er communion of properties than that simple sound. In the system of Mr. er, however, the Hebrew language its cognate dialects, instead of beconfined to the south-west of Asia, e been diffused over the globe with a crsion far more extensive than that which the Jewish exiles have been med. ibus in terris, quæ sunt a gadibus usque oram et Gangen. n short, the great talisman, with Ech all the magical wonders of these ames are wrought, is a vocabulary isting principally of two or three hun d oriental roots, chiefly monosyllables, e or other of which it is hard if a ful artist cannot detect in most words posed to his examination, and cone in some way, direct or indirect, to nect with the deluge, or the host of ven. Ir. Faber, however, assumes still ater licences of derivation. His words often put together, in the most arrary order, to complete the sense ich he wishes to extract; a connectlink is sometimes requisite to be supd; and sometimes a single letter, in iance of grammar, is made to stand a whole root. In more than one tance, the letter N signifies the patrich Noah. Cylindrus, for example, Cala-nah-ador, "the illustrious arkite ah." Different languages are not frequently united in the same appeltion. Thus ductile are words to the touch our author. With equal success he ids means of adapting them to his subct. For this purpose he has collected number of objects, which he considers symbols of the heavenly bodies, or f the deluge and its concomitant cirarastances. We extract the following atalogue. "The most usual symbols the sun were a lion and a serpent; hose of Noah, a bull, a horse, and a h united with a man; those of the rk, a heifer, a mare, a fish united with woman, a ram, a boar, a cup, a seaLonster, and a beautiful female, who was sometimes described as a virgin, and sometimes represented as the mother of the gods, and as the consort, the daughter, the parent, or the sister, of the principal arkite deity." If therefore any syllables of a word, pruned or extended into any similitude to Mr. Faber's monosyllables, bear any reference to any of these objects, it is immediately pressed into the service of the helioarkite mysteries. Mr. Faber reduces all the personages of ancient mythology to a very small number of archetypes. He is sometimes informed by an obscure scholiast, that certain different names are only different appellations of the same god or hero. Where this information is wanting, he does not scruple, if neces sary for his object, to confound genealogies, and to represent the son, and the grandson, and a whole line of descendants, as the same person with their progenitor. In the course of this work, Noah has perhaps fifty different names bestowed on him, and the ark and the dove, (to borrow an expression from our author,) a proportionate polyonymy. Thus another advantage is gained, that what is not found applicable to the purpose under one name or character, may be found under another; and thus from the whole encyclopedia of fable, a tolerable narrative of the diluvian events may be at length compiled. If Such are the principal features of the system here devised for the discovery of remote and long-forgotten facts. this key can be employed with success in opening the close repositories of historical truth, may we not hope that, in the progress of discovery, arguments may be developed by machinery, and poems constructed by engines? To give the system an appearance of consistency and arrangement, a number of technical terms has been adopted, such as the arkite ogdoad, and the helioarkite worship. To say much respecting the subordinate parts of an hypothesis, in its fundamental principles so outrageous to all probability, would be needless. The vocabulary is collected somewhat arbitrarily from different languages, Hebrew, Coptic, Greek, and Gothic. To do all that Mr. Faber has done in this work, nothing more than the slightest degree of acquaintance with the oriental languages is requisite, though we mean to say that his knowledge is not really more extensive. To analyze his work, which is often defective and, obscure in arrangement, would be also difficult, We shall only mention some of the chief topics. The first chapter consists of preliminary observations, intended to illustrate the system and the principles on which it is constructed. The second is devoted to an analysis of the supposed Phenician history of Sanchoniatho, and an explication of it on the principles of the author. He then proceeds to establish the identity of the Cabiri, Corybantes, Curetes, Dioscori, Anactes, Dii Magni, Idei Dactyli, Telchines, Lares, Plenates, Manes, Titans, and Aleta, the polyo. mymy of the sun, and the connection of the fabulous Hades with the mysteries of the Cabiri. The various countries devoted to the Cabiric superstition are then investigated: Italy, Crete, Samothrace, and Troas. The second volume opens with an illustration of four convenient monosyllables, occupying nearly 70 pages, and proceeds to the history of the Argonautic voyage, the war of the Titans, and the identity and import of the mysteries of Isis, Ceres, Mithras, &c. &c. Such is nearly the table of contents. We add another short extract for the purpose of illustrating more fully our author's etymological propensities, and take it at hazard. "I have mentioned, upon the authority of Tzetzes, that Italy received its name from a person called Italus or Taurus. This person is evidently no other than the Talus, Italotus, or Taurus of Crete; whence it will follow, that the word Italia is compounded of ItalAia, or Ait-Al-Aia, the land of Italus or Talus, the solar bull. In a similar manner Talium or Italium, in the territory of the Samnites, and Italica, in the island of Eubea, the country of the Corybantes, both equally derived their respective appellations from the worship of Talus. The same remark may be applied to the Telebox, the ancient inhabitants of the isle of Taphos. These are said by the scholiast upon Apollonius to have originally inhabited Acaruania; and he describes them as coming to Argos, and fight ing with Electryon, the father of Alement, for his oxen. Electry on was the son of Perseus and Andromeda; from Hippothoè, the daughter of his brother Mestor, and Neptune, sprung Pterelas; and from Pterelas, Taphius, and Teleboas the father of the Telebox. Alcmenè afterwards married Amphityron, and at length becane the mother of Hercules by Jupiter. All these naines are significant. Teleboas is compounded of Tel-Ob-Bou, the helio-tauric serpent; and Electryon is derived from El-Ge-Tor-lon, the divine tauric dove of the ocean. In a similar manner, Alcmenè is Al-Oc-Mena, the lunar deity of the sea; Amphitryon is Am-Phi-TorIon, the oracular god of the bull and the dove; Mestor is M'Es-Tor, the great solar bull; Pterclas is P'Tor-El-As, the bull the god of fire; and Hippethot, the concubine 6. Neptune, is Hippo-Thea, the divine Hip pian Ark. The contest, in short, we' tween the votaries of the two great supe tions, and was that which preceded final union. A colony of these Tai according to Virgil, formerly inhabite one of their ancient sovereigns named T... prea in the bay of Naples; and he me who was the father of Oebalus. Nec tu carminibus nostris indictus a Ocbale, quem generâsse Telon Set 1 nympha Fertur: Teleboum Capreas cum ... teneret Jam senior. Telon or Tel-On is the sun, and his posed offspring Ocbalus is Ob-Al, the scre deity." is not, in opposition at least to 3 To say what the heathen mythche systems as that of the present work easy; to determine what it is, is han cult; or perhaps, more properly p as unimportant as the question is ing, incapable of resolution. In origin we conceive it to have been part symbolical, and partly to consist of guised narrations of facts which r happened; the mythology of diffe countries we believe to have been che local. It was said by a former, the much less daring, adventurer in the s field, that "the heathen mythology is a free and open chase, where men of lett are privileged to sport and pursue game, each according to his faner. We have only one objection to this a count, that the game, generally sp ing, is not worth the pursuit. "Ti fables," says Hume, "which are com monly employed to supply the place true history, ought entirely to be disro garded; or if any exception be admitt to this general rule, it can only be favour of the ancient Grecian fiction which are so celebrated and so agree able, that they will ever be the obje of the attention of mankind." And apply even these fictions to the inves gation of history, appears to us a lab as fruitless as that of Sisyphus hims who, according to the old poet, acquainted with the works of antient and modern literature, his syle is correct and classical, and he writes with temper and moderation, and without any ap. pearance of that contempt, usual to ystem-makers, for those who have not seen facts in the light in which they are wiewed by themselves. It appears to have been a great object of Mr. Faber's work, to contribute something to the vidences of the Mosaic history, and hus to the cause of religion; that he as been in any degree successful, it is not in our power to say; had his learning and labour received a different direction, it would have given us much satisfaction to have been able to join his name to those of Marsh and Paley; as the case at present is, we must express a hope that he will not represent his system as of essential moment to the establishment of the truth of revelation, as we are afraid that with superficial observers, such a declaration would rather tend to make unbelievers, than to pro duce converts, SCHOOL BOOKS. ART. VII. Elegantia Latine; or Rules and Exercises, illustrative of elegant Latin Style, intended for the Use of the higher Classes of Grammar Schools. 8vo. pp. 220. FROM our knowledge of Dr. Valpy's rmer works of elementary instruction, e have long been induced to regard im as a very able and diligent teacher classical learning. The present work rms a very suitable companion to his rmer publications, and is of a descripa which was much wanted in our hools. We have looked it over with tention, and can without hesitation remmend it as containing many judicis observations, respecting an impor st, but, except in our great schools, generally neglected branch of classieducation. Dr. Valpy thus explains e nature of his object. "During twenty years in which I have n engaged in the arduous but important of teaching the classics, it has never ed to excite my wonder and sorrow, that the many attempts, which have been de to smooth the difficulties, with which road to classical excellence is attended, method tending to facilitate Latin comtion has been successively pursued from first introduction of youth into the ele ART. VIII. A new Dictionary of Antient THIS is a work which contains some ernal evidence of having been comed in the manner which the author tribes. Whenever in the course of reading he met with any geographiilustration, he had recourse, he inms us, to his common-place book, m which the information was afterrds copied in alphabetical order, but at any view to publication. In cess of time, however, the manuscript ame voluminous, and he then began incorporate it with other alphabetical on the same subject. All the mentary exercises, to his arrival into the flowery fields of correct elegance and dig. nity of style. The greatest care is usually taken in conducting him to a certain point: when he understands the plain application of the wide world of elegant latinity, in which his rules of syntax, he is then thrown upon the range he is to take, though stript of the thorns of grammatical analysis, is still very precarious; his progress is still ascensu difficilis. For unless the master is at liberty to point out very minutely the particular words, or arrangement of words which constitute elegance, he must greatly depend upon his own judgment and observation for the knowference between the mere grammatical strucledge of them. And there is as great a difture of a sentence, and the elegant usage and collocation of words, as between the rude sketch of an imperfect outline, and the fine colouring of a finished painting." We are ourselves so strongly convinced of the importance of composition, for the purpose of acquiring a familiar perception of the elegancies of any language, that we give this little book our hearty recommendation. Geography. By CHARLES PYF. 8vo. ART. IX. A Mythological Dictionary, with an Essay on the Sacrifices to Heathen D 12mo. THIS is one of those ephemeral publications, which have their day, and are then replaced by some other work of the same kind, in a newer form, without perhaps a greater share of merit. The humility of the compiler, may be estimated by the profound respect, and distant admiration with which he regards Mr. Lempriere's useful publication on a similiar subject, but larger scale, a. work which will immortalize its auth Mr. Lempriere's book is a very ser able companion to the young stude but we apprehend that immortality the object which he had least in vie the compilation of it. The execution the work before us we can in very ies respects commend. ART. X. Skeleton of the Latin Accidence, in eight Tables. A Neat exhibition of the paradigmata of Latin nouns and verbs, and very likely to prove acceptable and useful to children engaged in learning the rudiments. The examples are well selected, and contain some varieties which are not noticed in common grammars Cre taken by the manner of printing ther to distinguish the essential from the riable parts of words. We believe t we are indebted to Dr. Carey for useful little work. ART. XI. Progressive Exercises, adapted to the Eton Accidence. Svo. pp. 30. THIS is a useful initiatory book, evidently compiled by some person who has been engaged in the practice, or who has considered the theory of learning. It consists of two parts, one intended to exercise boys in the variations of single words and the simplest rules of struction; the other, to conduct them the analysis of complete sentences CHAPTER VII. MODERN LANGUAGES. THE only new works in this department, which the British press has produced uring the last year, are three publications by Signor Graglia, introductory to a nowledge of the Italian language. A new edition of Lindley Murray's English. Grammar and Exercises (See Ann. Rev. vol. I. p. 556) with a few additions and orrections, has also made its appearance. ART. I. New Guide to the Italian Language. By G. A. GRAGLIA. 8vo. pp. 250. THE learner will find this a useful rammar. To each person in every tense f every verb some sentence is affixed to explain their various significations and uses, ART. II. Continuation of the New Guide to the Italian Language. 8vo. pp. 116. THE novelty of this plan, which is at of giving lessons in false syntax, at the learner may rectify it, we shall ot so readily acknowledge as the utility. t is not often that any thing amusing an be selected from a book of exercises, et we think the reader will be amused see how Signor Graglia has contrived teach his pupils mythology and poey in a sonnet of his own in praise of e musical talents and voice of a lady. irst comes the sonnet itself, then its mple syntax, then this translation. Thou, O Phœbus, who dartest thy rays upon the poles, hou, O Apollo, who shakest thy sublime fire on poets, hou, O Neptune, call all the living ones at these scenes, With thy roaring command, Lou, O Mercury, messenger of the gods, double thy wings to acquaint the nations, then, that harmony and sweet complaints De down from heaven into the British empire. on, O Nereides, leave the fountains, ye Naiads, come all out from the waves, Exalted Pleiades, descend to the singing among the sons of Mars, And Pallases, so renowned in our land.” An exposition of the fable follows. I have introduced, says the author, this easy specimen of verses of mine, in order to close these exercises with something unexpected from the scholar, and at the same time to show how poetry should be explained or taught to a beginner. "Now the learner being provided with my Italian and English Pocket Dictionary, with my New Guide to the Italian Lanfacility and little expence, procure to himself guages, and these Exercises, will, with great the knowledge of this beautiful, harmonious, and fashionable language." tion, but Signor Graglia we trust will not We see no reason to gainsay this asserbe offended if we add, that a few of his lessons will greatly facilitate the labour. of this work, of mingling English with The method adopted in the latter part Italian, that the learner may fit in the fragments wanting of either language, is certainly useful; and will be of the same assistance in acquiring Italian conversationally, as dissected maps are found to be in teaching children the ruder parts of geography, |