the author of the book of Kings evidently did, when he mentioned the tributary princes " across," that is, on this side with regard to Palestine, on that side with regard to Assyria, of the boundary stream Euphrates.* What sad havoc an awkward and illogical application of this inoffensive particle has made, and is still making, myriads who read the translated word would scarcely discover. A priori one might suspect that the "land" which we seek is not very far from "the rivers of Ethiopia ;" and the conjecture suggested by common sense is susceptible of the most satisfactory confirmation. But, let us now attend to the second or musical hypothesis. Jerom, or whoever was the author of the early Vulgate, metamorphosed" the wings of the land of ships" of his Greek predecessors into " tinkling wings," or, if you will, "a winged cymbal." This exposition has certainly one advantage over the former. It does not require the slightest violation of that "fence of the law," the Mazorethic text. It was illustrated (with his usual magnificence of superfluous erudition) by Huet, Bishop of Avranches;+ and our accomplished Lowth has adopted it. Though we are not of his opinion as to the resemblance of a naked sistrum to a pair of wings (for the comparison is rather fanciful) it is a fact that the said tinkling instrument was sometimes adorned with the effigy of a cat, or with the portrait of Typhon's "winged" concubine.‡ Jerom's "cymbalum alarum," or "winged cymbal," is, no doubt, a ritual and Egyptian conception: on this account it ought to be carefully preserved. How beautifully it represents the Hebrew model, or living and real, "Tzilzal Wings," will appear from a new application of the prophetical archetype. A third party of inquirers will have it that the ships thus transformed into cymbals are neither the one nor the other. In "the shadowy wings" they discern the dark overspreading columns of an immense armysuch, for example, as that of "Zerah the Ethiopian: an host of a thousand thousand and three hundred chariots . . ." 2 Chron. xiv. 9. Granted. But our "army of the tinkling wings" is a million times more numerous than Zerah's! Dropping the military sense, a few contend for the political view, as it may be termed. According to them, the prophet had in his mind's eye "the land" which had so often tantalized God's people with unavailing hopes of protection. It is undoubtedly true that Isaiah censures the credulity of those weak believers "who trust in the shadow of Egypt." He thus addresses the vacillating cowards who seemed to prefer Leviathan to Jehovah-"The strength of Pharaoh shall be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion!" xxx. 2, 3. Yet the objection holds good that "the land beyond the rivers of Cush," and the subject of a peculiar and distinct definition, is not Egypt. Next comes the picturesque, or chorographical explanation. It converts the wings in this most versatile of poetical texts into the mountainous ridges of Egypt and Ethiopia. Tremelius, the converted Jew, and Michael Wideman, have adopted it. Gesenius judiciously reminds us that "we may suppose the expression used by the inhabitants of the other side: hence on this side, 1 Kings iv. 24." Huet. Demonstrat. Evang. Prop. IV. c. xiv. n. 4. Plutarch. De Iside, p. 376. With regard to another hypothesis-the astronomical-it is equally fascinating and ingenious. To those watchers of the starry sphere whose delight it was to peruse the material "book of heaven," the land of TZAL-TZAL CENAPHAIM Would naturally recall the phenomenon of alternating shadows in (the yn dupiokios, literally) the land of "shade and shade," or the land of two summers-where, during one part of the year the shadows lie north, during another south. In his brief notice of the residence of the god Ammon and queen Candacë, Pliny, of course, alludes to this successive appearance of opposite shadows in Meroë-a tropical island," between," if not beyond, Astaboras and Astapus, the rivers of Cush. He tells us that, on the day of the summer solstice, and forty-five days before and after it, no shade at all was perceptible there. Half Egyptian, half Ethiopic, the little island of Phila likewise allured from every quarter pilgrims to the shrine of a literal "Sun with healing in his wings"-that splendid Ethiopian hawk, whom Anticlides apostrophized: Ἠέλιος δὲ Νότοιο ἄναξ, ἱέραξ πολύμορφε O Sun, King of the south, hawk of the ever-varying form! It might also be suggested that their "good God" Xоrps Сnuphi, was the Egyptian type of our last Prophet's winged sun...‡ But, admitting that there are here plausible materials whereon to found the attractive astronomical argument contended for by learned expositors, we do not adopt it. It has the disadvantage of overlooking altogether the vowel points of the Hebrew text.-Nor does it completely satisfy the inquirer's judgment, however gratifying to his fancy.-We grant, however, that there is, beyond the rivers of Cush, "a land of shade and shade;" "a land of wing and wing;" a land of opposite shadows and two summers. To the Egyptian hierarch it was, emphatically, the land dedicated to the worship of those "everlasting wings," which a superstition almost sublime had conferred on the "good Being," or "hawk of the ever-varying form."-How easy it would have been for a Simon or a Le Clerc to have improved the dangerous hint! A bold innovator might, without scruple, substitute & for and read instead of DDI), as our astronomers ready for ; so that "the land of shade and shade" would also be "the place of two faces." Metaphor might then cultivate the moral notion of a double face, each of whose pair of eyes looks its own way; then, applying the image to Ethiopia and Egypt, Israel's perpetual defenders and deceivers, tell us that it was, after all, but a shadow. And does not a well-known ironical simile of "the shade of a bee's wing"§ remind us of that treacherous amplitude of shade, or "dim religious light," which, when the sun stood still at its highest point of splendour, and when light overflowed the world, failed altogether? א T Still the vowel points refute so pleasant an elucidation; and, unless we maintain with our Hebrew teachers, that many senses may suit one and the same text,|| it is impossible that half a dozen different expositions should be equally true. Gesenius, ad voc. Verrius apud Macrob. To be continued. Plin. H. N. Compare Mela, 1-10. 552 ON WEEKLY VISITORS IN SCHOOLS. SIR, Some time since, I was appointed, with others, to inquire whether any plans might be devised to promote the efficiency of the large Central National School existing in the place in which I reside. Amongst several plans proposed and adopted with this view, I was induced to recommend one which I had observed to be very beneficial in other institutions: I allude to the establishment of a regular and efficient system of weekly visiting. I should rather, perhaps, say, the reorganization of such a system, as certainly something of the kind seeins to have found a place in the original design for the management of the school in question, but from some cause or other this had fallen almost wholly into neglect. As the new course of proceeding appears to have worked well during the first year of its trial, I think it may perhaps be useful to notice some of the details of the plan, the arrangement of which was entrusted to my hands, and also to subjoin a copy of the instructions which I drew up for the guidance of the visitors. Possibly these may afford hints to other managers of schools, and perhaps lead some of your readers to suggest additions and improvements. At all events, I believe I am inviting attention to an important subject. In the school I allude to there had hitherto been an acknowledgment of the value of weekly visitors; for a list had been made out every year, from which some two visitors were to attend, week by week throughout the year, as their turn came round. But as all the subscribers, whether inclined to perform the duties of the office or not, were placed upon the list, a general neglect of these duties had-probably gradually-ensued. In point of fact, at last, scarcely any visitor ever attended at all. I consequently proposed that a committee should be formed of such clergymen and gentlemen, and such only,* as would expressly undertake actually to visit the school in regular rotation. To ensure regularity as much as possible, I made out a list of the visitors, with a notice opposite the name of each, of their several weeks of visiting throughout the year,† and had it printed on cards, so as to enable them to assist their memory, by fixing them in some conspicuous place in their own houses. Printed notices also are sent them just previous to the commencement of their week for visiting. I may add, that I thought it better that only one visitor should be appointed to each week, as, where more are associated together, there is often a danger of each relying mutually on the other, and, consequently, of the school being left so far un visited. I further had a book, properly prepared, to receive the remarks of the visitors. This book I deemed it right should not lie publicly in the school-room for general inspection, or be open to the master and mistress, but should pass privately from visitor to visitor; as I conceived that persons would be more likely to enter on its pages valuable observations in the way either of censure or of commendation, if they knew that they would be confined to the perusal of the Managing Committee and Of course this did not preclude the other subscribers from visiting the school whenever they thought right. In appointing these weeks I endeavoured to make them as convenient to each as I could. proper officers of the school, for whom the information thus collected is of course chiefly designed. So much for the general plan. In the instructions to the visitors, which will be found below, it may be observed, that attention is drawn to two points which seemed not sufficiently considered by visitors in general. In the first place, I believe that visitors are too apt to look only or chiefly to the upper classes of the school. This is, perhaps, very natural, as their examination will generally be of a more interesting character. But this can scarcely fail to have an injurious effect on the school. The master and mistress-only too much inclined that way, under any circumstances-will thus receive an additional and very powerful stimulus, leading them to devote most of their time and attention to those classes, to the serious neglect of the rest. I would also suggest, that it is most desirable that visitors should not always examine the classes themselves, but at times sit by whilst the master, mistress, and teachers, show how they are accustomed to instruct and question the children in the ordinary proceedings of the school. The other point, not unfrequently overlooked by visitors, is the state of the temperature and ventilation of the school-room, a matter of very considerable importance, more especially to children who have been much habituated to the enjoyment of the open air. Those who have had to make application for aid to the National Society must be aware that the Board very properly lays great stress on the size, &c. of school-rooms, in reference to the number of children they are to contain; and in erecting such buildings the utmost care should be taken to have them lofty and furnished with good ventilators, as well as with sufficient windows. But even these precautions will often fail of their intended effect, unless those who have the superintendence of the school see that they are constantly employed when requisite. A school-room will frequently increase in heat and closeness so gradually as to render its unwholesome state not perceptible to the master or mistress, who may not perhaps have left it since the opening of the school. This is one of those points which make it the more important that, if possible, persons of various professions and ranks of life should be placed on the Visiting Committee. And I may observe, that we were so fortunate as to be able to place on our Committee two medical gentlemen, who, while taking an interest in the subject of education generally, were, of course, from their profession, inclined to attend to any circumstances which tended to affect the health of the children.† DIRECTIONS TO VISITORS. I. To secure regularity, it is particularly requested that each visitor will endeavour to give his attendance at the school, at least during his appointed weeks; and should any visitor be prevented on any occasion from so doing, it is hoped that he will apply to some other member of the Visiting Committee to take his place. I have myself seen, with regret, within no great length of time, I think, three lately-built school-rooms sadly deficient in height, where, I conceive, a little addition in this respect would not have added materially to the expense. Whilst on the subject of health, I would ask, whether children are not sometimes in schools kept too long standing? Moreover, may not their tendency to sleep in church on Sunday be attributable, in some measure, to this cause? VOL. XXII. NO. 1X. 4 B II. Each visitor is requested to make inquiry respecting the general state of the school; the mode of conveying instruction in reading, spelling, writing, and arithmetic, and more especially in religious truth and practice; the degree of knowledge acquired by the children in these points; the order and regularity of the classes, and the cleanliness of the children; the cleanliness, temperature, and ventilation of the school-room; the number of the children present, and of those who may be absent, whether with leave or without leave, and the general regularity of their attendance; to examine the children himself, or hear the master, and mistress, and teachers, examine and instruct them. And particularly not to confine his attention merely to the upper classes of the school. III. Each visitor is requested to write down, in this book, such remarks, whether in approval or disapprobation, as may suggest themselves, more particularly in reference to any of the above mentioned points; and especially to note down any improvement which he may deem desirable. D. I. E. THE POWER OF ENGLAND DEPENDENT UPON THE SUPREMACY OF PROTESTANTISM. SIR,-As a curious instance of the manner in which the glory of England and the success of Protestantism are identified in the opinion even of the adversaries of both, allow me to send you the following extract from a large work on Christian Evidences, which has recently appeared in France : "Une fois le symbole admis et le Protestantisme restituant la parole universelle à la chaire de Saint Pierre, la puissance de l'Angleterre, qui a usurpé le légitime pouvoir des rois et la légitime liberté des peuples, croulera. Tout rentrant dans l'ordre, et les peuples convaincus que les accusations dirigées contre la papauté n'ont été que le mensonge de la tyrannie britannique, l'univers s'ébranlera au signal de liberté du Vatican; l'Angleterre se trouvera replacée au rang inférieure que la nature lui a assigné ; le siège apostolique et le trône de Saint Louis reprendront la direction du monde. L'Angleterre ne s'opposant plus, avec son esprit mercantile, au mouvement des idées catholiques, on ne saurait prévoir à quel degré elles s'élèveront. "Le Protestantisme en décadence et le Catholicisme en progrès, l'Angleterre a perdu le grand levier de sa puissance. Chose étonnante! la révolution française qui semblait avoir été faite pour anéantir le Catholicisme, aura pour résultat la destruction de l'Anglicanisme. L'Eglise catholique est sortie plus pure et plus glorieuse de la fournaise qu'elle à traversée. Mais la révolution française à réagi sur l'Angleterre par la réforme politique, et cette réforme, en établissant la liberté de conscience, a porté le coup de la mort à cette suprématie sur laquelle reposait la puissance colossale de la Grande-Bretagne."-La Raison du Christianisme, ou Preuves de la Vérité de la Religion, tirées des Ecrits des plus grands hommes de la France, de l'Angleterre et de l'Allemagne. Ouvrage publié par M. de Genoude. 4to. Deuxième Edition. Paris, 1836. T. I. p. xiii. Your obedient Servant, THE TRACTS FOR THE TIMES. J.* SIR, Your correspondent Phoenix, in his letter of last February, thinks the heading really found on p. 29 of the 73d Tract for the Times "almost every whit as objectionable" as that which he "misquoted" instead. How far his judgment in the matter may be |