2. Here would be found the result of all the learned investigations, both English and Foreign, since the date of WALTON's Polyglott, both of the original texts and the ancient versions, without the encumbrance of bulk and expence producing that result.

3. Here would be found ample specimens, (which for the use intended are quite sufficient,) of all the Targums, and of ancient and modern versions, whether Asiatic, European, or American; which might not only excite a laudable curiosity to become more extensively acquainted with the various forms under which the best book in the world has appeared; but, which is much more important, might serve, as a clue, to facilitate the dissemination of the sacred records among all the inhabitants of the globe.

4. By a quarto form, and a regular arrangement of columns, the same text would appear to the eye at once, and prove an irresistible impulse to consult all the parts without loss of time, and with little trouble. This point is but imperfectly effected by any former Polyglott; and therefore even those who have access to them could not fail to consult this, first, as a common study bible.

5. If under the patronage of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and of the dignified clergy and nobility of our land, (in addition to the other subscribers for copies,) a Stereotype of the work could be obtained, a great saving of the article of paper would be secured. In that case, no more copies need be printed than are subscribed for; and future editions would be equally correct with little trouble.

6. By retaining the sacred text and versions exclusively there would be a great saving of expence, compared with other Polyglotts. In the present state of literature, various apparatus, grammars, Lexicons, &c. are so numerous, that it would not be necessary to encumber the work with any of them. And the same might be observed of the Varia Lectiones. By this means an elegant symmetry might be observed through the whole work, and it might be consulted with the same ease and pleasure as a common bible.

As utility rather than splendour would be considered, the letter in each department should be rather small, though the best of the kind, so as to make 8. 4to vols. (two parts each) about the size of REES's Cyclopædia.

I have reason to think that there are some hundreds in our country who would feel a deep interest in such a design. However, a judicious PROSPECTUS would soon determine what degree of encouragement might be expected. The Pantaglotta part might prove greatly subservient to the grand design of Bible Societies; and a source of peculiar gratification to many individuals who wish to form some acquaintance with any of these languages. A few Psalms, a Prophecy, a Gospel, or an Epistle, here exhibited as a fair specimen of a language, might enable a student, in many cases, to form a predilection for one or more languages unknown to him before, and consequently to procure further aids in such languages.

§ 10. Next to a good Polyglott must be classed the other best editions of the Holy Scriptures, in the original Hebrew and Greek. Among the best editions of the Old Testament in Hebrew are the following:

KENNICOTT'S Vetus Testamentum Hebraicum cum variis lectionibus, 2 vols. fol. 1780,-.nd

HOUBIGANT'S Biblia Hebraica, cum notis criticis, in 4 vols. fol. are expensive works, and are chiefly sought and valued by professed critics, for the sake of the Varia Lectiones.

EVERARD VANDER HOOGHT's Biblia Hebraica variis notis illustrata, 2 vols. 8vo. Amstel. et Ultraj. 1705, is generally esteemed the standard of correctness. The steps taken to secure this important point are mentioned in the preface, which is well calculated to make a favourable and pleasing impression on a mind in love with critical accuracy.

Biblia Hebraica, secundum editionem Belgicam EVERARD VANDER HOOGHT, collatis aliis bonæ notæ Codicibus, una cum versione Latina SEBASTIANI SCHMIDII, 410. Lips. 1740, may be considered as the best substitute for the preceding ones. Or,

Biblia Hebraica, ad optimas quasque editiones expressa, cum notis masorethicis, et Citibus, et versibus, necnon singulorum Capitum summ riis Latinis; by CHRISTIAN REINECCIUS, 4to. Lips. 1739,

Various editions of the Hebrew text have been published by