_
'As soon as the new moon was either consecrated or appointed to be
observed, notice was given by the Sanhedrim to the rest of the nation
what day had been fixed for the New Moon, or first day of the month,
because that was to be the rule and measure according to which they were
obliged to keep their feasts and fasts in every month respectively.
'This notice was given to them in time of peace, _by firing of beacons,
set up for that purpose,_ which was looked upon as the readiest way
of communication, but, in time of war, when all places were full of
enemies, who made use of beacons to amuse our nation with, it was
thought fit to discontinue it.']
[Footnote 79: page 263.--_The women chatted at the fountain_. The bath
and the fountain are the favourite scenes of feminine conversation.]
[Footnote 80: page 264.--_Playing chess._ On the walls of the palace of
Amenoph the Second, called Medeenet Abuh, at Egyptian Thebes, the King
is represented playing chess with the Queen. This monarch reigned long
before the Trojan war.]
[Footnote 81: page 272.--_Impaled._ A friend of mine witnessed this
horrible punishment in Upper Egypt. The victim was a man who had
secretly murdered nine persons.
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