He could see no reason, he said, why a people of most unquestionable antiquity, once the glory and dread of the whole earth, and still the most wealthy of all, should forget their proper position, and submit to be classed with the least respectable of those among whom they dwelt, their equals or inferiors. On this point he was eloquent; and what was far more, he really laboured to reclaim some with whom his business brought him into contact, by appealing to what he supposed to be their strongest feelings, but in vain. Poor Cohen did not know, he would not search into the Book and read, that his race was doomed to this fate; that to be a proverb, a by-word, a hissing, an astonishment among the nations, was the penalty denounced on them for aggravated transgressions, until they should turn again to the Lord who smote them. Sometimes he was reminded by his more consistent brethren that their people were scourged for their sins, and scattered because of their transgressions as of old but this he regarded as a mere excuse, unworthy of rational beings; and persisted in believing that an effort on their part would at once raise them to a level with their fellow-subjects; ' and above the level,' he added: for half the ingenuity that they now practise, would, if properly directed, soon overstep all competitors, and give them the lead in every department of honourable industry.'

Such language Alick had often heard from his father's lips; and that he did not immediately forget it, was owing to Esther. She would sit in profound silence, her head bent over her embroidery or painting, to conceal from her uncle the varying colour of

her cheek, and the displeasure that her frequent frown betrayed; then, when alone with Alick, would give vent to expressions that amused him greatly, claiming such high honours and privileges for the most degraded subject of Mr. Cohen's complaint, that the youth would say, 'Well, Esther, I am happy in being a Jew, or you would not allow me to loll in my chair in your august presence. If all trades fail, I have only to mount a greasy beard, and shoulder an oldclothes bag, and then instead of falling I shall positively rise in your estimation.'

It had never yet been Alick's lot to meet with one among his own people who took the view that Gordon did of their real position; but there was something in his secret mind that responded to it. He had begun to think that Christianity-such as it appeared in Gordon-was a refined and elevated species of Judaism, and under this impression he was prepared to read the New Testament with an unprejudiced, inquiring mind: but the view that he had now taken of a system that falsely usurps the name of Christianity, and under pretence of honouring the Lord, degrades him more effectually than the utmost blasphemies of an open enemy can do, made him recoil as from the brink of a precipice; while the total absence of sympathy on all sides, was a burden to his ingenuous disposition.

When the strange visiter, whose aspect very much prepossessed him, had made some kind enquries into the extent of Alick's hurt, he returned to Mr. Cohen, and asked after the welfare of their brethren in England.

'Nothing material has occurred among them,' replied Mr. Cohen: 'but may I ask how long it is since you were there?'

'Never: I have not been in England.'

'No! you speak the language well.'

I have been much used to traffic with Europeans, and learned many languages: English among them.' Then turning to Alick, he said, 'Thou hast been well taught, my son, in the law of our holy commandments, abhorring the idolater. Cursed be he!'

Alick heartily assented; but his father frowned. 'Where he has been taught I know not: no such lesson of illiberality, no such bigotry and intolerance, can have been learned under my roof. They are wholly subversive of good citizenship, and can only tend to bar his advancement.'

The visiter gazed at him in evident perplexity; but whether the sentiment utterred surprised him, or the language that conveyed it baffled his limited comprehension, was not clear. Before any further remark could be made, a servant entered to place in his master's hand a card inscribed with the name of one whom he knew to be a convert, and a zealous missionary among the Jews, and who requested to see the young gentleman.

'Show him in,' said Mr. Cohen, in any tone but that of satisfaction; and then muttered, as he turned on his heel, Upon my word, this boy's folly will bring upon us all the fanatics in Malta !'

6

The missionary entered, and with that frank unceremonious manner that defies repulse, walked up to

the couch, saying as he extended his hand, 'My young friend, you have done well to-day.'

'That, sir,' said Mr. Cohen, who began to feel that his authority was likely to be set aside, 'may admit of a question. I consider that he has done ill.'

Are you his father?'

'Yes, I am.'

'Are you a Jew?'

'Yes.'

'What is written in the law of Moses, concerning the maker of an image, and the worshipper thereof?'

'A great deal, no doubt, that it is necessary for the teachers of the law to be well acquainted with; but with which a school-boy has nothing to do.'

'True,' said the first comer, who had regarded the missionary from his entrance with an unfriendly eye, 'True; for it is written in the Hilehoth Talmud Torah, "Women, and slaves, and children, are exempt from the study of the law."'

The missionary smiled, and laying his hand on the Jew's shoulder, said, My worthy Josef Ben-Melchor, you with your Talmud are as far astray from the law of Moses as the poor Papist with his wafer-god is from the gospel of Christ.' Then addressing Mr. Cohen, he added, 'Hear, brother, what Jehovah saith: "These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and thou shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." To our fathers were these words addressed,

obeyed, and it was well while they forgat: they

and our fathers heard, and with them. But after a ceased to treasure in their hearts the commandment given; they taught it no longer to their children, neither spake they of it when sitting in the house, or when walking by the way; when lying down or rising up. The word was put away from their remembrance, so that when crafty men crept into Moses' seat, they found it easy to twist and corrupt the divine law, adding thereto many inventions and idle devices of their own until they had actually made void the law with their traditions; and Rabbinical corruptions prevailed over the inspired teaching of Moses the man of God. And what followed? They had quenched the lamp of their feet, the written word was set aside, and when the living Word, even the Bread of life, even the Lord from heaven, came, him they crucified and slew. Ay, Josef Ben-Melchor, it was your Talmud, your oral laws, your vain superstitions received from your fathers, that brought on our people blindness of heart, till they sinned that great sin which caused our city to be destroyed, and the sword to be drawn out after us. And His anger is not turned away, but His hand is stretched forth still!'

The missionary spoke with the look and action of a man whose heart goes along with every word he utters. To interrupt would have been nearly impossible; it was a burst of feeling not to be stayed in its course. Mr. Cohen heard impatiently. Alick with eager attention, and Josef with ill suppressed rage. His dark eye assumed an expression of fierce displeasure, his brows were knit, and his lip trembled. When