queen this fatal order, meaning to prove to her thereby the violence of her husband's affection. Marianne considered it rather as a proof of jealousy and inhumanity, and thence conceiving a violent hatred towards him, was meditating flight, when the prince, her husband, returned. Suspicions arose out of this affair, which caused the death of Joseph and Alexandra, but Marianne was exculpated. Soon after this Cleopatra arrived herself in Jerusalem, returning from the Euphrates, whither she had accompanied Antony. She came to claim the revenues of the territories of Jericho which Antony had granted to her, arising chiefly from the growth of the much famed balm of Gilead. The precious plant from which this balsam was extracted, is affirmed by Pliny to have grown only in two gardens belonging to the Jewish monarchs, one of twenty acres, the other something less: but Cleopatra caused it to be transported into Egypt, where it is said to have flourished ever since. It seems, however, certain that it was the natural growth of Arabia, and that it was found on the borders of the Asphaltic Lake in such quantities as to produce a considerable revenue to the owners. The balm was gathered from the shrub in the months of July and August, in some warmer grounds as early as June. It either dropped of itself, or was made to do so by incision with a sharp knife, not of iron or steel, which is said to be death to the plant, but of flint or ivory. The liquor was whitish at first and thin, but became in keeping thick, and of the colour of honey. Such is the description given of this balsam, then producing revenues sufficient for nations to contend over, but now unknown or little valued. In the seventh year of Herod's reign, Judeah suffered from an earthquake such as had never before been known; many thousands of persons being buried in the ruins of their houses. Shortly after this, his repose was troubled by the fall of Antony, his friend and protector. Again he feared the rivalship of Hyrcan, who had allied INDEX TO VOL. V. BIOGRAPHY. Queen Mary PAGE 39, 85, 159 CONVERSATIONS ON THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.. 51, 108, 176, 227, 285, 344 HISTORY, A SKETCH OF GENERAL History of the Jews, from the year B.c. 37, to the birth of our Of Egypt, from B.C. 569, to the same time Of Assyria, from B.C. 562, to the destruction of the empire Of Persia, from its foundation, B.C. 584, to its fall, B.C. 333. HYMNS AND POETICAL RECREATIONS. Eternity 118 "When thy father and mother forsake thee, then the Lord shall take thee up" 238 202, 262, 320 LECTURES ON OUR SAVIOUR'S SERMON ON THE MOUNT.. 20, 76, 140, LETTERS TO A YOUNG LADY ON LEAVING SCHOOL. Letter the Eleventh LISTENER, THE ..... 360 ib. 361 362 THE ASSISTANT OF EDUCATION. JULY, 1825. A SKETCH OF GENERAL HISTORY. (Continued from page 255.) HEROD thus established, was deeply in debt to his Roman friends, and much exaction was necessary to answer their demands. His necessities and profusion were so great, that no extortion was spared to satisfy them; and it being the sabbatical year, in which the Hebrews might neither plant nor sow, want and famine threatened the whole country. Hyrcan still lived the Parthians had freed him from his chains, and he was dwelling in Babylon, highly esteemed by the Jews of Assyria, who respected him as their priest; but such was his love of his native country, that when he heard his friend was on the throne, he desired leave to return to Jerusalem, in spite of the warning of his adherents, where he was received by Herod with great magnificence and real satisfaction; for he had thus in his power the only claimant to the throne. Domestic enemies now appeared against him. Alexandra, the daughter of Hyrcan, and mother of Marianne, the beloved and lovely wife of Herod, could ill endure to see the pontificate, the right to which was in her family, but which Herod had bestowed elsewhere, in possession of a stranger. Hyrcan could not hold it now, but she thought it belonged in justice to Aristobulus, her son: her frequent complaints served no |