BELLS.

THE bell seems to have been a sacred utensil of very ancient use in Asia. Golden bells formed a part of the ornaments of the pontifical robe of the Jewish high priest, with which he invested himself upon those grand and peculiar festivals, when he entered into the sanctuary. That robe was very magnificent; it was ordained to be of sky blue, and the border of it at the bottom, was adorned with pomegranates and gold bells intermixed equally, and at equal distances. The use and intent of these bells is evident from these words: "And it shall be upon Aaron to minister, and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the Lord, and when he cometh out, that he die not." The sound of the numerous bells that covered the hem of his garment, gave notice to the assembled people that the most awful ceremony of their religion had commenced. When arrayed in this

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garb, he bore into the sanctuary the vessel of incense, it was the signal to prostrate themselves before the Deity, and to commence those fervent ejaculations which were to ascend with the column of that incense to the throne of heaven.-Burder's Oriental Customs, vol. i. p. 93.

BLESSING.

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Numbers vi. 24, The Lord bless thee and keep thee."] The high priest was accustomed annually to bless the people when assembled together. "During this ceremony, he not only three times pronounced the eternal benediction, and each different time in a different accent, but in the elevation of his hands, extended the three middle fingers of his right hand in so conspicuous a manner as to exhibit a manifest emblem of the three hypostases; to whom the triple benediction, and repetition of the word Jehovah in a varied tone of voice, evidently pointed. I am credibly informed, that at

this day, on certain high festivals and solemnities, this form of blessing the people is still adhered to by the Jewish priests; but is attempted to be explained by them as if allusive to the three patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; an explanation of which it may be doubted whether it savours more of impiety or absurdity."-Maurice's Ind. Ant. vol. iv. p. 209.

ANOINTING.

Psalm xxiii. 5,

"Thou anointest my head with oil: my cup runneth over."] In the east the people frequently anoint their visitors with some very fragrant perfume, and give them a cup or a glass of some choice wine, which they are careful to fill till it runs over. The first was designed to show their love and respect; the latter to imply, that while they remained there they should have an abundance of every thing. To something of this kind the Psalmist

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probably alludes in this passage.—Homer, Odyss. K. 364. 1. 505. v. 154. n. 365.

CUCUVAIA OR SCREECH OWL.

OUR horses were disposed among the walls and rubbish (of Ephesus), with their saddles on; and a mat was spread for us on the ground. We sat here, in the open air, while supper was preparing; when suddenly fires began to blaze up among the bushes, and we saw the villagers collected about them in savage groups, or passing to and fro, with lighted brands for torches. The flames, with the stars and a pale moon, afforded us a dim prospect of ruin and desolation. A shrill owl, called cucuvaia from its note, with a night hawk, flitted near us, and a jackall cried mournfully, as if forsaken by its companions, on the mountain.-Burder's Oriental Customs, vol. ii. p. 166.

INNS OR KANES.

Ir must here be noted, that in travelling this country a man does not meet with a market town and inns every night, as in England; the best reception you can find here is either under your own tent, if the season permit, or else in certain public lodgments founded in charity for the use of travellers. These are called by the Turks kanes, and are seated sometimes in the towns and villages, sometimes at convenient distances upon the open road. They are built in fashion of a cloister, encompassing a court of thirty or forty yards square, more or less, according to the measure of the founder's ability or charity. At these places all comers are free to take shelter, paying only a small fee to the kane keeper, and very often without that acknowledgment; but must expect nothing here, generally, but bare walls; as for other accommodations of