still more difficult to conceive that any other person person shall now arise; who, while he minutely and circumstantially accords with the predicted description, shall yet, in the particulars detailed, be so dissimilar to Napoleon, as to be clearly distinguished from him.

These difficulties, however, will be greatly increased, if we advert to another circumstance, namely, the time of his appearance. For if the positions, already advanced on this subject, be well founded; if "the King" was to appear subsequently to the expiration of the 1260 years, and to come to his end previously to the time of unprecedented trouble; and if the 1260 years did actually terminate in the year 1792, then it amounts to a very strong improbability indeed; nay, it might be almost said, to something like an impossibility, that any other person shall now arise, when two-and-thirty years of this eventful period, "the time of the end," are already elapsed, and should

perform all the exploits, and fulfil all the particulars, described in the prophecy within the predicted limits.

On these grounds, then, the writer cannot but conclude, (with that deference, however, with which conclusions on such a subject ought always to be made,) that the interpretation, which he has advanced, is confirmed; that Napoleon Bonaparte was in truth" the King" who should do according to his will, and who, in so doing, having unconsciously fulfilled the prophecy," came to his end, and none did help him."

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CHAP. XII.

RESULTS FROM THE FOREGOING INTERPRETATION.

On the supposition that the interpretation, which it has been the object of these pages to elucidate, be confirmed, two important results will follow. First, we are now arrived at that prophetical era, when Michael, the great prince which standeth for the Jewish people, was to "stand up."* Let us remember, that to predict and designate this period was the chief object of the vision with which Daniel was favoured. The angel had said to him, "I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people

*Daniel, xii. 1.

in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days." Notwithstanding the discouraging appearances which the prophet witnessed, and the imperfect fulfilment which then presented itself of the predictions relating to the restoration of his people, he was assured that a time, however distant it might then be, would yet arrive, when these prophecies should receive a most illustrious accomplishment; and this time would not be until a certain king, whom the angel then proceeded to describe, should have arisen, should have performed the works assigned to him, and should have come to his end. This part of the prophecy has been now fulfilled. "The king" has appeared, has performed his part, and is come to his end. It follows, therefore, that the time, in which Michael, the great prince, who was to stand up for the Jews, is now arrived. The expression, indeed, “at that time," used by the angel, is one of an indefinite sense; as it may be ren

dered "about that time," and consequently admits of some little latitude of interpretation as to the precise time in-. tended: Whether the predicted event would follow immediately on "the King's" coming to his end, or whether a few years would previously intervene, is not distinctly stated. But the circumstance of his end having occurred, might justify the expectation that no long space would intervene before the standing up of Michael will take place.

There is, however, a subsequent statement in the prophecy, which may help to throw some light on this part of the subject. The angel having been asked how long it shall be to the end of these wonders? "held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by Him that liveth for ever, that it shall be for a time, times, and a half" (another way of expressing 1260 years); "and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these