The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-20

OBSERVANCE or THE HEBREW THANKSGIVING,
THE FEAST OF PURIM.--The following is a brief
history Of the origin Of the Festival Of the
Purim, which will be celebrated by the Hebrews
all over the world tomorrow
In the days of Ahasuerus, King of Persia,
who is said TO be the Artaxerxes Longimanus
OF ihistory, the Jews were scattered over
his hundred and twenty-seven provinces,
where they enjoyed comparative peace and
prosperity. This continued for some time, or
rather until courtier, Haman by name, was
of pride was he at his promotion, that his arro-
gance knew no bounds, and he even COM
manded every one to bow down to the earth
as he approached. This was acqulesced in by
all except an Israelite of the tribe of Benjamin,
named Mordecai, who, believing it to be wrong
to bow down TO any save the great King OF
Kings, refused TO pay such undue homage,
which so incensed Haman that he determined
on the destruction not only OF the offending
Mordecai, but of the whole Jewish race.
Esther, the Queen, who was n Jewess learned
OF the Intended destruction of her race, and
gave a banquet, at which she intended to see
and prevail upon the King to save her people
At this banquet Esther unfolded the tale and
told the King what a wicked man proposed
doing to her people. The King, in a burst of
anger, demanded the name of the inhuman
monster whom Esther pointed out in the per-
son of his Minister Haman. Frantic with rage
the King ordered his immediate execution on
the gallows he was told he had prepared for
Mordecai; and as the laws of the Medes and
Persians could not be changed, the royal pro-
clamation went forth that the Jews should de-
fend themselves from their enemies on the
memorable l4th of Adar. But there was little
heed of this for fear was on the Inhabitants"
and instead of a day of sorrow and wailing, it
became one of JOY and feasting, and so ordered
to be observed.
The origin of the name OF the feast is from
the "lots" cast by Haman the Hebrew word for
"Purim," and ever since the feast has been
kept up as a season of rejoicing, in oommemo-
ration OF the goodness OIL GOO 10 His LIS people on
destroyed, even though they be in the land OF
their enemies"
on the Saturday preceding the Feast of Purim,
sermons are preached upon the observance OF
the feast in the various synagogues. The even
ing before the day of the festival is generally a
season of rejoicing, and was formerly almost as
much observed amongst the Hebrews as Christ
mas eve is amongst Christian nations. On the
morning of the day, which occurs tomorrow,
there is a service in the synagogues, and the
history OF the origin of the feast is read instead
people meet in social gatherings, and all are
merry. and congratulate each other upon the
great blessing that the day commentaries. In
former days, the custom generally obtained OF
giving and receiving presents, but of late years
1T has not been SO generally observed.
OUR SOUTHERN STEAMERs-THE New STEAM
SHIP WYoMING-ARRIYAL OF THE STAR OF THE
UNIoN.-The event of yesterday on our river
ming to the Southern Mail Steamship Com.
pany. About half past 2 o'clock she moved
out from Kaighn's Point, N j., where she was
built, and steamed slowly up to the Company's
wharf, second below Spruce street, where she
now lies Perhaps more perfectly modelled
craft never walked the water, and she floats
almost like feather. She is an exact fac
Si1nile of the Star of the Union, differing only
In the amount of tonnage. she is 200 feet in
length, with 80 feet breadth of beam, and 10
feet in depth. She will carry $50 tons of mer-
chandise. She has .direct-acting engines, 49,
inch cylinder. Her revolutions are IS to 20 per
minute. Wheel is 10 feet. with l7-foot pitch.
To insure safety to the passengers, she is pro-
vided with four self-righting life-boats and
patent disconnecting apparatus, by which they
can be thrown evenly on the surface of the
sea. 1t will be impossible to submerge or
swamp them. She is bTig-rigged James
Thomas, of this city, having had that matter in
charge. Her erinterior arrangements, with cabins
above and below deck, are exceedingly chaste
and complete. Her contractor was Mr.. Henry
Simons, of Kaighn's Point, and her machinery
was made by the National Armor Shipping
Company, at The same place, and works to a
charm. She is rated frSt-claSs, cost S9l, ,7Sl %,
and has marine insurance of S50,OO0 She is
intended solely for the Savannah trade, and is
under command of Captain Teal, formerly OF
the Tonawanda, of which she is the consort.
The Star of the Union, Captain Cooksey, New
Orleans via Havana, same line of steamers,
arrived shortly after midnight making the run
in seven days, with large freight and passen-
gers from both cities. She lies at Arch street
wharf.