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in which the writing was conducted from left to right, than vice 

 versa, together with the disadvantage of having a double character 

 for each letter, (^the original and its direct reverse,) probably sug- 

 gested the expediency of omitting altogether the row proceeding 

 from right to left ; which would at once reduce the order of writing 

 to that at present in use among the Europeans. When adopted by 

 the Greeks, it was from them propagated to the western parts of 

 Europe. 



The principles here discussed apply also to the Hebrew rolls. 

 From inspection of the Esther roll, preserved among the MSS. of 

 Trinity College, Dublin, it appears, that, in order to avoid the 

 inconvenience that would otherwise arise from the length of the 

 parchment, it was divided into compartments ; so that each com- 

 partment might, in a manner, be considered as a distinct page. 



The arrangement, however, of these compartments, as remarked, 

 is strictly conformable to the same principles. Thus, when the un- 

 rolled parchment is presented lengthways to the eye, the writing is 

 found to be disposed into distinct compartments, one beneath the 

 other ; the subject of the writing commencing in the upper com- 

 partment, and proceeding in order downwards through the others. 

 On the other hand, let the parchment be viewed laterally, so that 

 what formed the top shall now form the right margin, and you im- 

 mediately have the writing disposed into so many distinct compart- 

 ments, of which each succeeding one is placed to the left of the 

 preceding ; just as has been before observed to take place, under 

 similar circumstances, with respect to the parallel rows. 



The Chinese method of writing, so well known, in pei-pendicular 

 columns, will probably be regarded as affording some support to 

 the opinions now laid down.* In addition to this, an argument 



* This support, it must be owned, would be stronger, if the Chinese did not commence 



