have been by Divine direction. Now it cannot be a mere coincidence, that the first and second letters of this alphabet when put together spell 8, AB, "father;" and the two last give the name of w, "Seth;" the two together, 8, AB Seth, "Father Seth," he to whom, as we have stated, some ancient Arabic writers attributed the Hebrew character, as well as many of the ancient Jews. Thus the name of the father, after Adam, of all mankind, is incorporated in his own work of an original Astral Alphabet.

There appears to be an undefined apprehension as to the meaning of the Hebrew word x, "signs," in Gen. i. 14. In the Hebrew lexicons it is rendered "marks, or signs by which things are distinguished." Astronomical signs in the heavens have been appointed by man from earliest antiquity, marking the monthly and annual Zodiacal course of the sun. But there appears to be a further application of the word ns, othōth, signs," not only as connected with the seasons and nautical observations, but in reference even to a Stellar primeval Alphabet. Now it is worthy of especial notice, that the first and last letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, and, spell this very word, oth, a "sign" in the singular number, comprehending, as we have shown, (see Plate,) an astronomical formation of the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew Alphabet.

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It surely was a further beneficent design of the great Creator, that His stellar "signs" should hereafter be taken for hints— nay, even "heavenly patterns" themselves-for the construction of an Astral Alphabet of the earliest language on record, the Hebrew,* destined to convey to us more fully in Holy Writ the knowledge of His works, commands, and our access to Him through the Son of His love, "the Hope of Israel, the Saviour." (Jer. xiv. 8.) Thus He has spoken to us. First, in astronomy, "A work, glorious, because the shadow of His might." Secondly, by the signs and characters of an immutable Astronomical Alphabet.

At a meeting of the British Archæological Association at Hereford, Sept. 8, the Rev. Canon Jebb said, "There might be reasons for supposing that Divine Providence first suggested the alphabetical method, and made use of some of those characters which were well known to the Israelites.

Printed at the Operative Jewish Converts' Institution, Palestine Place, Bethnal Green.