Art. XXX. SWEDISH LITERATURE.

Geographiskt Hand-Lexicon öfver Nya Testamentets Heliga Skrifter. Geographical Pocket Dictionary of the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament. By the Rev. S. ODMANN, D. D. Upsal.

THE work before us, which the learned author designed for a companion to the younger clergy, has been received, as well as all his pro→ ductions, with a high degree of pleasure, by every class of his countrymen. The philological observations occasionally introduced, far from being abstruse, or merely critical, are equally adapted to the entertainment and the instruction of his readers. An author, who, like Dr. O., has minutely examined every source whence necessary information could be derived, has compared together the statements of various travellers, and with a truly critical eye has examined history and geography, both ancient and modern, may claim full credit for his assertions; especially as he never indulges himself in conjecture, but candidly acknowledges when he is not himself convinced.

The different places, described in this book, are arranged in alphabetical order, with references to the passages of Scripture in which they are mentioned. In two maps which are annexed, of Asia minor and Palestine, the author has adopted the oriental manner of computing the distances, by the time employed in travelling from one place to another. The addition of maps to a work like this, is highly judicious; as they present at one view the extent of country described, and assist the recollection of its various parts.

As specimens of the work, we extract Dr. O's. account of the Areo. pagus, or Hill of Mars, and the Islands of Chios and Malta.

"AREOPAGUS Aposπayos, the celebrated tribunal of Athens, held on a hill of that name. Here Mars is said to have been acquitted by twelve of the Gods, for having killed the ravisher of his daughter. This circumstance seems to have been invented, in order to add solemnity to the tribunal. It is not known, whether it was instituted by Cecrops, or Cranaus, or Solon. The number of the members is variously stated to have been 9, 31, and (by others) 51. They were chosen from among the most virtuous citizens, and such prefects, as had distinguished themselves by their patriotism. The office was held for life; but if a judge behaved improperly, intoxicated himself, or uttered any indecent words, he was immediately deposed. Here sentence was pronounced, not only on capital crimes, but also on immorality and idleness, which last was looked upon as the parent of all vices. Disrespect for religion was treated with the greatest severity, and forensic oratory was totally prohibited, lest it should influence the judges.

"This tribunal was respected as the very seat of Justice: Even the Romans themselves appealed to it in weighty matters. Pericles, on being refused admittance as a member, diminished its power, and from that day the Areopagus and the morality of the Athenians suffered a common fall. It was before this tribunal, which was held in the open air, that St. Paul delivered the address, recorded by St. Luke, Acts xvii. 22. &c.".

Dr. O. introduces a paraphrase of St. Paul's speech to the Athenians, which we should gladly present to our readers in a verbal translation, if our limits admitted. It evinces much critical acumen.

H 4

"CHIOS

"CHIOS Xios, an island in the Archipelago, a few miles south of Lesbos; called by the Greeks Chio, but by the Turks, Saki Adassi (Mastic-island.) It occurs only in Acts, xx. 15. at the last departure of St. Paul from Greece. It is about 50 miles in length, and 25 in breadth, mountainous and of a poor soil, but famous for the mastic, with which it supplies the royal Seraglio. This gum, which is chewed by the Turkish ladies, in order to preserve their teeth clean, and their breath sweet, is collected by the Christian inhabitants of the Island; who, as a remuneration for it, are exempted from half the poll-tax. The manner of collecting it is described by Tournefort, Bellonius, Thevenot, Monconys, Carreri, Pocock, Chandler, and others. Although the climate of the Island is reckoned healthy, it is often visited by the plague. The number of inhabitants is 100,000, and all live comfortably by industry. An old building is still to be seen, which goes by the name of Homer's School; but according to Mr. Chandler, it was formerly a temple of Cybele. The Island is circumstantially described by Myller."

"MELITA MEλirn, now Malta. An island in the Mediterranean Sea, distinguished in the N.T. by the ship-wreck of St. Paul. Acts, xxviii.— The inhabitants, who spoke an African dialect (Bapßapo), received the crew with great humanity. They kindled a fire on account of the constant rain (peswra); but when the Apostle was laying on it a bundle of sticks, which he had gathered, a very venomous viper ('exdva,) rouzed by the flames came out, and twisted itself round his arm (x.) The islanders now thought themselves witnesses of Divine vengeance demanding that justice, which the waves had failed to execute; but the Apostle shook off the animal into the fire, and felt no hurt. They then passed to another extreme (μɛraßahλóμɛroi), and took him to be a God. The reader will find the best description of Malta in Niebuhr's Travels through the Levant, and Brydone's Letters on Sicily and Malta. I have only this to add, that, although no serpents are now found in Malta, there can be no reason to suspect St. Luke's relation; for the Island consists of a chalky rock, of which at present no spot remains uncultivated. In the same manner, of late, in some of the West India Islands, serpents have been totally extirpated, by the extent of cultivation, having thereby lost all places of retreat. The saying of the inhabitants, that serpents which are brought hither cannot live, is a fable. The petrified substances, commonly called vipers'-tongues, which are found in the softer hills, are nothing else than the teeth of fish."

Without geographical information, the Biblical History, as well as every other, must be obscure, if not absolutely confused. We cannot, therefore, but express our cordial approbation of a work, so well caiculated as the present to promote that useful branch of knowledge. Many valuable observations of recent travellers, which are as yet foreign to us, or dispersed in various publications, are introduced, and arranged by Dr. O. We shall, therefore, be glad to see his work transferred into our language. To such as can read the original, we recommend it with the greatest confidence. It may be procured, with all other Swedish publications, dictionaries, &c. at Messrs. Richardsons, Royal Exchange.

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