well as of their resingle climate in their favoured ligion. portion of the globe, (except per- Their civil government, which, haps the sandy deserts of the tor- was appointed and framed by rid zone, which surely cannot God himself, was originally a afford much cause of boasting) free and equal republic. It conand we will agree to point them sisted of three, or, perhaps it to some part of our continent may be said, of four branches ; possessed of all the same advan- the congregation of the people, tages, and free from as many who, on some great occasions, evils as theirs. Is it too cold for assembled personally or by repthe enlargement and progress of resentation ; the council of elthe human mind in latitude 40 ders deputed from the several here? One would think, then, tribes to act as an advisory body; that in the 52d degree in Europe, and the judge or chief magis. their perpetual damps would be trate, who was the supreme exscarcely less noxious.

Is it too ve in civil matters, and ofwarm? We should conclude, ten acted as the commander in then, that the perpetual summer chief of the military forces, of Hindostan would wither and Besides these was the Oracle, scorch every germ of intellectu- which, in doubtful and imporal growth.

tant cases, was consulted by the To be continued.

high priest at the request, and in the presence of the magistrate, and from which answers

were vocally given in the hearLectures on Jervish Antiquities ing of all who attended the con

delivered at Harvard Univer- sultation. The powers of these sity in Cambridge, A. D. 1802 several branches, and the nature und 1803. By David Tappan and design of the oracle, dur D. D. Late Hollis Professor author has happily explained. of Divinity in that Seminary. He observes a great similarity

These Lectures give a lumi- in that government to the presnous view of the most prominentent government of the American and interesting peculiarities of States, in which there is a house the Jewish government and re- of representatives, a chamber of ligion. They begin with exbib- senators, and a supreme execuiting the origin and progress of tive with an advisory council. civil government in general, and proceed to develope and ex

“ The most free and equal governplain

the special government of ments of ancient and modern times, the Jews, which was designed some form or other, to check popular

have wisely introduced a senate in and calculated to preserve among rashness, precipitation and intrigue, them the true religion in con- and by their temperate wisdom and nexion with their temporal free influence to guide, mature and con. dom and prosperity.

trol the public opinion and conduct.

The inestimable value of this branch, The unity, perfection, provi- both in the individual and United dence and moral government of States, was early anticipated and has God are taught and inculcated as been constantly felt by our enlight: the basis of their national gov- ened citizens."

We have not the vocal, but The religious constitution of we have a written oracle, which this nation, besides the injuncby its moral instructions and tion of moral duties, which it solemn sanctions is to guide and considered as of principal iminfluence the conduct both of ru- portance, required a great mullers and citizens.

titude of ceremonial observances Though there is a similarity and periodical festivals, for the in some respects, yet in other administration of which a comrespects there is a difference petent number of officers were between the Jewish and the appointed. The ritual law deAmerican governments. In the scends to many minute particulatter there is a power of making lars, some of which appear trivilaws and imposing taxes. In al and useless, and were attendthe former the laws were already ed with considerable labour and made, and the taxes, or means expense. But, as our author of supporting religion and gov- has clearly shewn, they were ernment, were permanently fixed wisely adapted to the habits and and ascertained by divine author- circumstances of that people, ity. The whole nation was à and to their peculiar situation, body of soldiers, and every man, and were the best guards, that when called forth to war, went could be devised, to secure them at his own expense.

The chief from the idolatries and superbusiness of the government was stitions of surrounding nations, to deliberate and determine on by whom they were always in matters of peace and war, pub. danger of being corrupted; and, lic defence, and other great na- on the whole, they were happily tional concerns.

calculated to preserve the knowThe discontents of the people ledge and worship of the one under their free government, supreme God, to promote peace changed it, in a course of 'years, and union among themselves, into a monarchy. Foreseeing and to enforce the practice of all this change, God expressly or- moral duties. dered, that whenever they should On circumcision, which, as a set a king over them, they should seal of God's covenant, was inselect for the kingly office one of stituted under the patriarchal, their own people; and that he and continued under the Jewish should write out for himself a dispensation, and on the weekcopy of the divine law, and keep ly Sabbatlı, which began at the it by bim for his direction in creation of man, and was revived the administration of his gove by Moses and placed among his ernment. Under the monarchy, moral precepts, our author treats which the people were anxious more largely, than on some othto obtain, they were, for the er institutions, and points out greater part of the time, very their usefulness and their con. unhappy; for their kings were tinuation in substance, though generally wicked, unprincipledwith some variance of form, unirreligious men, and the people der the dispensation of Christ. were easily corrupted by so high He next shews the importance an example.

of God's early and visible mani. festations of himself to his people, These “ Lectures on Jewish and the manner in which these Antiquities” were to have been manifestations were made ; the followed by a course of Lectures nature and use of the tabernacle on “ Ecclesiastical History." and temple; the appointment We painfully regret that this and qualifications of the minis- design was arrested in the beginters of the sanctuary ; their in- ning by the hand of a righteous duction into office, and their re- and sovereign Providence. spective duties; and he answers Particular extracts from the several inquiries relative to the work, which we have reviewed, Jewish priesthood.

we thought unnecessary, as we He explains particularly the trust the whole work will be exduties of the prophets, the man- tensively read ; and in a work ner of their education, and the so uniformly important and inuse and design of their ministry, structive, and in which there is which was to reprove the people so little preference of one part for their corruptions, warn them to another, it is difficult to make of impending judgments, call selections. them to repentance, shew them • Of the style and manner we the subservience of the ceremo- need say no more than this : nial to the moral law, and predict Doctor Tappan has written like the grand events which related himself, with perspicuity, corto posterity, to the Gentiles, and rectness and energy. to the gospel dispensation ; and The Lectures were happily he subjoins a vindication of the adapted to the design of their character and writings of the institution; and are well worthy prophets against the cavils and of the perusal of ministers, stuobjections of infidels.

dents in divinity, and Christians He gives a better account, in general. They cast light, than can casily be found else- not only on the subjects chosen where, of the several sects, which for elucidation, but also on many appeared among the Jews, in and obscure passages of the Bible. near the time of our Saviour, They lend their aid to display and shews their rise and origin, the evidences of the divine origin and their distinguishing tenets both of the old and new Testaand manners.

ment, and give a full answer to He shews how the numerous the cavils of infidels against the rites and ceremonies of the He- divinity of the Mosaic institutes. brew ritual gradually unfolded As the Doctor studied conthe more perfect dispensation of ciseness, he has, in a summary the gospel.

way, passed over some matters, Lastly; he compares the on which, we think, he might character and institutions of the have enlarged to advantage. Hindoos with those of the He- The conquest of Canaan, and the brews; and proves, that the in- extermination of its inhabitants stitution of the Hebrews could he justifies by the warrant given not be derived from the Hin to the Jews by him, who is the doos, or from any other human Sovereign of the universe. source.

This certainly is a sufficient Vol. III. No. 11.

RRC

· justification. But we think the mane and kind institution, nor

conquest may be farther vindi- pointed out its moral and relig. cated by the rules and usages of ious design. nations, not merely in that rude and barbarous ago; but also in

If some of our obliging our own more civilized times.

correspondents would faThe Doctor has mentioned voor us with a dissertation the appointment of cities of re- on each of the subjects menfuge for the manslayer ; but has tioned by the Reviewer, he not assigned the reasons, arising would oblige the Editors, from the then prevailing cus- and, we believe, he would toms of the world, for this hu- also gratify our readers.

Religious Intelligence.

UNITED STATES. Tenth meeting of the Congregational Missionary Society in the Counties of

Berkshire and Columbia. AGREEABLY to appointment, the Counties of the state of Vermont, and tenth annual meeting of the Congre- the new settlements west of Lake gational Missionary Society in the Champlain. His journal has been Counties of Berkshire and Columbia received, by which it appears, that was holden at the meeting house in he travelled 900 miles, preached 97 Pittsfield, Sept. 15th, 1807 ; at the times, attended 19 conferences and opening of which a sermon was de. church meetings, and 8 lectures livered by the Rev. Silas Churchill of preached by other ministers. He New-Lebanon.

administered the sacrament of the At this meeting several new mem- Lord's supper twice, baptised 12 inbers were added to the Society, fants and one adult, visited and conwhich was gratefully noticed, by the versed with nearly 200 families on friends of the missionary interest, as religious subjects, and received in a token of good from the Head of the contribution for the Missionary Sochurch.

ciety $10,2. The Trustees made a report of From Mr. Leavenworth's journal it their doings from the time of their appears, that he performed a mission appointment, viz. from Sept. 1806, to of 12 weeks in the Counties of Lu. Sept. 1807, which received the appro. zern and Wayne, that he rode 734 bation of the Society.

miles, preached 59 times, attended The Report is as follows :

22 conferences, and visited 153 fami. The Trustees of the Missionary lies and 4 schools. He received in Society request the attention of the contribution from the people among members to the following account of whom he laboured $26,6. missions for the last year, and of their Mr. Parsons' journal has been re. doings in the discharge of the trust ceived, from which it appears, that which has been committed to them. he performed a mission of 10 weeks

The missionaries, respecting whom in the western Counties of the state information is now to be communica. of New York ; that he rode upwards ted, are Rev. Nathaniel Turner, Mr. of 500 miles, preached 53 sermons, Ebenezer I. Leavenworth, Mr. Levi attended 5 conferences, visited 3 Parsons, Rev. Alvan Sanderson, Rev. schools, made numerous family visits, Enos Bliss, Rev. Azel Washburn, and received in contribution 812,76. Rev. Oliver Ayer, Rev. Jeremiah Os. From the journal of Rev. Alvan born, and Rev. Samuel Shepard. Sanderson, who performed a mission

Rev. Mr Turner's mission was for of 12 weeks in the north western 16 weeks in the north-western Counties of Vermont, it appears that