J. R. (Cork.)
Job (Vol. v., p. 26.).
—The Rev. T. R. BROWNE interprets one of the Persepolitan inscriptions as representing the coronation and titles of Job. As no previous commentator had supposed Job to be a Persian prince, and as (among other unexpected results) it would follow that the poem bearing his name was a translation into Hebrew by some unknown hand, I hastened at once to the Bodleian to examine the authorities on which MR. BROWNE bases his interpretation.
On one glance at the work cited (Kaempferi Amœnitatum Exoticarum Fasciculi V.) it was plain enough that Kaempfer had made his transcription so carelessly, that barely one letter in a hundred was correct; and, on turning to Niebuhr's copy of the same inscription (plate xxiv. A.), and to Porter's (vol. i. plate xliv. p. 631.), my suspicions were amply confirmed. But the most singular part was to come. Aided by the minute identifications which MR. BROWNE gives of the words which he translates, Aiub taij, I discovered that the reverend gentleman had mistaken two letters for two words. His whole theory, therefore, falls to the ground.
As some of your readers may like to know the real interpretation of this inscription, I give the translation of Rawlinson as amended from Westergaard's notes, and which is undoubtedly correct:
"The great God Ormazd, who has given this world, who has given that heaven, who has given mankind, who has given life to mankind; who has made Xerxes king, both the king of the people, and the law-giver of the people. I am Xerxes the king, the great king, the king of kings, the king of many-peopled countries, the supporter also of this great world, the son of King Darius the Achæmenian," &c.
RECHABITE.
Poniatowski Gems (Vol. v., pp. 30. 65.).
—I thank M—N for his note, but it does not at all afford the information I seek. My Query referred to the original sale in London of the gems. Lord Monson's collection, to which M—N refers, was, I believe, purchased by his lordship from a dealer who bought them at the original sale, the date of which I seek.
A. O. O. D.