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בס"ד

Literary Notices.

We are gratified to be able to lay before the public the interesting communication of our Savannah correspondent, touching the history of the Jewish community of that city; and we hope that those who have access to the materials, will have the goodness to furnish us at the earliest possible date with all such historical reminiscences as may be of sufficient interest to be spread before the public. We especially remind our friends in New York and Baltimore to furnish us soon with the historical materials for which we have asked them. In the mean time, we return our thanks to our valued friend in Savannah, and trust that he may occasionally enrich our pages with his contributions.

"The Voice Of Jacob" is, as our readers know, the name of the Jewish paper issued in London by Mr. Jacob A. Franklin. It is filled with many valuable notices relative to the history of the day, of things occurring in England and the continent of Europe, of the deepest interest to those who are natives of the Old World. If even, our space were not generally too much preoccupied, it would not altogether suit the plan of our periodical to copy mere news articles; and as hitherto the papers have always been several months old before they reaced us, and as they have a somewhat extended circulation in this country and the West Indies, we have not made as much use of their contents as we would undoubtedly have done under other circumstances. We do not mean to say that the "Voice" is merely a newspaper; far from it, since it contains many well written essays, criticisms, pieces of poetry, and doctrinal papers concerning Jewish theology, which will always make it valuable as a work for future reference. We acknowledge also that we are indebted to its columns for several news articles which we have copied thence without the customary credit; and we hope that our friend will accept this general acknowledgment as a sufficient atonement for our want of the usual courtesy which prevails among editors; and in return, we should be truly happy were he to quote largely from the pages of the Occident. We are also obliged to him for his very favourable notice of our labours, and trust that we shall always deserve his approbation, as long as we shall occupy the editorial chair. In conclusion, we invite the attention of our readers to the advertisement of the Voice of Jacob, which appeared in the two first numbers of the Occident, and we shall be happy to receive orders for the third volume of our Jewish contemporary, which will commence about the beginning of the year, 5604, and hand them over to the agent of the work in this city, H. Cohen, Esq.

The Israelite, is the name of a new weekly paper, in the German tongue, the first number of which, has just been issued by Mr. Wollenweber, of this city, under the editorship of Mr. Julius Stern. The contents are a well written introductory by the editor, in which he sketches his proposed plan of operations, and urges the usefulness of a newspaper devoted to the cause of Judaism in America, in the German language, since so many Israelites whose vernacular it is are now spread over the entire Union from the banks of the Hudson to the Mississippi, and from the Atlantic to the Missouri. He disclaims all pretensions to the high learning which characterizes the Jewish editors of Europe, and states that as a plain business man, he feels himself impelled to endeavour to spread among his brethren, with the blessing of the Master of all works, such practical useful information as may best advance the cause of the religion of Horeb. The next following articles arc selections from European publications and Talmudical anecdotes, and a short editorial on business matters. Then follows a well written essay "on the excellence of the Mosaic laws," which is to be continued in a future number. In this we remark one error: that of ascribing the ceremonies attending the sacrifice of the first Passover lamb in Egypt, to the future sacrifices of this nature. The next article is a portion of a biographical sketch of Moses Maimonides, chiefly compiled from German sources, in which we detect several expressions which we cannot approve of, and which we are certain the editor will endeavour to avoid in future. We then have correspondence and notices. The last page of the paper contains an excellent article "on the influence which the idea of religion displays on our happiness," in which the editor pleads eloquently for the blessings which revelation confers on man, and shows the cold and chilling effect which the speculative philosophy of unbelief has upon the individual and society. The last article is a pretty little piece of poetry by Samuel Hirsch Lind, a gentleman of excellent acquirements, late a teacher in Marshall College, Mercersburg, but now a resident of this city. We regret that want of space compels us to be so brief in our notice of this new claimaint for public favour, for which we ask the aid and countenance of all friends of religion in this country. We say this without the least feeling of jealousy; as there is ample room for a monthly periodical like the Occident, a semi-monthly sheet like the Voice of Jacob, and a weekly organ like the Israelite, and the more our friends are encouraged in their laudable efforts, the more shall we hope to have our humble endeavours in the good cause appreciated and rewarded.

In conclusion, we wish to state that should sufficient aid be offered, the Israelite will appear every Friday, at $1.50 per annum, payable to L. A. Wollenweber, No. 277 North Third street, Philadelphia. If our friends would wish to make us the medium of their communications with the editor or proprietor, they may address them to us, and we will take care that they shall reach their destination. We invite our German friends to contribute to Mr. Stern's paper, and request them to write their articles in as familiar a style as is consistent with elegance.

**Other notices, omitted for want of room, shall receive an early attention.