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For the Literary Magazine.

the jewish high priest.

ONE of the strange things of the
present century, is the painting and
engraving of the portrait of the high
priest of the Jews, by a celebrated
British artist. Such a one was pub-
lished in London during the present
year. The Turkish sultan, Selim,
who is the caliph or high priest of
the Mohammedans, assigned a place
in his secret cabinet to a portrait of
lord Nelson: another strange thing,
and which are humble and familiar,
indeed, but striking, indications of
the progress of opinion to break
down those uncharitable bars which

make the votaries of different reli-
gions strangers and enemies to each
other.

Successive ages are distinguished
by new topics of dispute and animo-
sity, and in process of time, nations
frequently change sides with each
other. Britain was, a century ago,
the head of the enemies of the Rom-
ish faith, and France of its friends
and adherents. Lately, France be-
came the grand foe, and Britain the
powerful and venerable champion,
unless, indeed, this honour may be
supposed to have been divided be-
tween Britain and Russia, both
equally infidels and aliens at Rome.

The Goldsmidts, Jews of London,
have been caressed by the dukes,
archbishops, and judges of Great
Britain; nay, they have been fami-
liarly visited by the king and queen,
and they are ranked with the best
and most useful friends of his ma-
jesty. The time may doubtless
come, when the mufti of Stamboli,
the patriarch of Moscow, the pon-
tifex maximus of Rome, and his
grace of Canterbury may sit down
to a sociable chit chat with the He-
brew arch-priest.