Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-07-15

SALATHIEL. we think ms cStraoruinary
production anques,ionably one OF the mos, in
genious and best written publications OF the age
We mot aware that the name of the author
is known. lift be, We have not met with any
meurnn Of il; though we have seen several ex-
tracts from the book in foreign journals. several
of which have been copied in American papers.
Tie subj, CT chosen Is an old one--the Wander
inc Jew; who is supposed 10 give the only au,
thentic account OF his own adventures. his
subject, copner lrd as the legend is with an aw
full event, may seem improper for hcIion. The
author has however managed /, with admr able
skill: AID if il be adm issibe 10 at,rmp: deli
neation Of the feelings Of the supposed bias
phemer, he has succeeded in producing work
not only dazzlir,; In its de scripuons, hut reli-
pous in It's tendency. The extracts we have
made below are from he first few pages, and
are fair specimen Of The imsg inaiion, talent
and language of the book. ~. York Com
Tie PaSsover- The 7emple-.4ndtheDark-
ness after the Cracifr'on.
FROM sALArHIEL.
Overwhelmed with drspai, ! rusned through
Jerusalem, with scarcely CONSCIOUSNESS oil
whittier was going IL was time OF the
Passover, when the city was crowded with the
multitude come 10 the great festival oil the year
I felt an instino tive horror OF the human coun
tenance, and stunned every avenue by which the
tribes came in al las, found myself al the
Gate of Zion, that leads southwark into the o.
men country. had then no eyes for that won
drous portal which had exhausted the skill OF
The mos, famous Ionian sculptors, the master~
work OF Herod the Great. But vainly tr'rd
10 force my wild way through he crowds that
fingered on their march 10 gaze upon ITS match
less beauty; portal ulone worthy Of the wonders
l,l he nj ryF
cloud opening to lead the eye upwards TO The
stars.
On those days the Roman guard were with
drawn; ascenCied the batlements to seek an
other escape; bu, the concourse gathered here
10 look upon the entrance of the tribes, hxed
me 10 the spot. OF all the strange aud magni-
ficent sights Of Earth, this entrance was IN st
be Gued 10 swell the national pride OF country
and religion. The dispersion ordained by Hea-
ven for Judgment on he crimes oil our idoia-
trous kings, had, in that wonder>w lrkng pow
err by which good is brought our OF evil, plan'ea
our law in the remotsst eXtremitles tie world.
Among its prosely,es were the mighty OF all
regions, The military leaders, the sages, The
kings; all, at least once in their lives, coming
to paw homage to the great central city Of the
faith; and all coming with the pomp and atten =,
dance of their rank. The procession amount
ed TO a number which threw all atertimes into
the shade. Three millions OF people have been
counted at the Passover. The di,ersities oil the
multitude were still more striking. Every race
of mankind, in its most marked 2ecullaIites,
there passed beneath the eve.
There came the long train of swar;hy slaves
and menials round the chariot OF the Indian
prince, clothed in The silks and jewels OF the
regions beyond the Gauges. Upon them pres
sed the troop of African llon-huniers halt maxi
ed. but with their black limbs wretched with
pearl and fragments Of unwrsught gold Be-