B.C.

Obadiah; when the Israelites were led into captivity, the 'Idumeans, their ancient enemies, insulted their misfortunes, and assailed them with every species of ignominious reproach. This prophet very energetically paints that national animosity, and announces to the descendants of Esau, the punishment reserved for them by the Almighty in the following terms: Were ye to take the flight of the eagle, and to build your nests among the stars, even from thence would I pluck ye forth. Obadiah's prophecies are very similar to those of Jeremiah; nothing, however, for a certainty, is known respecting the life of this prophet; Saint Jerome speaks of his tomb having been seen by Saint Paul at Samaria.

Micah, of Morasthi, or an inhabitant of Moresheth, near Gath, of the tribe of Judah, continued to prophesy for a period of 50 years, in the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. The principal object of his predictions refers to the misfortunes that awaited the kingdoms of Israel and Judæa, and he is one of those who most clearly demonstrates the coming of a Messiah. Bethlehem, says the Lord, thou art looked upon as a city too small to give princes to Judæa; but it is from thee my son shall arise. He will not use the sword of the conqueror, he will only carry the shepherd's

staff.

Nahum, of the city of Elkosh, or Elkoshai, in Galilee, is one of the lesser prophets, who, for sublimity of thought and energy of style, approaches the nearest to Isaiah. The picture which he has given of the wrath of the Omnipotent, is very far superior to that so much admired from the pen of Homer.

Sophoniah; the predictions of this prophet are the same as those of Jeremiah, which he has apparently abridged. He is inferior to his original, whose greatest charm consists in developing the deep yet tender anguish wherewith his heart was oppressed. This prophet flourished under king Josiah.

Habakkuk, the prophet, is supposed to have been of the tribe of Simeon, and predicted during the reign of Manasseh, or rather was contemporary of Jeremiah. He foretold the destruction of Judæa and the surrounding countries, by the Chaldeans, as well as the overthrow of the latter people for their oppressions of others. He equally predicted the delivery of the Jews by Cyrus, and that of the human race by Jesus Christ. The Greeks celebrated the festival of this prophet.

Haggai was born at Babylon during the captivity of the Hebrews, under the reign of Darius, son of Hystaspes. When Zerubbabel led the Jews back from their captivity,

this prophet strenuously advised him to rebuild the temple B.C. of Jerusalem, saying that it would be more lasting than the former, thereby alluding to the establishment of the new law. When the Jews had recovered their freedom, Haggai testified so much joy, that he never ceased to sing praises to the Most High during their march, from whence he derived the title of Haggai, which signifies the joyful. He frequently reproached the Jews with being more intent on rebuilding their own houses than contributing their labours to re-erect the temple of their God.

Zechariah, son of Barachiah, was despatched by the Lord at the same time as Haggai, to incite the Jews to re-build the temple. The predictions of this prophet, as relate to the Messiah, are so clear, that he speaks as an evangelist rather than as a prophet. The persecutions by the Assyrian_monarchs were fully laid open to Zechariah; he beheld Jerusalem taken and sacked, with all the accumulated horrors which occurred during that event; he saw the people flying into the desert; when uncertain as to its fate, between death and life, and on the very eve of its final overthrow, a new light suddenly appeared before him. He beheld the enemies vanquished; the idols overthrown throughout the whole confines of the holy land; peace and abundance re-visiting Jerusalem and the face of the whole country, while the temple of the Most High he beheld venerated throughout the East.

One very memorable circumstance during these wars was also revealed to the prophet; namely, that Jerusalem would be betrayed by its own children, and that among her enemies would be found many Jews. Sometimes Zechariah beheld a long series of prosperity; Judæa strong in its armies, and the kingdoms that oppressed her humiliated; her neighbours, who had tormented her, punished; and some converted and incorporated among the people of God. The prophet also contemplated his brethren, loaded with the blessings of heaven, amongst which he predicted to them the triumph as modest as glorious, of the King poor, the King pacific, the Saviour King, who should enter the city of Jerusalem mounted on an ass.

After delineating these prosperities, Zechariah then refers to the origin, and recapitulates all the calamities of the Jews. On a sudden he witnesses fire consuming the temple; the country with its capital devastated, with murder, rapine, violence, and a monarch authorizing the whole.

Malachi; this word signifies Angel of the Lord. Origen and Tertullian both conceived that this prophet was in reality

B.C. an angel who had assumed the human form, while others have imagined, with the majority of the Jewish doctors, that Malachi was no other than Esdras. The predictions bearing the name of this prophet principally refer to the mission of the second Elias, the precursor of Christ. It is obvious that Malachi prophesied after the erection of the second temple, and we conjecture about A. M. 3607, about 16 years after the death of Nehemiah, or 397 years anterior to the coming of Jesus Christ.

N.B. We have not followed chronological order, but that of the bible, in recapitulating this account of the prophets.

A

GEOGRAPHICAL TABLE

OF

PART THE FIRST.

A.

Abdera. There were two cities bearing this name; the one in Spain, (now denominated Adra, in Andalusia,) and the other in Thrace, being the birth-place of Democritus, Protagoras, Anaxarchus, and Hecatæus, near the mouth of the Nestus, (now called Kara-Son.)

Abydos, a city of Mysia, opposite Sestos, in Europe, situated in the narrowest part of the Hellespont. The fortresses of the Dardanelles erected on this coast by Mahomet the Fourth, in 1659, do not stand upon the site of these two ancient cities, being more to the south. One is called the castle of Romalia, (in Europe,) the other Natolia, (situated in Asia.)

Acarnania, anciently Curetis, (now Carnia,) was separated from Ætolia by the Achelous, and from Epirus by the gulf Anebracia; on this coast rises the promontory of Actium.

Actium. The ruins of this famous place are now found at Azio, near Punta. It was in the basin at the opening of the gulf, enclosed by two opposite points, that the famous naval conflict took place between Antony and Augustus, which decided the empire of the world. At the extremity of this gulf, Augustus caused the city of Nicopolis to be erected, as a monument in commemoration of that celebrated victory.

Edui, or Hedui, one of the most powerful nations of the Celtic Gauls, was well known for the valour of its inhabitants during the wars of Cæsar, in whose time the Allobroges were their dependants. Bibracte, (Autun,) was their capital.

Egos Potamos, or the Goat's River, watered the Chersonesus of Thrace. It is memorable for the victory gained by

Lysander, the Lacedæmonian general, over the Athenians, near its mouth, which terminated the Peloponnesian war, after having lasted 20 years.

From the statement of Pliny, (Natural Hist. book ii.) in the second year of the 78th Olympiad, in the middle of the day, a stone fell near this river, of sufficient weight and magnitude to occupy an ordinary cart of the present day.

Africa. This grand península is connected to Asia by the isthmus of Suez. The ancients were only acquainted with its northern part as far as Cape Verd on the Atlantic Ocean, and Cape Guardafui on the Red Sea. They divided it into six parts, Egypt, Ethiopia, Lybia, Africa Propria, Numidia, and Mauritania.

Agendicum, (now Sens.) Cæsar made the upper part of this city extremely strong, which he converted into a general depôt; where he kept his provisions, magazines, and prisoners of war. He cantoned at this place as many as six legions, to intimidate the Senones, one of the most powerful nations of Gaul.

Agrigentum, now Girgenti, from its elevated situation and fortifications, is one of the strongest places in Sicily. It was in this city that Phalaris caused to be constructed the renowned brazen bull, an invention in every respect worthy the most cruel of men.

Alba Longa, a city of Latium, built by Ascanius, between Africa and Tusculum, at the foot of Mount Albanus. It was the residence of the kings of Latium anterior to the foundation of Rome. According to some it was called Longa, because it extended along the hill Albanus, while others conceive it was so named to distinguish it from the town of Alba, in the country of the Marsi.

Allia, a small river of Italy, falling into the Tiber, celebrated for the victory obtained on its banks by the Gauls, under their leader Brennus, over the Romans. This stream ran near Nomentum, (now Lamantana,) in the territory of the Sabines.

Allobroges. These tribes, who inhabited between the rivers Isere and the Rhone, formed, according to Titus Livius, a republic, which was not surpassed in riches and reputation by any other of the Gallic nations. Their territory extended over the principal part of Dauphiny, proceeding to Savoy, and as far as Geneva, which was one of their cities. Vienne, in Dauphiny, was also founded by them, and constituted their capital.

Alexandria Troas. This name was given by Alexander