Page images
PDF
EPUB

statement; namely, those who receive the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God: for the idea that the Book of Jasher was designed by its author to supersede or invalidate the testimony of the Bible is contradicted alike by the modesty of its pretensions (another evidence in favour of its authenticity), and by the uni

form tenor of its contents.

Such are the principal arguments that occur to us for the genuineness of this interesting volume, and we leave the question of their sufficiency to the decision of our readers. Although this article has already extended to a much greater length than we had anticipated, yet we cannot persuade ourselves to close it without quoting from it the singular description of the Creation, with which it commences, and which cannot fail to be read with much interest.

[ocr errors]

Whilst it was the beginning, darkness overspread the face of nature; and the ether moved upon the surface of the chaos. And it came to pass, that a great light shone forth from the firmament, and enlightened the abyss. And the abyss fled before the face of the light, and divided between

the light and the darkness; so that the face of

nature was formed a second time. And, behold, there appeared in the firmament two great lights the one to rule the light, and the other to rule the darkness. And the ground brought forth grass; the herb yielding seed, and the fruit-tree after its kind. And every beast after its kind, and every thing that creepeth after their kind. And the water brought forth the moving creatures after their

kind.

And the ether brought forth every winged fowl after its kind. And when all these things were finished, behold, Jehovah appeared in Eden, and created man, and made him to be an image of his own eternity. And to him was given power and lordship over all living creatures, and over every herb, and over every tree of the field."

SLAVERY.

WE copy the following affecting confession, made by the individual on his death-bed, and strikingly illustrative of the indirect effects of the system of Slavery, from "The Welshman," a publication which deserves much respect for is cordial opposition to that frightful traffic. "AMONG other transactions of that period was the apprehension of a man called James, the recollection of which torments me inexpressibly. He had belonged to the estate of Mr. R., of Albemarle county. At the death of Mr. R., James passed into the hands of those who treated him very ill, and he ran away. When I first fell in with him, he lived on a small lot in New-Jersey, with his wife, a free woman, whom he had married in Virginia, and contrived to bring with him, and three children. After losing my way, and travelling some hours on foot, I came to his little habitation, late at night. He treated me very kindly, gave me food, and his own bed, while himself and his wife occupied chairs by the fire; and in the morning he walked with me several miles, to put me in the right way. It was in vain that I offered him a small reward-he would not take it. Months had passed away, when, by chance, I saw an old advertisement, offering a large reward for his apprehension. I knew at once it was James, for I had observed a remarkable scar on his chin, which was mentioned in the description of him. Hard as my heart then was, and callous to every feeling of humanity, I could not help shuddering at the thought of betraying my kind friend; but the prospect of gain soon made my decision. I wrote to his master, and received his answer. All things

SINCE the commencement of the year 1828, the Neapolitan government has been making researches amongst the ruins of Herculaneum. The first object discovered was the largest private house hitherto known as belonging to the ancients. It contains a suite of chambers, with a court in the middle; likewise a division for females, a garden surrounded with arcades and pillars, and large saloons, which probably were appropriated to family meetings. Another house which has been discovered is remarkable for the provisions found therein, none of which have disappeared during eighteen ages, for the doors were still closed as they had been at the moment of the catastrophe which swallowed up Herculaneum. The family which occupied this house was probably, when the disaster occurred, occupied in laying up provisions for the winter. The provisions which were found shut up in the stores consisted of dates, chesnuts, large nuts, dry figs, almonds, prunes, grain, garlic, peas, lentils, and small beans; pastry, oil, and hams. The arrangement of the house, the manner in which it is ornamented,-every thing denotes that it belonged to a rich family, and one that was fond of the Polyphemus, Galatea, Hercules, and the three arts, for there are several pictures representing Hesperides, Love and a Bacchante, Mercury and lo, and Perseus slaying Medusa. In the same house were discovered vases and other

were prepared, and I was to have fifty dollars | ANTIQUITIES IN THE KINGDOM OF
more than the sum mentioned in the advertise-
NAPLES.
ment. I went alone again to his quiet retreat;
it was in winter, the weather had been piercing
cold, and the river Delaware was closed. I
arrived at early twilight. How bitter have my
thoughts been since, when I have recollected
the honest satisfaction that gleamed in his
sable countenance when I approached! During
the evening I proposed to him a removal into
Pennsylvania; I told him I had a few acres of
land, suitable for a garden, and a comfortable
dwelling-house, in the neighbourhood of the
city; and that, recollecting his former kindness
to me, I had come to persuade him to occupy
the one and improve the other, for which I
could afford to give him high wages. The
poor man agreed to accompany me the next
day to look at the premises, and, if they pleased
him, to take possession of them on the first of
April. Early in the morning I was awaked by
preparations for breakfast; and they were de-
lighted with my taking so much notice of them
as I did, and with my gratitude for the ser-
vices they had rendered me. The whole family
were cheerful. We parted with light hearts.
James and I reached the river in due time,
and entered on the ice. Hitherto we had
walked side by side, but now he fell a little
behind me; and we had proceeded but a little
way, when I perceived the ice to give way, and
1 immediately went down as far as my arms,
which I stretched out, and so supported myself
for some minutes, until James threw me the
end of his great coat, to which I held, and he
pulled me out, and, taking me on his shoulder,
carried me, very much exhausted, to the
shore."

articles, formed of glass, of bronze, and baked
earth; likewise some silver medallions, repre-
senting Apollo and Diana in relief. After
having examined this house, the individuals
Here the sick man closed his eyes, and lay throughout the whole street.
who directed the perquisitions continued them
An attempt will
for a short time; when, reviving, he resumed
next be made to penetrate into the shops and
the affecting narrative:-" On my coming to
houses on each side. At Pestum also some
myself again, I found what my intended in- discoveries have recently been made. In open-
nocent victim had been prompted to do by feeling a new passage through this first colony of
ings of humanity and gratitude, and that he the Sybarites, there were found, opposite a
had rescued me from inevitable destruction. great temple, the remains of a long colonnade,
Shall I tell you what followed ?"-"O my hus-forming a portico, and outside the gates of the
band!" exclaimed the dying man's wife, "you town some Greek and Roman tombs were dis-
could not have persevered in your wicked pur-covered. Amongst the medals found are a
pose-you never could have sent the man into great number of Possidonia, one of Sybaris,
slavery who had preserved your life?"-" Yes, I which is rare, and many of Turium. At Pom-
could I did!" replied the husband, " cold- peii, where the excavations are far advanced,
The very day
blooded villain that I was!
an ancient house has this year been discovered
which witnessed my danger and my delivery
near that of Castor and Pollux. In this house,
saw me assist in binding, chaining hand and which consists of a court surrounded with
foot, him to whom I was indebted for my chambers, fourteen large and small silver
worthless life! Separated from his wife and spoons were found, together with some small
children, and freedom, he departed without bronze busts, vases of various forms, a beauti-
uttering a single word. Once, and once only, ful tripod, a balance, with a weight bearing the
he suffered his eyes to dwell for an instant on
form of Mercury, some elegant candelabra
mine, which sunk before their glare. Never boxes, containing pills and chemical and phar-
can I forget that agonizing and despairing maceutic preparations, and a ring having the
glance-it haunts me in broad daylight-it is
inscription are. One of the rooms contains a
with me in the deepest shades of night."
very singular marble statue. The figure ap-
pears to be that of Hercules, with a dog re-
posing in his arms. The gynecia, or females'
apartment, situated in the most remote part of
the building, is surrounded with a peristyle.
Opposite the entrance to the house is the hall
of assembly. It has two niches, in which pro-
bably busts were placed. On the walls are
Bacchanial dances exquisitely painted. The
hall of assembly opens into a small garden, in

Here the black servant of the person to

whom this account was given had risen up and
stood behind his master, his eyes glistening
with tears, that trickled down his ebon cheeks.
When the sick man's eyes lighted upon the
negro, he exclaimed, in the extremity of an-
guish, "James is there-behind you, sir; he
is come to torment me already! Take him
away-take him away!" he repeated slowly,
and sunk into a slumber, from which he never
awoke.-Mott's Anecdotes of Persons of Colour.

EPIGRAM.

THE French have taste in all they do,
While we are left without;
Since Nature, which has given them Goût,
Has only given us Gout.

the midst of which are a marble table and a
statue of Apollo, from the plectrum of which
issues a fountain. Beyond this garden is a
large saloon, fitted for banquets or dances. Its
Mosaic pavement presents pictures similar to
those already at Pompeii-Cupids holding a
lion enchained with garlands of flowers in the
midst of Bachantes.

1

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TOURIST.

APPREHENDING "The Tourist" to be a journal conducted on Christian principles, I was rather surprised at the introduction, in No. 9, of the anecdote respecting Carew, an Irish officer, without any remark_expressive of disapprobation. For my part, I cannot see but that, as long as we sanction war, we must allow slavery not to be inconsistent with the religion we profess. I could write much on the unchristian principles which appear to me to be elicited in the conduct of Carew; and I could adduce many instances of far greater courage and nobleness of mind, exhibited in support of the peaceable principles of the gospel. I shall, however, at present, only request the insertion of the following extract from Dymond's "Inquiry into the Accordancy of War with Christianity," a work which contains some of the clearest arguments that I ever read on any subject, and which, for the purpose of promoting the gospel of peace, and the happiness of his fellow-creatures, I wish every professing Christian to read.

I am, respectfully,

N.

"In an inquiry whether Christianity allows of war, there is a subject that always appears to me to be of peculiar importance-the prophecies of the Old Testament respecting the arrival of a period of universal peace. The belief is, perhaps, general amongst Christians, that a time will come when vice shall be eradicated from the world, when the violent passions of mankind shall be repressed, and when the pure benignity of Christianity shall be universally diffused. That such a period will come, we, indeed, know assuredly, for God has promised it. Of the many prophecies of the Old Testament respecting it, I will refer only to a few from the writings of Isaiah. In his predictions respecting the last times,' by which it is not disputed that he referred to the prevalence of the Christian religion, the prophet says, They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift the sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Again, referring to the same

Paul, 'preach any other gospel than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.' "Whatever the principles of Christianity will require hereafter, they require now. Christianity, with its present principles and obligations, is to produce universal peace."

In reply to the above communication, we beg the candid attention of our respected correspondent and readers to the following suggestions:

We gladly concur with the writer in his belief, that a time is approaching when the crimes and miseries of warfare will cease for ever; and we are fully convinced that no agency but that to which he attributes this happy effect can ever accomplish it. But we also entertain an opinion, involved in his own language, that this consummation can never be effected until "vice shall be eradicated from the world, the passions of man shall be

A CONTRAST.

"We arrived at Burdur. We met with a Turk here, who is employed in one of the most melancholy services which can degrade human nature. He is a slave-dealer, and has just arrived with twelve negroes, whom he is conducting from Egypt to Constantinople. Mr. Arundell would have been glad to purchase a boy, for the most benevolent purposes; but the owner declined, on the ground that the law of Turkey forbade the sale of slaves to Franks. It is a reflection disgraceful to our country, that the slave of a Turk may be accounted more happy than the slave of an Englishman. At the end of seven years it is usual for the Turk to emancipate his slave, at least if he be a Mahometan; nor are slave-drivers, armed with whips, ever heard of in the country of Mussulmans!"-Hartley's Researches in Greece.

last Report sent to the Elector's Guide, of the List of Candidates for the ensuing Parliament, amountbeen enabled to add the following Gentlemen to Schedule C, as decided friends to Immediate Emancipation, subject to such provisions as Parliament may deem necessary, in order to secure the industrious habits and orderly conduct of the Negroes.

vourable to the cause of Immediate Abolition, have not yet been printed; but the Agency Society have reason to be lieve that a large proportion are decidedly with them. Bandon Bridge, J. Briggs Bangor, Sir C. Paget

The names of Candidates for Ireland and Scotland, fa

Barnstaple, J. C. Chichester

repressed, and the pure benignity of Chris-AGENCY ANTI-SLAVERY SOCIETY. tianity shall be universally diffused." Two things, says Mr. Dymond, are to being in number to 216, the Agency Anti-Slavery Society has observed in relation to those passages of Scripture which prophesy universal peace. The first is, that it is the will of God that war should eventually be abolished; the second, that Christianity will be the means of effecting this result. We assent to both these positions; but we would humbly suggest that they do not, in the slightest degree, affect the matter at issue. The question is not, What are the ultimate designs of the Divine Being, nor what would result from the universal extension of Christian principles; it is simply wheby them passively to submit to the rapacity ther such as profess those principles are bound and tyranny of those who reject them; and, if direct interposition from the Almighty, as they they are, we conceive that nothing but such a have no right to expect, could save them from total extermination. Upon this point the arguments cited from Mr. Dymond have not the remotest bearing; and we, therefore, regard the appeals with which they close as utterly pointless and irrelevant to the subject. In a

Ditto, T. Northmon
Ditto, Major St. J. Fancourt¦
Belfast, W. S. Crawford
Ditto, Lord G. Hervey
Ditto, Robert Tennent
Cambridgeshire, Mr. Town-
ley

Carlow, Walter Blakeney

Liverpool, Mr. Thornley
Ditto, Mr. Ewart

Haverfordwest, Sir R. B. P.
Phillips

London (City), R.Waithman
Monmouthshire, W. A. Wil-
liams
Norfolk (West Division),
Sir William Foulkes
Ditto, ditto, Sir J. Astley
Oldham, William Cobbett
Pembrokeshire, Sir John
Owen, Bart.
Pembroke, Colonel Owen
Suffolk (West Division),
Charles Tyrrell
Wallingford, C. Eyston
Walsall, C. I. Forster
Wexford, H. Lambert.

As Members of the Government may think themselves giving definite assurances in regard to their votes on pebrestrained, in consequence of their official situations, from lie measures that may come before Parliament, the names

of such Candidates are altogether omitted from the foregoing Schedules.

the CURE of COUGHS, COLDS,

period, he says, 'They shall not hurt, nor destroy word, we consider all aggressive war as opposed ASTHMAS, SHORTNESS of BREATH, &c. &c.—

in all my holy mountain, for the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.' And again, respecting the same era, Violence shall be no more heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders.' Two things are to be observed in relation to these prophecies: first, that it is the will of God that war should eventually be abolished. This consideration is of importance; for, if war be not accordant with His will, war cannot be accordant with Christianity, which is the revelation of His will. My business, however, is principally with the second consideration-that Christianity will be the means of introducing this period of peace.

From those who say that our religion sanctions war, an answer must be expected to questions such as these:-By what instrumentality, and by the diffusion of what principles, will the prophecies of Isaiah be fulfilled? Are we to expect some new system of religion, by which the imperfections of Christianity shall be removed, and its deficiencies supplied? Are we to believe that God sent his only Son into the world to institute a religion such as this--a religion that, in a few centuries, would require to be altered and amended? If Christianity allows of war, they must tell us what it is that is to extirpate war. If she allows violence, and wasting, and destruction,' they must tell us what are the principles that are to produce gentleness, and benevolence, and forbearance. I know not what answer such inquiries will receive from the advocate of war, but I know that Isaiah says the change will be effected by Christianity. And if any one still chooses to expect another and a purer system, an apostle may, perhaps, repress his hopes. If we, or an angel from heaven," says

nary efficacy of the above Pills, in curing the most dis

respiratory organs, induce the Proprietor to recommend plaints, conceiving that a Medicine which has now stood

to the spirit of Christianity; but we humbly apprehend that one undertaken purely in self- WALTER'S ANISEED PILLS.-The numerous and defence would be as accordant with the Divine respectable Testimonials daily received of the extraordiwill as it manifestly is with the primary in-tressing and long-established diseases of the pulmonary and stincts of human nature. Nor do we know of a single passage in the word of God which enjoins on his servants (in their political capacity) an opposite course of conduct, though we know of many which record the divine assistance granted to the best of men in wars of this description.

TO BLOSSOMS.

FAIR pledges of a fruitful tree,
Why do ye fall so fast?
Your date is not so past,
But you may stay yet here awhile,
To blush, and gently smile,
And go at last.

What! were ye born to be
An hour or half's delight,
And so to bid good night?
'Twas pity Nature brought ye forth,
Merely to show your worth,
And lose you quite.

But you are lovely leaves, where we
May read how some things have
Their end, though ne'er so brave;
And, after they have shown their pride,
Like you, awhile, they slide
Into the grave.

ROB. HERRICK.

them to the notice of those afflicted with the above cointhe test of experience for several years cannot be too geneand vegetable ingredients, and are so speedy in their benerally known. They are composed entirely of balsamic ficial effects, that in ordinary cases a few doses have been found sufficient; and, unlike most Cough Medicines, they neither affect the head, confine the bowels, nor produce any of the unpleasant sensations so frequently complained of. The following cases are submitted to the Public from many in the Proprietor's possession:-K. Boke, of Globelane, Mile-end, was perfectly cured of a violent cough, attended with hoarseness, which rendered his speech inaudible, by taking three or four doses. E. Booley, of Queenstreet, Spitalfields, after taking a few doses, was entirely cured of a most inveterate cough, which he had had for many months, and tried almost every thing without success. Prepared by W. Walter, and sold by I. A. Sharwood, No. 55, Bishopsgate Without, in boxes, at 1s. 14d. and three in one for 2s. 94.; and by appointment, by Hannay and Co., No. 63, Oxford-street; Green, No. 42, Whitechapel-road; Prout, No. 226, Strand; Sharp, Cross-street, Islington: Pink, No. 65, High-street, Borongh; Allison, No. 130, Brick-lane, Bethnal green; Farrar, Upton-place, Commercial-road; Hendebourek, 326, Holborn; and by all the wholesale and retail Medicine Venders in the United Kingdom.-N. B. In consequence of the increased deruand for this excellent Medicine, the Public are cantioned against Counterfeits-none can be genuine unless signed by I. A. Sharwood on the Government Stamp, and W. Walter on the outside wrapper.-Be sure to ask for "Walter's Aniseed Pills.”

Printed by J. HADDON and Co.; and Published by J. CRISP, at No. 27, Ivy Lane, Paternoster Row, where all Advertisements and Communications for the Editor are to be addressed.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic]

THERE is no animal, in the extensive | several degrees, an equal portion of inteland important order of the Glires of the Linnæan system, which possesses so many claims upon the general reader as the Beaver. Naturalists have long coincided in this point; and the history and economy of the animal have therefore been amply illustrated, while the easy observance of its habits has proved an exhaustless source of interest to all ages of mankind. Cuvier observes that no animal in the whole order displays, within

lony-a term applied to man himself in ligence. Buffon had previously remarked his earliest settlements. Blumenbach obthat "the Beaver seems to be now the serves," allowing that there is much exonly remaining monument of that kind of aggeration in the accounts which many intelligence in brutes which, though infi- travellers have given of the Beaver, yet nitely inferior as to its principle to that the coincident testimony of the most unof man, supposes, however, certain com- prejudiced observers, from various parts mon projects, which, having for their basis of the world, proves that these animals society, in like manner suppose some par- are capable of directing their operations, ticular method of understanding one an- according to circumstances, in a manner other, and of acting in concert.' Hence far superior to the unvarying mechanical an assemblage of beavers is called a co-instinct of other creatures.

[ocr errors]

its course.

Beavers are reasonably supposed to have been once inhabitants of Great Britain. About a mile to the north of Worcester a little brook enters the Severn, called Barbourne, or Beaverbourne, to the present day, from the Beavers that formerly inhabited the brook. A little island in the Severn, near the spot, is still known as the Beaver Island; and, higher up the stream of the Severn, is a flat green island, called Bevereye, which also gives name to an adjoining hamlet. How late the Beaver remained here is unknown; but the Severn was not navigable near Worcester in early times, from the weirds and rapids that obstructed Giraldus Cambrensis says that Beavers frequented the river Tievi, in Cardiganshire, and that they had, from the Welsh, a name signifying "the broad-tailed animals." Their skins were valued by the Welsh laws, in the tenth century, at the great sum of one hundred and twenty pence each; and they seem to have been luxuriant clothing in those days. Beavers are now principally found in the colder parts of North America, and in various parts of Europe and the north of Asia. They burrow along the Rhone, the Danube, and the Weser, in Germany; and formerly in some of the Wermeland streams. In the neighbouring province of Dalecarlia, a hunter pointed out to a recent tourist the remains of an old beaver dam, where, some years previously, he had destroyed one or more Beavers; and in his time, he said, he had killed eleven of them. Whether the last mentioned are a different species from the Beavers of North America has not yet been ascertained.

Of the very few quadrupeds which choose for themselves materials, convey them from place to place, and then use them in the construction of habitations, uniform in substance and form,

His

the Beaver is the most remarkable. architectural instinct has, however, been greatly exaggerated, so much so as to place him next to man in the scale of intellect; yet it is in this particular only that the Beaver discovers intelligence equal to that of the higher quadrupeds. Connected with the constructive laoursof Beavers, may first be noticed the peculiarities of the incisor teeth, which especially contribute to supply them both with food and shelter, by enabling them to peel the bark from the trees, and also to gnaw through the very thickest trunks which they may require for building materials. The number of these teeth in each jaw is two, which are placed opposite to each other. These are reproduced as fast as they are worn down, and, when one of them has been destroyed, that immediately opposite grows forward, so as, when the jaws are closed, to occupy the vacancy. The tail is unlike that of all other quadrupeds. It is little less than

[ocr errors]

half the length of the animal, broad, oval, and flattened. It is covered, except at the base, which is clothed with hair such as that on the body, with a horny skin, marked into divisions which resemble the scales of fishes. There are five toes on each foot; those in front are separate, and provided with thick and strong nails, admirably calculated for digging; while the hinder toes are united along the whole length by a strong skin, which allows them to expand in the same manner as the feet of waterfowl.

The Beaver walks awkwardly, applying the toes only of the fore feet, and the entire sole of the hinder, to the ground. In walking, the tail is usually dragged along, but occasionally somewhat raised, and moved from side to side. In swimming, this singular organ is used both to accelerate and direct the animal's progress; but the statement that the Beaver uses it as a conveyance for his building materials, and as a trowel, is too extravagant longer to obtain belief. The tail is not only ill calculated for these purposes, but it has been proved by observation not to be thus employed.-Popular Zoology.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TOURIST.

RESPECTED FRIEND,

In No. 12 of "The Tourist," an extract from a dispatch of Lord Goderich to the Go

vernor of Sierra Leone was introduced in a letter from R. S. I cannot but suspect this writer to be no enemy of the slave-trade and slavery. Upon no other ground, but such a supposition, can I imagine how any one concerned for the honour of religion or humanity could pass over all the appalling statements contained in the parliamentary papers alluded to, without any notice, and fix his attention only on one short passage at the end. The title of these papers is, "Slave Trade-Sierra Leone. Ordered by the House of Commons to be printed, 6 April, 1832. No. 364." They

contain the clearest evidence of the slave-trade frightful extent that many British subjects having been carried on at Sierra Leone to a are indirectly, if not directly, concerned in promoting that wicked and inhuman traffic and that the chief part of the trade of the colony ministers to its support. It appears that Lieutenant Governor Findlay has very laudably taken much pains to investigate this subject, and to bring it under the notice of government. Now, I think it is very unfair of R. S., without giving the Governor the credit due for his labours in this cause of humanity, to introduce a passage from Lord Goderich's dispatch, which certainly implies blame on the Governor for his interference with, or, far from my intention to throw any obstacle in at least, suspicions of the missionaries. It is the way of the missionaries doing their duty, though I cannot but think that, if they have known of the prevalence of the slave-trade in the colony, without labouring for its suppression, that they are not clear of blood.

It is much to be lamented that this outlaw which makes it felony to be engaged in rageous violation, or, at least, evasion, of the the slave-trade, should have claimed so little attention from the Government or people of

England. It is possible that many persons are not aware that this abominable traffic still exists in its greatest extent, and in all its horrors, and that many British subjects, and much British capital, are engaged in supporting it.

An African Prince, named Ayua, whose father is a considerable slave-dealer in the river Cameroon, was lately taken in a Spanish slave-ship, and eventually brought to this country.

He was a heathen, but appeared fully sensible of our superiority in arts, and manners, and religion, as professed in this country; but, when remonstrated with on the inhumanity of the slave-trade, he said that if the Europeans would abandon it, and purchase of them cotton, sugar-cane, ivory, oil, and the other productions of Africa, instead, they would gladly give up selling men. He ried on by Spanish, Portuguese, French, and stated that although the slave-trade was carBrazilian ships, yet the goods employed in the trade, and the responsible agents in it, were English.

I should be sorry for any obstacle to be placed in the way of the excellent and pious desire of Lord Goderich, for the diffusion of Christian knowledge in Africa; yet I cannot but consider that the most effectual step which our Government can take, towards the accomplishment of this great object, is the most vigorous measures for preventing its own subjects from being connected with "men-stealers and murderers." I earnestly desire the promulgation of the gospel of peace, and that the professors of the Christian name may labour to promote the good of injured Africa in every way. To show that all I have advanced I have good authority to prove, I shall subscribe

my

real name.

12th Month, 6th, 1832.

WILLIAM NAISH.

CURIOUS CALCULATION. WHEN the earth is compared to an ant-hill, the comparison is very inexact, as far so reand their habitation. If we suppose that there spects the proportional bulk of the animals are at present 600 millions of human beings on the globe, and that ten persons-men, women, and children-on an average are equal in bulk to a cubic yard, then the whole existing race form a mass equal to a pyramidical mountain of mankind, if closely packed together, would high-that is, a mountain rather less than 1000 yards each way at the base, and 60 yards Arthur's Seat. Farther, if we suppose 150 generations from the flood to the present time, and estimate each generation at 300 millions, the whole, if brought into a mass, would not equal in bulk Benlawers, in Perthshire, assuming that mountain to be a cone of 15,000 feet diameter at the base, and 3,700 feet in height. Yet Mount Etna is thirty times the size of Benlawers-Chimborazzo is ten times the size of Etna-and it would require ten thousand millions of mountains like Chimborazzo to make a mass equal to the globe.

AN ADMONITION.

A PERSIAN, humble servant of the Sun,
Who, though devout, yet bigotry had none,
Hearing a lawyer, grave in his address,
With adjurations every word impress,
Supposed the man a Bishop, or at least-
God's name so much upon his lips-a Priest,
Bow'd at the close with all his graceful airs,
And begg'd an interest in his frequent prayers!
COWPER.

DECLARATION OF THE ATTORNEY-
GENERAL OF JAMAICA ON THE
CONDITION OF THE SLAVES.

6

acquainted as he was with their island, in it he, had ample opportunity to recognize that beautiful Jamaica so often described to him in England. The people, too, seemed so happy-he would almost say, the very slaves appeared to enjoy themselves more A PARAGRAPH has been recently most than many poor in the home countries. As for the industriously inserted, by the West Indian gentlemen, he had found them full of kind and party, in many of the provincial papers honourable sentiments; in them, since his arrival, of Great Britain and Ireland, purporting he had frequently experienced intelligent and to be the report of a speech delivered "on a energetic assistants in the protection of slaves. To public occasion" by Mr. O'Reilly, the newly this country he had come thus instructed, well appointed Attorney-General of Jamaica. We in his memory, to hold that Jamaica was an island extract the following copy of it from the De- of the first consequence in the West Indies, and rizes and Wiltshire Gazette of November 15th, carefully to remember that, in it, every one of his faculties must be devoted to the strictest and most impartial discharge of his duty.' Firm was his determination faithfully to act on this; and if to him, then, was attached the name of honest, he would have succeeded in the highest ambition; but, at the same time, if such a line of conduct deserved their approbation, their applause was principally due to those who directed him."--Jamaica Royal Gazette for Sept. 15, 1832.

1832:

Mr. O'Reilly said he had arrived in this island

an utter stranger to its inhabitants, its institutions, and the manners of the country. His instructions, when he left England, were to ascertain the condition of the negro, to report it faithfully, and to be the friend and protector of the slave. Faithfully had those instructions been obeyed; and he could, from ocular demonstration, state, and the fact was

owner.

undeniable, that slavery existed but in name. The
negroes were a well-fed, happy people: their con-
dition, in every respect, superior to that of the
majority of the peasantry of England. In fact,
they enjoyed luxuries which he never could have
imagined. The protection of an Attorney-General
was not required by the slaves; for their kindest
friend and protector was their humane and generous
These were bis sentiments. Although
but a short time in the colony, he had witnessed
enough to convince him that the character of the
planter was slandered, and the condition of the
slave misrepresented, in Europe."
Such is the advertisement of the West In-
dian party.
The arrival, however, of the
Jamaica papers has now put us in possession
of the atcual facts, and we request the reader

to mark them well.

and just remarks are made by the editor of
Upon this affair the following appropriate
the Jamaica Watchman:-

In

adjoin vicegerency to the idea of being allpowerful, and not to that of being all-good. His Majesty's wisdom, it is to be hoped, will save him from the snare that may lie under gross adulation; but your youth, and the thirst for praise which I have observed in you, may possibly mislead you to hearken to these charmers, who would conduct your noble nature into tyranny. Be careful, O my prince! hear them not; fly from their deceits. You are in the succession to a throne, from whence no evil can be imputed to you; but all good must be conveyed from you. Your father is called the vicegerent of Heaven. While he is

good he is the vicegerent of Heaven. Shall man have authority from the fountain of good to do evil? No, my prince; let mean and degenerate spirits, which want benevolence, suppose your power impaired by a disability of doing injuries: if want of power to do ill be an incapacity in a prince, (with reverence be it with the Deity.

spoken) it is an incapacity he has in common

Let me not doubt but all pleas, which do not carry in them the mutual happiness of prince and people, will appear as absurd to your great understanding as disagreeable to your noble nature. Exert yourself, O generous prince! against such sycophants, in the glorious cause of liberty, and assume such an ambition worthy of you, to secure your fellowcreatures from slavery-from a condition as much below that of brutes, as to act without reason is less miserable than to act against it. Preserve to your future subjects the divine right of being free agents, and to your own nefactors. Believe me, my prince, there is no royal house the divine right of being their be other right can flow from God.

"We are quite amused at the greedy manner in which certain expressions, said to have been used by Mr. O'Reilly, were grasped at, as afford ing the best possible evidence of the unmixed bliss which the slaves in name enjoy in this their Elysium. The plan resorted to on this occasion, of putting words into a gentleman's mouth which he never uttered, is by no means a new one. this instance, however, it failed-entirely failed; and the chop-fallen Courant has been reduced to the painful necessity of inserting the true and real speech; and that, too, without being able to add in explanation of the obvious contradiction which one single remark by way of note or comment, or it gives to the other."......." What struck us at the time, and we should have supposed would It appears Mr. O'Reilly (an Irishman, as his have struck every man who possessed one grain of for a throne, consider the laws as so many While your Highness is forming yourself name indicates) had attended a military ball common sense, was this simple fact that the and supper at St. Thomas in the Vale; and, Attorney-General, not having seen any thing of common-places in your study of the science of after partaking freely of West Indian hospi-slavery, save in this and Spanish-Town, was perfectly government. When you mean nothing but tality, had, on his health being drunk, repaid incompetent to form any judgment on it; and, there-justice, they are an ease and help to you. This his hosts with a speech, smacking, as might be fore, his testimony, allowing that he did use the way of thinking is what gave men the glorious expected, of Irish eloquence and sangaree. expressions attributed to him in the first speech as appellations of deliverers and fathers of their The colonial Unionists gave what was termed reported, was perfecly valueless. Had he said country;-this made the sight of them rouse a report of this speech in the Jamaica Courant laid himself open to the same castigation which incapable of bearing its very appearance, what the Courant made him say, he would have their beholders into acclamations, and mankind and Kingston Chronicle, ingeniously adapted to serve their own purposes; and the editor of believing the statements of those who purposely the inexpressible advantages which will ever was inflicted on the bishop, who, listening to and without applauding it as a benefit. Consider the latter paper stated that he considered surrounded him on his arrival, reported on the "this voluntary confession on the part of the condition of the slaves, in the same manner as the attend your Highness, when you make the Attorney-General of such importance to the Attorney-General has been made to do, before he power of rendering men happy the measure of colony, that it was his intention to forward had an opportunity of knowing any thing about your actions. While this is your impulse, numerous copies of his paper, which contained them, save from the representations of others. how easily will that power be extended. The it, to the various editors of London papers, with Nor can the condition of the slaves in the towns glance of your eye will give gladness, and your whom he is in the habit of corresponding, for be urged in justification of such or similar remarks every sentence will have a force of bounty. the purpose of securing its circulation at home." to those alluded to, inasmuch as they afford no Whatever some men would insinuate, you have Thus the pretended speech arrived in England, criterion whatever by which to judge of the condi- lost your subjects when you have lost their inand here it underwent another little tampering tion of those on estates or in the country." clinations. You are to preside over the minds, process. A sentence or two at the commencenot the bodies of men. The soul is the essence ment, which, even in the Courant and Chroniof the man, and you cannot have the true man cle's version, evinced that it was delivered at a without his inclinations. Choose, therefore, to convivial party, were omitted, and it was anbe the king or the conqueror of your people.— nounced as having been delivered "on a pub- Sir Walter Raleigh to Prince Henry, Son of It may be submission, but it cannot be obedience, that is passive.

lic occasion, not long since."

But with the last packet from Jamaica comes another disclosure. The speech, as given by the Jamaica papers, it seems, was never uttered at all! At least, so says Mr. O'Reilly, who has caused it to be publicly denied in the Jamaica Royal Gazette, and has, moreover, published the speech which he professes to have really delivered " on the public occasion." It is as

follows:

"In the perhaps tumultuous expression just now exhibited, he recognized something to him infinitely pleasing; it was warmth of heart, sin cerity of feeling. For the kindness from which this arose, he was deeply grateful. True, he was a stranger amongst them-yet, all imperfectly

SIR WALTER RALEIGH.

James the First.

I am, Sir,
Your Highness's most faithful servant,
WALTER RALEIGH.

London, August 12, 1611.

May it please Your Highness.
The following lines are addressed to your
Highness from a man who values his liberty,
and a very small fortune, in a remote part of
this island, under the present constitution,
above all the riches and honours that he could THE
anywhere enjoy under any other establish-

ment.

You see, Sir, the doctrines that are lately come into the world, and how far the phrase has obtained ground, of calling your royal father God's Vicegerent; which ill men have turned both to the dishonour of God and the impeachment of His Majesty's goodness. They

Cayley's Life of Sir Walter Raleigh.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE OF

BERKELEY'S SIRIS IMITATED.
BY SIR WILLIAM JONES.

BEFORE thy mystic altar, heav'nly Truth,
I kneel in manhood, as I knelt in youth:
Thus let me kneel, till this dull form decay,
And life's last shade be brighten'd by thy ray:
Then shall my soul, now lost in clouds below,
Soar without bound, without consuming glow.

« PreviousContinue »