month of April, 1588, the first number of the English Mercury, a paper resembling the present English Gazette, which must have come out almost daily, since No. 50, the earliest specimen of the work now extant, is dated July 23d, of the same year. This interesting article is preserved in the British Museum.

Dissection in Slave States.-In a pros pectus of the South Carolina Medical School, says the London Mechanic's Magazine, we meet with the following pas sage:"Some advantages of a peculiar character are connected with this institution, which it may be proper to point out. No place in the United States offers so great opportunities for the acquisition of anatomical knowledge, subjects being obtained among the coloured population in a sufficient number for every purpose, and proper dissections carried on without offending any individual in the community!!"-The coloured population, then, according to the faculty of South Ca rolina, form no part of their "community." They have no feelings to be respected or offended! They are but blacks, and no more to be regarded than any other beasts of the field. Of a truth, slavery must have a most debasing influ ence on all around it, when men of a liberal profession can talk thus of beings created with like feelings, affections and rights as themselves. It is singular to think, that notwithstanding the whiteskin pride of birth, they should have found out that, after all, a dead black man is quite as good as a dead white man for every purpose of anatomical inquiry -has the same bones and sinews-the same veins and arteries-has the self-same sort of vital fluid-and (perhaps) all but the same sort of-heart. Death is, indeed, a great teacher-a mighty leveller of distinctions!

English and American Newspapers.— At a meeting lately held by the London Literary and Scientific Institution, on the subject of the restrictions on the British Press, it was stated in debate that in America, where newspapers are not taxed, 1,555,416 advertisements were inserted in eight newspapers in New York, where 400 English and Irish papers contained, in the same space of time, only 1,105,000-that the twelve New York daily papers contain more advertisements than all the newspapers of England and Ireland-that the numbers issued annually in America is 10,000,000, while in Great Britain it is less than one-tenth of that number. Advertisements which in England cost $17, are inserted in America for about $1.50; and an article which costs annually for advertising in the Uni

ted States, 28, is liable in England to a charge of $900.—Boston Telegraph.

Staunton, (Virginia,) Sept. 9.

A Horn-Snake was killed a few days since in the neighbourhood of this town. We had regarded the existence of such a snake as fabulous; and as others may be under the same impression, a brief description of this one may be acceptable to many. The snake measures nearly six feet in length, and is somewhat slenderly proportioned; its scales are quite hard, and form along the back large dark brown spots set in a broad chain of white along the sides there is a slight mixture of red. The horn is in the tail, and appears rather insignificant; but when the snake is enraged no doubt it enlarges considerably. This reptile is said to strike over its head, by throwing itself in the form of a hoop. The black man who killed the one just described, says it struck at him in this manner, but missing its aim, the horn entered a stump, and held it fast until he despatched it.-Spec

tator.

Fine Grapes.-A waggon load of delicious Pennsylvania Grapes were exposed for sale in Market street, between Eighth and Ninth, during Friday and Saturday of last week. They were the product of a vineyard of Mr. Amos Garrett, of London Grove Township, Chester County. The vineyard occupies an acre of ground, and has been three years in cultivation. The crop of the present year is the first, but it is liberal, and the grapes are very fine. We are glad to learn that many of our citizens evidenced their satisfaction at this agricultural enterprise, by purchasing liberally of Mr. Garrett, who, we trust, will fully and profitably succeed in rendering his vineyard valuable.

Patrick Henry left in his will the following testimony in favour of the Christian religion. "I have now disposed of all my property to my family; there is one thing more I wish I could give them, and that is the Christian religion. If they had that, and I had given them nothing, they would be rich; and without it, if I had given them all the world, they would be poor."

Parasitick Plant.-There is found growing upon, and firmly united to the roots of the black oak, in this vicinity, a plant, which we are not aware of having seen particularly described by any American botanist. This plant attains the height of about six inches, and the thickness of from half to three quarters of an inch, without leaves, the stalk thickly set with seed vessels, which are two valved, and many seeded, much resembling in

the growth the beech drops, (Monotropa lanuginosa) but larger, and without branches, the colour a pearly white, inclining to yellow. It corresponds in many of its characteristicks, with the Orobanche of England, but is different in many respects; but we are disposed to consider it one of the same family of plants. It is one of the most interesting of all the parasitick plants. When examined it will be found to have united to the root by a granular process, causing an enlargement not unlike the place where a scion is united to the stock, and may fairly be considered a piece of natural grafting.

The root of the oak will be found on examination to be sound and healthy, even to the very point of union. This parasitick plant does not appear to be furnished with any roots of its own, and evidently receives its nourishment from the root of the oak, which ending with the plant gives it a very singular appear ance. This would seem an exception to the general rule "that plants do not take upon each other by grafting, unless they belong to the same class and order." Should this come under the observation of any Professor of Botany, who is ac quainted with this plant, we should be happy to receive and publish his observations upon it.-Genesee Farmer.

A Solar Microscope.-Speaking of the Hartford (Connecticut) Museum, the edi

tor of the Connecticut Mirror, in that city, observes:-"Besides a vast many objects of curiosity and interest, a Solar Microscope, which magnifies a million and a half times, has been added to the attractions of the Museum.-By its power, the smallest possible mite is made to assume the appearance of a formidable animal-the finest Flanders lace seems woven of trunks of moderately sized trees, with the bark on-a pigmite upon the most delicate needle, "looks like a rat running up a sign post"-and as for the minute animalcula in vinegar or water, they appear as reptiles of a foot and a half in length, and suggest to the visiter, as he marks their magnified circumgyrations, the idea of immediate self-defence."

The Month of July shines conspicuous in the Annals of Liberty. On the 26th July, 1581, was issued the Edict of the Confederates of the Low Countries, by which they renounced obedience to Philip II. On the 11th of July, 1690, was the battle of the Boyne, where James the 2d was defeated, and lost forever the throne of England. On the 4th of July, 1776, the United States of America declared their independence. On the 14th July, 1789, the Bastile was taken-and on the 27th, 28th, and 29th of July, the Paris Revolution took place, which expelled Charles the Tenth from the throne of France.-N. Y. Standard.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE 80

CIETY.

We are indebted to a friend in Philadelphia, for the following extract of a letter to him, from a member of the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society, dated 15th July, 1831. The information it contains will prove highly gratifying, to those who take a lively interest in the wide diffusion of the Holy Scriptures.

"You will be pleased to hear that it is in contemplation, by the British and Foreign Bible Society, soon to send out Mr. Jas. Thompson, their indefatigable agent, to visit the different West India Islands, to promote the circulation of the scriptures amongst the inhabitants, particularly the blacks and people of colour, and it is not

improbable that if circumstances be encouraging, he may afterwards visit some parts of South America, Mexico, &c. By the last accounts it seems the Catholicks are about to prepare an edition of the scriptures, as the people are becoming clamorous for a supply. The translation of St. Luke's Gospel is completed in the. Mexican dialect, and it is in a state of forwardness in one or two other of the native dialects; so that we are encouraged to believe the work will not be permitted to stand still. A measure has been lately adopted to promote the circulation in the Indian Archipelago, in Siam, and the countries adjoining, through the instru mentality of Mr. Tomlin, who has already effected much in this way, combining prudence with energy in his transactions. Dr. Pinkerton's establishment at Frankfort appears so far to enjoy the smiles of divine providence, and promises to be extensively useful in opening wider fields for circulation in destitute parts of the

European continent, as well amongst Protestants as Catholics. In France there has been a considerable demand for the New Testament, amongst persons emigrating to Algiers, who have been supplied at very low prices. The subject alluded to in my last has given rise to many able defences of the original Constitution of the Bible Society, and its friends feel firm on the question: the association of opponents have not yet agreed on a long expected address in support of their views, and it is understood find it difficult to be of one accord."

Indeed, in all the districts and villages in which the gospel has been statedly preached to the natives, they have uniformly endeavoured to establish schools for the benefit of the native children, of whom several hundred, including both sexes, have been usually under Christian The distribution of the instruction. Scriptures and tracts has been carried on to a wide extent, and there is reason to believe with good effeet; especially as tending to diminish the veneration of the Hindoos for their own religious system, and promoting a spirit of inquiry among themselves, as to the respective claims of that system and Christianity.

It would require a volume to detail and explain the numerous ways in which missionary operations have exerted a beneficial influence on the general state of society, both European and native, in this and other parts of the East Indies; suffice it to observe that, independently of the direct personal benefit conferred by imparting the knowledge of Christianity to individuals, there can be no doubt that these operations have contributed to give a highly salutary impulse to the minds of the inhabitants-quickening the mental faculties-awakening reflection--stimulating inquiry-directing the attention to the acquisition and circulation of useful knowledge and the promotion of beneficial objects. Many important facts in the recent history of the East Indies, corroborative of the truth of this remark, which, however, we cannot here particularize, will, we doubt not, at once occur to the recollection of our readers. On the present occasion we shall content ourselves by giving the following brief extract, relating exclusively to the native population at Calcutta, taken from a communication lately received from our brethren in that city, dated 15th November, 1830.

"The state of things in Calcutta is more promising than on any former occasion. Nineteen or twenty societies for mental improvement have been established in the Native Town, by the natives themselves. Others meet once or twice a week, discuss various subjects connected with Moral Philosophy, the customs of their own nation, &c." The brethren add, "many respectable natives have professed their belief of the truth of the Christian system."

At an early period of the mission, a society in aid of it was established, called the "Bengal Auxiliary Missionary Society," which has rendered very effective assistance, while the members composing it have been uniformly distinguished by their Christian liberality and zeal. The mission has also received considerable as

sistance from the benevolence of particular individuals, which, under the Divine blessing, has in various ways tended to forward the great object in view. After specifying some of those services, the Committee of the Bengal Society say they cannot speak too highly of those liberal and zealous individuals whose conduct bears so striking a resemblance to the spirit which animated the bosoms of the first disciples of our Lord, and so eminently characterized the best and earliest days of Christianity."*

Such, briefly, are some of the chief grounds for grateful acknowledgments to God, afforded by the more recent history of the Society's mission at Calcutta; where, we rejoiced to know, missionaries from various other Societies also labour, and we are happy to say, harmoniously labour, in different spheres, for the promotion of the same general object. The success with which it has pleased the Almighty to crown their efforts, is, in common with that which has attended the brethren immediately connected with our own Society, calculated to excite feelings of common gratitude and thanksgiving; to stimulate to fervent and persevering prayer for future blessings; to encourage the hope of still greater measures of success, and of the ultimate triumph of the Gospel over ignorance, idolatry, impos. ture, and every species of superstition and false religion, in those parts of the Eastern world; and eventually over every region of the world itself.

London, 20th April, 1831.

CEYLON.

The Church Missionary Society has seven Missionaries in Ceylon, who have had schools in operation about eight years. They have a press at Nellore, of which the Missionaries say:

"One printing press has been kept in active employment most of the year, on account of the Jaffna Tract Society, the American Missionaries, and our own society: the number of Tracts printed for the Tract Society, as appears from their last report, is 34,947; of Tracts and Catechisms for our American brethren, 6490; and 3650 copies of some of the same work for ourselves: making a total of 45,087 copies, or 629,362 pages printed during the year.

"Very inadequate, as yet, are the works, either of a religious or literary character, printed for the district. A taste for reading in books of both classes

Printed Report of the Bengal Auxiliary Missionary Society, for 1829-30. VOL. IX.-Ch. Adv.

is rapidly forming, especially among the rising generation, which it is regarded as very important to promote. It is the anxious desire of our Missionary friends to direct the youths of their charge in the pursuit of useful knowledge; and for this purpose to provide them, as they may be able, with supplies of suitable books in the native language: while the committee of the Tract Society are as desirous to furnish the different classes of the reading population with adequate supplies of religious tracts.

"The district has, for the last two or three years, been largely supplied with parts of the Sacred Volume, in the native language, by the bounty of the British and Foreign Bible Society, through the medium of the Jaffna Branch Society; and with religious tracts, through means of the Jaffna Tract Society.

On the effect of these distributions the Missionaries state

"By the publications of the Tract Society, heathenism has received a shock, during the year, the effects of which will, it may be hoped, soon be more apparent. The adherents of the system are driven to adopt many different expedients: some, by the exposure which have been made of their sacred mysteries, are greatly enraged, and utter sad imprecations on the unknown informants, who, if they were known, would probably be severely treated: others, influenced by similar feelings, positively assert that the incantations of which we have obtained information are not genuine, and that we have been imposed on: while a great number admit that they are genuine; but, ashamed at the disclosure, and wishing to avoid disgrace, disavow all confidence in them, or profess to have discontinued the use of them."

Mr. Kay, of the Wesleyan Mission to South Africa, after mentioning the baptism of several natives at Butterworth, says:

"Three of the persons (one man and two women) baptized on this occasion, belong to the class of people to whom the Caffres have given the name of Amafingu, because poor; and poor indeed they are; for excepting those who have become resident on the mission stations, few if any of them can command any kind of property that can be called their own. Most of them are the complete vassals of those who may entertain them, and to this state of servile subjection they submit, for the sake of a mere subsistence. They are, in short, strangers in a strange country, having for years been beaten about by the enemy, and the perpetual wars of the 3 Z

interior. Ask them respecting their own land, and the place of their nativity, and they almost invariably reply, Far, far, far. That unprecedented numbers of these destitute exiles should have been literally driven into this quarter, by a train of uncontrollable occurrences, at the very time when Christianity was becoming established in the land, and when the Gospel was pushing its way onward, as if to meet them, that a strange variety of circumstances should have attended to scatter such numerous groups of them round our respective stations, and that in creasing numbers are now to be found amongst the inhabitants of every mission village in Caffraria, are facts of the most pleasing kind; and facts too in which not only the missionary, but every pious mind, is constrained to recognise the hand and providence of the Most High. But this is not all. They are not merely thrown within the range of missionary operation; but, by a distinguished and remarkable readiness, both to hear and to receive the gospel, they are obviously becoming special objects of missionary attention. Although equally, if not more superstitious than the Caffre, in general they appear to be much less influenced by that sceptical spirit which he so frequently

manifests. It is clear that Jehovah, according to one of their own significant figures of speech, is placing them under the missionary's wing.' Our stations are evidently becoming their asylums; and I verily believe that the period is not far distant when many of them will be added

unto the church of our God.

"Whilst I reminded the candidates, when standing before the congregation, of the goodness and mercy of God, who had brought them out of a distant land, a land of total darkness, who had preserved

them in the desert, and kept them alive amongst the dead, who had prevented their falling a prey to the enemy, or perishing in the field, and who had, at length brought them to his tabernacle, and to his holy hill,' the tears trickled down

·

their sable cheeks, and the whole assembly was deeply affected. The most distinguished individual amongst them was the son of an Amazizza chief; and a person who would have become a powerful ruler in that tribe, had it not, like many others, been dispersed, and in a great measure destroyed, by the invaders."

OBITUARY.

Died, at the Union Theological Seminary, in Prince Edward County, Virginia, on the third of September, ult., the Rev. John H. Rice,

D. D. Professor of Didactick Theology and Ecclesiastical History, in the Seminary. By the death of this eminent man, religion and learning have met with a loss which will not easily be supplied. The American church has numbered among its ministers few that were so highly distinguished for erudition, piety and usefulness as Dr. Rice. The State in which he lived, was probably indebted to no individual more than to him, for exertion and influence in promoting all the interests of knowledge and science; and the Union Theological Seminary unquestionably owed its very existence, and its opening prospects of proving a rich blessing to the whole Christian community, to his persevering zeal and labours-We believe, indeed, that he fell a martyr to his incessant solicitude and exhausting efforts to serve the Seminary, and to promote, in various ways, the cause of pure and undefiled religion. We mourn in his death the loss of a much loved friend and brother; but we must leave to others the delineation of his character and the eulogy of his excellence. He is gone-We are admonished to be prepared to follow him; to "work while it is day

the night cometh when no man can work"-We add from "The

Southern Religious Telegraph" the following account of his sickness and death.

"Throughout a sickness of nearly nine months, Dr. Rice had, with various changes in external symptoms, been gradually and steadily declining. By an examination made at his own instance, several extensive strictures were discovered in the bowels, in which, no doubt, the disease originated, and which precluded the possibility of recovery.

"The sickness of this servant of God was attended with great suffering. The disease itself and the highly nervous character which it put on, caused not only much bo