Page images
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

336

388

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors][ocr errors]
[blocks in formation]
[ocr errors]
[subsumed][ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]
[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

ART. I. Poetical Parts of the Old Testament, newly translated from the Hebrew. With Notes Critical and Explanatory. By William Green, M. A. Rector of Hardingham in Norfolk, and formerly Fellow of Clare-Hall in Cambridge. 4to. 6s, fewed. Dodfley. 1781.

HE learned and ingenious Author purfues the track of

Dr. Hare with refpect to the metre of the original Hebrew; and is fo firmly perfuaded of the truth of the Bishop's hypothefis, that he doubts not but that the Hebrew text, if we had it as perfect as when it came out of the hands of the compofers, would as readily fall into that metre, as the Æneid of Virgil, printed as profe, would fall into hexameters.- We think, however, that this affertion is too unqualified: and we confider the hypothefis on which it is founded too dangerous to be admitted; because in all places where the metre according to the supposed Atructure of it in Dr. Hare's fcheme of Hebrew poetry is imperfect, it is left to mere arbitrary conjecture to fupply the deficiency. -Mr. Green, however, confiders this matter in an oppofite point of view; and argues its utility from what we look on as its uncertainty and danger. In fome inftances, fays he, the metre points out the corruption of the text, and at the fame time the way to restore it.' Our Author's opinion of the col lection of Hebrew MSS. will appear from the following declarations: In the few places I have confulted them, I muft own they have not afforded me the fatisfaction I expected from them. They have, however, done one thing moft effectually, which is worth all the thousands they have coft the Public in collating them; that is, they have delivered us from the shackles of the Hebrew verity. And though they may not answer the B

6

VOL. LXVIII.·

.high

[ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]
« PreviousContinue »