was much more plainly dressed, in linen or coloured muslin, with no ornaments. The handsomely attired lady was probably the Governor's chief wife; what the other was I could not discover, as she put herself as forward as the first, though much her inferior in appearance. The ladies obligingly, and with smiles, took me by the hand, and led me into an inner room, fitted, as usual in the East, with cushions and carpets to recline upon, and motioned to me to be seated. This operation is less easy than it sounds, for the Orientals are in the habit of doubling up their legs under them, of sitting upon their heels, or the calves of their legs, a position highly inconvenient to the stiff unbending muscles of the sons and daughters of the North. However, I crumpled myself up to the best of my power, in company with the ladies, and two or three boys of about twelve or fourteen years of age; and then began an attempt at communication between us; but the only medium we possessed in common were signs, and I found to my great despair that even that was a failure, for the code of signs in the East is totally different from that which is used in the West, so that we were quite baffled! After making vain attempts at comprehending each other for some little time, a black slave brought me sherbet, and a gold tissue towel to wipe my mouth withal, after which I was taken to the apartment of another lady. The same attempt at conversation, some sherbet,

and gold tissue ensued. This was repeated three or four times in the chambers of the different ladies, and at length the party increased to seven or eight, some young and some elderly; the latter may have been the mother or sisters of the Governor, for he was not a very young man. In the East, the mother always remains at the head of her son's house, whether he be married or single, and profound respect is paid to her; which, considering the wholly uneducated state of the women, and that ninety-nine out of a hundred cannot read, is a curious and praiseworthy feature in the customs of these people. My condition in the harem was now growing somewhat irksome, and I began to think that I had had enough of sherbet, signs, and squatting. Moreover, the sun was set, and much I knew remained for us to do before our return home; yet I despaired of ever getting away. My signs they did not, or would not, understand, and I continued to be taken from one room to another, hoping at each move I should be released. At length, to my relief they brought me to a room which looked upon the terrace where I had left the rest of the party. I motioned the black slave to open the casement, which he did, after signing to the ladies to retire from the window. I then called out to Assaad to send for me, as otherwise my release was hopeless; this was done, but the rumour that an attendant from the terrace was on his way to fetch me, pro

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duced so great a consternation amongst the ladies, lest they should be seen by the eye of man, that when I looked round to take leave they had all disappeared. Poor things, what a miserable existence is theirs! living like birds in a cage without apparent occupation or interest of any sort, unless it be their children. I am told that their only employments are needle-work, and the superintendence of the kitchen. I saw two children, but could not make out to which of the women they belonged. How intensely thankful I am to Providence that my lot is cast in Europe, and not in Asia!

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We now proceeded to the house of the Samaritan Patriarch, a venerable old gentleman with a milk-white beard, and surrounded by his children to the third generation. Here we sat upon our heels, and partook of coffee and sherbet as usual, and discoursed a little by means of Assaad, after which we went to the Samaritan Church, in which is kept this famed copy of the Pentateuch. was produced by the Rabbi and shown to us. They affirm it to be 3000 years old, and to be the writing of Phineas, the grandson of Aaron; at the captivity of the ten tribes it was buried, say they, in the ground, and afterwards dug up and preserved by one of the brethren who returned to Samaria; they also affirm that it has never been out of this place. I should wish for further evidence of these things before I can

The

attach any credit to this account; the appearance of the manuscript did not impress me with the notion of its being anything like so ancient as they pretend. It would be desirable, however, that it should be examined by competent authorities, and collated with other versions, particularly as the Samaritan version of the Pentateuch varies from that of the Hebrews. They next produced an original letter, written to them by some Samaritan brethren in India about 160 years ago. occasion of its being written was this: 160 years ago, an Englishman of the name of Roberts, informed the Samaritans of Nablous of the existence of some of their brethren in India. Upon this the Nablous Samaritans sent them a copy of the Pentateuch, but with one chapter short, with a view to ascertaining whether they would discover the omission. They did discover it, as the letter will show. In return for this the Indian Samaritans sent to their brethren of Nablous, a printed copy of the Pentateuch, in three or four languages, together with the subjoined letter; both of which were shown to us. They were obliging enough to send us a copy of this letter, translated into Arabic. Assaad having interpreted it for us, I have given it below.

Letter of the Samaritans of India to those of Nablous.

"In the name of God, our God, who has built up our souls by his righteousness, who has sent Moses his Prophet and, by his hand, his Law;— Who has commended to us, and caused to exist, the Holy Mountain of the Statutes (Mount Gerizim,) and the House of the Almighty; we send our peace, O Israel our brethren, who dwell in the Holy Land of Canaan with the great priest, Peace be unto you! **** We inform you that your letter has come unto us, and we learn that you are the holy people, pure from all uncleanness, and that amongst you are men of learning and ability. We have noticed your sweet words, also the Bible which you have sent has reached It is a holy faithful law, but it is short one chapter. Blessings be upon all Israel! You have also mentioned the keeping of the Sabbath and the feast. We do what you do. One law is come unto us both, with the exception of the Passover. (Which they can only sacrifice on Mount Gerizim.) We pray every evening and morning, and we wash in water as you do. We abstain from all the unclean things you have mentioned. We have a high-priest full of all learning, honouring the name of the most High.

us.

He is descended from

Phineas, the son of Eleazar, and he dwells in the