|
Moral and Religious Tales For The Young Of The Hebrew
Faith; adopted from the French of “Les Matinees du Samedi” of G.
Ben Levi. By A. Abraham. London. 12mo., pp. 239.—In
the very first number of our magazine, we gave a short criticism
and several specimens of the work of Ben Levi, which had then but lately
made its appearance under the name of “Saturday Mornings,” intended for
Sabbath reading of young Israelites. In two subsequent numbers, we gave a
translation of one of the longer stories, called the
Konitz Family; and we
are almost sure that our readers must have formed a favourable opinion of
the general merit of the work in question, although they must with us
condemn some of the peculiar views contained in “The Three Moses,” and
other portions of the volumes of the elegant contributor to the “Archives Israélites de France,” which magazine belongs to the class which may be
properly designated as the extreme liberal. Still there is much to praise
in them, and Mr. Abraham has therefore placed the Israelites under
obligations in furnishing them with a choice of the pieces of our French
compatriot; the more so as he intends devoting all profits arising from
the sale of the work to the cause of education, and we trust that in this
respect especially he may meet with ample success, and thereby contribute
largely to a cause which has not been sufficiently encouraged among us.
The original work consists of two volumes, the first of which contains
short essays on Religion, Providence, Faith, the Soul, Resignation, &c.,
illustrated by brief anecdotes selected from the best Jewish works, or
derived from the author’s own knowledge, as also condensed biographies,
maxims, &c.; the second consists of twelve long works, a sketch of the
history of the Jews in France, and some selected poetry. The translator
has however confined himself chiefly to the first volume, and gives us but
one tale from the second. As an entire performance, we can congratulate
Mr. A. on the work being well done; only we regret, that he has here and
there confined himself too closely to his
French original, thus rendering it often
literally into English, when a little deviation would have made his style
much more correct; occasionally there are also slight misapprehensions;
for instance, he renders morale, sentiment, raison, with morality,
mind, reason; when evidently the word mind is not the
exponent of the French sentiment; the author clearly meant to
convey that a moral sentiment, or an abhorrence of what is opposed to the
general good, is impressed in the hearts of all men, which, with a love
for what is beneficial and combined with reason, is the regulating
principle which induces to the practice of all the duties which concern
alike all mankind.—Having already given specimens of the original work
when it first appeared, and our space being already too much occupied this
month, we must forbear giving any extracts from the translation before us;
but we recommend it heartily to our readers; and hope that Mr. Abraham may
soon be enabled to reprint it, and thus have an opportunity to remove the
little blemishes which he will then discover himself; and we beg him not
to be discouraged by some defect in his first attempt at authorship; since
no one can expect to be as perfect as practice alone can make him, at the
first outset; and additional care will soon enable him to do good service
in the field of labour which he has entered. The number of reading books
for English Jews is lamentably small; and there is much in foreign
languages which, with some caution in rejecting the objectionable
passages, might well be transplanted among us; and we therefore will be
pleased to meet Mr. A. again before long with some new offering, though it
be but derived from foreign sources.
The
Voice of Jacob.—Since our last, we have received a letter from the
late proprietor and editor of this journal, in which he gives us the name
of the present editor, which is a guarantee that it will advocate the same
conservative views it did under its prior director; but as the paper
appears anonymous we do not think that we are permitted to disclose it
publicly. As we have acted as agent for some time for the Voice, we take
this method to announce that we shall be much pleased to receive orders
for the same at $2.50 per annum, payable in advance.—We have received for
distribution the three first numbers of the new series. |
