struck with the extraordinary absence of vicious propensities among the multitude. There were no guards to keep order, for none were needed. A striking contrast was presented to what is seen at fairs and races in this country.

Having learnt that some interest had been excited, by the discovery of a few skeletons, the skulls of which, by their formation, indicated that they must have belonged to the children of Israel, and that the place where they were found must have been a burial place of that people, when they dwelt in this land, I took occasion to make enquiries on the subject. The place is at some distance from the city, near an extensive stone quarry, to which I paid a visit. An English engineer, who superintended the quarries, confirmed what I had heard, and said that he had given all the skulls, eight in number, to the American consul, who had sent them to his country. On asking the opinion of the missionary, who passes for a man of great information, relative to this matter, he stated his belief that the ancient Babylonians must have had a sepulchre in the locality above-mentioned, so that the skeletons would be of that people. It could not, he said, be decided, by the skulls, if they were of the Israelites or Babylonians. The latter formed a colony, and built a city near to modern Cairo, which they called Babylon, after the name of Babylon the Great.

Among other matters of interest, I was pleased to notice bricks made with straw, as alluded to in Exodus.

I went to see the palace of the Pacha, and its magnificent gardens. On the wall of a chamber in the palace, is the following inscription in Arabic, said to be from Mohammed,-One hour of justice is worth seventy hours of prayer.

It was my wish to go into Upper Egypt and also to Mount Sinai, which travellers now can do without much difficulty, in the proper seasons of the year; but at this time, the beginning of August, the summer heats rendered travelling to these places almost impossible. In the commencement of Octo

ber, when the heats have subsided, the Arab traders begin again to frequent Cairo, and they make enquiries for travellers desiring to visit Sinai, with a view to gain something by conveying them thither on their camels, as they return homeward, or allowing them to go in their company. I would have waited for such an opportunity; proceeding meanwhile, in the month of September, by the Nile into Upper Egypt, to see Thebes and other places. I regret, however, to say, that here, at Cairo, a at Jerusalem, I was arrested in my travels. News came of such a nature, re.. specting the threatened war between the ruler of Egypt, and some of the European powers, that the situation of Englishmen was becoming very critical in this country; and it seemed highly expedient for every one, who could conveniently leave it, to do so forthwith. I deemed it proper to take this course, and accordingly engaged my passage back to Alexandria, by the same vessel, a small steamer, in which I had come to Cairo.

This was of course a grievous disappointment to me. I will, as before, supply the reader with a brief account of what my route would have been, and what I should have had the pleasure of seeing, had I accomplished the journeys above-mentioned. I should have proceeded up the Nile, and seen Thebes, Dendera, Carnac, Luxor, Eznee, and various other ruins, which are such as to astound, and gratify beyond measure, the traveller, because of the abundance of temples, palaces, tombs, obelisks, &c.; their colossal magnitude, their fine architecture, and the profusion of hieroglyphics they exhibit; all testifying that a people of surpassing skill, science, learning, wealth, power, and greatness, once dwelt in this country; and that of a truth Egypt must once have been at the head of nations, for the high civilization of its people. I was especially wishful to examine the hieroglyphics, because of their origin in the science of correspondences. With respect to their images, the belief is gaining ground among historians and travellers, that they were

originally designed only to symbolize the various attributes of the one true God. I may instance the historian Wilkinson, as one who makes such a declaration, in his work on ancient Egypt.

I must not enter into further particulars relative to the remains of the ancient Egyptians. The traveller usually returns by the way he went, and reaches Cairo in a month from the time he set out. Allow me to remark, that those persons who purpose visiting the above places, will do well to fulfil their intention early, as the monuments are gradually disappearing, from the rapacious hands of travellers, each of whom will bring something away.

one.

On proceeding to Mount Sinai, the traveller, on quitting Cairo, passes across the desert, until he reaches Suez, which is on the margin of the Red Sea. His conveyance is a camel, or he may go by an English vehicle, which now traverses that desert, for the accommodation of travellers. By the former mode he goes in four days, but by the latter in less than He crosses the Red Sea in a boat, and on the other side sets out along the sea shore, the way to Sinai. The Israelites are supposed to have crossed at some distance from Suez. In six hours, the traveller comes to a number of wells near to the sea, which are called the Wells of Moses: there are eight of them; thirty palm-trees surround them, and the water is sulphureous, and disagreeable to the taste. Proceeding onward, the wilderness becomes very rocky and mountainous, and there is no vegetation. six days he reaches his destination; he is received into a Greek monastery, built on the lower part of a very high mountain called Mount Sinai, as being that upon which the Lord descended, and gave the law to Moses. The inmates of the convent are very hospitable to strangers, shew them every thing about the mount, and give them every information. The monastery is like a small village, and is surrounded by high walls. Three places of worship are there; one made use of by the present inmates, one which formerly belonged to the Catholics, when they

In

had this convent, and one which is very highly venerated, as being situated on the spot where the Lord appeared to Moses in the burning bush. This mount where the convent is built is therefore Mount Horeb, which is as the breast-work to Mount Sinai. The top of Sinai is seven miles above the water of the Red Sea on proceeding to ascend it from the convent, the traveller comes about the midway, to a chapel dedicated to the prophet Elijah, in which there is a grotto, said to be that into which the prophet betook himself after his journey across the wilderness, to Mount Horeb, when he was fleeing from Jezebel. The mount is very difficult of ascent, being rocky and very rugged, but at length, upon reaching the summit, the visitor is repaid for his trouble.

He sees beneath him, and around, a scene the most extraordinary that the mind can conceive; rocks and mountains the wildest and most grotesque, and endlessly varied in their configurations. The view is said to be awfully magnificent, and the mount seems very likely to have been that upon which the Lord appeared, when he gave the law. A mosque is built upon it; for the Mohammedans have a great veneration for the mount; and there are also the ruins of two Christian churches. An opening in the rock is shewn, as the place wherein Moses was put, while the glory of the Lord passed by. After descending, the stranger is taken to see the rock in Horeb, reputed to be that which Moses smote, to obtain water for the people. The place is called by the Arabs Massab, and also Meribab, which nearly resemble the Hebrew words Massah and Meribah, implying temptation.

It is usual for those who proceed no further than Sinai, to return thence to Cairo by the way they went. Some pro ceed onward to Mount Hor and Idumea, and thence to Jerusalem; but travelling this way is attended with danger.

I left Cairo after a stay of five days, although with great reluctance. The fine town itself, and the fertile and beautiful country around it, presented many attractions, inducing a wish to remain

longer. The day afterwards I was at Alexandria, and in two days more was on the sea again, destined for Greece.

I had now fulfilled the intention formed some months before, of visiting various places in the East. I had been more than four months among Mohammedans, and had formed a general idea of their character and habits, and the effects of their religion. In my first letter, I promised to take up again the subject of Islamism, and consider it in various points of view. This, however, must be the subject of a future letter.

I am, &c.,
Manchester, Oct. 6, 1841.

A. H.

A VISIT TO THE DAY SCHOOLS IN MANCHESTER AND SALFORD, ON THE DAY OF EXAMINATION.-These schools, which in Manchester and Salford are three in number, containing about 500 children, all educated on the religious principles of the New Church, are objects of great attraction to those who appreciate the immense importance of educating the children of the humbler classes of the community; and especially if the education be conducted on those sound scriptural principles of religion, on which they consider the well-being of man to be eternally based. Education, taken in its universal acceptation, is peculiarly the offspring of the New Dispensation; and no class of the community can feel a deeper interest in this great and good work, than the members of the New Christian Church. The Day Schools in Manchester and Salford, have been now in active operation about thirteen years; the applications for admission have always been more numerous than could be complied with. At the commencement, these schools stood alone, and were peculiar of their kind; other denominations having observed the success which accompanied the system both of instruction and discipline adopted in these schools, have instituted others; so that at the present, there are numerous schools throughout this populous district, established on a similar principle. Notwith

standing this, however, the applications at the schools of the New Church, are as numerous as ever; which is a proof, that religious prejudice is greatly subsiding, and that the schools of the New Jerusalem still preserve the esteem of the public. It having been announced, that the examination of the boys' school in Manchester, would be held on the 22nd December last, we went thither at the hour appointed, and were much gratified to see our old experienced friend, Mr. Moss, again the conductor of the school. It will be remembered, that last year we were informed in the February number of the Intellectual Repository, that Mr. Moss had resigned his situation of being the master of the school in Peter Street; but it would seem, that the love of instructing youth has become his ruling love of usefulness; and we well know, that the ruling love will invariably endeavour to establish itself in its own sphere of activity whenever it can; accordingly a vacancy for the principal master having occurred, Mr. Moss being one of the applicants for the situation, and his tried services being well known, became the successful candidate. The children of this school, being about 210 in number, were all arranged in proper order, and the elder classes were first examined in their catechism and in their religious principles. The numerous proofs they adduced from Scripture to confirm the docrtines they had learned, plainly showed the solid groundwork of their education in this important point. classes were then examined as to their progress in useful knowledge of various kinds'; and in every respect the company present were extremely satisfied with the solid acquirements of the boys. range of instruction has been gradually extended since the schools commenced; and we were much pleased to see several problems in geometry readily demonstrated, as well as the use of the globes well understood, as to the principal problems, by the children. The rudiments of physiology have also been introduced into the schools with great advantage. On the following day the examination of

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the girls' school at Salford was to take place, whither we also went, and were much delighted to find a number of ladies deeply interested in the prosperity of the schools. A committee of ladies for the superintendence of the girls' school is annually appointed by the general committee of the society, and this has been found to operate greatly to the advantage of the schools. The examination was, in every respect, highly satisfactory to all present; and there is every reason to believe that the divine blessing of the Lord will accompany the efforts which are now being made to implant genuine principles of truth and goodness in the minds of youth, which, in due time, may ripen into an abundant harvest. We must not omit to mention that a few months ago we also attended the examination of the boys' school in Salford, which is under the tuition and care of Mr. Larkin. The school contains as many pupils as the place can admit, and the applications are more numerous than can be accommodated. Great pains had evidently been taken by the teacher to instruct the children; and the examination was highly to the credit of the school.

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE SOCIETY IN PETER STREET, MANCHESTER.-This meeting was held on Monday, the 24th of January; when a numerous company of ladies and gentlemen assembled in the rooms, adjoining the church, to tea at six o'clock. The rooms presented a delightful appearance, having been prepared for the occasion, and decorated with festoons of evergreen and of artificial flowers; the walls were also adorned with the portraits of the late Revs. Clowes, Hindmarsh, Jones, and other worthy and respected individuals, who have been active and diligent labourers in the new vineyard of the Lord. After tea, the business of the meeting commenced, when the Rev. J. H. Smithson was unanimously requested to take the chair. The respected secretary of the committee, Mr. E. Irving, read the report, which first gave a general view of the external state of

the society, its pecuniary relations, &c., which were found to be in a satisfactory and improving condition. The report then entered more into detail; and the subject which seemed to afford the highest gratification was the prosperous state of the Sunday school, which had greatly increased in numbers since the last report; the fresh zeal and activity manifested in this important field of usefulness, were acknowledged by the assembly with heartfelt pleasure as a guarantee of increasing success. It was also most gratifying to learn that the library is now more in request, and that readers are becoming more numerous. Much gratitude is due, on the part of the Society, to the excellent individual who, for several years, has superintended the library with so much zeal and regularity. Another subject which caused much pleasure to the assembly, was the committee of young ladies, who, like affectionate "daughters of Jerusalem", have exerted themselves, during the past year, in a variety of ways for the benefit and prosperity of the Society. By reducing the truth to practical usefulness, our daughters will realize the prophetic declaration of the Psalmist, "our daughters shall become as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace;" that is, truths will be confirmed in their minds, as "corner stones" on which every thing heavenly, angelic, and blissful, can be formed and established. The committee of visitors, consisting of two ladies and two gentlemen, to the sick, infirm, and needy, was likewise considered as eminently useful. It is in this way that a society can realize its purposes of genuine charity carried out to its fullest extent; for charity is not a principle which evaporates in sighs, words, and wishes for its neighbour's good; genuine charity delights in acts and good works, and breaks its bread to the hungry, &c. And the visitors' committee appears to carry out the great purposes of love and charity with more discrimination and wisdom, than could otherwise be effected. Several other topics of importance were also brought before the meeting, es

pecially congregational singing, and the propriety, and desirableness of training the children of the Sunday school to sing more in the church. In short, the meeting was highly interesting and edifying, the bonds of mutual regard and brotherly love and union were greatly strengthened, and the company separated, highly gratified with the mutual intercourse, and with the prospect of progressive improvement, both as to spiritual and temporal realities.

MARRIED, Aug. 13, 1841, at the New

Jerusalem Church, Cross Street, London, by the Rev. S. Noble, Mr. THOMAS F. SALTER to Miss MARY ANN JANE FORD.

ALSO, same day, Mr. BENJAMIN OBORNE to Miss AMEY Ford. ALSO, Sept. 17th, Mr. JAMES CROOK to Miss MARIA RICHARDSON. All be.. onging to that Society.

MARRIED, on the 5th of December, 1841, in the New Jerusalem Temple, Newcastle-on-Tyne, by the Rev. E. D. Rendell, MR. ARCHIBALD GREY to MISS HANNAH STUART.

DIED, September 9, 1841, at Salisbury, RACHEL, wife of Mr. JAMES SMALL, aged 32 years. She had for several years been a steady and consistent member of the church in that city, and was universally respected and beloved. For a long period she had been afflicted with an internal disease, but which had only during the last two or three months, assumed symptoms of an alarming character. The Rev. T. Goyder, during his recent visit, administered to her, at her request, the sacrament of the Holy Supper. The partaking of this sacred ordinance seemed to convey much comfort to her mind, and to impart increased strength to her immortal spirit. Her end was peace. On the sabbath after her interment, the Society's leader (Mr. Dyke) delivered a funeral discourse, founded on the 23rd Psalm, being a text of her own choosing, to a most numerous and attentive audience, all of whom appeared to be much edified with the cheering views given concerning the heavenly world and the blissful state of its inhabitants.

D. T. D.

DIED, on the 16th of October last, in the 65th year of his age, Mr. ROBERT MACKIE, one of the old receivers of the doctrines of the New Church in the city of Glasgow.

Mr. Mackie is so closely identified with the progress of the New Church in Glasgow, that it may here be expedient

to state the manner in which he was made acquainted with those sublime verities that formed his principal consolation during his long and trying confinement. About the end of the year 1808, or the beginning of 1809, Mr. Alexander Paterson (the oldest living member of the church in Glasgow), who belonged to the Methodists, being in Edinburgh for a short time, had several coeversations with the late Mr. Thomas Parker, the minister of the New Jerusalem Church in that city. These conversations being mostly on religious subjects, Mr. Parker introduced to his notice, as highly deserving his attention, the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg. He perused them with the highest satisfaction and delight, and ultimately fully received their sublime truths. Returning to Glasgow, he introduced them to Mr. John Stirling, a teacher in the Sabbath school of which Mr. Paterson was then the superintendent, who, being equally delighted with them recommended them to the perusal of another teacher, by name Mc Ewing, who also cordially embraced them. Mr. Stirling also communicated them to Mr. Robert Mackie. From these small beginnings the church in Glasgow had its origin; and by ordering some of the works of E. S. from a theological bookseller, they became acquainted with the late Mr. Wm. Attwell. These individuals, together with Mrs. Stirling,