no means, but those of tradition and hieroglyphics, for transmitting that information to posterity; and, from the uncertain interpretation of the hieroglyphic and the infirmity of the human memory, those mediums of communication could not be depended upon. Indeed the language of signs and symbols has always been regarded as being of doubtful interpretation. A remarkable instance of this occurred in our own country, in the reign of James the first. That Prince patronised learning and invited several eminent scholars from the continent. The Spanish Ambassador, then at the English court, held the opinion, that, artificial language might be superseded and that the affairs of government, commerce, and religion, might be conducted, by adopting a language of signs that would be universally understood. While in conversation with the King, one day, he enquired whether his Majesty, had in any of his universities, a professor of signs. The King, who affected to be a scholar and an author, replied in the affirmative. "O," said the Ambassador, "might I have the pleasure of an interview with him?" The King, feeling that he had committed himself, said, "I am sorry to inform your Excellency, that he belongs to the most northerly university in my dominions." "That is not of the

slightest consequence," observed the distinguished foreigner, "if your Majesty will favour me with an introduction, I will visit him immediately." While the King gave the Ambassador a letter of introduction to the learned professor, he wrote to the university to inform them of the circumstances, and to request that they would make such arrangements as would be likely to preserve his honour and that of the country. The Ambassador arrived in Aberdeen, the journey, occupying, at that time, at least, six weeks, and presented his royal letter. The principal of the college, had made up his mind to say, that the professor of signs had gone to Inverness, in an indifferent state of health, and might not return for several weeks. The Spaniard remarked, "I will wait." The expense of entertaining their illustrious visitor and his attendants, being likely to exhaust their resources, the professors were driven to the adoption of another expedient. The college was at that time supplied with meat by a butcher's man named George. He had been in the wars and lost an eye, but he possessed the power of imitation in a remarkable degree, and an inexhaustible fund of ready wit. The professors were of opinion that, for a small reward and with a few instructions, George might be induced to help them out of their

difficulties. They sent for him, stated the case to him and explained his duty: he was not to speak, but only to watch the signs of the Ambassador and answer them, by other signs, in the best way that he could. When the arrangements were completed, the time was fixed for an interview with the Ambassador. When the time arrived George was dressed in a professor's gown and wig, and his Excellency introduced. After a short interview the Ambassador withdrew and joined the professors, who were waiting, with much anxiety, to receive him in an anti-room. On entering the room his Excellency elevated his hands and said, "your learned brother is a perfect prodigy! Never did I witness so beautiful an illustration of our principles." "Will your Excellency condescend to supply us with a few particulars," enquired the professors? "With much pleasure," said the Ambassador: when I entered the apartment, I held up one finger to intimate that I believed in the existence of one God. Your learned brother caught the idea in a moment and held up two of his fingers to signify that there were more persons than one in the Godhead. I then held up three fingers, to show him that I believed in a Trinity of persons. The professor then clenched his fist and looked sternly, as much as to

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say, 'I defy you to prove that these three are not one!' I then held up an orange as an illustration of the bounty of providence. Your brother, with remarkable quickness, took from his pocket, a piece of bread to show me that, after all, that was the staff of life. Your learned brother is an honour to his country." The Ambassador having retired, the professors sent for George. When he entered the room they enquired how he had got on with his Excellency? "Well," said George, "after bowing and scraping for some time, he held up his finger, as much as to say, 'poor fellow, you have got but one eye;' I held up two of mine to show him that my one eye was as good as both his! He then held up three fingers to intimate that we had but three eyes between us. I then clenched my fist and looked sternly at him, and, but for your honours' sakes I would have come down and given him a good thrashing, Not satisfied with insulting myself, he next insulted my country, by holding up an orange, plainly meaning that our miserable soil and climate could produce nothing so delicious. I had a piece of oatcake in my pocket, which I got out as quickly as possible, to let him see that we wanted none of his luxuries. He seems to me, to be a complete blockhead!" We are afraid that to super

sede artificial language, by the adoption of signs, would be as indefinite and unsatisfactory to us as were the hieroglyphics of the primitive nations. After showing you the insufficiency of the means possessed by the ancients, for corresponding with posterity, we promised, that, in a second lecture, we would direct your attention to the Mosaic account of the creation, and of the first ages of the world; and, we will add, endeavour to establish the authenticity of the narrative. We now proceed to redeem the promise then given. We may observe, that, Heathens and Infidels, have alike expressed their admiration of the inimitable simplicity and unparalleled grandeur with which the Hebrew lawgiver introduces his history of the creation. "In the beginning," says he, "God created the heavens and the earth." To have brought God before the reader, in any other connexion, would have invalidated his claim to inspiration; for God could only be known, at that period, through a visible medium. The enunciation of Moses was equivalent

to saying, do you wish to know your Maker?" Then look at the elements of the universe rising into being and forming themselves into order, harmony, beauty, and utility; these are the evidences of his absolute power and essential Godhead! Our former