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very neat edition of the Homilies as tracts, embellished with appropriate cuts, their circulation is likely to be much increased. BASLE EVANGELICAL MISSION

ARY SOCIETY.

The German Missionary Society at Basle has sent six missionaries to the shores of the Caspian. A ukase was granted by the emperor, allowing the establishment of missionary colonies and schools with printing presses among the Heathen and Mohammedan tribes beyond the Caucasus, with the same privileges as are enjoyed by the Scottish missionaries. Four of the Basle missionaries visited Sarepta and the Christian Calmucs in their way to Astrachan. Measures were to be taken for procuring a suitable spot for a missionary settlement on the borders of Persia. Should these or any other missionaries turn their attention to that highly important but hitherto almost inaccessible country, they will find their arduous enterprize not a little facilitated by the honoured labours of one whose memory deserves to be most dear to our church and nation-the beloved and now sainted Martyn, who, Sir Robert Ker Porter informs us, in his travels through Persia, is designated in that country as "the Man of God." Sir Robert was once asked by some Persians, when on his way to visit the king, if he was acquainted with "the Man of God," and could tell them any thing about his religion. "He came here in the midst of us," said they, "sat down encircled by our wise men, and made such remarks upon our Koran as cannot be answered. Our king has called upon the wise men to answer them; but they cannot. The first thing the king will demand of you, will be with regard to this subject. We want to know more about his religion, and the book that he left among us. The British resident at Bushire has stated, that Martyn's Testament is held in high estimation by the noble and learned in Persia, as "a masterpiece of perfection." The resident had parted with all his copies, and intended to procure more from Bombay.

EDUCATION IN GERMANY, &c. Dr. Friedlander, in his Sketch of the State of the Poor in Germany, presents the following interesting facts respecting the progress of education.

"Soon after the suppression of the Jesuits' schools, the people of Bohemia felt the necessity of establishing primary schools in the small towns for the education of the lower classes, and of rendering

them more proper for the education of individuals destined to industrious professions than the schools already existing. I know not to what epoch we are to ascribe the commencement of Sunday schools. If I mistake not, it was the Abbé Felliger who was the first, under Joseph II., to establish schools of this kind. A respectable ecclesiastic, named Kindermaun, formed some in his village in the year 1773: he conceived the idea of introducing into these schools (probably from the knowledge which he had of the wants and wishes of his country,) a and a more careful practice of calography. more regular exercise of church-music, In this manner he drew the attention of the

peasants, and by degrees created schools, which were called Schools of Industry, for those persons who devoted themselves to a trade. Count Bouquoi favoured these institutions on his estates: his example was followed by many others, and Maria Teresa rewarded Kindermaun by ennobling him, and adding to his name the title of Schulstein (the Foundation-stone of Schools): she even levied, in favour of these kinds of primary establishments,a moderate fee on all estates which exceeded the sum of 300 florins. At the period of the establishment of these schools, out of 200,000 children susceptible of receiving instruction, there were only 14,000 who received it effectively: in 1789 they already reckoned 158,767 out of 250,000; and I love to believe that it is to these precious institutions that is due the moral superiority of this province of Austria over many others, a superiority recorded by a statistical table, containing the report of crimes committed in the various parts of this vast empire. Similar schools have however been established, with more or less zeal, in the other provinces. At more recent periods the Austrian government have also created chairs for the instruction of children in various universities, and in the seminaries of bishops, in order to form institutions, and to diffuse the progress which the different methods of instruction have made, so as to avoid the reproach which is made to the institutions of this country for remaining stationary

"Primary schools of industry, similar to those which I have just mentioned, were established in 1784, by Professor Sextrole, and, and above all, by M. Wagemann, pastor at Gottingen, and were soon spread into the other small towns and villages to the north of Germany. It is to be remarked, that there was introduced inte this establishment a true method of mutua!

instruction. This respectable pastor be gan at first to form, among the children who entered into his school of industry, five boys, to whom he added others by degrees, in proportion as the first were capable of becoming masters themselves. "The people of Hanover, Mayence, Munster, Fuld, and Salzbourg, soon followed this example; and the Prince and Bishop of Wurzbourg and Bamberg, Francis Ludwig, principally distinguished himself by his enlightened zeal, and a very remarkable system of tolerance. Every thing which could contribute to the ame lioration and the education of the poor in his states was instituted after the wisest and the most elevated principles. He proposed a prize, in 1789, on this question, 'What are the duties of ecclesiastics in relation to their parishioners in general, and to the poor in particular?' Fortysix answers to the question arrived from all parts, shewing the zeal which the ecclesiastics displayed on the occasion. Two essays were crowned. The same prince founded another prize, on the means of establishing the administration of the poor in the duchy of Bamberg; and he reserved for himself besides, the faculty of bestowing in the country encouragements to those persons who, without the talent necessary for contending for the prize, should have contributed to the good of their communities. The result of this excellent administration was, that from 1769 to 1778 there were reckoned 1523 criminals, and from 1789 to 1798 only 765.

"In other places, enlightened philanthropists promoted and seconded also, with all their efforts, every thing which could contribute to the education of the poor; and Prussia cites honourably M. de Rochow, who at an early period established schools, well organized, for the poor of his village; an example which was propagated, not only in various private domains, but also in all places where there were soldiers in garrison. This establishment of schools for the children of soldiers dates its origin in Prussia from the year 1692."

AMERICAN COLONIZATION

SOCIETY.

The Board of Managers of this Society have circulated an address, from which the following are extracts, expressive of their views and hopes respecting the new set tlement on the coast of Africa.

"We have now a reasonable prospect of accomplishing the great object for which

the Society was formed. A territory has been purchased, situated at Montserado, at the mouth of Montserado river. The fullest observations confirm the representations formerly made, of the healthiness, fertility, and commercial and agricultural importance of this place. Our people who were at Fourah Bay, in the colony of Sierra Leone, have been removed to their new settlement. They amounted to about eighty. A vessel was on the way to join them with 35 new settlers and 15 liberated Africans, with a good supply of provisions and stores.

"Great as have been our difficulties and discouragements, we view in them all the hand of a kind Providence; who has sent them, as we believe, for wise purposes, and has not failed to support us under them. We necessarily commenced our operations under much ignorance of the country and people of Africa: by the delay which has taken place, we have procured such information as, we hope, has enabled us to select our situation with great advantage, and to direct our future operations with greater skill and judgment; and to give to some of the people of Africa a knowledge of our objects, and a confidence in our agents and country.

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Many of the most powerful and intelligent of the kings along the coast have become convinced that the Slave Trade must soon cease; and they have been led to look, with no small anxiety, for the sources of their future supplies: and they now see in our new settlement that resource, the object of their solicitude. Their interest and their hopes are already enlisted in our favour; and the activity and enterprize of our cruizers have brought them to dread the power and to respect the name of our country. We are now seen and known through another medium than that of Slave-traders; and we are now enabled to place the safety of our people, and the success of our settlement, on two of the strongest passions of man-fear and interest.

"As to the disposition of our Coloured people to avail themselves of an opportunity to join the colony, we can confidently state, that many hundreds are not only willing, but anxious to go; and that applications for this purpose are almost daily made to the Board. In a short time, we expect the settlers will be able to support themselves, and to aid other emigrants. Now is the time to encourage them, and lay a foundation for future strength. Many thousands will be en

1823.1

Indians-Public Affairs.. France and Spain.

abled, in a few years, to find their way to the settlement when it is once firmly established, and employment and assist ance can be readily furnished them on their arrival. Let us, then, be up and doing. The cause is great, the object important, and the occasion urgent."

"NORTH-AMERICAN INDIANS.
The North-American Indians within
the range of the United States are cal-
culated as follow:-East of the Mississippi,
120,625; between the Mississippi and
the Rocky Mountains, 179,592; west
of the Rocky Mountains, 171,200: total
471,417. The number of tribes and
branches dispersed over this vast tract of
country is about 260. The number of
schools for the education of Indians
amounts to 31, containing about 1100
scholars. Most of these schools are sup-
ported by societies in the United States,
with aid from the Government. Of the
number of the Aborigines to the south-
ward of the territory of the United States,
and of those who range the boundless
plains to the north and north-west, no
estimate seems to have been hitherto
formed. They furnish a wide field for
the active benevolence of British and
American Christians.

The missionaries of the United Foreign
Missionary Society continue their labours
among the Osage Indians under many
difficulties; but, in the midst of all, they
exhibit to other missionary communities
an admirable example of patience, per-
severance, and devotion to their self-de-
nying office. The mission family at union
among the Little Osages have established
a school of promising children. The second
mission family having arrived among the
Great Osages, or Osages of the Missouri,
a council of about 70 chiefs and warriors
was held, which presented the mission with
a large tract of land. Sickness had impeded
the labours of the settlers; but a school had
been opened, and a number of buildings
erected. The confidence of the tribe
seems to have been secured beyond ex-
pectation, and many of them are stated
to manifest a strong desire to cultivate the

231

soil, and to live like White men. To
the settlements of Elliot and May-
hew, formed by the American Board of
Missions among the Choctaws, a third has
been added, named Newell. Mr. Kings-
bury, the Superintendent of this Mission,
reports, that at Elliot the schools are flou-
rishing; containing 75 scholars, descend-
ants of Choctaws, and that at Mayhew a
school was about to be opened: at Newell
also a promising school of 15 scholars
The Choctaws, in
has been established.
Council, have resolved on the establish-
ment of schools in all the populous parts
of their country, and have decreed that
ardent spirits shall no longer be introduced
among them..

At Brainerd, the Board of Missions pro-
secute their labours for the benefit of the
Cherokees. Since the spring of 1817,
when the first school was opened, 29 boys
and 18 girls, having learnt to read and
write, had left: the present number under
instruction is 138. Twenty-three adults
had been baptised.-The American Bap-
tists have a flourishing school of 54 Che
rokee children, and another of about 20 in
South Carolina.-Among the Cherokees
of the Arkansaw (about 6000 in number),
the Board of Missions, at their station of
Dwight, have had great difficulties to en-
counter. Buildings, however, had been
erected, and about 20 acres of land cleared
and enclosed. A school-house for 100
children has been prepared. The mis-
sionaries declare that they consider them-
selves consecrated for life to the work on
which they have entered, and that they
neither expect nor will receive any earthly
emolument whatever for their services,
except what is necessarily expended for
their support. The Cherokees, it is stated,
are improving more rapidly at present,
than at any former time. There are more
instances of laborious industry among
them,and of serious inquiry after moral and
religious truth. There is an increasing
conviction, that many of the Whites sin-
cerely wish to promote the welfare of the
Indians. At several places in the nation
is found an earnest desire to have village
schools, with regular preaching.

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

FOREIGN.

FRANCE AND SPAIN.-The hostile rela-
tions between these two countries
have assumed the most intense inte-
rest. The French armies have at

length violated the territory of Spain. No serious opposition was made to the passage of the frontiers; and the invaders were permitted to spread out their divisions, so as to press on in

different points over the whole country north of the Ebro. An effort is stated to have been made to seduce the French army from their allegiance by exhibiting the tri-coloured flag and imperial eagle; but, it is added, without any apparent success. On the 11th of April it was announced that the duc d'Angouleme was at Tolosa; the troops under General Bonselle at St. Sebastian's; the advanced guard under General Vallin at Villa Real, two days march from Vittoria; and the divisions under the duc de Reggio at Villa Franca and between Torfosa and Oyergoa. A second bulletin mentioned a skirmish on the heights of St. Sebastian, which it was stated proved favourable to the French. It appears,however, from subsequent information that the invaders have sustained some loss by a sally from that fortress; and it is some evidence of the exaggeration of the French accounts that the place is not yet taken. Another important fortress also, that of Pampeluna, is in a state of investment; and both this and St. Sebastian will require large detachments of the army either to take them, or to retain them. The latest French dispatches describe the duc d'Angouleme as being at Vittoria.

The accounts respecting the force and position of the Spanish army are not very clear. Mina and Ballasteros are stated to be endeavouring to form a junction. The inhabitants every where in the expected route of the French, are said to be withdrawing their families, their property, and every kind of provisions and other supplies; so as to leave the invaders little more than a wilderness to conquer. The king set out on his journey to Seville some weeks since.

The French have not, however, trusted wholly to the decision of arms. A provisional junta or regency has been formed, in the alleged behalf of the king, to whose authority all Spaniards are invited and enjoined to submit. This provisional government declares the constitution, and all acts committed under it, to be illegal and invalid from the beginning: it recognises the king alone as the origin and seat of sovereign authority, and refuses to acquiesce in any modification of the political system which does not emanate directly from him. The duc d'Angouleme has published a procla mation much to the same effect. He complains grievously of the injury done to France by the disturbances in

Spain, and specifies in particular, by a most glaring anachronism, the attempts alleged to have been made to corrupt the French army; attempts which, even on the shewing of the French government itself, must have been long posterior to the avowal of a determination on the part of France to interfere in Spanish politics. This proclamation declares, that France wishes only the happiness and glory of Spain; and that it marches a hundred thousand men across the Pyrennees to support law and order; to liberate the king, and to raise the altar and the throne. The ministers of Russia, Austria, and Prussia, were expected to join the quarters of the provisional government, and to recognise them in the name of their respective sovereigns. We can only add an expression of our deep affliction at the whole of this scene of arbitrary violence; and our prayers to theSovereign Disposer of all events, that, if it be his will, he would be mercifully pleased to bring these evil devices to impotence and foolishness.

PORTUGAL. The insurrection in Portugal does not appear to have been yet suppressed. This rebellion, aided. it is to be feared by French influence, seems to have concurred with the violation of the Spanish frontier in, deciding the Portuguese Government ought to adopt. They had long been as to the line of policy which they awake to the fate that awaits them Portuguese ambassador at Paris has if Spain should be conquered. The been recalled.

TURKEY.-The affairs of this country appear to be in a very disordered state. The janissaries continue restive; and, to add to the public misfortunes, a considerable part of Constantinople is stated to have been destroyed by a conflagration, which so materially injured the arsenal, as to have cut off the means of fitting out a naval armament for some time to come. Corinth, it is added, had capitulated to the Greeks; and some other important posts were expected soon to surrender. The Turks seem at present confined to defensive measures, while the insurgents are gradually adding to their forces and spirit by new victories.

DOMESTIC.

We have several times expressed, in the strongest terms, our exultation as Britons, for the line of policy, or

rather of justice and duty, which this country has adopted respecting the affairs of Spain, particularly as disclosed in the statements of his majesty's ministers to both houses of Parliament, at its first meeting. We are greatly concerned to be obliged to add, that the perusal of the voluminous documents which have been laid before the legislature, embracing the whole of our diplomatic proceedings since the agitation of the question, have somewhat disappointed us as to the tone assumed by our government. They do not appear, as far as we can judge, to have acted with the zeal and decision which the occasion called for, on a question so vital and important to the independence of nations, as the principle of internal interference on which the allies have proceeded. We do not mean to enter into an analysis of these numerous documents; but, taken as a whole, we cannot, but fear that the feeble language used by our government, which certainly falls far short of the public sentiment on this great question, may have led the allied powers to doubt in the first instance —not perhaps our sincerity-but certainly our cordial solicitude to avert from Spain the menaced invasion. Ministers appear to have been scarcely aware how closely the cause of Spain, about to become the victim of an unjust and despotic combination against her rising liberties, was entwined with the best affections and most intense sympathies of the country. They indeed assert throughout their correspondence, that Fiance has no right to interfere with Spain, and so far they have done well; but then a cold recognition of this principle falls far short of the just expectations of the country. All indeed must applaud their determination to avoid, if possible, involving themselves as parties in the war; yet it may be doubted whether the avowal of such a determination was the most likely way either ultimately to avoid it, or to influence the councils of France

with respect to Spain. The disingeAuousness, we had almost said the bad faith, of France, forms a remarkable feature of the whole negociation; and it may have tended to deceive our government as to her real purpose. Considering the madness, no less than the wickeness, of the threatened Spanish invasion, ministers might naturally doubt whether France would venture to push matters to extremities, and, under this doubt, might be anxious to avoid the irritation which would follow a protest or remonstrance worded in language as strong as the occasion now appears to have demanded. But the apprehended irresolution of France appears to us to have furnished additional reasons for strong and energetic remonstrance, in the hope of fixing her wavering purposes in favour of peace and equity. This country was bound at least to require that Spain should be heard at the congress in which her fate was to be decided, especially as it was one of the stipulations which accompanied the agreement to meet from time to time in congress, that any nation whose affairs were taken into consideration should be represented there. But we forbear to pursue the subject, and will only now express our earnest hope that this country may now employ all the means still left to her of averting the evils which are likely to follow from the present lawless and unprincipled aggression on the rights of independent states.

The question of Catholic emancipation was brought forward in the House of Commons under circumstances which precluded the chance of success. The discussion of it has been adjourned sine die.

The debates on the state of Ireland have been very important; but our limits constrain us to postpone this and several other topics.

The marriage law, as it existed before last year's act, has been restored pro tempore, till the whole subject can be maturely weighed, and a consolidation bill concocteri.

ECCLESIASTICAL PREFERMENTS.

Rev. Reginald Heber, M. A. to the Bishopric of Calcutta.

Rev. George Lewes Benson, VicarChoral of Salisbury Cathedral.

Rev. J. Boyle, Wereham and Wretton Perpetual Curacies, Norfolk. Rev. J. P. Carpenter, Cleder V. Corn

wall.

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