stance, that the masts of a vessel come in sight | desert of Syria, but it may be supposed, that so before the hull is visible.

ROUND ROBIN. A paper containing a state-ries, Palmyra grew wealthy and magnificent, and ment of grievances, on the part of any number of discontented persons in the army or navy, who sign their names in a circular manner, that it may not be seen who signed first.

perstition, purposely beat down the beautiful cor-ments after their manner, with inscriptions and nices, perhaps the world could not boast of more sentences out of the Koran, written in wreaths exquisite carvings, as one may judge from some and flourishes; but at the north end of the buildremaining fragments. The west side, on which is ing, which makes no part of the mosque, there are the entrance, is mostly broken down, and near the remains of much greater art and beauty, viz. the middle of the square, another higher wall is raised most curious fret-work and carvings. In the midout of the ruins, which appears to have been part dle of the roof is a dome or cupola, about two of a castle, probably built by the Mamalukes, for yards in diameter, made of some artificial compothe security of the place. Before the whole length sition, which is, however, an admirable piece of of this new front, except a narrow passage left for workmanship. an entry, there is cut a deep ditch, faced with stone to the foot of the wall, which must have made it difficult to be assailed. This wall entirely shrouds the magnificent entry that belonged to the first fabric, of the stateliness whereof we may form some idea from the two stones that support the side of the great gate, each of which is 35 feet high, both standing, and beautifully covered with vines and clusters of grapes, exceedingly bold and natural.

As soon as we enter within the court, we see the remains of two rows of very noble marble pillars, 37 feet high, with capitals of admirable workmanship. About 50 of these only remain entire; but there must have been many more, for they appear to have run quite round the whole court, and to have supported a very spacious double piazza, or cloister. The walk on the west side of this piazza, which is opposite to the front of the temple, seems to have exceeded the rest in breadth and beauty; and at each end are two niches for statues at their full length, with their pedestals, borders, support ers, and canopies, all carved with the greatest art and curiosity.

After viewing this temple, our author went to another situation, where he had a prospect of such stately ruins, that if one may frame an idea of the original beauty of Palmyra, by what is still remaining, it may be questioned whether any city in the world could have vied with it in magnificence. Advancing towards the north, we have before us a fine obelisk, about 50 feet in height, consisting of seven large stones, besides its capital and the wreathed work about it. Its circumference just above the pedestal is four yards six inches, and its sculptures, as in other places, are extremely beautiful; but it has no statue on the top of it, as probably it had formerly. About a quarter of a mile distant from this, two other large pillars are to be seen, the one towards the east, and the other towards the west; which would incline one to think there was a continued row of them.

Proceeding forwards, about 80 yards from the obelisk, we come to a large and lofty entry, which, for the beauty of the workmanship, is not inferior to any thing before described, and leads into a noble piazza or portico, above half a mile in length, In the middle of this once beautiful enclosure, and 40 yards in breadth, enclosed within two rows but now filled with the dirty huts of the inhabit- of stately marble pillars, 26 feet in height, and ants, stood the temple of the sun, encompassed eight or nine in circumference. 129 of these are with another row of pillars of a different order, standing and entire, but, upon a moderate compuand much taller than the former, being about 50 tation, there could not have been less originally feet high; of which only sixteen are now remain- than 560. This spacious piazza was terminated ing. The space included within these pillars was by a row of pillars, standing somewhat closer than 59 yards in length, and about 28 in breadth; and those on the sides; and perhaps there might have the temple was 33 yards long, and 14 or 15 broad, been a sort of banqueting house above, or else a pointing north and south, with a magnificent entry stately building, whose ruins lie at a little distance on the west, exactly in the middle of the structure. to the left, might have been allotted to that use, The outward walls of this temple are still stand-being built of fine marble, and having an air of ing, in which it is observable, that the windows delicacy in the workmanship beyond what is disare narrower at the top than at the bottom, and cernible in the piazza. The pillars that supported not very large, but all adorned with excellent it are of one entire stone; and one of them, that sculptures. Just over the door any one may dis- was fallen down without breaking, measured 2 cern part of the wings of a large spread eagle, ex-feet in length, and eight feet nine inches in cirtending its whole width, which made Mr. Halifax cumference. at first imagine it might have been rather a cherub On the west side of the great piazza are several overshadowing the entrance, there being nothing gates leading into the court of the palace, two of of the body remaining to guide one's judgment, which, when in their perfection, must have been but afterwards, seeing other eagles on stones that exceedingly magnificent and beautiful, not only were fallen down, he concluded this must have for the elegance of the work in general, but in been one likewise, only of a much larger size. particular for the noble porphyry pillars with Never were vines, bunches of grapes, and the which they were adorned, each gate having four other sculptures in general, executed in so bold in its front, two on one hand, and two on the other. and lively a manner; and every thing to be seen There is only one of these now standing in its about the small remains of this temple, induces us place, though there is another entire; they are to believe it was once a most glorious structure. about 30 feet high, and nine in compass, and so exceedingly hard, that a piece cannot be broken off without much difficulty. The palace itself is so entirely ruined, that no judgment can be formed of what it was when standing, either as to its figure or workmanship; but it was certainly answerable to the splendor of the city.

The Turks, or rather the Mamalukes, have built a roof to these walls, supported by small pillars and arches, but a great deal lower, and in other respects disproportionate to what the ancient covering must have been; and they have converted it into a mosque, adding to the south end new orna

On the side east of the long piazza stands a vast tent and opulent people before, they became subnumber of marble pillars, some perfect, and others ject to the Romans, and that they were not altodeprived of their beautiful capitals, but so scatter-gether indebted to them for their greatness. ed and confused, that it is not possible to reduce them to any order, so as to conjecture for what purpose they originally served. In one place we find several of them arranged in a square, paved

from time to time in the courts of law, for regulating the practice of the court.

RULES OF COURT. Certain orders made

RUM. A species of vinous spirit, distilled from sugar-canes. Rum, according to Dr. Shaw, differs from simple sugar spirit, in that it contains more of the natural flavor or essential oil of the sugarcane; a great deal of raw juice and parts of the cane itself being fermented in the liquor or solution of which the rum is prepared. The unctuous or oily flavor of rum is often supposed to proceed from the large quantity of fat used in boiling the sugar; which fat, indeed, if coarse, will usually give a stinking flavor to the spirit in our distillations of the sugar liquor or wash, from our refin

at the bottom with broad flat stones, but without any roof or covering; and at a little distance from thence are the remains of a small temple, which seems to have been of curious workmanship, but the roof is quite gone, and the walls are much defaced and consumed. Before the gate of it, there remains a piazza supported by six pillars, two on each side of the door, and one at each end; and the pedestals of those in the front have been filled with inscriptions, which are now defaced and illegible. The sepulchres of Palmyra are worth the attention of the curious; being square towers, four or five stories high, standing on each side of a hollowing sugar-houses; but this is nothing of kin to the way, towards the north part of the city. They flavor of the rum, which is really the effect of the extend in length, the space of a mile, and perhaps natural flavor of the cane. The method of making anciently they might extend a great way farther. rum is this:-When a sufficient stock of the maThey are all of the same form, but different in terials is gathered together, they add water to magnitude and splendor, according to the circum-them, and ferment them in the common method, stances of their founders. Two of these sepul- though the fermentation is always carried on very chres are more entire than the rest, though not slowly at first; because, at the beginning of the without marks of the Turkish fury, as well as the season for making rum in the islands, they want injuries of time. They are rather larger than our yeast or some other ferment to make it work; but common church steeples, and five stories high, the by degrees, after this, they procure a sufficient outside being of ordinary stone, but the partitions quantity of the ferment, which rises up as a head and floors within of good marble, and adorned to the liquor in the operation; and thus they are with lively sculptures and paintings, and the busts able afterwards to ferment and make their rum of men and women, most of them defaced and with a great deal of expedition, and in large quanbroken. Under these busts, or on the sides of tities. When the wash is fully fermented, or to a them, are some inscriptions in an unknown char- due degree of acidity, the distillation is carried on acter, being probably the names of the persons in the common way, and the spirit is made up there deposited. One of these sepulchres has a proof: though sometimes it is raised to a much door on the south side, from whence there is a walk greater strength, nearly approaching to that of alacross the middle of the building, and the floor cohol or spirit of wine; and it is then called double being broken up, affords a view of the vaults be- distilled rum. It might be easy to rectify the spirit, low. The spaces on each hand are divided by and bring it to much greater purity than we usuthick walls into six partitions, each capable of re-ally find it to be of; for it brings over in the disceiving the largest corpse; and if piled one upon another, as their method seems to have been, each of those partitions might contain six or seven bodies. In the lowest, second, and third stories, these partitions are uniform, except that from the second floor one partition is reserved for a staircase. In the upper floors, the building being somewhat contracted towards the top, there is not room for a continuation of the same method; and therefore the two highest stories are not so divided, nor perhaps ever had any bodies laid in them, unless that of the founder, whose statue, in a recumbent posture, is placed in a niche, in the front of the monument, so as to be seen within and without, and near this statue is a Greek inscription. The other monument is similar, only the entrance and front are towards the north, and the paintings are not so fine; but the carvings are as good, and the whole looks as stately as the former. Besides, it has the advantage with respect to age, being not so old as the other by a hundred years, as appears from the date of an inscription over a niche in the front. From these sumptuous mausolea, and other magnificent structures, our author thinks it reasonable to conclude, that the Palmyrenes were a po

tillation a very large quantity of the oil; and this is often so disagreeable that the rum must be suffered to lie by a long time to mellow before it can be used; whereas if well rectified, it would grow mellow much sooner, and would have a much less potent flavor.

The best state to keep rum in, both for exportation and other uses, is that of alcohol or rectified spirit. In this form it might be transported in one half the bulk it usually is, and might be let down to the common proof strength with water when necessary for the common use, of making punch, it would likewise serve much better in the state of alcohol; as the taste would be cleaner, and the strength might always be regulated to a much greater exactness than in the ordinary way. The only use to which it would not so well serve, in this state, would be the common practice of adulteration among our distillers; for, when they want to mix a large portion of cheaper spirit with the rum, their business is to have it of the proof strength, and as full of the flavoring oil as they can, that may drown the flavor of the spirits they mix with it, and extend its own. If the business of rectifying rum were more nicely managed, it

seems a very practicable scheme to throw out so much of the oil as to have it in the fine light state of a clear spirit, but lightly impregnated with it: in this case it would very nearly resemble arrack, as is proved by the mixing a very small quantity of it with a tasteless spirit, in which case the whole bears a very near resemblance to arrack in flavor. RUSH. A kind of coarse grass that grows in watery lands. The flowering rush is a perennial, and the sweet rush a tuberose plant, both of which are cultivated in gardens.

the existence of fungi, as injurious in this manner as from some it is stated, that, as the wet weather continued, the rust of fungus made a rapid progress from the ear downwards, until, in many instances, it covered the stem from the ear, as far as it was unsheathed. From others it is said, that the rust or fungus prevented those grains which the maggot had not destroyed from being perfected, in a greatthat these parasitical plants multiplied so much on er or less degree. From others still it is asserted, the straw, and on the husk and chaff of the ears, that, in many cases whole fields put on an universal blackened, rusty appearance. From other different persons, various other circumstances of this nature

The best means of preventing and removing affections of this nature in this sort of grain crop, are supposed to be those of cultivating only the sorts of wheat which are the hardiest in point of quality, and the least liable to disease; the sowing of the wheat earlier than usual in the season; the introduction of earlier varieties of it; the giving of a sufficient quantity of seed; the draining of the land where it is inclined to be wet; the rolling and

RUST. In Rural Economy, a distemper incident to corn, and generally called mildew. The ancients generally thought that it came from heav-are also related to be met with. en, being ignorant of its true cause. Virgil gives this up as an incurable distemper, and tells the farmer, that if his corn is blighted he must live upon acorns, not supposing that any remedy could be devised for such a distemper. These people in general, having no true knowledge of the theory of husbandry, had recourse to magic, and used what they thought spells and enchantments on all occasions. Cato, Varro, and even Columella, are full of these ridiculous devices. A better knowl-treading of the land by live stock immediately after edge in the real nature of husbandry has taught us to understand this matter in a very different manner, and to apply more efficacious remedies to it. Wheat is blighted at seasons, first in the blossom, and then its generation is prevented, many of the husks being empty in the ear, and the rudiments of the grains not impregnated; secondly, wheat is blighted when the grains are brought to maturity; and in this case they become light and are of little value for making of bread, having scarcely any

flour in them.

sowing; the use of sowing different sorts of saline substances as a manure; the proper regulation and improvement of the course of crops; the change of seed, by bringing it fresh from other countries; the extirpation of the diseased stems, stalks, or blades early in the season, and the instantly cutting down of the crop when it is decidedly affected.

Old Testament, being a kind of appendix to the RUTH, BOOK OF. A canonical book of the book of Judges, and an introduction to those of Under this term of rust may, perhaps, most prop-interesting story is here principally related. In Samuel; and having its title from the person whose erly be arranged, and included, that sort of destruc- this story are observable the ancient rights of kintive affection of grain, which is caused by the fun-dred and redemption; and the manner of buying guses and parasitical plants, which fix themselves the inheritance of the deceased, with other particuon and attach themselves to, the stems or other lars of great note and antiquity. The canonicalness parts of it, so as to diminish, intercept, or destroy of this book was never disputed; but the learned its nutritive properties and qualities. The injury

done in this way is often more dreadful than that are not agreed about the epocha of the history it from any of the other causes, as whole fields have relates. Ruth the Moabitess is found in the genebeen known to be utterly destroyed, so as not to alogy of our Saviour. contain a single grain of wheat in the ear, and, at RYE. A kind of grain that in its growth resemthe same time, the straw rendered totally unfit for bles wheat; it is in England mostly cultivated as fodder, posessing neither strength nor substance in food for cattle. In America, it is made into bread, it. The evidence of different places fully confirm which is coarser than that made of wheat flour.

S

SAADIS. A sect of enthusiasts or impostors in desert, with a number of living serpents knotted Egypt, resembling the Psylli of Cyrenaica, who together, commenced his travels through the counwere persuaded that they possessed the power of try, practising the art of charming serpents by his setting serpents at defiance, of charming them, of wonderful and supernatural skill, and gathering tomaking these reptiles follow them at their call, and gether a number of disciples, to whom he commuof curing their bites. The Saadis derive their nicated his art. The tomb of this saint is near name from that of their founder, who was a saint Damascus; and it is filled with serpents and other highly venerated among the Mahometans of Egypt. venomous animals, among which a person may lie This saint, when young, having convinced his down and sleep, without suffering the slightest uncle, who was a great man in Syria, of his in-injury.

genuity, by binding a fagot of branches of trees, Such is the superstitious origin of a very numerwhich he was sent by his uncle to collect in the ous scet in Egypt, each individual of which inherits

the skill of its founder. Every year they celebrate his festival in a manner analogous to the institution. They march in procession through the streets, each holding in his hand a living serpent, which he bites, gnaws, and swallows piecemeal, making, at the same time frightful grimaces and contortions.

SABBATH. In the Hebrew language, signifies rest. The seventh day was denominated the sabbath, or day of rest, because that in it God had rested from all his works which he created and made. From that time the seventh day seems to have been set apart for religious services; and in consequence of a particular injunction, was afterwards observed by the Hebrews as a holy day. They were commanded to set it apart for sacred purposes in honor of the creation, and likewise in memorial of their own redemption from Egyptian bondage.

Sonnini informs us that he had an opportunity of observing the practices of a number of this sect. A priest of this profession carried in his bosom a large serpent, which he was continually handling, and after having recited a prayer, delivered it to the Saadi who accompanied him. The teeth of The importance of the institution may be gatherthe reptile had been drawn, but it was very lively, fed from the different laws respecting it. When and of a dusky green and copper color. The Saadi the ten commandments were published from Mount seized the serpent, which entwined itself round his Sinai in tremendous pomp, the law of the sabbath naked arm. Upon this he began to be agitated; held a place in what is commonly called the first his countenance changed; his eyes rolled; he ut-table, and by subsequent statutes the violation of it tered terrible cries; bit the animal in the head, and was to be punished with death. Six days were tore off a piece, which he chewed and swallowed. allowed for the use and service of man; but the At that moment his agitation increased; his howl-seventh day God reserved to himself, and appointings were redoubled; his limbs writhed; his aspect ed it to be observed as a stated time for holy offices, bore the marks of madness; and his mouth distend-and to be spent in the duties of piety and devotion. ed by horrid grimaces, was covered with foam. On this day, the ministers of the temple entered From time to time he devoured fresh pieces of the upon their week; and those who had attended on reptile. It was in vain that three men exerted the temple service the preceding week went out at themselves to hold him; he dragged them around the same time. New loaves of shewbread were the room, throwing his arms with violence on all placed upon the golden table, and the old ones sides, and striking every thing within his reach. taken away. Two lambs for a burnt offering, with At length the priest took the serpent from him; a certain proportion of fine flour, mingled with oil, but his fury and convulsions were not at first ap-for a bread offering, and wine for a libation, were peased: he bit his hands and his passion continu-offered. The sabbath, as all other festivals, was ed. The priest clasped him in his arms, put his celebrated from evening to evening. It began at hands gently on his back, lifted him from the six in the evening on Friday, and ended at the ground, and recited some prayers. His agitation same time the next day.

gradually subsided, and he became completely ex- The division of time into weeks, or periods of hausted, in which state he continued for a few seven days, which obtained so early and almost moments. The Turks, who were present, believ-universally, is a strong indication that one day in ed that this religious frenzy was real.

seven was always distinguished in a particular manner. Week, and seven days, are in scripture language synonymous terms. God commanded Noah, seven days before he entered the ark, to introduce into it all sorts of living creatures. When the waters of the flood began to abate, Noah sent forth a dove, which, finding no rest for the sole of her foot, returned to him. After seven days he sent forth the dove a second time, and again she returned to the ark. At the expiration of other seven days, he let go the dove a third time and a week is spoken of (Gen. xxix.) as a well known space of time.

Dr. Shaw and several other authors, apprehend that these serpent-eaters entirely subsisted upon these reptiles; and from this traveller we learn, that at Cairo and in its environs there are more than 4000 persons who live on nothing but serpents. But Sonnini says this is a mistake; for if in their ceremonies they gnaw a few that are raw and alive, they do not use them as an article of food. In Egypt these men are very much respected; but among the Turks of the other parts of the Ottoman empire, they are only objects of ridicule and laughter. In order to have serpents ready on every occasion they keep them in their houses, This septenary division of time has been, from having used the previous precaution of extracting the earliest ages, uniformly observed over all the their teeth. If any person be bitten by a serpent, eastern world. The Israelites, Assyrians, Egyphe runs directly to a Saadi, who mutters a few tians, Indians, Arabians, and Persians, have always words over the wound, scarifies it with a razor, made use of a week, consisting of seven days. and after having filled his mouth with lemon juice, Many vain attempts have been made to account for sucks the blood from it repeatedly. These men this uniformity; but a practice so general and prevalso cure the 'serpent's breath,' an appellation giv-alent could never have taken place, had not the en by them to inflammatory pustules, which some-septenary distribution of time been instituted from times break out on those who sleep in the open air, the beginning, and handed down by tradition. with any part of the body uncovered, and which, As the seventh day was observed by the Jewish as they pretend, are caused by the serpent's breath. The remedy they employ is the oil of sesamum, mixed with ceruse, or white lead. With this liniment they rub the pustules, never failing, at the same time, to mutter a few words, without which eyery remedy would be altogether ineffectual.

church, in memory of the rest of God, after the works of creation, and their own deliverance from Pharoah's tyranny; so the first day of the week has always been observed by the Christian church in memory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, by which he completed the work of man's redemption