_Drawing an Inference._--The following is an amusing instance of false
inference, drawn through ignorance of the original. William Rae Wilson is
the innocent offender, in his _Travels in Egypt and the Holy Land_ (London,
Longmans, 1824, 2nd edition). The author remarks (p. 105.):
"This I am inclined to believe was not the track which was taken by the
Apostle Paul, when he went up to Jerusalem from the coast, as he
appears to have travelled in some _conveyance moved on wheels_; for it
is so far from being in any degree possible to draw one along, that, on
the contrary, a great exertion is necessary for travellers to get
forward their mules."
On referring to his authority for such an unapostolic mode of locomotion,
we find (Acts xxi. 15.) these words:
"And after those days we took up our _carriages_, and went up to
Jerusalem."
"[Greek: Meta de tas hêmeras tautas aposkeuasamenoi anebainomen eis
Hierousalêm.]"
The word "carriages" conveyed to the mind of our traveller the idea of a
"conveyance moved on wheels;" whereas our translators intended the term to
signify _anything carried_. Professor Scholefield, in his _Hints for an
improved Translation of the New Testament_, renders the passage, "We put up
our baggage." In fact, _carriage_, _luggage_, and _baggage_ may be termed
synonymes; for carriage = that which _is_ carried; luggage = that which
_is_ lugged; and baggage = that which _is_ bagged. The word "carriage" is
used in this sense, Judges xviii. 21., and again 1 Sam. xvii. 22.