The Express.
London, England, 1847-08-19 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

The Lands of the Bible visited and described in an exten-
sive journey, undertaken with special reference to the
promotion of biblical research, and the adraneement of
the cause of philanthropy. By JOHN Vinson, D.D.,
F.R.S., 8:c. With maps and illustrations. 2 vole. 1847.
The author of these volumes had been fifteen years
in India as a missionary of the church of Scotland,
when repeated attacks of fever rendered it necessary
that he should resort for a season to more temperate
climates. It was a mitigation of the trial to think
that his journey to Europe " might he made the
occasion of gratifying his ardent desire to sur-
vey the countries which have been the theatres
of the most marvellous events in the world's history,
and contributing in any degree to direct to them the
benevolence of Britain." Accordingly on the let Jan.,
1843, he concluded his ministrations to his little flock
of converts from Hinduism, Zoroastrianism, and
_ -
MI

___.....maaanism at Bombay. Much had been done
by various parties to facilitate his journey. He was
indebted to the governor in council for a special letter
of introduction to the government authorities of the
countries through which he might pass—and also one
from the rulers of the Bene Israel to the Jews whom
he might visit.
Dr. Wilson was well prepared for this journey by
his ardent philanthropy, his enlightened zeal, his
liberal spirit, and an intimate acquaintance with the
languages and customs of the east. He was rlt
inattentive to scenery, or to the condition of man
in the countries through which he passed; but he
does not equal some of those who had gone before
him in the graphic p‘,..ver of his descrirtions, or in
tae dramaiiC which they have given to ti;_ir.
aseratives. He tells us, in clear and sensible
what he saw and heard. But he does not
srsteig:s to see and bear for ourselves ; he does
not present pictures to our mind's eye. The
chief value of his work (enhanced by illustra-
tions and splendid maps, the latter constructed
by Messrs. Johnson, of Edinburgh, geographers
to the Queen) consists in its biblical research,
its critical examination, on the spot, of the antiquities
and sites of the lands of the Bible, and its learned
expositions of the historical and prophetic portions of
Scripture. Kgreat part of the volumes is occupied
with topographical descriptions, which, though not so
picturesque as they might be, are no doubt accurate,
Zaelirs such, calculated to be useful to the general
as well as to future travellers. The first
voyage was from Bombay to Aden
Tlis people of these tribes, a ecealderable number of whoa arc now
settled le ads, are fine limbed, comely, and headroom in their
shape, sad without the prominent led pouted lip, and protuberant
belly ad kips, of moot of their eselkaastal neighbours. Them s'iin is
of a darkeopper colour, their tea= are bamitifully white nod clean,
their bids la more curly than weeny mod naturally black, but, by
the aid at shell Ilea whisk they au& to it. they frequently Mange
It to a llakt Wean or red. end give • eon of airy form. They re.
seechle lie Kuhr Y apperrome, sod eaey are remarkable both far
teleingeste. Meet at deem baguet:Ming the gores
Atsidetireiresepisioad up taw Irmo el tikat country,
=ret** own gone Ondoet hew due 44 pr
ein vocable. of which I received tram . o dudes • •
lest skit Iseobay. • •4 04
The Jews have a synagogue at Aden, bat of U. t--
plainest description—merelya square:its= of eon- •
orderable height, with scarcel7 a hole to admit the
light. Its only furniture consists of a small desk-and
three or four stools, a coarse mat spiead over the

floor, three or four tumblers for lamps, awl wend :./ :,..
ostrich eggs suspended from the roof Is ..cfrittaiaff.,
A school of theirs, containing about a dorsal /kW-
were engaged reciting some ptusie,ge. of Scripture
in Hebrew, bawling at the utmost . . of their
voices. Most of the adult Jews w- I . . and re-
ie
tiring, and destitute of that ease ; ~, • • ence
whi&, under the British gore . . - S.
obtain. The population of . • • oi, irt 4i,
to 20,000, including 1,000 Jew Z : ...Loimi.
risszotkie km more than enadrn .. ~.
.. . •
IN tows tie Owlish in 1801. The • ~,, • r`,
_r_leyl•
its Is e position with regard to .
u. . • the "'"" 717'.. 7 •
.1
, . ..
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