Ups and Downs in the Life of a Distressed Gentleman

by William L. Stone

This commentary, although it every where discovers evidence of highly respectable research, is not designed exclusively for the use of mere biblical critics. It is true the author has constant recourse to the Hebrew and to ancient translations and commentaries, &c. in the explanation of difficult passages: but he does it with such clearness of perception and such tact of language that even unlettered readers can hardly fail to be profited by his comments. He has hit with an admirable degree of precision, the happy medium between a commentary purely scholastic and critical, which could be interesting to only a few very learned men, and one exclusively practical, which would be likely to be unsatisfactory to men of exact and scrutinizing minds. It is a pleasing circumstance, although some perhaps may be disposed to make it a ground of carping and disparagement, that the work is an American one. It is written in our own land and by one of our own beloved brethren, and is therefore entitled on the ground of country and patriotism, as well as of religion, to all that kindness and favor of reception, which may be justified by its intrinsic merits. The work is published in a highly creditable style by the house of Leavitt, Lord & Co. New-York.—Christian Mirror.

We have spent so much time, delightfully, in reading this number, that we have little left for description of its contents. We have first an admirable preface of two pages, stating the plan and object of the work. Persons wishing to revive their knowledge of neglected Hebrew, or desirous to learn it anew without a teacher, can find no book better adapted to facilitate the acquisition than this, in addition to a grammar and dictionary.

The good sense of Mr. Bush, is well indicated by his remarks on the word Selah where it first occurs. No mere empiric would have made such an acknowledgment.—Ib.

While the work is adapted to be a real treat more particularly for scholars, it is so conducted that readers merely of the English version can hardly fail to receive from it much profit and delight.—Pittsburgh Friend.

We have not examined critically all the notes, but we have examined them enough to satisfy ourselves of the author's competency to his Work and of his fidelity.—Christian Register.

The mechanical execution of the work is beautiful, particularly the Hebrew text, and fully equal to any thing that has come from the Andover Press, which hitherto has stood unrivalled in this country, for biblical printing. The introduction and notes give evidence of laborious and patient investigation, extensive biblical learning, and heartfelt piety. It promises to be a work of great value and we hope it will meet with ample encouragement.—Cincinnati Journal.

A GRAMMAR OF THE HEBREW LANGUAGE, with a brief Chrestomathy for the use of beginners, by George Bush; Prof. Heb. and Orient. Lit. in the N. Y. city University.

We hail sincerely this finely executed volume, with its tasteful display of the University front labelled in gilt on the back. But the outward dress is a matter of minor moment. It is the marrow of the book which gives us pleasure. That it is calculated to be an important accession to the elementary works on Hebrew, no one acquainted with the ripe scholarship of Prof. B. can doubt, much less any one who has examined the book. The main object of the author in preparing it, as we learn from his well written preface, was to facilitate the acquisition of the holy tongue by the simplification of its elements. With the book as a guide, the student will find the entrance upon the language instead of difficult and repulsive, easy and inviting. Taken altogether, we regard the grammar of Prof. B. as eminently adapted to the use of students in our Theological Seminaries; and we see not why it should not successfully compete with the ablest of its predecessors. In addition to its intrinsic rights it has moreover the recommendation of being sold at the low price of $1 25.—N. Y. Evangelist.

It is enough to say for the information of students in this most interesting and valuable department of human (rather divine) knowledge, that in this grammar they will find all the information requisite for ordinary purposes in a form more accessible and inviting than has usually been given it. Minor recommendations are, the inviting character of the print, and the moderate price of $1 25 (the chrestomathy being part of the same volume.) Students in Hebrew, especially if they have made trial of other grammars, will deem this work a valuable accession to our facilities for the acquisition of this original and sacred tongue. It need scarce be added that this commendation is given without any disposition to injure the deserved repute of the almost father of Hebrew literature in this country. He will not surely, regret that a spirit which has done so much to promote, should develop itself in new and felicitous attempts to improve the field that he so arduously and successfully cultivates.—N. Y. Churchman.

Prof. Stuart's grammar is full and copious. Prof. Bush bears testimony to its merit, and observes that his design has been, by a greater simplification of the elements, to produce a work better adapted to the wants of those who are beginning a course of careful study of the language, while the grammar of Prof. Stuart, which leads at once into the deeper complexities of the language, answers in a great degree the purpose of an ample Thesaurus to the advanced student. We believe there is a greater simplification, combined with as much fullness and detail as are requisite to aid the student in attaining an accurate knowledge of the language. We are glad to see that Prof. Bush has returned, or rather adheres to the old system of the distinction of vowels into long and short. It has always appeared to us that the change adopted by Prof. Stuart from Gesenius, substituting for the distinction into long and short vowels, a classification into three analogous orders, brought with it much greater complexity without any adequate compensation in the advantage which might result from it.—Christian Intelligencer.