as we do our a in all, a sound unknown to the Algerines, though very common in Tuscany. Again, he never pronounced ; and represented the raphated Tau by T, perfectly according with the Italian custom. But the Algerines pronounce n as we do our Ḥ, and raphated Tau, as we do th in thing. Add to this, the common tradition is that he was an Italian, and he is so called in Whitney's history of the county of Worcester. In his Hebrew MSS. which are still preserved in the College Museum, he calls himself Hasfardi, that is of the Spanish tribe, one of the two grand divisions of the European Jews.

Before coming to this country we know nothing of him, but after his arrival at Boston he seems to have been soon invited to fill the office of Hebrew instructer in the University, where he was settled on the 27th of March, 1722. Before he could be admitted into the University, it was rendered necessary by the statutes that he should change his religion, which he professes to have done with perfect disinterestedness, though he continued to the time of his death to observe the seventh day as the sabbath. From the address delivered upon that occasion in the dining hall by the Rev. Mr. Colman of Boston, it may be suspected that doubts were entertained of the sincerity of his declaration. The expressions, "Is your heart right with God?" "We can't be content with good professions, &c." shew no very strong confidence in his integrity. However it is certain he always retained an unblemished character, and was well contented with his situation. He married in Cambridge, and when death deprived him at a very advanced age of the society of his wife, he resigned his office and retired to Northborough, where he resided with the relations of his wife. He died at the age of 81 years, 40 of which he had spent in his office.

We learn from his works and the report of his contemporaries, that he was well read in the Hebrew and spoke it with fluency. This was here a very rare acquirement, and rendered his services highly desirable. The estimation in which he was held may be gathered from the preface of Mr. Colman. He was also esteemed by the venerable Increase Mather, who was still alive, though unable to attend his inauguration.

His works are, three discourses "delivered at his baptism," one entitled "the truth," another "the whole truth," and the third "nothing but the truth;" the grammar under review, and some unpublished works of little value, in Rabbinical He

VOL. VIII.

brew. In the first of these works, he shews his fondness for the Cabbala, from which he draws his principal arguments.

The conclusion of the preface to his grammar is a curious specimen of his style.

"Since, through the good hand of God upon me, he has not only taken Moses's vail from me, but even has placed me in his service, i. e. to teach and promote the knowledge of the Hebrew tongue, at Harvard College, in New-England, especially for the advantage of those that will dedicate themselves to the service of the sanctuary; and considering, that through the great and manifold faults and errors (at least, of the press) that are found in all the Hebrew grammars extant, besides the shortness of them, my expected work could not be attained without farther reformation. But for want of Hebrew types in these remote parts of the world, it could not be accomplished till now. The whole of this essay (such as it is) I offer to your candid acceptance, hoping you will overlook the defects in the English phrase, and any other lesser errors; and if you reap any benefit by it, give the glory to God, and pray for the prosperity of Harvard College, and by so doing you'll oblige,

Yours, &c.

JUDAH MONIS."

His authorities are given in the end of the preface, thus “R. D. K. R. Akivolty and R. Templo," of whom it may not be amiss to give a brief account. The Miclol of David Kimchi, a celebrated Jew of Provence, was written at the beginning of the thirteenth century, and is a very full and perfect grammar on Masoretick principles. Solomon Templo, a Portugueze Rabbin was contemporary with Monis, and wrote his grammar in the Portugueze language, Rabbi Samuel Archevolti was a very respectable scholar. He died at an advanced age in 1611 His work which was of much assistance to Monis, is a well written grammar entitled, wana Harugad habboshem. A work compiled from such authorities cannot but be useful.

A principal object with Monis appears to have been to introduce the Tuscan pronunciation. To this end he has taken some pains to represent the sounds according to the English orthography, and although it might have been performed in a neater manner, with a proper attention he will be always understood. He seems to prefer our most anomalous combinations, provided they contain a multitude of letters, and hence he uses

many silent letters, a great imperfection in his scheme. The English orthography of foreign words is often uncertain, and very improper to represent their sounds. The only feasible method yet attempted is to fix certain unchangeable powers to each representative. Monis writes Zauine, Vaugh, Caugh, Taugh, which are more properly represented in the usual manner, even when intended to be pronounced by Englishmen, thus, Zain, Vau, Caf, Tau. He is very fond of double consonants and spells Laummedd, and up Vau-o-dee-gna-noo, more commonly, and we think correctly represented by Lamed and Va hodihenu.

He is very full upon the letters, which, as is commonly the case among the Masorites, occupy a great part of his book, and every word used as an example has its reference in the margin. In explaining the serviles he is uncommonly particular and descends into all their minutiae, accompanying them with their appropriate rabbinical names. This scrupulous exactness, while it evinces his knowledge of the subject, serves also to shew the labour necessary to acquire a tolerable knowof the points. He has a paradigm for every little difference of pointing, which renders this very useful as a book of reference to those who make use of the points. The first table contains twenty-six verbs, all different from each other. These are varied through the participles and infinitive. Every conjugation is treated of very minutely before the paradigm is given. His method of comparing the changeable with the perfect verbs is much superiour to any commonly used at that time.

Another circumstance which we think of some consequence, is this. It has been customary to take the irregularity for the rule, Monis on the contrary prefers the uncontracted form; thus he prefers to D, mentioning the last in his observations upon the changeable or contracted forms.

He has one fault in common with most of the grammarians of that day, a neglect of the idiom and construction of the language, which is now justly considered the most important part of grammar. However upon the whole we do not hesitate to say, that his work is the best of the kind that we have seen ever published in this country, and by its fulness serves extremely well as a book of reference.

INTELLIGENCE.

From the New York Herald.

Address, of Samuel Bard, M. D. delivered before the Dutchess Medical Society, on the 14th day of November, 1809.

GENTLEMEN,

In complying with your request of last spring, I believe I cannot do better than recall your attention to the subject on which we were then employed; the importance of the medical character, and the culture necessary to form an accomplished physician. Our governments, and I hope our people in general begin to be sensible, that knowledge and virtue, as they are the foundations of every thing that is excellent in human nature, ought likewise to be the foundation of a medical education, and that the man to whom they commit the care of their own lives, as well as the lives of their wives and children, and dearest connexions should possess at least as many advantages of education, as the lawyer to whom they commit the care of their estates, or the mechanick whom they employ to mend their watches. On this subject all are agreed in speculation, yet so little attention is paid to it in practice, that one would imagine most people think a physician is formed by inspiration, and that (according to the dangerous and absurd tenet of those who assert, that the greatest sinner will make the greatest saint) they believe the most ignorant and uninformed man will make the best Doctor. But alas! it is too true, that in general we are neither wise nor good by nature, and that “to train up a" man "in the way he should go" is at least as necessary in medicine, as it is in religion or morals.

This being confessed let us inquire, what is the proper education of a physician and surgeon: in attempting which, however, I shall confine myself to a few general observations, and leave the detail of particulars to the professors of our colleges.

From the intricate and delicate structure of the human frame, from the variety of accidents to which it is exposed, from the sudden attack of many diseases, from the variety of their symptoms, and the complicated nature of their causes, as well as the different effects of the same cause upon different constitutions, a physician is often called on to exercise the most acute judgement upon the shortest notice; suddenly to

form conclusions of the greatest moment, in cases where life with all its blessings, or its greatest miseries may hang upon the decision of a moment. Good sense, an improved understanding, and a happy talent of quick and accurate discrimination, are, therefore, the first requisites in the character of a physician; and of consequence the boy who is intended for this profession, should be early subjected to all the discipline of a regular education; as soon as he can read and write his own language he should be sent to a good grammar school, and thence he should pass through all the classes of college, where by the time he is eighteen or twenty years of age, he may not only acquire the rudiments, but with tolerable application make considerable progess in classical, mathamatical, and philosophical learning. Experience has proved this, if not the best, the most certain mode, and the only one which is in the power of most people to improve the understanding, to enlarge the powers of the mind, and to acquire steady habits of application and industry; by which such talents as a man possesses from nature will be carried to the greatest degree of perfection, and without which it is in vain to hope for excellence in any profession. To an improved understanding, and to habits of application and diligence, the young man who aspires to the character of an accomplished physician, must add strict morals, abstemious temperance, and a humane and benevolent temper; to all which no professsion makes more frequent appeals than that of medicine.

With such acquirements he is qualified to enter upon the particular study of his profession; which is undoubtedly best begun by the study of anatomy, chemistry, botany, and other preliminary branches, at a publick school; where only they can be taught. The knowledge of diseases and their cures, is best acquired at a publick hospital, under the guidance of the physicians and surgeons appointed not only to relieve the distresses of the poor, but to make their private misfortunes a publick benefit, by pointing out to the pupils, the characteristick symptoms of their diseases, their causes, consequences, and, methods of cure. There is no doubt but that this is the best mode of studying physick and surgery; but it will be some time, probably many years, before the greater number of our medical students will pursue this course; and there will always be many who from pecuniary considerations will wish to avoid the necessary expense attending it, and who will aim at a professional charac