*

It is not uncommon for a man of property to keep a concubine in the same house with his wife: and, strange as it may appear, it is sometimes at the wife's request. Perhaps she has not had any children, or they may have died, and they both wish to have one, to perform their funeral ceremonies. By the laws of Menu, should a wife, during the first eight years of her marriage, prove unfruitful; or should the children she has borne be all dead in the tenth year after marriage; or should she have a daughter only in the eleventh year; he may, without her consent, put her away, and take a concubine into the house. He must, however, continue to support her.

16.-" A good way off; as it were a bow-shot."

This is a common figure of speech in their ancient writings, "The distance of an arrow.-So far as the arrow flies." The common way of measuring a short distance is to say, "It is a call off," i. e. so far as a man's voice can reach. "How far is he off?" " O, not more than three calls," i. e. were three men stationed within the reach of each other's voices, the voice of the one farthest off would reach to that distance.

21.- "And his mother took him a wife."

When a father dies, the mother begins to look out for a wife for her son, though he may be very young; and her arrangements will generally be acceded to.

XXII. 2. Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac,

whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah, and offer him there."

In the book called Arupattu-Moovaa Kathi, is the following account:-In the village of Tiru-Chang-Katang, lived a man named Siru-Tondan. He was exceedingly benevolent, and never would eat his food until he had called the holy Pandārams to partake of it. One day he went out, as usual, to invite them to his repast; but for some time could not find one.

* I know a couple with whom this occurred, and the wife delights in nursing and bringing up the offspring of her husband's concubine.

At last, Siva (the god) appeared as a Pandāram, and offered to accompany him, stating however, "that his curry must be made of a child of twelve years of age, who is the only son of his mother." The father was to seize and hold the child, and the mother was to cut it up and prepare it. "Then," said he, "I will eat." The curry was prepared, and brought before the Pandāram, but he would not partake of it. He then restored the son to life again, and the parents knew it was not a Pandāram. The god then blessed them for their faithfulness, and vanished out of their sight.

5. "I and the lad will go

and come again.”

The people of the East never say, as those of England, when taking leave, "I go," or "I am going," but "I go and return." Naan Poy Varrukerain.

XXIII. 7.

"Abraham stood up and bowed himself

to the people of the land."

The politeness of Abraham may be seen exemplified amongst the highest and the lowest of the people of the East in this respect, nature seems to have done for them, what art has done for others. With what grace do all classes bow on receiving a favour, or in paying their respects to a superior! Sometimes they bow down to the ground; at other times they put their hands on their bosoms, and gently incline the head; they also put the right hand on the face in a longitudinal position; and sometimes give a long and graceful sweep with the right hand, from the forehead to the ground.

15.

"My lord, hearken unto me, the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver.”

Respectable people are always saluted with the dignified title "My lord;" hence English gentlemen, on their arrival, are apt to suppose they are taken for those of very high rank.

The man of whom Abraham offered to purchase Machpelah, affected to give the land. "Nay, my lord, hear me,

the field I give thee." And this fully agrees with the conduct of those, who are requested to dispose of a thing to a person of superior rank. Let the latter go and ask the price, and the owner will say, "My lord, it will be a great favour if you will take it." "Ah, let me have that pleasure, my lord." Should the possessor believe he will one day need a favour from the great man, nothing will induce him to sell the article, and he will take good care (through the servants or a friend) it shall soon be in his house. Should he, however, have no expectation of favour in future, he will say as Ephron, "The thing is worth so much; your pleasure, my lord."

XXIV. 11.

water."

"The time that women go out to draw

It is the work of females in the East to draw water both morning and evening; and they may be seen going in groups to the wells, with their vessels on the hip or the shoulder. In the morning they talk about the events of the past night, and in the evening about those of the day: many a time would the story of Abraham's servant and Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel, be repeated by the women of Mesopotamia in their visits to the well.

47.-" And I put the earring upon her face."

Nothing is more common than for heathen females to have a ring in the nose; and this has led some to suppose, that the jewel here alluded to was put into that member, and not on the face. "I put a jewel on thy forehead,” Ez. xv. 11. The margin has, for forehead, "nose."

It does not appear to be generally known, that there is an ornament which is worn by females in the East on the forehead. It is made of thin gold, and is studded with precious stones, and called Pattam, which signifies dignity. Thus, to tie on the Pattam, is to "invest with high dignity." Patta-Istere "is the name of the first lawful wife of the king." In the Sathur

Agaraathe, this ornament is called "the ornament of the forehead."

57.-"Enquire at her mouth."

Do people wish to know the truth of any thing which has been reported of another, they say, "Let us go and enquire of his mouth."- "Let us hear the birth of his mouth." Do servants ask a favour of their mistress, she will say, "I know not what will be the birth of the master's mouth; I will enquire at his mouth."

So the mother and brother of Rebekah enquired at the mouth of the damsel, whether she felt willing to go with the "And she said, I will go."

man.

59." And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse."

How often have scenes like this led my mind to the patriarchal age! The daughter is about for the first time to leave the paternal roof: the servants are all in confusion; each refers to things long gone by, each wishes to do something to attract the attention of his young mistress. One says, "Ah! do not forget him who nursed you when an infant:" another, "How often did I bring you the beautiful lotus from the distant tank! Did I not always conceal your faults?"

The mother comes to take leave. She weeps, and tenderly embraces her, saying, "My daughter, I shall see you no more; - Forget not your mother." The brother enfolds his sister in his arms, and promises soon to come and see her. The father is absorbed in thought, and is only aroused by the sobs of the party. He then affectionately embraces

* Tyerman and Bennet say of a bride they saw in China, "Her headdress sparkled with jewels, and was most elegantly beaded with rows of pearls encircling it like a coronet; from which a brilliant angular ornament hung over her forehead, and between her eyebrows."— Vol. ii. 265. I find, since my return to England, this ornament is worn by ladies at home.

his daughter, and tells her not to fear. The female domestics must each smell of the poor girl, and the men touch her feet.

As Rebekah had her nurse to accompany her, so, at this day, the Aya (the nurse) who has from infancy brought up the bride, goes with her to the new scene. She is her adviser, her assistant, and friend; and to her will she tell all her hopes, and all her fears.

60.

--

"They blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions."

From the numerous instances which are recorded in the Scriptures, of those who were aged, or holy, giving their blessing, may be seen the importance which was attached to such benedictions. Has a son, or a daughter, to leave a father, an aged friend, or a priest, a blessing is always given.

To be the mother of a numerous progeny is considered a great honour. Hence parents often say to their daughters, "Be thou the mother of thousands." Beggars, also, when relieved, say to the mistress of the house, "Ah! madam, millions will come from you."

63.

"Isaac went out to meditate in the field." Margin, "to pray."

The Moormen always go out in the evening to repeat their prayers, and make their prostrations.

XXV. 6. "Unto the sons of the concubines

Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from
Isaac."

Just so here, the father gives gifts to the children his concubines have borne to him, and advises them to go to distant places, where they will be likely to live together in peace.

18. "He died." Heb. for died, has "fell."