point the hopes of the sower. Hypocrisy and apostasy marred the fair work of conversion and the contributions intended for the persecuted convert were misapplied. In 1749 two German ministers, who had laboured sedulously in this vineyard, arrived in this country, where they were introduced to several distinguished and pious individuals, and preached in the German chapel here with great power; but the time for the conversion of the Jews had not yet arrived, and the mission was not attended with the result expected. The patronage and encouragement which it had received were however sufficient to induce several impostors to profess the same views; two of whom, a father and son, who, after having been several times baptized in various countries of Europe, came to repeat the experiment as a profitable pecuniary speculation : for like their predecessors, they found liberal friends; but whom they grossly deceived and persuaded not only that they themselves were presbyters, but also that they had converted, among others, an individual of the name of David Levi, whose example was calculated to produce a powerful effect upon his whole nation. During the time they resided here, preying upon the credulity of good and religious people, these two vile impostors contrived to amass no less a sum than £1,800, with which they returned to the contineut, there to enjoy their illgotten booty.

THE RUINS OF JERICHO.-The glory of this famous city is departed, and a solitary square tower, called by the monks the house of Zaccheus, is all that remains on the site of the once grand fortifications. A few hedges of wild cactus have supplanted the walls that fell under the blast of Joshua's trumpet; and since the days of Hiel the Bethelite, none has been found bold enough to fly in the face of the solemn denunciation against the rebuilder of Jericho. A few, very few, mud huts, tenanted by naked Arabs, and scarcely visible till closely approached, constitute the modern village of Rihhah, the Turkish name for Jericho. Here we pitched our tents, and the pilgrims strewed the plain around. Elliot's Travels.

UNDER THE ROSE.-The origin of this proverb has been referred to a tradition, that the rose was sacred to Harpocrates, the God of silence. Accordingly, it was placed on the ceilings of banqueting rooms to denote that whatever occurred under it was to be kept a secret.

DIAMONDS.-Louis de Berguen, a native of Bruges, was the first person who attempted to cut the diamond. He did so in 1456. Agnes Sorrel is said to have been the first female, who wore a diamond necklace in France.

GUARDIAN SPIRITS.-From Hesiod, we perceive that the Greeks believed in Guardian-spirits; such was the idea of Socrates respecting his daiμwv. In the old Persian system they were called Furuhers, and supposed to be associated with man from his birth to his death. The Chaldees maintained the same doctrine according to the philosopher Julian, quoted by Suidas and Creuzer, has shewn it to have been also an Egyptian tenet.

THE WORSHIP OF THE HEAVENLY HOST.-The Sabæans or worshippers of the heavenly host did not exclude the Supreme Being from their adoration, but worshipped the seven planets, as Divinities of a secondary rank. The sidereal worship indeed destroyed all religious purity, and effaced all just notions of the first cause, in process of time; "but originally it would appear, that the planetary orbs were accounted emblems of God. The Arabs say, that the Sabæans prayed to them three times a day, and practised certain legal purifications.

BABYLON. The origin of this name is affirmed to have been bab―Bel-the gate or court of Bel. The term gate was frequently used of old, and is still so in the East. It was not uncommonly applied in this sense in the Hebrew Bible. See Esther ii. 19. 21. lii. 2. 33. Dan: ii. 49.

SATRAP. This name of office comes from the Persian chatr or Sanscrit ch'hatra an umbrella,-the privilege of having such borne over him having denoted anciently the office of the Satrap. The Satrap was in Pahlvi called Chattrapa, in Sanscrit Ch'hattrapati i. 2. Lord of the umbrella.

* The ch must be pronounced soft as in Church,

108

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Our Reverend Friend S. mistakes us, by supposing that we have any inclination to the levelling system, or to low Church principles. To the Church of England, as exhibited in its Articles and its Liturgy, we cling-and whatever we perceive calculated to destroy the adhesion of others to these we assail. With respect to the Apostolical Succession, it is very evident that the modern theory is intended to favour the Roman Church, and to seduce us to her communion: whilst, however, we deny it as incapable of critical proof, we as positively affirm that our Church is Apostolical, being founded according to the Apostolic institutions, and that no Church can be such which has not the Apostolical gradations of Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons. In our next we will more fully discuss this matter.

The First Volume of the New Series of THE CHURCHMAN, with Portraits of the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of Exeter, and the late Bishop of St. Asaph, in cloth boards, price 7s. is still for sale.

The Engraving and History of Westminister Abbey next month.

We have received Dr. Rudge's Communications, and will insert them in accordance with his wishes.

We are obliged by the hints which VERAX has given to us, and will thank him to supply us with further information on the subject.

The Essay from Tokenhouse Yard was misplaced: it has been found, and shall

receive attention.

We wish our Correspondents to remember, that articles intended for immediate insertion should reach us on or before the 15th day of the month; since some which would otherwise have appeared in this number, arrived too late for the press. We subjoin a letter which we have received from Mr. Smith, and sincerely rejoice to find that we were mistaken as to his opinions:

"King's College, London, Feb. 22, 1839.

“SIR,—Although I cannot but feel gratified with the commendation which you have bestowed on the Pilgrim's Staff' in the last number of 'THE CHURCHMAN,' I cannot avoid expressing my regret, that any circumstance connected with the work should have induced you to conclude that I hold opinions partaking of Puseyism.' You refer, in particular to the insertion of the symbol of our common faith in the title page. I trust, Sir, that I shall never be ashamed' of 'the cross;' but I should indeed be ashamed to identify myself with a party, who appear to me, no less than to yourself, to be working infinite mischief to the interests of our holy religion; whose doctrines and rites assimilate so closely with the apostolic simplicity of the Church of Christ.

"To this explanation I will but add, that I have long been acquainted with the opinions of the Bishop of London, and could not therefore have so grossly mistaken them, as to have sought to raise myself in his estimation by taking part with those, whose aberrations he repudiates. I pray too, that I may never be tempted to seek the applause of man at the expense of my religious convictions.

"I have the honour to be, Sir,

"Your very faithful Servant,

"H. SMITH.

"Will you do me the kindness to notice this disclaimer in The Churchman.' I request this favour as an old subscriber, as well as in my humble character of Editor of the book

reviewed.

"The Editor of The Churchman."

PRINTED BY W. E. PAINTER, STRAND, LONDON.

THERE is no certain account of the real origin of this magnificent building. Sebert, King of the East Saxons, is named as its founder, by tradition; but the middle of the eighth century is more probably supposed to be its date. It had become of considerable importance in the time of Dunstan; but its first most distinguished patron on record, was Edward the Confessor. Its splendour increased during several following reigns: in 1162, the Abbot Laurentius assumed the mitre; in 1220, the foundations of great additions to the Abbey were laid by Henry III., and it was considered beyond episcopal jurisdiction; in October, 1269, the new buildings were opened, and the body of Edward the Confessor was deposited in the magnificent shrine at the back of the high altar.

It now was fully in its character of a sanctuary; and the unfortu nate Queen of Edward IV. is known to have sought its refuge with five of her daughters and her son, the Duke of York. In January, 1502, Henry VII. laid the first stone of the exquisite chapel, which bears his name, and added greatly to the wealth of the Abbey. Though it suffered in its rights, revenues, and possessions, in the time of Henry VIII., it was, as some compensation, converted into an Episcopal see, with a Bishop, Dean, and twelve Prebendaries; itself was called a Cathedral; and the Abbot's house, the Bishop's palace, and the Diocese, comprehended all Middlesex, but Fulham.

But in 1550 the see was abolished, and the diocese reverted to that of London; yet the Abbey retained its rank as a Cathedral, and

K