interesting to the reader, according to his knowledge of the geography of the countries in which the events occurred. The Gazetteer of the Bible describes all the countries and places mentioned in the Scriptures.

To give such information respecting any new and valuable work, as may bring it into more general circulation, is not only a pleasant service, but a duty which individuals owe to the publick, and to authors. A Gazetteer of the Bible may be considered as a new work in the republick of letters, none having been published before, as far as we know, since that of Eusebius, in the fourth century; written in Greek, and translated into Latin, by Jerome. This circumstance renders it more a duty to notice this work in our reviews, because its existence may not yet be extensively known. Though universal geography is an interesting and pleasant study, yet scripture geography is more pleasant and instructive, because we feel more interested in those countries, than in the globe at large. Who would not be more gratified to read a description of the present state of Canaan or Jerusalem, than of China or Pekin? In this volume, with great labour, the author has given a particular account of all the places mentioned in the Bible. He not only tells where they are situated, but, when their importance renders it proper, gives a historical sketch of them, and describes their present situa

tion. Of those places, concerning which important prophecies have been delivered, it is shown, that those prophecies have been fulfilled. Though we are not wholly unacquainted with books "on the prophecies," yet none of them have more forcibly impressed us with the divine authority of Revelation. In those books we commonly find much time spent in arguing and proving particular points, which, after all, may not be quite certain. But, in the Gazetteer of the Bible, it is made evident, from history, from well known facts, that numerous prophecies have been fulfilled. Thus, Ezekiel had said, "Tyre shall be the place for the spreading of nets." Accordingly our author quotes the celebrated traveller Bruce, who says, "I came to be a mournful witness of the truth of that prophecy, that Tyre should be a rock for fishers to dry their nets on; two wretched fishermen, with miserable nets, having just given over the occupation with very little success." In Revelations iii. 16, God threatens the utter ruin of Laodicea. In the Gazetteer we read, that the place is now utterly desolated and without any inhabitant, excepting "wolves, and jackals, and foxes." In Obediah, it is foretold, verse 10 and 18, that the race of Esau or Edom "should be cut off for ever;" that there should be "none remaining.” In the Gazetteer we learn, that about the first century after Christ, their name was abolished, and the rem

nant of the tribe was scattered among the Arabs and Jews. These are places taken at first glance, as we turned over the pages; other information of the kind, and more particularly stated, is scattered through the volume.

We think the Gazetteer of the Bible particularly useful to young persons, rendering the word of God more interesting and pleasant to them, by making the contents more intelligible. Of the sea of Galilee, of the Red Sea, of Accho, Gaza, Bethlehem, or Ephesus, they perhaps know nothing; yet a knowledge of them might confirm their faith in Christianity, and give them a more rational belief in scripture history.

The Red Sea was passed in one night; but in general it is one hundred and twenty miles broad; as it advances northwardly, however, it becomes narrower, and the Gazetteer informs us, that where the Israelites marched through, it is only twelve miles in breadth.

How many persons neglect the Bible, not because they are unbelievers, or vicious, but because it contains SO many things which need explanation, It would be wise, in parents, to put such books into the hands of their children as blend entertainment with instruction, and pleasure with profit. In another particular, the Gazetteer confirms the faith of those who read the narratives of scripture. Numerous quotations from modern

travellers describe towns and places, just as they are presented by the inspired writers. Thus we often read in the Bible of going up to Jerusalem, as though it stood on elevated ground, and in other places it is mentioned, that it is surrounded by other hills or mountains, still higher. Psalm cxxv. 2. "As the mountains are round about Jerusalem." Accordingly in the Gazetteer we learn, that "Jerusalem is situated on a rocky mountain, surrounded on all sides, except the north, with a steep ascent, and these again are environed with other hills.' In scripture we also read of going up to Hebron, and the Gazetteer informs us, that Hebron is still in being, but very much fallen from its ancient lustre. "It is now only a village, standing partly on a plain and partly on a mountain, from which is a pleasant prospect of the plain of Mamre, planted with vineyards.' Similar remarks might be made respecting Jericho and other places.

"A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho," Luke x. 30. According to the Gazetteer, Jericho stands in a valley, surrounded by hills.

In the course of the work numerous authors are quoted, some of them very rare in this country, written in Latin or Greek, as Eusebius, Jerome, Bonfrenius, Monachus, Sanson, &c. &c. A store of knowledge is here opened, not easily found elsewhere. No other work, we presume, contains such a full account of

sacred geography. In Calmet, in Brown, in some commentators, in numerous books of travels, and other works, we find many valuable morsels of this kind of information; but here we are presented with all that is most important in those numerous works, collected and condensed into one volume.

As civilization, science, and moral improvement, is advancing by new modes of instruction, by the establishment of MISSIONARY SOCIETIES, MORAL, and PEACE SOCIETIES, it may be presumed, that those countries where Christianity was first promulgated, and which have since been overwhelmed with Mahometan superstition, will become more and more objects of publick attention, and a Gazetteer of the Bible be a family book.

The following extracts will show the character of the work, and present a specimen of the author's style and manner, which are correct and perspicuous. Concerning Bethany, so often mentioned in the gospels, the following information is given :

"BETHANY, a considerable place, situated at the foot, or on the mount of Olives, about fifteen furlongs eastward of Jerusalem. Here it was, that Martha and Mary lived with their brother Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead, John ix. 18; and it was here, that Mary poured the perfume on our Saviour's head, Bethany is but a very small village. One of our modern travellers acquaints us, that near the entrance of the place, there is an old ruin, called the castle of Lazarus, supposed to have been the mansion-house, where he and his sisters lived. At the

er.

bottom of a descent, not far from the castle, you see his sepulchre, which the Turks hold in great veneration, and use it for an oratory, or place of prayHere, going down by twenty-five steps, you come, at first, into a small square room, and thence creep into another, that is less, about a yard and half deep, in which the body is said to have been laid. About a bow-shot thence, you pass by the place, which, they say, was Mary Magdalene's house, and thence, descending a steep hill, you come to the fountain of the apostles, which is so called, because, according to tradition, these holy persons were wont to refresh themselves here, beprobably they might, because the fountween Jerusalem and Jericho, as very tain tain is close to the roadside, and is very inviting to the thirsty traveller. This village was famous for its figs. From Jerusalem, Jesus Christ, having led his disciples to mount Olivet, as far as to Bethany, here he lifted up his hands, and blessed them, and while he blessed

them, they beheld, and he was separated from them, taken up, and carried into Heaven, a cloud receiving him out of sight. The spot now shown for the place of our Lord's ascension is at the top of mount Olivet, where anciently was a large church, built in honour of that glorious triumph. An octagonal cupola, eight yards in diameter, is now standing, as they say, over the very spot where were the last footsteps of

the divine Saviour in this world."

The following interesting and compendious account is given, concerning the tribe of Gad:

"GAD, tribe of. The portion of this tribe, lay east of the Jordan, having the half tribe of Manasseh, north, Reuben, south, and the mountains of Gilead, east. They, however, marched over Jordan with the other tribes to subdue the Canaanites for their brethren, or that they might have a quiet habitation.

"They returned, not only victorious, but loaded with spoil. Moses, the lawgiver of Israel, advanced with their hosts, till they entered the limits of

7

this tribe; then ascended the mountain of Nebo, and expired.

"When this tribe emerged from the slavery of Egypt, their able men were forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty; but when numbered in the wilderness, they had decreased to forty thousand five hundred.

"The tribe of Gad was distinguished for its intrepid valour. When David was in distress, because of Saul, and was concealed at Ziklag, and at the season when the Jordan had overflown its banks, then eleven captains from the tribe of Gad plunged into the swelling flood, proceeded to David, and routed his enemies, from the east to the west:

Their faces were like the faces of lions, and they were swift as the roes on the mountains.' The situation of this tribe on the frontiers of the country, and ever exposed to attacks from the Arabs, compelled them to maintain the spirit of soldiers. Jacob had said, ⚫ Gad, a troop shall overcome him, but he shall overcome at the last.' Dr. Clarke, translates the passage, Gad, an army shall attack him, and he shall attack in return.' It is like

Or as

ly, saith the Doctor, that this prophecy had an especial fulfilment, when this tribe, in conjunction with Reuben, and the half tribe of Manasseh obtained a great victory over the Hagarites, taking captive one hundred thousand men, two thousand asses, fifty thousand camels, and two hundred fifty thousand sheep."

We only add a short extract, respecting the celebrated city of Jerusalem.

"At present, Jerusalem is called by the Turks, Cudzembaric and Coudsheriff, and is reduced to a poor thinly inhabited town, about three miles in circumference, situated on a rocky mountain surrounded on all sides, except the north, with a steep ascent and deep val

lies; and these again environed with other hills, at some distance from them. The soil is for the most part stony, yet affords corn, wine, and olives, where cultivated; but scarce any thing except grass, heath, and other spontaneous herbs, and shrubs, which are left to run up to seed, grow at a distance from the city. The houses are built of flint stones, one story high. The top is flat and plastered, having battlements a yard high. In the day time they hide from the sun, under the roof; in the night, they walk, eat and sleep on it. The number of inhabitants are said to be about twelve or fourteen thousand. Some streets seem to be ruins, rather than dwelling houses. Within the walls, large places lie desolate, covered with dirt and rubbish. Their gardens are ill managed, being surrounded with low walls of mud; they are constantly washing down and requiring new repairs.. The citizens are tailors, cooks, smiths, or shoemakers, a poor wicked race, the scum of different nations, principally Arabs."

The science of geography, has not arrived to a state of perfection. The approaches towards that state, are the fruit of successive efforts. The labours of one generation, lay a foundation for advances in the next. The writers of the present age are indebted to those of the past; and the writers of the n xt generation,

will be indebted to those of the But men who devote present. their time and talents for the instruction of their fellow citizens, must be encouraged by the sale of their works, or their labours will, of course, be suspended.

single combat, with sword and dagger, between two servants, both of whom, were wounded

of them, perhaps, are the descendants of the "two servants;" and so far are they from having degenerated from these noble ancestors, that they have retained their spirit, and adopted a more polite manner of murdering one another!

The mode of punishment adopted by our forefathers, in the case of duelling, would probably be thought rather coarse by our gentlemen of honour! Yet had it been uniformly adhered to, it might have been the occasion of saving many lives, and of giving many wicked men a longer space for repentance.

IT has been stated in the publick papers, that "an act passed the legislature of New-York, on the 5th of Nov. for the suppression of duelling. Every person who gives or accepts a challenge to fight a duel, or is, knowingly, the bearer of a challenge, is rendered incapable of holding any office, civil or military under the state. The members of the senate and assembly, and all civil and military officers, except town officers, all counsellors, attorneys, and solicitors of the court of Chancery, Supreme court, or any court of Common Pleas, or Mayor's court, who are appointed or admitted after the first of July next, are to be required to take an oath, that they have not been engaged in

any duel since July 1st, 1816; and that they will not be concerned in any duel, directly or indirectly, while the act remains in force, and they are inhabitants of the state.'

In a future day, this act may be regarded as a monument, showing how far civilization had advanced in New-York, in 1816. We rejoice, however, that there has been found virtue enough in the legislature of that state, to pass an act for the suppression of duelling.

But can an oath restrain men of so little principle, that a law is necessary to keep them from murdering one another! And is it not a reproach to human nature, that, in this age, and among a people professing the Christian religion, a aw