The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-11-30
PIoUs LITERARY FRAUD.

From the Boston Daily Advertiser.
In the last two numbers Of the American
Eclectic, a tri-monthly journal, which attempts
to present an abstract Of the literature Of the
world, we find curious article by Mr.. ELISHA
BuRRlrT, Of Worcester, 1.-THE gentleman who
has acquired such reputation Tor his acquisitions
in the languages, made at the same time that he
was engaged in working in blacksmith's shop, J
on the history and literature Of the Samaritans.
This article contains a succinct account Of Gu
rious literary fraud, which will, we believe, be
new to most of our readers.
The Samaritans have version Of the PEN
tateuch made into their own language from the
original, at very early day, some centuries be-
fore or era. In the seventeenth century great
exertions were made in Europe TO procure CO.
pies OF this version, which was OF course very
valuable to critics and lheologians in their stu
dies on the different points of our Hebrew text.
Robert Huntington, an English minister, who
visited Scheni or Mt. GeTzim. the seat of the
remnant Of the Samaritan nation, in 1871, find
ing them very curious about the English Israel
ties, succeeded in making them betcve that
there were a large body Of men, holding the
same belief with themselves, resident in Eng
land, and that il would be highly acceptable if
they would send out copy Of their law and
some other communication. They eagerly seized
at the proposal, and IN few days furnished
him with copy of the law, and letter, both in
the Samaritan character and dialect, the latter
giving full and curious account OF their Gus
toms.
Huntington at once despatched these docu-
ments to Oxford, where meeting Of the college
faculty was at once held, to consider these valu-
able prizes. With zeal for learning as worthy
as any faculty meeting ever displayed, they de-
termined TO disregard any squeamsh onscien-
tousness; and, in order TO keep up the decep-
ton as long as practicable, they intrusted to Ro-
bert Marshall, their rector, the task Of replying
to the letter. He acquitted himself wonderfully
well. The letter which he wrote was in He
brew, written without points, and gives the most
admirable imitation OF oriental style we have
ever seen. He showed knowledge Of the
lraelitish scriptures equal to any Rabbits, and
uses typical forms and expressions in the most
successful manner In answer TO the some what
inconvenient questions about the high priest Of
the English Samartans, he makes most in
genious reply, explaining that their high priest
Is OF the order of Mechzedec, and making some
vague illusions 10 the life and resurrection of
Christ, which must have sadly puzzled his cor
respondents, who, however, do not appear by
their answer to have had any suspicious OF the
truth from this part of the letter.
They were not perfectly satisfied with his let
ter, however. He had neglected 10 pay sutfi-
cent reverence TO Mt. Gerizim, the test Of their
faith, (see John w. 20,) and they ask some fur
Their explanations. Mr.. Burritt has not given
any more of the English letters, which we re-
greet, as their ingenuity makes them quite as GU
rious as the simplicity Of the others. The cor
respondence thus sklfully and learnedly begun
was continued for upwards Of fifty years.
A small remnant Of the Samartans yet re-
mains. Dr. Robinson, 10 his recently published
work, gives a curious account OF an interview
he had with him.