between which the subordinate subjects naturally arrange themselves, and by which they are connected.

It has been an object of much solicitude to the Author to render this work really interesting, as a reading book, to the family circle, for which it is primarily designed. The means taken to ensure this result have been varied with the nature of the case; and it is possible that the diversity of treatment which he has thus been led to adopt, may have brought him all the nearer to the mark at which he has aimed. Sometimes a single fact, usage, custom, or sentiment, has been found a sufficient subject for one paper, under the various lights which have been cast upon it. On other occasions, an entire chapter, or incident, has been taken, for the purpose of gathering up the indications of character, of the customs, or of the conditions of men, which may be found in it, and which might not, singly, furnish a sufficient subject for an entire paper. In both cases the nakedness of detail has been avoided, by describing briefly the historical or biographical incidents in which these facts are enshrined. Indeed, many papers have been, as will seem at the first view, wholly devoted to such incidents; but it will be found on examination, that the mode of statement embodies the results of much expository research, and of much careful thought, on the incident recorded, and on the facts and characters presented to view.

It will be seen that throughout these papers, many allusions are made to scriptural facts and texts which are not fully produced. Such allusions will be sufficient—without full produc'tion or distinct quotation—to those readers who already possess an intelligent acquaintance with the Bible, and for whom this work is intended. It seems to us that much valuable space has been consumed in works of this class in the statement of what is already well known, or what is easy of access to every reader. The practice of writing for those who have been. familiar with the Bible from childhood, as if they were almost, or altogether, ignorant of its sacred contents, is one which admits of amendment.

It will thus appear that the primary object of this undertak

ing is to present a daily course of scriptural reading and reflec tion for one year. The matters chosen as the subjects of this course are, in the highest degree, interesting in themselves; and, in the mode of setting them forth before the reader, an earnest endeavour is made to introduce into the family circle a large amount of Biblical knowledge, not usually accessible save to persons possessed of large and curious libraries; and to present, in an easy and unpretending shape, the fruits of much learned discussion and painstaking research. The long and careful thought which the Author is known to have given to such subjects, and his practical acquaintance with the manners, customs, and ideas of the Eastern nations which most nearly resemble the ancient Hebrews, as well as with the geography and the physical condition of the Bible lands, will often, it is hoped, be found to throw much light upon Scripture incidents and characters, as well as upon the material facts which the Sacred Volume offers to our notice.

The sanctity of the Lord's day has been duly respected, by the appropriation of the readings for the first day of every week to solemn matters,-involving, for the most part, the practical and devout consideration of some topic presented in the actual course of Illustrations. In this part of his work, the writer has taken an especial interest; and if the reader obtains the same refreshment from these recurring periods for inner thought, which the Author has derived from the preparation of the Sunday papers contained in the work, there will be no reason to complain of the result.

It was not intended that this should offer any claims to be regarded as a pictorial work; but it has been deemed advisable to afford the reader the advantage of engraved representations of such objects as could be rendered more intelligible when thus exhibited to the eye. This is the sole purpose of the wood-cuts, none of which have been introduced merely for embellishment. They have, however, been very carefully selected; and among them will be found some drawn from sources not hitherto explored for the purposes of Biblical illustration.

EDITOR'S PREFACE.

HAD Dr Kitto lived, his own welstored mind and pract pen would have prepared this ser elton & Daily Bille Illustrations for the press. As te va gre, the gibivers requested the present Editor to merike the tax mutually agreed, however, that no charge word 'e male r the text. It remains in all repea a a dvagyých kate left it.

Since the bockyrat tona zewn. made in the gecency and mugiza & 3* MA Biblical criticism and interpression are 16 made soruder able advances. It has been te wez off he thug my duce the leading resin of noten meza xos his site, in so far as they are embraced in the gra team of he Author. He has done so by tore, vicá me emre kom me text, being appendet n maler med site

It is hoped that he normanon now edirdiet vil være n a great measure a ing he work so ke prent date of Biblical literature mi as n take I teeing of 1 m tinuance of at extename popularity which it has trade gized