THE BOOK OF JASHER.
The inclosed cutting is from the New Monthly Magazine for March 1829. What has become of the translation of the "Book of Jasher" named therein, and was it ever published as promised?
"Curious Literary Discovery.—The following is a singular discovery, said to be a translation from the original Hebrew manuscript of the Book of Jasher, referred to as a work of credit and reputation in Holy Scripture, first in Joshua x. 13. and again in 2 Sam. i. 18. This book was kept as a memorial of the great events which had happened from the beginning of time, especially to the family and descendants of Abraham, by the Kings of Judah. After the Babylonish captivity, it fell into the possession of the Persian Kings, and was preserved with great care in the city of Gazna: from whence a translation was procured by the great Alcuin, who flourished in the eighth century, at the cost of several bars of gold, presented to those who had the custody of it. He brought this translation to his own country, having employed, with his companions, seven years in pilgrimage; three of which were spent in Gazna, in order to his obtaining this important and interesting work. After his return to England he was made Abbot of Canterbury; and having lived in the highest honour, died in the year 804, leaving this, with other manuscripts, to his friend, a clergyman in Yorkshire. It appears to have been preserved with religious care for many centuries, until, about one hundred years since, it fell into the hands of a gentleman, who certifies that on its cover was the following testimony of our great reformer Wickliffe:—'I have read the Book of Jasher twice over, and I much approve of it as a piece of great antiquity and curiosity; but I cannot assent that it should be made a part of the Canon of Scripture.'—(Signed, Wickliffe.) This gentleman, who conceals his name, communicated it to a Noble Lord, who appears to have been high in office, when a rumour prevailed of a new translation of the Bible. His Lordship's opinion of it was that it should be published, as a work of great sincerity, plainness, and truth; and further, his Lordship added, 'it is my opinion the Book of Jasher ought to have been printed in the Holy Bible before the Book of Joshua.' From that period this invaluable work has lain concealed, until, by an accident, it fell into the hands of the present possessor, who purposes to publish it in a way worthy its excellence for truth, antiquity, and evident originality.—Daily Paper."
L. L. L.
[Two editions of this work have been published: the first appeared in 1751, and the other in 1829; both in 4to. The title-page of the latter edition informs us that it was "translated into English from the Hebrew, by Flaccus Albinus Alcuinus of Britain, Abbot of Canterbury, who went a pilgrimage into the Holy Land and Persia, where he discovered this volume, in the city of Gazna." But it appears that this Alcuin of Britain was no other than Jacob Ilive; and, according to Rowe Mores, the whole of it is a palpable forgery. He states, that "the account given of the translation is full of glaring absurdities. Mr. Ilive, in the night-time, had constantly an Hebrew Bible before him, and cases in his closet. He produced the Book of Jasher; and it was composed in private, and the same worked off in the night-time in a private press-room."—Rowe Mores' Diss. on Founders, p. 64. See also Nichols' Literary Anecdotes, vol. i. p. 309.]
Minor Queries.
Old China.
—It was gratifying to see some inquiries respecting Dutch china, which it is to be hoped will lead to a further pursuit of such subjects. Some connoisseur would confer a benefit upon the community if he would be kind enough to give a concise description of the various styles and to point out the distinguishing marks of old china generally, by which its beauties might be appreciated and its value estimated: there is great difficulty in acquiring such information.
C. T.