(i6 Oriental Literature. 



Library} and his numerous detached treatises, may 

 be said to have formed a new epoch in Hebrew 

 literature in Germany. Another work of great 

 importance, which deserves to be mentioned, and 

 which certainly contributed to keep alive and ex- 

 tend the zeal for this branch of literature which 

 had been before excited, was a periodical publi- 

 cation, entitled the Universal Library of Biblical 

 Literature, printed at Leipsic, from the year 1777 

 to 1786, in eighteen volumes. This publication 

 was conducted by Professor Eichhorn, of Jena, 

 and is full of masterly criticism, and most valuable 

 information for the orientalist. 7 To these may be 

 added the Oriental LAbrary of Professor Hirt; the 

 Apparatus Criticus of the learned Bengel; the 

 great Hebrew Lexicon of Calmet, a stupendous 

 monument of erudition ; and the various publica- 

 tions of Drs. Hunt, Sharpe, Lowth, and many 

 others, in Great-Britain, and on the continent of 

 Europe/ 



The study of the Hebrew language in America 

 has long been at a low ebb. At the close of the 

 seventeeth century much knowledge of this lan- 

 guage appears to have existed among those vene- 

 rable Divines who planted and ministered to the 

 churches in New-England. Indeed, at that period 



p This is a periodical publication, begun in 1771, and concluded irt 

 I783, and consists of 23 volumes, besides the general index. It was re- 

 newed in 1786, under the title of Neue Orientaliscbe Bibliotbck, and con- 

 tinued for a number of years, in which time there were at least 8 volumes 

 more published. 



q In this rich treasure of oriental learning are found valuable treatises 

 not only from the pen of the immediate conductor, but also many from 

 Professor Bruns, Professor Tychsen, and others, whose names are a 

 sufficient pledge for the display of great erudition and talents in oriental 

 literature. 



r For a more particular notice of several publications since those of Dr. 

 Lowth, more particularly by Drs. Newcome, Blaney, Wintle, Hodg- 

 son, and a long catalogue of Hebrew translators and critics, the reader is 

 referred to the fourth part of this work, under the head of Biblical Literal 



turt. 



