nunciation, will not only pardon their insertion, but be gratified by them. It gives a certainty and satisfaction to the Hebrew scholar, which the mere spelling them in English can never produce.
Should any take the trouble to compare this publication with Godwin's Moses and Aaron, and Dr. Jennings's Jewish Antiquities, (the books which are usually consulted,) they will find the line of research widely different. For while the plan of Godwin, which is very systematic and condensed, did not allow of that diversity of subject and illustration, and Dr. Jennings, who commented on a part only of Godwin's plan, professes to despise Rabbinical learning; the author of the present publication has taken a wider range; he has accepted, with gratitude, the labours of the Talmudical writers, in the absence of more authentic information; and has endeavoured to make the discoveries of science, and the information of travellers, subservient to the elucidation of his subject.
It is more than probable, that amidst such a variety of materials, he may have sometimes been mistaken as to the use he has made of them; but he can honestly say, that no pains have been spared to ascertain the truth, and to render the subject generally interesting to the Christian inquirer. Nay, he even indulges the hope, that it may be an acceptable present to the posterity of Abraham, to whom the religion and usages of their fathers must ever be an interesting subject of inquiry.