Genesis iv. 21, where it is said, Jubal was the father of all such as handle the harp and the organ."

and geology. If so much of the earth was overflowed as was occupied by the human race, both the physical and the moral ends of that awful visitation were answered."*

The

The author examines the Mosaic account of the creation, as given in the first chapter of Genesis, with considerable ability and spirit, and with the same friendly aspect upon his geological creed-the most difficult part of the scientific theologian's task, and fraught with overwhelming consequences. author, from considering the process of stratification, the revolutions which have taken place in the positions and qualities of the layers of earth, in both land and sea; the time which must have been required for the effecting of such revolutions, and innumerable other facts and reasonings, which crowd thick in the vision of the geologist,—has a conviction of the certainty that the world must have existed an amazing length of time anterior to that fixed upon by popular opinion. Being also sure, "that truth is immutable, and that one truth can never contradict another; though different parts of its vast empire may and do lie far asunder, and the intermediate portions may be covered with more or less of obscurity, yet they are under the same sceptre, and it is of itself, and antecedently certain that the facts of nature, and the laws that govern them, are in perfect unison with every other part of the will of Him that made them." In the full belief of his ability to remove many of the existing discrepancies, he proceeds to examine the scripture account of the formation of the earth,but which, of course, cannot here be conveniently pursued further. The work itself will amply repay perusal, by those persons who are desirous of seeing the bearing which geology has upon corresponding portions of divine revelation. The work is especially valuable also to persons of limited reading, as it presents the most striking, best authenticated, and latest

* Geology, page 307.

The verse following speaks of "Tubal-cain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron." From these passages we gather, first, that at this time there were at least two kinds of instruments, the harp, and the organ, the former supposed to be a stringed, and the latter a wind instrument. It is highly probable these two generic kinds might comprehend many others in different forms, the names of which the sacred historian, in his very brief account, did not think it important to give. This supposition is by no means beyond probability, when we consider the statement just made, that there were "artificers in brass and iron," which would at once furnish both the means and inducements thus to diversify their instruments. Instruments of percussion are not named, such as drums and tambarines; but such instruments, no doubt, were in use, for the principle, as well as materials of which they are made, would be as simple as those of the harp and organ.

Perhaps Tubal's profession is here given distinctively, and by contrast, as though he was the

facts, discoveries, and reasonings on the science; in addition to the ingenious theories, and promiscuous observations of the author.

The declared, and no doubt real object of the writer, is to serve the interests of true religion, upon its own unswerving principles of truth and justice. Whether he will or not have done so, is an open question, that at present receives various answers, and which must be referred to a future period for decision.

father only of those that handled the harp and the organ, not professing to make or teach the use of other kinds of instruments of music; and the names of such other persons employed in this other department of the art would not be mentioned here, because not falling in the direct line of genealogy, which the inspired writer was at this time tracing out. We collect further, from this important passage, that, the knowledge and practice of instrumental music was not confined to a few individuals, but that the attention to the art was now, and must have been for sometime, very extensive; and Tubal was so distinguished, either for his skill in the art, or for his great influence in promoting it, as to be styled the father, instructor, and patron, eminently so, of ALL that handle the harp and the organ.

From this period to the flood, occupying a space of 1000 years, no further allusion is made in this section of scripture to music, in any way whatever. But this is no valid reason that it was not afterwards cultivated. For scarcely any reference is made in the same portion of scripture to any other employment, art, business, or trade, which, either from motives of pleasure or profit, would then have had an existence, from the recorded facts already quoted. So, then, considering no information, no intimation whatever is given in this part of the Bible of many trades, habits, manners, and scientific pursuits which must have prevailed, more or less,

in the vast scope of one thousand years; music cannot but be looked upon as very much distinguished, and indeed sanctioned, in the pointed and express passages on which we have been commenting.

CHAPTER II.

What nations first cultivated music after the flood-Egypt the nursery of the arts—the lyre invented by Mercury—Noah and his family settle in the plains of Shinar-Chinese claim the merit of inventing instrumental music-building the tower of Babel-its consequences—Chinese description of their musicSyrian, Chaldean, and Indian music—Laban and Jacob referred to-Europe and America but slightly known to the Egyptians, &c.-Grecian accounts of their music—their numerous songs— Homer's references to vocal music.

ALL quarters of the world, and most nations have their vocal and instrumental music; and in some of which it has long been brought to a high state of perfection; while in others, even in this advanced age of the world, it is scarcely deserving the name of a system.

Much difference of opinion exists among those writers who have devoted most time, and who have brought the most suitable qualifications to the investigation of the subject, as to which nation, after the flood, first invented instruments of music, and most successfully cultivated the art. It must not be forgotten that all account of transactions at the period of which we are now speaking, are manifestly traditional, and, of course, can have but little claim upon our confidence in their truth. They are interwoven and mixed up with a dark,