2104. [Exod. xxvii. I.] Of the trevets or tripods used by the Antients in their sacrifices, there are two in the cabinet of Herculaneum worthy of being ranked among the finest discoveries. They are nearly four palms in height. In these sacred tripods, the chafing dish on which they place the coalpan, was made of baked earth. In the year 1761, they found also in a temple of Herculaneum a large square chafing dish, in bronze, about the size of a middling table. It stood on lion's paws. The brims were curiously incrusted with a foliage composed of copper, brass, and silver. The bottom consisted of a very substantial iron grate, lined with brickwork, as well above as below; so that the coals could neither touch the upper part of the grate, nor fall down through the lower.

2111. [

Ibid.

20.] The most perfect oil is that squeezed out of the fruit of the olive-tree. The apparatus for extracting it consists in the work of the mill-stone, under which the olives are bruised in the beginning of winter; in the operation of the press that squeezes the purest oil out of them, and in some care in the management of it. Most people, on account of both the look and smell, will prefer the burning of olive-oil, to any other light. Nat. Delin. vol. vii. pp. 39, 40.

2112. [Exod. xxviii. 5.] Some reduce the solar colors to three primordial, viz. yellow, red, and blue; to which if we add white, which is the color of light, and black, which is the privation of it, we shall have five simple colors, with which may be compounded all imaginable shades of color.The natural order of these colors is very clearly displayed by the decomposition of the solar ray in the heavens. In a fiue summer's morning, when the sky is serene, and only loaded with some light vapors, sufficient to stop and refract the rays of the sun, as they traverse the extremities of the atmosphere, you will observe the moment when the sun is going to exhibit his disc that the dazzling white is visible in the horizon, the pure yellow at an elevation of forty-five degrees, the fire-color in the zenith, the pure blue forty-five degrees under it, towards the west; and in the very west, the dark veil of night still lingering in the horizon.

2113.

Month. Mag for May, 1814, p. 315. — See also St. PIERRE, on this subject.

The lowest part of the flame of a candle, where the gross vapor is not ignited, is always blue; and when the flame is sufficiently elongated, so as to be just ready to smoke, the tip is always red.

2114. [Exod. xxviii. 5.] The colors, with which the Indians paint their cottons, are indigo; not a shrub, as some have erroneously asserted, but a plant which grows in great abundance in the district of Agra: The stem and leaves of this plant yield that fine dark blue, which on their cloths never loses the smallest shade of its beauty. Also Indian saffron; a plant which dyes yellow and gum lac, together with some flowers, roots and fruits; which are used to dye or paint red. With these few pigments, which are applied sometimes singly, and sometimes mixed, the Indians produce on their cotton cloths that admirable and beautiful painting which exceeds every thing of the kind exhibited in Europe. ch. xxv. 6. BARTOLOMEO, by Johnston, p. 398.

2115. [6. The ephod] The Mantle or Pallium which covered the shoulders and back, and was the same with the Chlamys of the Greeks. ch. xxxix. 2.

2116. [

Dr. A. CLARKE's Fleury, p. 72.

9.] The ephod of Aaron was adorned with two onyxes set in gold; on each side of which the names of six of the tribes of Israel were engraved. The breast-plate of judgment shone with twelve precious stones of different colors; on every one of which was the name of one of the twelve tribes. -The Antients, it is probable, were unacquainted with the diamond. Pliny, who has taken much pains to investigate the discovery of precious stones, can find no mention of this till a period near the beginning of the Christian era. The art of giving diamonds their present lustre, by polishing them with their own dust, is but a late invention, ascribed to Lewis de Berquen, a native of Bruges, who lived about three hundred years ago. ch. xxv. 7.

Dr. W. ALEXANDER'S Hist. of
Women, vol. ii. p. 97,

2117. [11.] Two sorts of characters appear to have been known to Moses: the first of the two were employed on those tablets said to be written by the finger of God. Of what kind these characters were, it is not said; but as Moses was to read them to the people, he surely understood them. God now specially directs him not to write in the Egyptian character of hieroglyphics; but in the current hand of the Cushite merchants, in the letters usually engraved on a signet; that is, in characters representing sounds, such as the trading nations had long used in their business for invoices, &c.

BRUCE, vol. i. p. 421.

2118. [12.] As to the sardouixes, which the high priest bore on his shoulders, one of them, that which was in the nature of a button on his right shoulder, shone out when God was present at their sacrifices; bright rays darting

2121.

JOSEPH. Antiq. b. iii. ch. viii. § 9.

There was no part of the Egyptian dress more universally prevalent than the pectoral: it appears to have been worn by all ranks and orders of people; and it was common also to the women as well as to the men. It was without doubt, exceedingly magnificent as assumed there by monarchs, by courtiers, and by the superior order of the priests. Its form appears on a multiplicity of different figures; it was semicircular, and constantly adorned with rows of ornaments one above another, in which not only the ornaments themselves, but the colors also were often much varied.

topazes, amethysts, and some other gems, perhaps America may be equal: the most celebrated diamond-inines are at Golconda, in the territory of the Nizam; and at Raolconda, near Visiapoor, in the Mahratta-empire: Ceylon produces the ruby, sapphire, topaz, and other precious stones; especially one of superior beauty called the cats'-eye: goldmines are unknown in India; but that valuable metal is found in the torrents which flow from the mountains of Thibet into the Indus and Ganges: there is no silver in Hindostan, but what is imported from foreign countries. (FORBES' Oriental Memoirs, vol. i. p. 245.) — Thus in ludia, the Church had its golden age; in Arabia, its silver age; in Palestine, its copper age; and throughout the world, its iron age, as that metal is now found, smelted, and manufactured almost every where.

---

2124. [Exod. xxviii. 18.] Of all the precious stones, the diamond has the greatest degree of transparency, and is the most beautiful aud most brilliant. It produces only single refraction, but its refractive powers are stronger than that of any other body: it separates the colors better; and this is the cause why it sparkles with so much lustre, especially in the light of the sun. There are diamonds of almost all colors: some incline to rose-color, others to green, blue, brown, &c. And Mr. Dutens saw a black diamond at Vienua in the collection of the prince of Lichtenstein. The most perfect are crystalline, and resembling a drop of clear spring water, in the middle of which you will perceive a strong light playing with a great deal of spirit.

W. H. PEPYS.

2129. [33. Bells of gold] The antient kings of Persia, who in fact, united in their own persons the regal and sacerdotal office, were accustomed to have the fringes of their robes adorned with pomegranates and golden bells. CALMET'S Dict. Article, Bell.

2130. The Egyptian Persea is a fine ever-green tree, whose leaves resemble those of the laurel, and have an aromatic smell: its pear-like fruit is delicious, and has in it a stone resembling a heart.

Abbe PLUCHE's Hist. of the Heav. vol. ii. p. 310.

2125.

"It is an error of long standing," says TAVERNIER, "to believe that the emerald was found originally in the East. Most jewellers, on first looking at a high-coloured emerald are accustomed to say, 'This is an Oriental emerald.' But they are mistaken; for I am well assured, that the East never produced one, either on the Continent, or in its islands. I have made accurate enquiries into this, in all the voyages I have made." He had travelled six times by land through India. Hence it must be concluded, that the so highly valued emeralds of the Antients came to them from America, through the islands of the South Sea, through those of Asia, through India, the Red Sea, and, finally, through Egypt whence the Israelites had those mentioned by Moses.

2126.

St. PIERRE'S Studies of Nature, vol. ii. p. 48.

The islands of the South Sea form, between Asia and America, a real bridge of communication; with a few arches alone of which we are acquainted, but of which it would not be difficult to discover the rest, from the other harmonies of the Globe. Ibid. p. 486.

2131.

The leaves of the Lotos of both kinds remain rolled up like a cornet of paper, till they get into the air, and unfold: the sweet-smelling rose-coloured flowers of the superior kind were used by the Antients in crowning their worthies at feasts: the fruit arising out of each carnationflower is a small pod like a little inverted bell containing about thirty small, beans; and it can hardly be doubted, says Abbe PLUCHE, but these are the cornets, flowers and bells, which we find above or under the Egyptian figures. See Ezek. xxix. 4.

2132. [34.] The Pomegranate-tree (i. e. Pomum Granatum, the kernelied apple) bears a fine medicinal fruit, which is cooling and astringent. There are two kinds of it; the one bears flowers only, the other both flowers and fruit. The flowers are inclosed in a purple calyx or cup, shaped somewhat like a bell; and the fruit consists of a great number of angular grains or seeds, inclosed within a reddish pulp, and covered with a thick brownish rind.

SMITH'S Wonders of Nat. and Art, vol. i. p. 215.

U

2133. [Exod. xxviii. 36.] The very Mosaic petalon, or golden plate, for the forehead of the priest, was itself preserved, not only till the days of Josephus, but of Origen; and its inscription, HOLINESS TO THE LORD, was in the See JOSEPH. Antiq. b. viii. ch. iii. § 8. & RELAND, De Spol. Templi, p. 132.

Samaritan characters.

2134. [ 39.] His peculiar vestment, the coat, was embroidered with flowers of scarlet, and purple, and blue, and fine-twined linen; but the warp was nothing but fine linen.

JOSEPH. Antiq. b. iii. ch. vii. § 2.

in linen garments somewhat low descending, of a gesture aud garb, as I may say, maidenly and well nigh effeminate, of a countenance shy and somewhat estranged, yet smiling out a glozed and bashful familiarity.'

2138. [Exod. xxviii. 42, 43.] When the Egyptian priests performed any religious offices, we find from HERODOTUS, they were clothed only in linen; and at this day, when they enter a mosque, they put on a white garment; which circumstance, Pococke remarks, might probably give rise to the use of the surplice. See Beloe's note 150, on Euterpe, n. 81.

2136. [- 42.] India has been inhabited from the earliest antiquity by a people, who have no resemblance, either in their figure or manners, with any of the nations contiguous to them.

Th' inhabitants are swart, and in their locks
Betray the tints of the dark byacinth.
Various their functions; some the rock explore,
And from the mine extract the latent gold;
Some labour at the woof with cunning skill,
And manufacture linen; others shape

Aud polish iv'ry with the nicest care:
Many retire to rivers' shoal, and plunge
To seek the beryl flaming in its bed,
Or glitt'ring diamond. Oft the jasper's found
Green, but diaphanous; the topaz too
Of ray serene and pleasing; last of all
The lovely amethyst, in which combine
All the mild shades of purple. The rich soil,
Wash'd by a thousand rivers, from all sides
Pours on the natives wealth without control.

In their manufactures of cotton they still surpass all the world.

Fine linen is not unprobably supposed to have been called Sindon, from the name of the river (in India) near which it was wrought in the highest perfection.

2137.

Works of Sir W. JONES, vol. i. pp. 24, 25, 31.

Speaking of the Hindoos, a people,' says Mr. LORD, 'presented themselves to mine eyes, clothed

2139. [Exod. xxix. 4-9.] Before a brahmin will sit down to dinner, he first washes his body in warm water ; during which operation he wears his dotee, or that cloth which, fastening round his loins, hangs down to his ancles: when washed, he hangs up the dotee to dry, and binds in its place a piece of silk, it not being allowable for a brahmin to wear any thing else when eating. If a person of another caste, or even a brahmin who is not washed, touch his dotee while drying, he cannot wear it without washing it again. FORBES' Oriental Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 49.

2141.

At the consecration of a Jewish high priest, when he was invested with office by solemn rites, they poured a precious oil on his forehead, and this unction was made, says Dr. A. CLARKE in the form of the Greek letter X. (See his Additions to Fleury, p. 331.) · Was this to shew, when it could be explained, how the new life he was then supposed to receive, must descend in the nerves, which cross each other from right to left, and from left to right? And may not this also be understood by the sign of the cross, when properly represented in Christian baptism?

2142. [12.] The Antients used horns, as well as cups, at table. WINCKELMAN's Herculaneum, p. 69.

2143. [Exod. xxix. 12. Put the blood on the horns of the altar] where it might evaporate as a drink-offering to the Lord.

2144. [—————— 14.] The fruit of the Cotconia-tree in Kamptschatka, when ripe, is soft, fleshy, as large as a walnut, and of an agreeable taste, like a good apple but it must be eaten as soon as gathered, for it spoils if kept only one night.

SMITH'S Wonders of Nature and Art, vol. iii. p. 78.

17th of July, the same day on which Moses broke the two tables, the city of Jerusalem was destroyed, the book of the law burnt by Epistemon, and the statue of Jupiter set up in the Temple. Univer. Hist. vol. x. p. 478.

2148. [Exod. xxix. 40.] A hin contained five gallons. Essay for a New Translation, part ii. p. 39.

2145. [15.] The Antients used to make libations at their sacrifices with cups (patera) mostly of white metal, and turned, both within and without, with the greatest exactness. The handles to these cups were generally round, fluted from end to end, and terminating in a ram's head, or that of some other animal.

WINCKELMAN's Herculaneum, p. 69. Libations of wine, oil, and milk, were in use among the Romans they offered them to the gods on different occasions, but above all, during the time of a repast; it was the homage of a certain part of the good things they received from them.

2146. [

See Antient Hist. of Asia, by M. BAILLY, vol. i. 105.

p.

22.] The white grape from Alcobaca has a thin skin and juicy flesh. The bunches are large and long

without shoulders.

The berries of the White Frontinac compose long unshouldered bunches.

The bunches of the Lombardy, or Flame-coloured Tokay, are regularly formed with shoulders, and frequently arrive to the weight of six or seven pounds.

The Smyrna Grape has a large red-coloured berry of an oval figure, with thin skin and delicate juicy flesh. It forms long bunches with shoulders loosely connected (like wings). (SPEECHLY, on the Vine, pp. 8, 13.) Are such grapes as these rendered Turtle Doves and Young Pigeons in the Mosaic ritual? See Lev. i. 14

17.

The berries of the Black Spanish, or Alicant, form exceeding long unshouldered bunches. The flesh is soft, uicy, and of an agreeable flavor. The Black Lisbon has large shouldered bunches, which not a little resemble the Black Hamburgh.

Ibid. pp. 14, 24.

2147. [38.] If the Jews have rightly appointed their fasts, the ceasing of this daily sacrifice was on the