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EDWARD ROBINSON.

[Born about 1796.]

THIS eminent scholar, who is descended from the famous John Robinson of Leyden, is a native of Connecticut, and was educated at Hamilton College, in New York, where he graduated in 1816.

The names of Edward Robinson and Moses Stuart stand at the head of the catalogue of learned men who have cultivated biblical literature in America. We are indebted mainly for our advancement in this great field of learning to the theological seminaries of Andover and Princeton. From both these institutions works have issued within a few years which have attained the highest reputation, not only in our own country but in Europe: which embrace more that is valuable and profound than in the same period has been produced elsewhere in the world. It is in this department that our authors command the greatest respect and admiration: an auspicious fact, for a nation whose scholars begin with this strong sympathy with the highest truth, and bring so successfully the strength of their intellects to its cultivation, if this impulse be maintained, will excel in every other field of investigation and reflection.

In antiquities, in criticism, in exegesis, in philology, in commentaries, and general biblical learning, much more has been done than can here be stated even in the most general manner. "It delights me," said Professor Lee of the English University of Cambridge, so long ago as 1831, "and all my Cambridge and other friends, to find that our American neighbours are really outstripping us in the cause of biblical literature." This was said in reference particularly to the Biblical Repository, (commenced by Dr. Robinson in that year, and edited by him until 1838,) and to the labours of Professor Stuart. The Biblical Repository was indeed a most important publication, and it stands among the earliest and richest contributions made in this country to the treasures of sacred scholarship. The celebrated Professor Tholuck, of Halle, said to Dr. Robinson, "Should you succeed in making the contents of your Repository hereafter

as rich and valuable as they have been hitherto, it will become a classical book for the study of theology in America, and will be the commencement of a new era." It was held in the highest estimation abroad, and with other American works of a similar character was particularly valued for the successful combination which it presented of the spirit of piety with profound investigation and sound judg ment. It introduced to our students the best results of theological erudition in Germany, and had a most important effect in continuing the impulse in sacred learning given by the earlier works of the editor and his principal colaborateur. These were, Stuart's Hebrew Grammar, first published in 1823; Stuart's and Robinson's Greek Grammar of the New Testament, in 1825; Robinson's Greek and English Lexicon, from the Clavis Philologica of Wahl, in 1826; Stuart's Hebrew Chrestomathy, in 1829; and Stuart's Course of Hebrew Study, in 1830.

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Professor Stuart's Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews had appeared in 1827, and had been received everywhere as an accession to the body of permanent theological litera ture. It was spoken of in England as "the most valuable philological aid" that had been published "for the critical study of that im- !' portant and in many respects difficult book;" and Dr. Pye Smith, one of the first biblical, theological, and classical scholars in Great Britain, stated, that he felt it to be his duty to describe it as "the most important present to the cause of sound biblical interpretation that had ever been made in the English language." In Germany also it secured for Professor Stuart the highest consideration; and it continues in all countries to be regarded as one of the noblest examples of philological theology and exegetical criticism.

In 1832 Professor Stuart gave to the world another great work of a similar character: his Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. It was distinguished for a profoundness of research, for an intensity and minuteness of philological labour, and a singleness of pur

pose to arrive at the meaning of the apostle, without regard to any preconceived or partisan opinions, which obtained for it a regard as an authority equal to that awarded to its predecessor. In 1845 he published a Commentary on the Apocalypse: a profoundly learned and critical work, in which the interpretation of this difficult book varies much from that which has been most generally received. In the same year he also gave to the church a Critical History and Defence of the Old Testament Canon.

Dr. Robinson's translation of the improved edition of the Hebrew Lexicon by Gesenius appeared in 1836, and again in 1843. For this work he had prepared himself by a residence of several years in Germany, where he had gone through a wide range of study in the Shemitish languages; and the general and hearty applause of the best scholars was evidence of his success. He soon after brought out a new edition of his Greek and English Lexicon of the New Testament, with all the improvements which years of additional labor had enabled him to give to it; and in 1845 his Harmony of the Four Gospels, in Greek, newly arranged, and with notes.

But the great work of Dr. Robinson, and his most valuable addition to our literature, is his Researches in Palestine, published in Boston, in 1841. This was the fruit of many years of study and investigation, at home and in Europe, preparatory to and consequent upon his journeyings and examinations in the Holy Land. His plans were partially formed in 1832, while the Reverend Eli Smith, an American missionary stationed at Beirût, was on a visit to the United States; but he did not set out upon his travels until the middle of July, 1837. The summer was passed in England and on the continent; in November he met Gesenius, Tholuck, Roediger, and other orientalists, in Germany; and passing through Italy, he embarked at Trieste for Alexandria. The first two months of the following year were spent in Egypt, where he was joined by Mr. Smith, and in March they set off for Jerusalem. The topographical investigations were completed in December, and Dr. Robinson resided in Berlin the two following years, where he had access to the best public and private libraries relating to the east, occupied in preparing his manuscripts for the press. The Biblical Researches were received by scholars

of all countries with demonstrations of the highest approbation. The work was recognised as one of the most learned and judicious produced in the world in this century. For patient, systematic, and sagacious investigation, it was ranked with Niebuhr's History. The great German geographer, Professor Ritter, who has himself written one of the best books on Palestine, says, "It lays open unquestionably one the richest discoveries, one of the most important scientific conquests that has been made in the field of geography and biblical archæology..... What noble confirmation the truth of the Holy Scriptures receives from so many passages of these investigations, in a manner altogether unexpected, and often surprising, even in particulars seemingly the most trivial and unimportant!....Now first begins, since the days of Reland, the second great era of our knowledge of the Promised Land."

The latest productions of Dr. Robinson that have been given to the public are embraced in his periodical, entitled Bibliotheca Sacra, established in 1843, and of which a volume has since appeared for every year.

Our contributions to biblical literature, with few exceptions, have been made by persons connected with the colleges and theological seminaries. Professor Hodge, of Princeton, has distinguished himself by his Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans; Dr. Alexander, of the same institution, by his Commentary on Isaiah; and Professor Norton of the Divinity School at Cambridge, and Professor Bush of the University of New York, as has been stated in another part of this volume, have laboured diligently and successfully in the same department. The most remarkable exception to the rule is presented by the Reverend Albert Barnes of Philadelphia, whose practical Notes on the Gospels and Epistles have had a very large sale in this country and Great Britain, and who has published a similar work on Job, and a more extended and laborious Commentary on Isaiah.

In the fields of literature and learning connected with religion, we have from the beginning had representatives whose proper station was with the most celebrated of older nations. Those who are mentioned in this volume are but types of classes, to whom more prominence would be given but that the range of these notices is in some degree limited to works of taste.

ELIZA LESLIE.

[Born 17-]

was scarcely less popular than Monsieur Ude's! or Dr. Kitchener's.

The Seventy-five Receipts were followed by a series of volumes for juvenile readers, entitled The Mirror, The Young Americans, Atlantic Tales, Stories for Emma, Stories for Adelaide, and The American Girl's Book, all of which were found very profitable to the publishers and delightful to the new genera tion: they are scarcely inferior to any thing of their kind that has yet appeared.

MISS LESLIE is a native of Philadelphia. | and elaborate performances of the same kind, | Her great-grandfather emigrated from Scotland, about the year 1745, and settled in Cecil county, Maryland. Her father was engaged in business in Philadelphia, and being a very ingenious man, fond of mathematics and natural philosophy, became familiarly acquainted with Franklin, Rittenhouse, Jefferson, and others of kindred tastes who at that time resided here. He was among the first to perceive the merit of the great invention of John Fitch, and was a steadfast and liberal friend of that eccentric and unfortunate man. Miss Leslie was the eldest of his children, and while she was quite young, leaving his affairs in charge of a partner, he went to reside in London, where he remained seven years. Two of his children were born here, one of whom was Charles Robert Leslie, now one of the most eminent of living painters. He made choice of his profession at an early age, and in 1813 went abroad to study in the British and continental academies. He has since resided in England, except during the short period in which he was connected with the United States Military Academy, though he has always considered himself an American citizen. The family returned to Philadelphia in 1800, and Mr. Leslie the father died in 1804.

*

The education of women was managed much better than now in that period which our fathers are wont to describe as the golden age of America. Among the institutions that flourished here then were cooking-schools, in which the most important of sciences was taught in a manner that contributed largely to the comfort of the people. Miss Leslie was graduated in the famous one kept in Philadelphia for thirty years by Mrs. Goodfellow; and her first publication, a book for housekeepers, entitled Seventy-five Receipts, as well as her more recent

C. R. Leslie, R. A., was born in October, 1794. His most celebrated productions are May Day in the Reign of Elizabeth, Slender Courting Anne Page, Lady Jane Gray prevailed on to accept the Crown, Sancho relating his Adventures to the Duchess, Falstaff Dining at the House of Page, and the Coronation of Victoria. All the Leslie family are distinguished for their skill in drawing.

The work by which Miss Leslie first became known in the literary world was Pencil Sketches, or Outlines of Character and Manners, published in 1833. This volume contained Mrs. Washington Potts, and about a dozen other pieces of similar character and merit. In 1835 she gave the public a second, and in 1837 a third series; and in 1841 the longest of her stories, under the title of Althea Vernon. Since then she has written enough tales and sketches for the magazines and annuals to fill four or five additional volumes.

Miss Leslie has much individuality, and in all her writings has exhibited decided talent. Her style is natural and spirited, her fable sufficiently simple and probable, her characters boldly and clearly and perhaps in all cases accurately drawn, and her description, narrative, and dialogue, uniformly well managed. Her sketches are more or less entertaining, according to the constitution of the reader's mind; but many of them are satirical; the subjects are such as we have no delight in remembering, and they are executed with a minuteness and distinctness that are sometimes truly painful. It must be confessed however that she is discriminating, that she is the satirist of the vulgar only, and presents in happy contrasts to their pretension, the intelligence and refinement of good society.

- It is understood that Miss Leslie is now engaged upon a Life of John Fitch, for which she has ample and original materials. Her work will probably put to rest the questions connected with his discovery.

THAT GENTLEMAN.

FROM PENCIL SKETCHES.

On the third day, we were enabled to lay our course with a fair wind and a clear sky: the coast of Cornwall looking like a succession of low white clouds ranged along the edge of the northern hori

zon.

Towards evening we passed the Lizard, to see land no more till we should descry it on the other side of the Atlantic. As Mr. Fenton and myself leaned over the taffrail, and saw the last point of England fade dimly from our view, we thought with regret of the shore we were leaving behind us, and of much that we had seen, and known, and enjoyed in that country of which all that remained to our lingering gaze was a dark spot so distant and so small as to be scarcely perceptible. Soon we could discern it no longer: and nothing of Europe was now left to us but the indelible recollections that it has impressed upon our minds. We turned towards the region of the descending sun

"To where his setting splendours burn
Upon the western sea-maid's urn,"

and we vainly endeavoured to direct all our thoughts and feelings towards our home beyond the oceanour beloved American home.

On that night, as on many others, when our ship was careering through the sea, with her yards squared, and her sails all trimmed to a fresh and favouring breeze, while we sat on a sofa in the lesser cabin, and looked up through the open skylight at the stars that seemed flying over our heads, we talked of the land we had so recently quitted. We talked of her people, who, though differing from ours in a thousand minute particulars, are still essentially the same. Our laws, our institutions, our manners, and our customs are derived from theirs: we are benefited by the same arts, we are enlightened by the same sciences. Their noble and copious language is fortunately ours-their Shakspeare also belongs to us; and we rejoice that we can possess ourselves of his "thoughts that breathe and words that burn" in all their original freshness and splendour, unobscured by the mist of translation. Though the ocean divides our dwelling-places; though the sword and the cannon-shot have sundered the bonds that once united us to her dominion; though the misrepresentations of travelling adventurers have done much to foster mutual prejudices, and to embitter mutual jealousies, still we share the pride of our parent in the glorious beings she can number among the children of her island home, for

"Yet lives the blood of England in our veins." On the fourth day of our departure from the Isle of Wight, we found ourselves several hundred miles from land, and consigned to the solitudes of that ocean-desert, "dark-heaving-boundless-endless -and sublime"-whose travellers find no path before them, and leave no track behind. But the wind was favourable, the sky was bright, the passengers had recovered their health and spirits, and for the first time were all able to present themselves at the dinner-table; and there was really what might be termed "a goodly company."

It is no longer the custom in American packet

ships for ladies to persevere in what is called a seadress: that is, a sort of dishabille prepared expressly for the voyage. Those who are not well enough to devote some little time and attention to their personal appearance, rarely come to the general table, but take their meals in their own apartment. The gentlemen, also, pay as much respect to their toilet as when on shore......

The

Our passengers were not too numerous. lesser cabin was appropriated to three other ladies and myself. It formed our drawing-room; the gentlemen being admitted only as visiters. One of the ladies was Mrs. Calcott, an amiable and intelligent woman, who was returning with her husband from a long residence in England. Another was Miss Harriet Audley, a very pretty and very lively young lady from Virginia, who had been visiting a married sister in London, and was now on her way home under the care of the captain, expecting to meet her father in New York. We were much amused during the voyage, with the coquetry of our fair Virginian as she aimed her arrows at nearly all the single gentlemen in turn; and with her frankness in openly talking of her designs and animadverting on their good or ill success. The gentlemen, with the usual vanity of their sex, always believed Miss Audley's attacks on their hearts to be made in earnest, and that she was deeply smitten with each of them in succession; notwithstanding that the smile in her eye was far more frequent than the blush on her cheek; and notwithstanding that rumour had asserted the existence of a certain cavalier in the neighbourhood of Richmond, whose constancy it was supposed she would eventually reward with her hand, as he might be considered, in every sense of the term, an excellent match.

Our fourth female passenger was Mrs. Cummings, a plump, rosy-faced old lady of remarkably limited ideas, who had literally passed her whole life in the city of London. Having been recently left a widow, she had broken up housekeeping, and was now on her way to join a son established in New York, who had very kindly sent for her to come over and live with him. The rest of the world was almost a sealed book to her, but she talked a great deal of the Minories, the Poultry, the Old Jewry, Cheapside, Long Acre, Bishopsgate Within and Bishopsgate Without, and other streets and places with appellations equally expressive.

The majority of the male passengers were pleasant and companionable-and we thought we had seen them all in the course of the first three daysbut on the fourth, we heard the captain say to one of the waiters, "Juba, ask that gentleman if I shall have the pleasure of taking wine with him." My eyes now involuntarily followed the direction of Juba's movements, feeling some curiosity to know who "that gentleman" was, as I now recollected having frequently heard the epithet within the last few days. For instance, when almost every one was confined by sea-sickness to their state-rooms, I had seen the captain despatch a servant to inquire of that gentleman if he would have any thing sent to him from the table. Also, I had heard Hamilton,

the steward, call out There, boys, don't you hear that gentleman ring his bell-why don't you run spontaneously-jump, one of you, to number eleventeen." I was puzzled for a moment to divine which state-room bore the designation of eleventeen, but concluded it to be one of the many unmeaning terms that characterize the phraseology of our coloured people. Once or twice, I wondered who that gentleman could be; but something else happened immediately to divert my attention.

Now when I heard Captain Santlow propose taking wine with him, I concluded, that, of course, that gentleman must be visible in propria persona, and casting my eyes towards the lower end of the table, I perceived a genteel looking man whom I had not seen before. He was apparently of no particular age, and there was nothing in his face that could lead any one to guess at his country. He might have been English, Scotch, Irish or American; but he had none of the characteristic marks of either nation. He filled his glass, and bowing his head to Captain Santlow, who congratulated him on his recovery, he swallowed his wine in silence. There was an animated conversation going on near the head of the table, between Miss Audley and two of her beaux, and we thought no more of him.

At the close of the dessert, we happened to know that he had quitted the table and gone on deck, by one of the waiters coming down, and requesting Mr. Overslaugh (who was sitting atilt, while discussing his walnuts, with his chair balanced on one leg, and his head leaning against the wainscot) to let him pass for a moment, while he went into No. eleventeen for that gentleman's overcoat. I now found that the servants had converted No. 13 into eleventeen. By-the-bye, that gentleman had a state-room all to himself, sometimes occupying the upper and sometimes the under birth.

66

Captain Santlow," said Mr. Fenton, "allow me to ask you the name of that gentleman."

"Oh! I don't know," replied the captain, trying to suppress a smile, "at least I have forgotten it— some English name; for he is an Englishman-he came on board at Plymouth, and his indisposition commenced immediately. Mrs. Cummings, shall I have the pleasure of peeling an orange for you?"

I now recollected a little incident which had set me laughing soon after we left Plymouth, and when we were beating down the coast of Devonshire. I had been trying to write at the table in the ladies' cabin, but it was one of those days when

"Our paper, pen and ink, and we

Roll up and down our ships at sea." And all I could do was to take refuge in my berth, and endeavour to read, leaving the door open for light and air. My attention, however, was continually withdrawn from my book by the sound of something that was dislodged from its place, sliding or falling, and frequently suffering destruction; though sometimes miraculously escaping unhurt.

While I was watching the progress of two pitchers that had been tossed out of the washing-stand, and after deluging the floor with water, had met in the ladies' cabin, and were rolling amicably side by

side, without happening to break each other, I saw a barrel of flour start from the steward's pantry, and running across the dining-room, stop at a gentleman that lay extended in a lower berth with his room door open, and pour out its contents upon him, completely enveloping him in a fog of meal. I heard the steward, who was busily engaged in mopping up the water that had flowed from the pitchers, call out, “Run, boys, run, that gentleman's smothering up in flour-go take the barrel off him-jump, I tell you."

How that gentleman acted while hidden in the cloud of flour, I could not perceive, and immediately the closing of the folding doors shut out the scene.

For a few days after he appeared among us, there was some speculation with regard to this nameless stranger, whose taciturnity seemed his chief characteristic. One morning while we were looking at the gambols of a shoal of porpoises that were tumbling through the waves and sometimes leaping out of them, my husband made some remark on the clumsy antics of this unsightly fish, addressing himself, for the first time, to the unknown Englishman, who happened to be standing near him. That gentleman smiled affably, but made no reply. Mr. Fenton pursued the subject—and that gentleman smiled still more affably, and walked away.

Nevertheless, he was neither deaf nor dumb, nor melancholy, but had only "a great talent for silence," and as is usually the case with persons whose genius lies that way, he was soon left entirely to himself, no one thinking it worth while to take the trouble of extracting words from him. In truth, he was so impracticable, and at the same time so evidently insignificant, and so totally uninteresting, that his fellow-passengers tacitly conveyed him to Coventry; and in Coventry he seemed perfectly satisfied to dwell. Once or twice Captain Santlow was asked again if he recollected the name of that gentleman; but he always replied with a sort of smile, "I cannot say I do-not exactly, at least

but I'll look at my manifest and see”—and he never failed to turn the conversation to something else.

The only person that persisted in occasionally talking to that gentleman, was old Mrs. Cummings; and she confided to him her perpetual alarms at "the perils of the sea," considering him a good hearer, as he never made any reply, and was always disengaged, and sitting and standing about, apparently at leisure, while the other gentlemen were occupied in reading, writing, playing chess, walking the deck, &c.

Whenever the ship was struck by a heavy sea, and after quivering with the shock, remained motionless for a moment before she recovered herself and rolled the other way, poor Mrs. Cummings supposed that we had run against a rock, and could not be convinced that rocks were not dispersed everywhere about the open ocean. And as that gentleman never attempted to undeceive her on this or any other subject, but merely listened with a placid smile, she believed that he always thought precisely as she did. She not unfrequently discussed to him, in an under tone, the obstinacy and

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