Mr. Russegger, who ascertained, by barometrical measurements, that the northern end of the Dead Sea is nearly 1400 feet below the Mediterranean.

I cannot do better than quote the remarks of Dr. Kitto, after he had considered the subject:

"After this, the serious and difficult question recurs, which was obviated by the explanation by which the waters of the Jordan were carried to the Red Sea-namely, what became of the Jordan, when, as is generally supposed, it merely passed through and watered the plain which the Dead Sea now covers? 1st. Were its waters consumed, like those of the Barrody, at Damascus, in irrigating the fields and gardens, and in supplying water to the towns of the plain? 2nd. May there not have been a lake in this basin, in former times, to receive the Jordan; and then may not the 'plain' or 'vale' in question mean merely the borders of that lake; according to what appears to be the meaning of Josephus, who seems to speak of the land of Sodom as still existing as land, though in a condition sadly altered from its former state? It would not be necessary to suppose that the lake then encroached beyond the channel and ford which we have already described; and where there are appearances which may be construed to intimate to the geographer that there was an ancient breach of the waters at this point, whereby the whole country southward, down to the hills, was inundated as it still seems to be during the season of flood, although the water beyond the ford remains permanently in the southern lake or backwater. This would give a tract above twenty miles long, by ten or twelve broad, beside the border of the lake, as the land which was ruined at the overthrow of Sodom, and in which the 'cities of the plain' were situated. In confirmation of this, we might point to Genesis x. 19. in which the five cities, by being opposed to Gaza, seemed to be brought together near the present southern extremity of the lake. To this may also be added, that Sodom, at least, could not well have been to the north of the channel formed by the tongue of land; for the short time which was taken by the family of Lot in escaping to Zoar, shews it could not have been far from that city, which unquestionably was on the borders of the present southern extremity of the Asphaltic Lake. When viewed apart from our preconceptions on the subject, there will be found no passage of Scripture which distinctly intimates that the 'Plain of Siddim' was submerged. It is described as having become a region of salt, and burning, and bitterness, and desolation; but not of water. 3rd. If neither of the above hypotheses be considered tenable, there seems no alternative but to consider that the overthrow of Sodom was attended by

a far greater and more extensive derangement of the earth's surface -by the depression of high levels, and the elevation of low ones, through larger tracts of country than has hitherto been imagined, or than the Scriptures would lead us to expect. We refrain at present from attempting to make up our minds to any of these alternatives, expecting that some further and clearer light may speedily be obtained from the researches which are now in progress, or which we may hope soon to be undertaken."

I do not wish to appear presumptuous; but, for my own part, from a careful consideration of various texts of Scripture, I am still inclined to adhere to Burckhardt's opinion. With regard to the first of the hypotheses of Dr. Kitto, it seems to me hardly probable that the Jordan, which, according to Dr. Shaw's calculation, pours above six million tuns of water daily into the Dead Sea, should be entirely absorbed in irrigation, or the supply of the five cities of the plain. As to the second, if a lake had occupied the present site of the Dead Sea, or any other part of the vale of Siddim, would not its waters have partaken of the deleterious character of those of the Dead Sea at the present time, seeing that one of the principal causes, the bitumen, abounded at that time; for we read in Genesis xiv. 10. that the vale was full of "slime pits," or pits of bitumen? The existence of a stagnant lake of such water would have caused its borders to be barren and desolate as now: on the contrary, it is described as exceedingly fertile-" well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the Lord." (Gen. xiii. 10.)

I humbly think Dr. Kitto is wrong, when he says that no passage of Scripture distinctly intimates that the vale of Siddim was submerged. The sacred historian says, that the kings of the plain 66 were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea," (Gen. xiv. 3.) thus distinctly asserting, first, that the vale of Siddim was the battle ground on which the kings of the plain were defeated by Chedorlaomer and his confederates; and, second, that this same ground was afterwards submerged; for he adds, "which is the salt

sea.

I trust the "Ettingshall Scripture Reader" will find what I have been able to communicate on the subject in some degree interesting, if not deciding his question; at the same time I shall be happy to communicate anything further, in my power, on this important subject. I remain, Rev. Sir, yours sincerely,

Ollerton, September 17th, 1847.

S. J. W.

SCRIPTURE DIFFICULTY.

REV. SIR,-Being a constant reader of your invaluable periodical, the "Teacher's Visitor," I have felt deeply interested by the explication of the difficult passages of Scripture; and, therefore, take the liberty to ask an explanation of the following: "And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the kings of the east might be prepared." (Rev. xvi. 12.) What I feel desirous of knowing, is, Who are meant by the "kings of the east"?

I am, Rev. Sir, yours very truly,

Suffolk, September 16th, 1847.

E. C. S.

SUMMARY OF NEWS.

"There are many devices in a man's heart: nevertheless the counsel of the Lord that shall stand."

ABUNDANCE and plenty are fast wiping out the records of misery and famine during the earlier part of the year. The white grain harvest has been more productive than has been known for many years, and the earth, as men who have reaped it from the ground have told us, seems to have "brought forth by handfuls;" and the brightest and most sunny weather has continued for some weeks for its ingathering. Our heartfelt thanksgiving for so merciful a change in the aspect of affairs ought to ascend to the Almighty Giver of all good. The Government are about to issue-and probably before this paper meets the eyes of our readers, will have done so -her Majesty's command for a general thanksgiving. The Clergy of the Diocese of Cashel and their respected Bishop met a short time ago, and expressed their feelings of gratitude to God for his goodness; and also thanked the inhabitants of the neighbouring countries round them, societies and private individuals, for their ready sympathy and well-timed endeavours in the relief of Ireland during the famine. The National Club was mentioned especially, for its exertions in their behalf.

The affairs of Austria and Rome are beginning to wear a threaten. ing aspect. The Pope-who was once a soldier in Napoleon's army -seems to be arousing all his martial vigour, and is determined to resist the encroachments of his powerful neighbour. This would be complete madness, remembering the physical imbecility of the Papal power, especially when coping with so powerful an enemy as Au

stria; but it is generally supposed that he is secretly relying on the sympathy and assistance of the other European powers. If one of these powers takes any part either for or against him, it will involve the necessity of the others taking it up; which would bring on in the end a general European war. We are not disposed to calculate about the future, though the political horizon looks threatening. The future, with all its contingencies of hope and fear, is in God's hand, and he will dispose all things for his glory and the happiness of his people. Ferrara, the occupation of which by the Austrians has caused this outbreak, is situated on the north-east corner of Italy, not far from Bologna and Comacchio, and it is south of the river Po, the Austrian boundary line.

Mr. Tuffnell's report to revert to home matters again-on the Home and Colonial Infant and Juvenile School, which has been lately published, is well worthy of our readers' attention. His remarks upon the system pursued there are so satisfactory as to make it the general place of training for teachers in such schools. We notice the report of another government inspector of a system pursued in the infant school in the parish of Stone. We threw out a hint, illustrating the excellence of the plan, in a paper containing remarks on the education of the younger children in parochial schools, not knowing that it had been tried with success. In the Stone schools the children are taught to read and write simultaneously, and thus writing is made a powerful auxiliary to reading. The first sentence they write is, "God is good," and then "God is good to all men," and so on. The result is certainly remarkable. I found infants writing this sentence well who had been only learning to write a fortnight. From an early period, the skill they thus acquire is applied to their instruction in other elements of knowledge. They are required to commit to memory at home in the evening the passages which they are to write out at school on the following morning. This method of instruction was taught in Stone by Mr. Dollier, a public lecturer. We hope this plan will be tried extensively, so that its real merits may be sifted.

The Bishop of Ripon's charge, which has been lately made public, contains some good remarks on the late secessions to Rome. It is worth being perused at this time, so that men may have their eyes open to the essential evils of the system of Romanism, and not be beguiled by any force, however winning, which leads them into it blindfold.. Our readers must bear this in mind when they see Mr. Oakeley's letter on the inexpressible happiness he derives from Romish Communion. If he can believe all her claims to be true, it may confer on him a seeming happiness; one, we should imagine,

rather of excitement and novelty than of real and substantial calibre. If you can persuade yourself that a priest's absolution pardons sin, what more pleasant than to throw oneself into the bosom of that church which professes it? But-if this be a fiction! And when we hear of a person like Mr. Oakeley relating his happiness, let us not forget the idolatrous practices of that church, her disrespect of the Bible, the monstrous assumption of the infallibility of her pontiffs, her adoration of the creature, instead of the Creator-in fact, THE SYSTEM-and then, with no false glare dazzling our eyes, and no vain sophistry deluding our understandings, shall we go to her for happiness? Yes, if man can cheat himself with the phantom, instead of the reality of happiness; if he can buoy himself up on the broken plank of Rome's infallibility, and float safely into eternity, rather than on the merits of his Redeemer, relied upon, beloved, and served.

We hear that Captain Gardner, whose name has been before the public in connection with missionary efforts once or twice before, particularly the Patagonian Mission, is about to establish a new mission in Terra Del Fuego, which has never yet been visited. It is to be conducted on the same principles as the Church Missionary Society. He is still in want of about £170 ere he can leave England.

The French Protestants in Canada and the United States seem to be in a most neglected condition. In Canada, there is not one Episcopal Protestant Clergyman ministering to them; in the United States, only two. One of these, Mr. Williamson, the rector of the French Protestant Church in New York, has lately come over to England for the purpose of exciting some sympathy among the English. As large bodies of the French settlers are Roman Catholics, there would be a good opportunity for doing good, in an extensive way, among them by devoted men, supported by funds from this country, while the French Protestant population would be gathered into one by efficient ministrations. We trust some method will be devised to meet the nature of the case.

Miss B. Coutts has offered a wooden church to be taken out to Cape Town for the use of the colonists there, to be placed at the disposal of the new Bishop of that settlement.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

"Mary's Gleanings" in our next.

The memoir kindly sent by "A Sunday-school Teacher" wants incident to be generally interesting or useful.