The inclosed cutting is from the _New Monthly Magazine_ for March 1829.
What has become of the translation of the "Book of Jasher" named
therein, and was it ever published as promised?
"_Curious Literary Discovery._--The following is a singular
discovery, said to be a translation from the original Hebrew
manuscript of the Book of Jasher, referred to as a work of credit
and reputation in Holy Scripture, first in Joshua x. 13. and again
in 2 Sam. i. 18. This book was kept as a memorial of the great
events which had happened from the beginning of time, especially
to the family and descendants of Abraham, by the Kings of Judah.
After the Babylonish captivity, it fell into the possession of the
Persian Kings, and was preserved with great care in the city of
Gazna: from whence a translation was procured by the great Alcuin,
who flourished in the eighth century, at the cost of several bars
of gold, presented to those who had the custody of it. He brought
this translation to his own country, having employed, with his
companions, seven years in pilgrimage; three of which were spent
in Gazna, in order to his obtaining this important and interesting
work. After his return to England he was made Abbot of Canterbury;
and having lived in the highest honour, died in the year 804,
leaving this, with other manuscripts, to his friend, a clergyman
in Yorkshire. It appears to have been preserved with religious
care for many centuries, until, about one hundred years since, it
fell into the hands of a gentleman, who certifies that on its
cover was the following testimony of our great reformer
Wickliffe:--'I have read the Book of Jasher twice over, and I much
approve of it as a piece of great antiquity and curiosity; but I
cannot assent that it should be made a part of the Canon of
Scripture.'--(Signed, Wickliffe.) This gentleman, who conceals his
name, communicated it to a Noble Lord, who appears to have been
high in office, when a rumour prevailed of a new translation of
the Bible. His Lordship's opinion of it was that it should be
published, as a work of great sincerity, plainness, and truth; and
further, his Lordship added, 'it is my opinion the Book of Jasher
ought to have been printed in the Holy Bible before the Book of
Joshua.' From that period this invaluable work has lain concealed,
until, by an accident, it fell into the hands of the present
possessor, who purposes to publish it in a way worthy its
excellence for truth, antiquity, and evident originality.--_Daily
Paper._"