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God from his own fulness can abundantly make up to them all their losses. What though they should soon be stretched upon a dying bed, if they haveChrist for their Redeemer, and God for their Father, it will be to them a scene of joy and triumph. Let us think of these things. Let us know the day of our visitation. Let us listen to the awful warning of the fleeting time, and to the still more awful voice of Christ, telling us," Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not of, the Son of Man cometh," And let us re

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flect how blessed those servants will be, who, when he cometh, are found doing his will. 'Let us, then, rouse from our spiritual slumber, and no longer delay to keep God's mandments. The night is far spent, the day is at band, let us, therefore, cast off the works of darkness, and put on the armour of light." "Now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation.”~ And if we neglect it, "God may swear in his wrath, that we shall never enter into his rest,"

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To the Editor of the Christian Observer. IF it may be permitted an occasional reader and admirer of your miscelJany, to occupy a small portion of that valuable work, I would respectfully engage a few pages in the cause of truth, and in just defence of the absent. These two objects we know to be worthy the Christian profession, and as such, will obtain, I trust, the countenance of the Christian Ob

server.

I am excited to take up my pen and address you, in the behalf of the British ladies in our Indo-British possessions; who, with two single exceptions, are placed in a very degraded point of view by Maria Graham, in her "Journal of a Residence in India." Were that work less likely to attract attention, yours would not be drawn to it by me on the present occasion; but it will meet with much attention, both here and in India; and I regret the painful impression which will be made on the minds of her readers in that community, on which she has passed a sentence no less unjust than it is precipitate.

The celebrated Eliza Draper, in one of her published letters to a female friend in England, gives an attractive decision on the question

before us, in stating the great advantages which European females possess in India for self-improvement: her sentence is a judgment of charity, and although she may give fo instance in point, yet her inference is clearly a true one. The greater bulk of the ladies in India obtain more domestic privacy and leisure than any class of female society do at home. Admit, then, but that they carry out a mind from this country, and that mind will improve under circumstances so favourable to3improvement. Maria Graham, then, should apply her lash at an earlier period, even before her fair friends ascend the lofty bark which is to convey them to our Indian coasts; for it is to be implied, that those females whom she found frivolous, inane, and selfish there, were such on their native soil, and would still be such, though India were never made to bear the stigma of their characters, which were transplanted thither equally with their persons.

But do only such characters deliver England of themselves, and burden India with the useless incumbrance? I was in India for a period of several years prior to the hasty visit made there by the fair authoress, and felt continually impressed with the justpess and acuteness of Eliza Draper's

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but also improves her " remnants time," in composing most elegant and exemplary little tales for her young pupils, I am happy to learn. that one of her beautiful stories has made its way to England, where "Little Henry and his Bearer" will, I am persuaded, find many delighted readers of every age.

It is, to be lamented, that Maria Graham was enveloped in a certain halo, which, by its brightness, of whatever nature, so completely dazzled her, that she could not see into the retired spots where merit loves to hide, It is true, she did not explore India's coasts for the purpose of developing British merit in her own sex, but with a bandage placed by rank and fashion over her eyes. But she ought not then to have written as if, in this particular also, as well as in so many others, she bad explored the truth to the utmost. Hannah More, another British worthy of the softer sex, has I think, the remark, that the most valuable characters are not those which are placed most in the front of society; the contrary, indeed, as a general position, may be affirmed. Had Maria Graham, therefore, sought for jewels of her own sex and nation in India, she would have found them of the first water, and, would have recorded not a single gem or two; but many a bright example would have cast a lustre over her pages, which now present us with only "darkness visible."

opinion, as it stands opposed to Maria Graham's; nor have I any reason to think the British ladies there have since forfeited the favourable judgment passed so long ago upon them. My own opinion of my country women there, is enhanced by late intelligence; of more private, indeed, but not less authentic value, than the testimony of the above two ladies. I have been permitted the exalted satisfaction of perusing, in an unpublished correspondence from India, proofs of the highest species of female character in full exercise, in those distant regions; and it is remarkable that the correspondence alluded to must have been written at nearly the same period, and relating to the same spots, which Maria Graham visited. The letters that I have had the privilege of perusing, im part, with the utmost simplicity, facts which the fair authoress never dreamt were passing around her, amid those characters, whom, by one bold stroke of her pencil, she lays, all alike, (save" Mrs. A." and Mrs. M."), under the influence of vapidity on their couches, sleeping over novels, or rising but to pursue objects of similar moment. But, in private correspondence, I read of pursuits rarely in request among ladies even at home. A sister superintends her brother's Latin studies; a wife improves her leisure, in assisting her husband in important and learned pursuits. One writes: I read Hebrew and Syriac daily, She tells us of, A reading friend; cut out garments, for the poor chil- but with a happier lot, she might. dren to make for their families, and have dwelt on circles of friends. apply to the language of the natives moving in superior, though retired. that I may be qualified to edu lines of society, who meet at each cate some of their little girls." One other's houses almost nightly, for mistress of a family studies the lan- the purposes of literary enjoyment: guages of the country purposely to where, while the ladies (will any of instruct the native Christian women Maria Graham's readers suspect iLÈ). in Christian morality, as incul- dedicate their needles to some benecated in the Christian, Scriptures; volent purpose of industry, to benefit another, not only offers up the sathe poor; the gentlemen, in turn, crifice of her valuable time and take up the instructive or amusive talents on the altar of benevolence, page, and with intervening chat I to bestow daily instruction on the lustrative, beguile the time children of the European soldiery, readers too-Why they not unsel

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As I retain a most affectionate remembrance of India, I cannot help feeling just alarm lest the influence of Maria Graham's opinion should make the worthy of her sex shrink from venturing to our Eastern hemisphere, while those of a contrary stamp shall deceive themselves, and think that in India they shall be embosomed in a home! But let the good proceed thither with a holy boldness, and fear not but that they shall find their value estimated and enhanced there-where their men tal and spiritual graces shall be kept in full exercise; where their example and countenance will, as their Divine Master's talents, be improved tenfold, in the promotion of their fellow-creatures' temporal and eternal advantage. age. Britain has received much let her freely give of the good that has been freely bestowed upon her, that she may receive more abundantly. Her Bible Societies and her Missionary Societies do much to preserve her a city set on an hill; but one thing is lacking, let her pour forth of her overflowing Christian society, not Missionaries only, as labourers in the harvest, but her daughters, her wives, her sisters, and mothers; let them also go forth and follow in the holy track and glean after the reapers.

In my humble opinion, founded upon opportunities of personal observation, amiable female characters among the 'British peculiarly impress the minds of the natives of of India with high respect towards s our nation; for, to all that is praiseworthy and superior in the other sex. they are prepared to impute more or less sinister motives. They do, in

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deed, perceive that European gentlemen possess more persevering purpose and activity of mind than themselves; but they will suspect that some latent self-interest must sway their most laudable conduct. Not, alas! being capacitated to trace the influence of pure religion, they naturally suppose, that love of money, or fear of punishment, are, in the minds of our countrymen, the two master impulses which stimulate to good or restrain from evil. But, to purity and excellence of conduct in our females, they can impute no such motives. Ladies are engaged in no money transactions, and, however they may act, no pension from the service;" no reprimand of Government, or *** John Company," hangs in terrorem over them. Even are they uninfluenced by all degrading fear of their own husbands! How, then, do the wondering natives see them use their Christian liberty, and not abuse it? It is in a manner which impresses them with some perception of the TRUTH.

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Nemy Churn Mullick, an opulent and intelligent Hindoo, was fond of observing the domestic babits of Europeans. In a family where he had easy access, he frequently made his way to the morning worktable, where he seemed to contemplate with silent gratification, the useful employments of the cheerful party: "I always find English ladies doing something," he would say," and they are always in good temper." Even this slight remark, must have led his mind far into a comparison, between native and European families, in favour of the latter.

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taim The native perceives that the English wife is no slave to her husband, but that she is his best friend; one who maintains his honour in the f family, by her just and impartial sway at the head of his domestic aff affairs. To such a charact 920909tive dares breathe the: ter, what proffer of a bribe, to induce to tempt her husbind to forget his

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Lintegrity The English wife is not shut up amid a crowd of sycophant dependants, to plot for or against her husband; her conduct is at all times open to inspection ; nor can the most scrutinizing or suspicious among the natives, detect her to be other in her husband's absence, than she is in his presence.The native knows the Christian mother is occupied with her children her patience with them; her watchfulness to restrain from evil, and stimulate sto good; her instruction of their minds; and her spontaneous prefereneelat all times of their society, to the selfish pursuit of frivolous Lamusements; are facts which speak to the consciences of the natives, and extort that respect for the British wife and mother which they never deel for their own.

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before her she hastens to the house of mourning; she administers the cordial to the sinking mother; asbe watches over the bereaved chil dren she instructs the ignorant; she works with her hands for the helpless This, to her, is the way of pleasantness, and the path of peace; for this, she absents herself from the comforts of her own abode, and even denies herself midnight repose, that she may tend the sick and the afflicted.n

See Carlina, child of misfortune, nursed in the lap of adversity. Her parents moved in the first circle of British rank in India; but she is unknown to them that have followed, and has depended on the counte nance of benevolent strangers. Her merits have made her friends; but does she eat the bread of selfish idlemess? Let the rising youth of six families answer for her to them she dedicates the valuable mornings of her days, attracts with elegant assiduityland winning sway to the su

Observe that British female, the maternal guardian of the numerous and interesting group which surrounds her. She was invited to meet Maria Graham, and spend her evening among the great, the fashiona-perior pursuits of pious and cultible and the intelligent, in all the blaze of dress and splendor; but her apology is sent" she is preengaged;" Poyes,

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"The ben, who, from the chilly air,, With pious wing protects her care; And every fowl that flies at large, Instructs her in a parent's charge. Therefore she abandons not her children to mercenary protection and unprincipled influence, but quietlystays at home, and when she bas enjoyed a long evening in assisting to develop the latent mind, and has committed her young ones to their innocentslumbers, she, blessed in feeling herself surrounded by them and their guardianangels, calmly opens the instructive page for her own information, or takes up her pen to simplify and polish her own ideas. cení Mark Eliza: where is she press ing with so lively step, her counte. dance all radiant with cheerful benevolence? Are the sons and daughters of gaiety awaiting her arrival? Ah no far different occupation lies

vated minds; and having thus given up to the sweet toil of gratitude the better half of every day, does the remainder resign her to the couch and novel? No! No! That portion of her time which she reserves, exclusively to herself, is enriched by the further pursuit of information, whether ancient or modern, moral or philosophical, by which she cultivates and enriches her own stores for the ultimate benefit of the inquiring circle who will again surroundther in the morning Neither ares her evenings delivered; up to frivolity and fashions when the elegantly useful needle has done its appointed task, and the lively ham of well-informed conversation is dushed, and the temperate hour of rest calls on the friendly group to separate, then will Carlina avail herself of the superior advantages India offers (when evening mist and sluggish vapours have dispersed) for contemplating heaven's vault and with scientific eye and directing finger, explore the varied constel

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tions. To this delightful pursuit
every hour of the night has been in
turn devoted: to watch the emerge-
ment of the fervid Centaur, or the
vivid Southern Cross, is, with ober,
sufficient motive to start from the
pillow attracted to the interesting
viewed superano la
Look where, by the aid of that
long train of light issuing from the
splendid dome, where magnificent
hospitality entertains Maria Gra-
ham-Fidelia winds her anxious
way to the solitary native hut, in
which lies languishing the faithful
convert from Gentoo superstitions,
who has been taught by the God of
mercies to call, in the day of trouble,
on his well-beloved Son, the appoint.
ed Great Physician both of soul and
body. Fidelia stands by her sister
believer, and has her own faith
strengthened, on perceiving the fast
departing spirit clearly renouncing
all false gods, looking unto Jesus."
"Peace be with Anunderance, my
sister in the faith." 66
May I die the
death of the righteous, and my last
end be like theirs!?

and valuable acquirements would reflect honour on parents and connections even in this distinguished country, where every help for education abounds; but her solid attainments have matured under the sole auspices of a self-educated mother, in that country where Maria Graham hopelessly, and too indiscriminately, consigns the British female mind and propensities to apathy and selfishness!

I here will close, and shall be bappy if any line of this paper may induce the admirers of Maria Graham's Journal to suspend their judgment on her testimony, respecting the British ladies in India.I do not contend that the fair authoress has not pourtrayed faithfully those who have sat to her pencil: I lament the exact similitude, but also regret she enjoyed no opportunity of delineating the far-different characters whose moral portraits I have faintly sketched, and to whom her powerful pencil would have rendered ample justice. Some individuals

allude to have passed under her eye in India, but the veil of retired merit was impervious to cursory observation; so we have lost the benefit of remarks, which might hap? pily have stimulated her fellowcountrywomen, possessing superior talents and merit, to join a community where their value would be so fully appreciated. Her benevolent mind, which seems drawn out with peculiar interest in behalf of the natives, would have exulted in at least one opportunity of recording, for our admiration, the conduct of a lovely British female, who, necessitated to go to sea for the benefit of her own health, scrupled not, in the cause of benevolence and piety, to

Torn to Amelia: behold her estimating her exalted station only by the superior usefulness it enables her to exert; observe her forgetting her own domestic sorrows in alleviating the woes within reach of her Christian sympathy. Hence she has drawn around her that afflicted family into her elegant abode she receives the sick; she anxiouly attends the dying father; she mourns with them that mourn; she clothes those orphans; she prays for and with the widow; her time, her tadents, her possessions, are dedicated to Him who graciously takes note of even a cup of cold water given to a little one in the name of a disciple; and will render to the donor a disciple's reward. Contrond. • Elizabeth of India may be justly named Materna, carried at an early age together with England's Elizabeth Smith; their from England, and, with no advan- mental and moral graces bear a similar stamps tages for her own education, has suc- French, Italian, Latin, Hebrew, Syriac, he young person here mentioned, has studied cessfully attended to self-improve-ides more that one of the languages of ment, that she might become quali- India, her native country though her parente "fied to cultivate the talents of her are English; nor hus she ever breathed' ■ daughter ; a daughter, whose varied parerain CHRIST. OBSERV, No. 154.

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