Instances are brought from eastern histories, of the eyes being sewed or sealed up, to keep princes from doing mischief in a time of faction, or as a punishment for disobedience; as well as of depriving criminals of one or both eyes.

2 Corinthians, iv. 7. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

In a Cingalese pottery, I have seen hundreds of earthern vessels for hoarding money in. They are nearly round, and in size something less than the two fists. They have no opening but a small hole, like that in a till to slip in a coin ;-and are said to be mostly bought up by children, to hide the profit of their play in, and other such sums.

2 Corinthians, vi. 14. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers.

However disadvisable may be the marriage of a pious person with one destitute of the spirit of Christianity, though well-informed or correct in religious opinion, the Apostle here appears to prohibit marriages between professed Christians and avowed Idolaters or Jews. In many cases where this unhappily takes place, (just as when a Protestant and Catholic marry,) one brings up the boys, and the other the girls. In a case within the writer's recollection, a Christian catechist had a son a preacher, and others Protestants like himself, whose daughters were said to be by the mother conducted to the Budhuist temple.

Ephesians, vi. 16. Above all, taking the shield of faith.
Bishop Horsley reads, over, or outside all.

1 Timothy, iii. 16. Great is the mystery of godliness.

"Mystery." "The leading sense is Arcanum, a secret, any thing not disclosed, not published to the world, though perhaps communicated to a select number. Aоxaλus stands in the same relation to this word, as discovery does to secret." Campbell. -Had Lord Chesterfield been aware that the common acceptation of the word mystery in English, differs from the word in Greek, his politeness would have checked his profaneness, if Christian principles had lost all their force, when his Lordship thus wrote to B. Doddington, Esq. "The mystery of state is become like that of godliness, ineffable and incomprehensible, and has likewise the same good luck of being thought the finer for not being understood."-But infidelity was ever superficial,like his Lordship's system of manners.

Hebrews, i. 12. As a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed.

The Grand Seignior appears in different coloured robes, for various purposes the same day.

1 Peter, iii. 3, 4. Whose adorning, let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; but let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

"Neither Paul, 1 Timothy, ii. 9, nor Peter here do simply condemn ornaments, but the abuse of

them, they being used by persons of mean condition. 2. The Church was then under grievous persecution. 3. The words are rather an admonition than a prohibition. He forbiddeth not using of them, but admonisheth them that they would rather adorn the inside than the outside, and this evidently appears by the antithesis that is used in both places, not, saith Paul, but not, saith Peter, desire more the adorning of the mind than the body."-Leigh. Old Mr. Trapp_is always too interesting to be refused a hearing. His note on 1 Peter, iii. 3, is as follows: verse 3. "Whose adorning] Mundus muliebris. SeeIsaiah,iii. 18, where the prophet as punctually inveighs against this noble vanity, as if he had viewed the ladies' wardrobes in Jerusalem. [Let it not be that outward] Vestium curiositas, deformitatis mentium et marum indicium est, saith Bernard. Excessive neatness is a sign of inward nastiness. It was a true saying of the wise Cato, Cultus magna cura, magna est virtutis injuria. They are never good that strive to be over fine. Lysander

would not suffer his daughters to wear gorgeous attire; saying, it would not make them so comely as common."-See Harmer's luminous remarks on these passages.

1 Peter, iv. 3, 4. For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you.

Hindoo festivals abound with follies the most frantic, and obscenities the most shocking.-Budhuist processions are conducted with noise and buffoonery-men for the purpose being dressed fantastically-in a manner, partly Cingalese and partly

European. Drums and fifes stun the ear, crackers are let off, songs are chaunted, and dancers cut all manner of capers. The player of the chief pranks commonly wears a soldier's red coat. The Moorish fast of Ramadan, is distinguished at night by a procession, followed by a shouting multitude; and then by scenes of the highest festivity.

2 Peter, i. 20. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation.

Private interpretation. Bishop Horsley contends that the meaning is, "no prophecy of Scripture is of self-interpretation;"-but is explained by its fulfil

ment.

Revelation, vi. 6. A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny.

This seems written in conformity with the practice, as in India, of sending daily to the bazar for things necessary. So in 2 Kings, vii. 1, where the allusion seems to be, to food enough for a family. The people are accustomed very generally to live from hand to mouth; and what is left from supper, often serves for breakfast.

Revelation, xviii. 22, 23. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee: and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in thee; and the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride, shall be heard no more at all in thee.

The house of a chief in India is occasionally a scene of the utmost splendour and festivity, as at the marriage of a son or daughter, when the preparations in fitting up apartments occupy several weeks. The relatives appear in the dresses appropriate to their rank; the bride and bridegroom are

handsomely dressed, and decorated with gems and jewellery-reminding one of the plates in Calmet's Dictionary, relating to Solomon's Song. The procession is accompanied by musicians and dancers, and shouting crowds.-In Budhuist bana-madooas or preaching-tents, the zeal of the natives induces many of them to stand during the performance with lamps on their heads, or with tapers fastened to their fingers. If a procession have to pass at night, lamps formed of cocoa-nut shells are posted along the street or way.-Often was I reminded of the craftsmen, when a neighbour to several Modliars of the Matura district. Chiefs of that class procure materials, and employ workmen at their own residence, and under their own inspection, in forming jewellery, cabinet-work, or whatever they choose to have made. There different artists may be seen at work, and those concerned in beaten-work may be often heard at the hammer from morning till night.—The natives, in their hand-mills, grind only corn enough to serve the family one day; hence one may hear their sound, in house after house, when walking along in a morning. But the threatening above, applies with superior force to a city, in which the different classes of traders and manufacturers occupy exclusively particular streets. See note on 1 Kings, xx. 34. How chilling to one heretofore almost stunned with the hammers of copper-smiths, to walk over the ruins of their street now in silent desolation !

FINIS.

S HOLDSWORTH, PRINTER, 06, PATERNOSTER ROW.