than twenty persons, whether they assemble for discussing political, literary, religious, or any other subjects. The establishment alluded to, has assumed the name of the "Société de la Morale Chretienne." The society is declared to be instituted for the purpose of applying the precepts of Christianity to the relations of social life. A prospectus, containing the views of the founders, has been circulated, in which they say "Persuaded that the greater part of the evils under which mankind suffer, is the deplorable fruit of the illusion under which they are with regard to what is necessary to constitute their happiness, some friends of humanity consider the present a favourable moment for the establishment of a society, which should endeavour to recal men to the only true source of happiness, the precepts of Christianity -precepts which are essentially the same as those which the Creator has engraven in the hearts of all men, and which Jesus Christ only developed and exhibited in a more attractive and luminous manner, and founded on more powerful motives, but which are unfortunately less known, less respected, and less practised, than they ought to

be."

The object of the society is thus stated in the first article of their rules:-"The object of this society is to explain, and constantly recal to the minds of men, the precepts of Christianity, in all their purity; to point out the important influence those precepts exercise on the happiness of mankind; and thus to endeavour to instil or revive those sentiments of charity and general benevolence which are calculated to establish peace on earth."

But the most remarkable circumstance connected with this society is, that it is established by the united efforts of distinguished Catholics and Protestants. It is, perhaps, the first

time that the adherents of these hitherto hostile religions, have united for the purpose of diffusing the gospel of Christ, without reference to the success of their respective systems.

The prospectus is signed by the following names. The letter C is placed after the Catholics, and P after the Protestants:-The Duke de la Rochefoucault Liancourt, president, C.; Baron Degerando, C.; M. Delacroix, C.; the Rev. J. J. Goep, P.; Count Laborde, C.; Count de Lasteyrie, C.; Dr Spurzheim, C.; Baron de Stael Holstein, P.; M. Stapfer, P.; Baron de Turkheim, P.; M. J. G. Wurtz, P.; M. Willm, secretary, P.; M. Cocquerel, assistant secretary, P.

A public meeting was held at the City of London Tavern, for the purpose of establishing a floating hospital on the Thames for seamen, and it was attended by a most numerous and respectable assemblage of ladies and gentlemen. At one o'clock, the Lord Bishop of Chester was unanimously called to the chair, and briefly addressed the meeting on the object for which they were assembled.

Á series of resolutions was then proposed to the meeting, in furtherance of the objects of the society, in the moving and seconding of which, Earl Darnley, Mr Wilberforce, Lord Rocksavage, and other gentlemen, shortly advocated the utility of establishing a floating hospital on the River Thames. Mr Rowcroft moved the thanks of the meeting to the Mendicity Society, for the protection they had afforded to seamen. He observed, that upwards of sixty seamen were now receiving the attention of that society. This circumstance alone would shew the utility of the proposed measure.

SCHOOLS IN THE West Indies.— The beneficial influence of Christian instruction on the slave population in the West Indies, is felt wherever it is fairly tried. Schools of moral and re

ligious education are recommended and adopted, where the principles of Christianity are instilled regularly into the minds of the hitherto abused and neglected people of colour; and, by the natural operation of this paternal system, the necessity of corporal correction has been precluded in Dominica; so that, in a gang of 100 negroes, one instance only of formal punishment occurred during the whole period of their master's abode with them. The same happy change might be effected in every other plantation in the West Indies, could their resident superiors be induced to adopt the principles and conduct of Mr Burnett.

Mr Thwaites, the superintendent of the schools at Antigua, confirms this testimony. He writes thus,-" It affords us no small degree of pleasure, to hear these good men declare, that the best effects are produced by the conscientious mode of government, which they now pursue with the slaves under their management; they deal with them as rational creatures, and have no cause to repent the adoption of such a plan." In mentioning the similar benefits at English Harbour, where he is himself resident, he adds, -"Numbers of young females, who, humanly judging, must have been carried away by the torrent of vice, are rescued from ruin, and have found an asylum from danger, and friends to cover their defenceless heads. Some of them, of low and depraved connexions, have become not only useful teachers in the schools, but consistent professors of Christianity, and eligible for the honourable estate of matrimony; into which several have lately entered, and others are likely soon to follow their example."

The benefits of the institutions are more perceptible almost every day, especially in restraining the prevailing sin of the country. It not only makes some persevere in the paths of virtue,

amidst all their discouragements (for honour, ease, plenty, and perhaps liberty, are on the side of vice among this degraded people) but some who have erred, deeply penitent, have entreated, with tears, to be taken back into the school.

Some instances are stated of their prosperity owing entirely to their sense of duty and a regular life; and of others who have been tempted by freedom, splendour, and vanity, and, in the midst of their course, sighed for a dismissal. The education of the schools is rendered the more inviting to them by its moderation and freedom from personal discipline. Their last numbers had increased to 1429 scholars; and three additional schools have been since formed in Antigua. Those in Barbadoes were well attended and supported, and had secured the influence and attention of the clergy.

The first anniversary of the Calcutta School Society was held in the Town Hall, Calcutta, the Honourable the Chief Justice in the chair. Reports were read in Persian and in English. From the latter we extract the following statement.

Indigenous (or native) schools in Calcutta.

language is now completed. Of the first edition of the New Testament not a single copy being left, they have put to press a second edition, in a duodecimo size.

In these five languages, the whole of the Scriptures are now published and in circulation: in the last four of them, second editions of the New Testament are in the press; and, in the first, the Bengalee, begun 26 years ago, the sixth edition of the New Tes tament. In the following ten lan. guages, the New Testament is published, or nearly so; and, in some of them, the Pentateuch, and other parts of the Old Testament.

1. In the Chinese language, the translation of the Old Testament was completed several years ago. In addition to the New Testament, the Pentateuch, the Hagiographa, and the prophetic books, are now printed off. The historical books, which will complete the whole Scriptures, are in the press, and will probably be published before the end of the ensuing year.

2. In the Shikh language, besides the New Testament, the Pentateuch and the historical books are printed off; and the Hagiographa is advanced as far as the middle of the book of Job. So strong, however, has been the desire of this nation for the new Testament, that the whole edition is nearly distributed, and a second edition will probably be called for before the Old Testament is wholly published. Excepting the Mugs on the borders of Arracan, no one of the nations of India has discovered a stronger desire for the Scriptures than this hardy race; and the distribution of almost every copy has been accompanied with the pleasing hope of its being read and valued.

3. In the Pushtoo, or Affghan language, the nation supposed by some to be descended from the ten tribes, the New Testament has been printed

off. The Pentateuch is also advanced at press as far as the book of Leviti cus.

4. In the Telinga or Teloogoo language, the New Testament was published two years ago, and the Pentateuch is printed as far as the book of Leviticus. This translation, however, when the Pentateuch is finished, the brethren intend to resign to the Madras Auxiliary Bible Society.

5. In the Kunkuna language, the New Testament was completed above 18 months ago; and the Pentateuch is advanced at press as far the book of Numbers. As this province comes immediately under the care of the Bombay Bible Society, it is intended, on the completion of the Pentateuch at press, to relinquish this translation to them.

6. In the Wuch, or Mooltanee, language, the New Testament has been printed off these 18 months, in its own character. But, as the opportunities for distributing this version have been exceedingly limited, and they have little prospect of establishing a mission in that province, they have dismissed the pundit, and discontinued the translation, till these circumstances, with those of a pecuniary nature, shall be more favourable.

7. In the Assam language also, the New Testament has been printed off nearly two years, and, the vicinity of this country to Bengal rendering it highly desirable to proceed with the translation, an edition of the Old Testament has been put to press, in the large octavo size, in double columns, which will very considerably lessen the expense, the character being similar to the Bengalee, both in form and size.

8. In the Gujuratee language, the New Testament is now happily brought through the press, thirteen years after retaining the first pundit in this language. It makes between 800 and 900 pages, and is printed in the Deva