that of recommending to his brethren a more practical application of what their own prophets had written; that he was persuaded the day of Israel's redemption could not be far distant, but he saw no fruit of such a conviction on the minds of others; and that to be content with the position which they now held in their own city appeared to him like the despising of good things promised by the Lord. Abashed as he really felt at having been led to make himself so conspicuous in a party where he was probably the youngest present, he resolved not to retreat, but to follow up, so far as he might, the advantage of having given a new turn to the conversation, and one far better suited to such a company than the dreams of the Talmud. He was weary, too, of the names of Rabbi Solomon Jarchi, Rabbi Kimchi, Maimonides, Aben-Ezra; and longed to hear somewhat of Nehemiah the rebuilder; or of Zechariah, and the rest of those holy men, who by the inspiration of God had declared his purposes towards his own people. Alick had, moreover, detected some very startling things as forming part of the system which his brethren considered to be pure Judaism; he heard from one stern-looking Rabbinical teacher a sentiment involving the doctrine that all Gentile people were to be converted by the edge of the sword to their faith; from another he heard a remark plainly indicating that Christians were not to be regarded as neighbours, nor treated like fellowmen; and, what confounded him not a little, that he was liable to the most severe punishment for eating food prepared by Gentile hands, and partaken of by Gentiles. His father had always been extremely lax on this head; and Alick had paid so little re

gard to the opinions or customs of his peculiar people, that he had looked on Ben-Melchor as an extraordinary specimen of exclusiveness, not as a fair sample of what a Jew would consider it right to be, in point of ceremonial distinction. Among many passing thoughts, he wondered that Da Costa had never spoken to him on the subject of that separation which it struck him he had himself always practised for he was aware, though he had not before remarked it otherwise than as accidental, that he had never actually partaken with them in any meal at Jaffa, or on the road. Could he regard these observances as binding on a Hebrew, and yet permit him daily to transgress without a warning word?

Towards the close of the evening Alick missed from the party both Da Costa and the German: the former only returned, and his excited appearance, the flashing eye, the restless motion, the evident abstraction of his mind, struck Alick. The party soon after separated, and Da Costa, taking Alick's arm, led him forth to the highest part of Mount Zion towards the East, whence they looked out upon the Mount of Olives. Neither had spoken: Da Costa was still labouring under strong emotion; and his young friend, who began to feel some fatigue of body added to his mental excitement, resolved to let him take the lead. Having reached a ruined quadrangle, the remains of a small house, and seated himself on a low wall, motioning to Alick to do the same, Da Costa commenced: Cohen, the time is come, and come somewhat sooner than I anticipated, for entering upon explanations of immense moment to you. I could have wished to defer this; I wished to conduct you over all the ruins of this city of our

God, to point out every sacred spot to which the proscribed Jew may approach; to lead you to the sepulchres of our kings, the burying-places of our fathers. I desired to familiarize you with every touching wreck of our beloved, our dishonoured Jerusalem, groaning as they are under the gaudy temples of the Moslem and the Nazarene; and then I would have shewn you the interior of some of those execrable dens of idolatry where the latter carry on their abominable worship, addressed to images which their own hands have made. I purposed placing before you Zion in her deepest desolation, Gentilism in its proudest triumph, and then appealing to your heart and conscience as to which party might claim you a disciple.'

No such preparation was needed, Da Costa, the faith of my fathers is dearer to me than my life; the hateful idolatries to which you allude'.

Nay, hear me out. The plan so thoughtfully framed has been wholly disconcerted by the unexpected recognition among this night's party, of poor Wilhelm's father; and the discovery of a clue that I must immediately follow up, or the sole chance of tracing and of rescuing him may be for ever lost. This compels me to come to an abrupt and premature disclosure of matters that concern you most nearly; for dear as Wilhelm, my long and loved companion is to me, I cannot sacrifice you, Cohen, the acquaintance of a day, even to save him. But time is so precious, the space allowed me so brief, that I must without farther delay proceed to execute my mission. Stand up, Cohen, and here in the presence of the God of Israel, who shall judge between us, answer me, are you a Christian?'

'I am not ;' answered Alick, firmly. 'What then are you?'

'A son of Abraham, by descent: a Jew in blood, in heart, in soul, and in profession. A Jew, in the thoughtless days of boyhood, in free, happy England: tenfold a Jew here, surrounded by the crumbling stones of Jerusalem.'

'My dear lad, you are a Jew by birth and name, and a Jew in sentiment, but there is, whether you be conscious of it or not, a halting between two opinions, wholly inconsistent with the profession you make. Why, you do not even observe the law of Moses in the matter of meats, of fasting, of purification-in short, you are a Gentile to all outward appearance; and not a little in feeling and opinion.

Alick was hurt: You very well know that my father always looked forward to my enjoying political privileges in England, and brought me up with as little distinction as possible between me and my Gentile schoolmates and compeers. If you thought me wrong why not reprove me at once?'

'Let that pass; and speak only of the future. Is it your purpose to continue this line of conduct, wounding your people, your religion, your own soul, by such glaring inconsistency?'

I am quite ready to conform in every particular to the law of Moses, and you cannot prescribe any thing so strict that I shall not esteem it an honour, a privilege, a rich blessing to practise it.'

And a matter of salvation,' added Da Costa. Alick was silent. A new train of thoughts arose in his mind, but his companion did not allow him to reflect: he rapidly proceeded, 'The moments are so precious that we may not pause on a word. I

must remind you that the sacred duties you declare yourself willing to fulfil cannot be fulfilled under your existing connexion with the Ryans.'

Alick's colour rose: They both can and shall, and they must for my father has placed me under Captain Ryan's care, and you will not persuade me that disobedience to parents forms any part of the law of Moses.'

6

Suppose for a moment that no such arrangement had never been made: what then would you say?'

'Time being so precious we had better not waste it in idle hypotheses,' answered Alick, somewhat drily.

Da Costa seemed perplexed: Yet, Cohen, indulge me thus far: did no such obligation exist, and were you perfectly satisfied that living and travelling with Christians, uninstructed too as you are in all the requirements of our holy law, you must daily, hourly transgress it, would you prefer the gratification of a natural liking for some agreeable strangers to the stern duty of glorifying the God of Israel by obedience to his commands?'

'No, Da Costa: in that case I should be enabled to sacrifice all private feelings and withdraw from society most dear and precious to me. I would, in that case, accompany you in your search for Wilhelm, share your dangers, and in every particular learn strict conformity to our holy law. Even as it is, I solemnly pledge my word to you that I will live as strict a Jew, be the difficulty what it may, as your heart can desire. Only tell me how to act, and doubt not my resolve to exhibit in all its features the character of our divine faith.'

Da Costa caught his hand, and exclaimed, 'Dear