altar or sacrificial stone, on which thousands of victims were annually immolated; of the famous kallender stone; a model of the pyramid of the sun; the original map of the ancient city of Mexico, made by order of Montezuma for Cortes; remarkable manuscripts and picture-writings; and various antiquities in arts, manufactures, &c. of this aboriginal people. These curiosities, which throw much light upon the state of Mexico before the conquest by the Spaniards, are being exhibited in London, as also a view of modern Mexico, with specimens and fac-similes of its various productions.

INDIA, &c.

A Malay press has been established at Bencoolen, which some of the Natives seem desirous of employing in printing their favourite books. Proposals are in circulation for printing, by subscription, a very popular native work, called "The Crown of all Kings." It is one of the best books, both in style and morality, which the Malays have among them. We subjoin a specimen.

The vehicle of human life never stops: it is always moving; but man does not know it. Every breath of man is like a step in his journey: every day is like passing a valley every month is like a mile; and every year is like a league. Every breath that is emitted from the body of man, is like a stone broken down from

the house of his life; for every breath diminishes the time which he has to live. By another mode of reckoning, every breath is like a step, by which we recede farther from the world, and approach nearer to eternity. This world is, in truth, like a temporary bridge in the road to eternity; and whoever erects a dwelling on this bridge, for the sake of enjoying pleasure, is ignorant and foolish. If a wise man erects a building on this bridge, he considers that he must soon leave it: and he does not encumber himself with ornaments and luxuries; but his mind is set on making preparations for his journey to another world-a journey which is both long and difficult. He does not wish to load himself with useless burdens: for, the more the business of life, the more thought, anxiety, and trouble, while he lives; and, at death, impatience and regret, that he must resign his life, and leave his property to another. If his property has been lawfully obtained, it causes him trouble while he lives, and impatience and regret at death; and if it has been obtained unlawfully, it causes anxiety in this world, grief at the hour of death, and exposes him to punishment in the world to come. This world is like an inn on the road with two doors: those who come to this inn to-day, enter at one-door; and, to-morrow when they leave, go out at the other."

THEOLOGY.

The Influence of the Holy Spirit traced through successive Periods of the Church of God, from the formation of man to the consummation of all things; by the Rev. T. T. Biddulph, A. M.

Conversations on the Bible; by a Lady. 12mo. 7s. 6d.

Essay on Miracles; by the Rev. J. Penrose.

A Third Course of Practical Sermons for Families; by the Rev. H. Marriott. 8vo. 10s. 6d.

Of the Use of Miracles in proving the Truth of Revelation; by the Rev. John Penrose. 12mo. 2s. 6d.

An Epitome of Paley's Evidences in the Catechetical Form. 12mo. 3s.

Baxter's Saints' Everlasting Rest; by the Rev. Richard Baxter. Abridged by B. Fawcett, with an Introductory Essay, by T. Erskine. 12mo. 5s.

Serle's Christian Remembrancer, with an Introductory Essay, by T. Chalmers, D.D. 12mo. 3s. 6d.

The Duties of Protestants and Roman Catholics towards each other, in Two

Discourses in the Scots Church, Dublin; by the Rev. G. Carlile.

The Cottage Bible and Family Expositor in weekly Numbers.

A Sermon on Slavery; by the Rev. J. K. Hall.

Sacred Melodies; by Mrs. J. H. R. Mott. 5s. 6d.

Sermons on the Principal Events and Truths of Redemption, with a Dissertation on the State of the Departed, and the Descent of Christ into Hell; by J. H. Hobart, D.D. Bishop of New York. 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 1s.

The Daily Expositor to the New Testament; by the Rev. T. Keyworth. 8vo. in 12 Numbers. 6d. each.

The Passover, a Sermon; by the Rev. J. Molesworth. 3s.

Divine Grace the Source of All Human Excellence; a Sermon occasioned by the Death of the late Rev. W. Ward, with a Brief Memoir of the Deceased; by J. Marshman, D.D.

Matthew Henry at Hackney, with Strictures on the Unitarian Writings of the Rey. L. Carpenter, LL.D. 4s. 6d.

Vancouver, touched at this island, great numbers of the natives came on board their vessels: we were therefore much surprised at not seeing a single canoe approaching us; but we soon learned the cause all the islanders were attending Divine worship; but early the next morning they came on board in great numbers, bringing with them all kinds of provisions. "The Isle of Tahiti is now very different from what it was in the time of Captain Cook (in 1767). The Missionaries of the London Society have totally changed the direction of the manners and customs of the inhabitants. Idolatry exists no longer; Christianity is generally adopted. The women no longer go on board the ships; and even on land they behave with extraordinary reserve*. Marriages are contracted as in Europe; even the King, at present, can have but one wife. The women are admitted to the table of their husbands. The infamous society of Arooys (for destroying children) no longer exists; and the sanguinary wars to which these people were accustomed, as well as human sacrifices, have ceased since 1816. All the natives can read and write: they have religious books translated into their language, and printed in the island. Handsome churches have been built, and twice

An extract from this letter which appeared in a periodical work in this country, mentions a circumstance, only conveyed by inference in the copy from which we translate, that the sailors were unable to find among the women of the island any of those vicious associates with which most sea-port towns abound. Let the reader contrast this with our own metropolis itself, of which a philosophical foreigner, not writing on the subject, but illustrating a medical question, incidentally says, (we give his own words): Impuberes et nondum adultæ puellæ mercenaria, Londinum præsertim, ex vicinis maxime suburbiis, confluunt, et quæstum corpore facientes, ingenti numero plateas noctu pervagantur." (Blumenbach de Generis humani Varietate, sect. iii.) Could Blumenbach no where find on the continent, not in Paris itself, so flagrant an example as in the capital of the British dominions; and shall not a Christian police be aroused to the suppression of these baneful and disgraceful immoralities? What must our own sailors, and even their officers, think of the contrast between Tahiti and those profligate scenes which we lately alluded to as familiar on board our own chips, on their return to their native ports

a week the people go in great devotion to attend the public ministrations. Individuals are often seen taking notes of the most interesting passages of the sermon. The Missionaries yearly convoke at Paparo the whole of the population, which amounts to 7000 souls. This Assembly is at present sitting. A discussion is going on respecting a new code of laws, and the principal chiefs of the nation ascend the tribune, and speak for whole hours with great earnestness. About two months since, the Island of Tahiti declared itself independent. A red flag, with a white star in the upper corner, is now mounted in the place of the English colours which Wallis set up. The Missionaries, however, are regarded with great veneration, and have preserved their influence."

AMERICAN EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

We have of late, on several occasions laid before our readers various interesting particulars respecting the present condition and prospects of the American Protestant Episcopal Church, and have stated that subscriptions are solicited in this country for three objects of great importance to the interests of that infant communion. The first of these objects is the general theological seminary at New York; the second is the proposed seminary in Ohio; and the third an intended collegiate institution in Connecticut. The necessity for these three several institutions, and the plan embraced by each of them, will be found in detail in our former Numbers. (See Christ. Ob. for January 1824, p. 52; and February, pp. 120, 123.)

Bishop Hobart, of New York, has been in this country, receiving donations for the general seminary; Bishop Chase, of Ohio, for the proposed Western seminary; and the Rev. N. Wheaton, of Hartford, in Connecticut, for the Episcopal college. It has been our object to befriend as far as was in our power all three of these useful institutions; and for this reason, as well as for the peace of the American Church in general, we have presented the claims of each on its own grounds, abstaining from entering into a controversy which has found its way into several periodical publications in this country respecting their several merits. We allude to this discussion at present only for the sake of stating, that it is at an end. Those of our readers, on either side of the Atlantic, who take an interest in the affairs of the American Episcopal Church, will be gratified in learning, that, by a mutual arrangement among the friends of these several institutions,

they now appear in their true light, as cooperating for the same great object, and deserving of the patronage of all who wish well to the Anglo-American Church.

NORTH-AMERICAN INDIANS.

We mentioned, in our review of Franklin's Narrative, that the Church Missionary Society had opened a benevolent communication with the North-West American Indians. The Society's incipient operations are as follow: They

have established a mission at Red River settlement, on the river of that name, south of Lake Winnipeg, about fifty miles from its entrance into the lake. They have in their service, at this station, Mr. West and Mr. Jones, missionaries; Mr. Harbidge, schoolmaster; and Mrs. Harbidge, schoolmistress. A school-house, sixty feet by twenty, has been erected: it is also used as a place of worship. Indian children are to be maintained and educated; and, when qualified, to be sent home to teach their countrymen. Four promising boys have been baptised. The Indians in the more immediate vicinity are Chippawas. Dr. Morse speaks of the settlement as an excellent station for an education family. Mr. West has made extensive excursions among the Indians. The officers of the North-West expedition, whom Mr. West met at York Fort, expressing much interest on behalf of the Esquimaux, Mr. West walked to Fort Churchill, and had an interview with one of the tribes, the people of which manifested a great desire for instruction.

The present state of the North-American Indians generally, in reference to Christian instruction, is as follows:-We find no Protestant missions to the natiye tribes yet established southward of the United States, though one has been, for some time, in contemplation to the Mosquitos. Of the Indians connected with the United States, amounting to 471,417, no missions have yet been attempted among the 170,000 inhabiting the country between the Pacific and the Rocky Mountains. Among the 180,000 between those mountains and the Mississippi, missions are as yet chiefly confined to the Osages, and a migration of the Cherokees. Among the 120,000, however, scattered through the States lying between the Mississippi and the Atlantic, missions are in active operation. Within the last few years they have been established among the Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, and Cherokees of the southern States; while in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and the North-West territory, about 45,000 Indians open a wide field for benevolent exertions. Among the Chippawas of the last two States, upward of 15,000 in number, missions have been recently formed. To the Indians of Ohio, of whom there are about 2400, attention has been paid by different bodies: a mis

sion has been lately established among the Wyandots of this State; and the Society of Friends is attempting the civilization of another tribe. In the State of New York, upward of 5000 Indians, consisting chiefly of Oneidas, Senecas, Onondagas, and Tuscaroras, the remnants of the former confederacy of the Six Nations, together with 2500 Indians of various tribes in the NewEngland States, have been supplied, for many years, more or less, with religious and moral instruction. To the north of the United States, in the British territoMohawks, Delawares, and Red-River ries, religious instruction is given to the Indians.

These labours were first directed to the

Aborigines of New England, now reduced these Indians, Dr. Morse remarks—“ On to a pitiful remnant. In reference to these tribes, formerly, and on others now extinct, were bestowed the missionary labours, almost single-handed, of Elliot, Kirkland, Wheelock, Badger, Oecum, and the Mayhews, Edwards, the Sergeants, others; whose zeal, trials, and faithful services are remembered and rewarded on earth, and, we doubt not, in heaven."

SCHOOL FOR CLERGYMEN'S
DAUGHTERS.

We announced in our volume for 1823, p. 520, the plan of a school for the daughters of clergymen. The undertaking, we understand, advances prosperously. A very eligible purchase has been made at Cowen Bridge, in the parish of Tunstall, Lancashire. The old building has been much enlarged; and sixty pupils, at least, can be accommodated. About 12007. will be required to meet the expenses of the purchase, the alterations, and outfit; towards which sum, 850. have been received. The institution is conveyed to twelve trustees, principally clergymen residing within a moderate distance from Cowen Bridge. The school is now open; and the entrance rules will be sent to those who may wish for further particulars by application to the Rev. Carus Wilson, Tunstall Vicarage, and, under cover, to W. W. C. Wilson, Esq., M.P., Casterton Hall, Kirby-Lonsdale. It is calculated that an annual subscription of 2501. will be requisite to supply the deficiency of the payments made with each pupil, and nearly 1001. have been contributed towards this sum. Twenty pupils are already entered, and three governesses are engaged.

The terms for clothing, lodging, boarding, and education, are 141. a year. The education comprehends, history, geogra phy, the use of the globes, grammar, writing, and arithmetic, all kinds of needle work, and the nicer kinds of household work, such as getting up fine linen, ironing, &c. If accomplishments are required an additional charge of 3. will be made for French, music, or drawing.

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FOREIGN.

DOMESTIC.

Parliament has continued to be occupied till the Easter recess, chiefly .with subjects of domestic interest. The unanimity of our public men on almost all the great principles of our home and foreign policy, has left little room for hostile debate. Seldom or never have we known a session so amicably, or more usefully, conducted. The avowed system of Government, to adhere to the principles of what may be called our insular policy,-sedulously to cultivate commerce and the arts of peace; to relax unnecessary and injurious restrictions on trade, manufactures, and personal liberty, has called forth, even from the leaders of Opposition, many decided expressions of approbation. We wish, however, that we could add, that this spirit of mutual conciliation and cooperation had extended to certain other subjects, which involve ultimately the best interests of the community. We wish, for example, we could find all parties agreeing to devise some plan for the universal Christian education of the people, and for abolishing the present baneful system of pauperism. We wish also, that the existing impediments to the erection of Episcopal places of worship could be removed, by vesting for a time the patronage in those who erect them. It is true, that Parliament, with few dissentient voices, has consented to devote half a million of money for building new churches; but we could earnestly wish, that, not content with patching a few shreds, the Government CHRIST. OBSERY. No. 268.

and Legislature would resolutely encounter the real gravamina of this great question, and review the whole system of pluralities, non-residence, translations, and other evils, not necessarily incident to our venerable Establishment, much less " part and parcel" of its constitution, but which have gradually crept into the details of its management, and which, unless timely checked, may, in the présent state of the public mind, work its downfall. We wish also, most fervently, that our public men of all parties, agreeing as they nominally do in recognizing Christianity, both as a Divine revelation and as the religion of their country, would act upon, or at least tolerate, a direct reference to its principles, on questions which necessarily involve them. And here, notwithstanding our unfeigned respect and veneration for our national representation, we think that the public has something to com plain of from what is reported occasionally to take place within the walls of Parliament. It is most grievous, if it be true, that no man can stand up in a professedly Christian assembly, and a British House of Commons, and advocate any point involving the highest interests of the community, upon the broad principles of the Bible, without exposing himself to the risk of contempt or ridicule. It is grievous, if a Member of Parliament may not even advocate a question of humanity or philanthropy, without being suspected of canting hypocrisy; if he may not present a petition against the gross desecration of the Christian Sabbath, without encountering sneers and reprobation as an abettor of puritanical fanaticism. We hear, or did hear, much of the infidelity and blas phemy of a few obscure Radicals ; but the injurious effect of such attacks upon Divine Revelation, and upon the religious institutions of the country, is trivial, compared with the deleterious influence of that practical indifference or contempt which is evinced by some men of higher rank, and, in the main, better principles, as often as Christianity is recognised in any other form than a mere political institution. To take but one illustration, the one just alluded to the gross desecration of the day of sacred rest: There is not a religious man in the country: who does not deeply lament this great

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