vented his opening a Sunday-school for slaves. Books for this purpose were immediately forwarded, and the sum of 251. has since been placed in the hands of our Branch Association for the purposes of education; and it is our intention henceforth to make all grants to the Island of Jamaica through the same channel.

A variety of testimonies to the usefulness of the Moravian Missionaries, and especially to the importance of the recent establishment at New Carmel, and its great need of support, have induced the Committee to vote a grant to its Schools, and the acknowledgments received from the Branch Association have been highly satisfactory.

The Committee have peculiar pleasure in recording an instance in which the Society has been the means of introducing religious instruction, upon the estate of a gentleman resident in this country. Mrs. having seen a Report of our Society, was led to hope, that through its instrumentality she might be enabled to accomplish this object, which had long been near her heart. She procured an introduction to the Committee, and was promised every assistance in the prosecution of her work. She immediately opened a correspondence with the clergyman of the parish where the estate is situated, and also with the resident agent, who entered warmly into her views, and the consequence has been, that all the children on the Prospect estate, about forty in number, are now receiving instruction from a catechist, whose stipend for the present year is paid by the Bishop, and who is under the superintendence of the clergyman.

We now preceed to the Island of Antigua, where the first object claiming our notice is the Infant School at English Harbour, under the patronage of Lady Ross. This school, we are happy to state, has also received the patronage of the Bishop of Barbados, who, on visiting it in May, 1827, expressed himself much pleased with what he saw, and has since liberally offered to allot 60% per annum out of the fund placed at his Lordship's disposal, by the "Incorporated Society," to pay the salary of the master and his daughter,

VOL. X. NO, X.

and besides this to provide a suitable school-house.

It had been the earnest wish of the benevolent patroness of the school to clothe all the children, about one hundred in number; but notwithstanding the assistance rendered by the Bishop, and the subscriptions in the island, the funds were found inadequate to meet that expense, and it was with much difficulty that a few of the most destitute were thus supplied. The school is now held in a commodious house, provided by the Bishop and Archdeacon. The Branch School, at Indian Creek, has also been visited by the Bishop, and is in a flourishing condition. The salary of the mistress is paid entirely by our Society.

"The Female Refuge Society," for destitute free children of colour, is so admirably conducted, and its claims are so pressing, that the Committee are anxious to make an annual grant, as long as their funds may permit, but no further assistance has yet been afforded to it. It is under the patronage of Lady Ross, who, after visiting it, expressed her conviction that "the neat, modest, and orderly appearance of the children gave sufficient evidence of its utility." This establishment necessarily involves considerable expense, because from its nature it requires that the children should receive board and clothing. The strictest economy is used in the expenditure, and we confidently hope that the friends of religion and virtue in England will not suffer such an institution to languish for want of support, but will enable its immediate benefactors to extend their labours by increasing the number of children under their care.

In the Island of St. Christopher, an excellent institution of a similar nature, recently established under the patronage of Mrs. Maxwell, the lady of the governor of the island, has received considerable support. Its last Report states that the children have been carefully instructed in reading, writing, arithmetic, needle-work, and useful domestic employments, under the superintendence of a committee of ladies, assisted by a matron resident in the Asylum. We are further assured "that the attention thus devoted to them has been amply repaid by their

4 Q

improvement; and that in the acquirement of industrious habits and in their general demeanour, they give the fairest promise of future reputable life."

In the Island of Monserrat the Wesleyan Missionaries are zealously engaged in carrying on the work which it is our object to promote, and the Committee have had much satisfaction in sending assistance to one of their schools.

In Demerara, the Rev. Mr. S. Rector of the parish of St. Mary's, has been very successful in his clerical capacity, and in the establishment of schools. The result has surpassed his expectations, but his funds are too limited to provide a sufficient number of teachers. Having seen a Report of the Ladies' Society, he was induced to apply, through a friend, for assistance, which has been granted.

The Committee have also received an application on behalf of the schools under the care of the Moravian Missionaries.

The "Incorporated Society" having strongly recommended to the notice of the Committee the earnest appeal of the Bishop of Nova Scotia, in behalf of the negroes in the Bermudas, they felt themselves called upon to promote, as far as lay in their power, a plan which had for its object the support of schools, among a population peculiarly destitute. Several schools had already been formed, but owing to the very limited state of their funds they were unable to accomplish much. They, nevertheless, keep up the desire for instruction; many of them are instruments of much good, and his Lordship was, therefore, unwilling to give them up without an effort to obtain the means of their continuance.

The Bishop of Jamaica having favoured the Committee with an interview, communicated much interesting

and satisfactory information respecting the present state of education in his diocese. In consequence, however, of the many engagements in which the Society is at present involved, and the limited and precarious state of their funds, the Committee were able to contribute only a small sum towards the salary of two masters and mistresses, sent out by his Lordship to Kingston and Spanish Town: they cannot, however, refrain from expressing their sincere hope that this new opening may be the means of strengthening the interests of the Society in Jamaica, and prove the means of carrying into effect still further plans of usefulness in favour of the negro population.

The Committee cannot conclude without renewing their humble and heartfelt expression of gratitude to that Divine Providence which has continued to bless the exertions of the Society; in the fervent hope that they will be further supported in their earnest endeavours to advance a cause so interesting to humanity. The friends of that cause will, they trust, feel the urgent necessity of affording to the Society increased means for its more extensive promotion, and will see, in what has already been effected, a sure pledge of future success, and a security that their liberality will not be exercised in vain.

The Report is followed by the first annual Report of the Jamaica Branch Association, of which the contents are no less satisfactory. Some interesting particulars are also subjoined, in nine appendices.

Subscriptions are received by Messrs. Coutts and Co. Strand; by Messrs. Hoare, Barnets, Hoare, and Co. Lombard Street; by Messrs. Hoare, Fleet Street; by Messrs. Hatchard, Piccadilly; and by Mr. Nisbet, Berners Street, Oxford-Street.

DOMESTIC.-Two letters on the subject of the Catholic Question have been addressed to the Protestant members of the United Kingdom by one of our most esteemed nobles (Lord

Kenyon), equally worthy of notice for the truths which they inculcate, and for the force of argument with which these are pressed on the attention of the public. They have produced a

reply from the Duke of Newcastle, likewise expressive of the purest Protestant principles, and, in some degree, affording a pledge that our aristocracy will prove firm in their defence of the national religion.

At this period, when it appears nearly certain that our legislature will, in the next session of Parliament, come to some determination whether Ireland shall, for the future, become a Popish or remain a Protestant country, it may well be deemed advisable to call upon the Protestant part of the empire to come forward boldly, and give evidence whether they will "defend or abandon their religion as a part of the British constitution;" if they will support their King in his conscientious adherence to his coronation oath, or quietly suffer him to be insulted and threatened by a handful of furious and interested demagogues, who have clearly shewn that they would not scruple to proceed any lengths in order to enforce its violation. If the latter is the path chosen by the British empire, we have no hesitation in saying that it at once resigns its rank in the scale of nations, for it will have become careless of the great privilege conferred upon it by the Almighty, in bestowing on it the care of preserving the Christian religion in its purity, and by so doing, the country will have forfeited the tenure by which she receives so many blessings in his providential dealings with mankind. A single glance at the national history will suffice to shew that her power and influence abroad, and tranquillity and prosperity at home, have invariably increased and diminished according to the disposition evinced by the existing government to preserve the purity of Protestantism, or to mingle with it and restore the errors and corruptions of Popery. How great the loss of honour and power which the kingdom sustained during the reigns of Charles II. and his unhappy brother, and what an immediate renovation was experienced by the fortunes of the empire in every branch of them after the Revolution of 1688! The same may be observed at every succeeding period, when the desire to give Roman Catholics an influence in the legislature has per

vaded the administration; and with these warnings, it is presumptuously to tempt the wrath of God, if they should be admitted to a participation which they would speedily endeavour to render a monopoly of power. The late election for the county of Clare, as well as the preceding ones at Waterford and Armagh, have sufficiently proved the extensive power possessed by the Popish hierarchy in Ireland, leaving no room for a doubt that if the law permitted it, the whole number of Irish representatives would, in the course of a few years, be chosen from among the followers of that Church; and having been early taught that the advancement of their peculiar system of religion, either by force or fraud, is their first great duty in life, it is not possible that they should lose any opportunity of exalting it, and putting down its rival, thus entailing on the nation the necessity of another struggle to regain the benefits of the Reformation.

FRANCE. Great fears are entertained respecting the vintage, in consequence of the great quantity of rain which has fallen throughout the summer, and there is but little expectation of the wine turning out good. The quantity of fruit is however so large, that it is not probable the price will rise considerably. Some disappointment has been experienced, by the silence of the English Government on a reduction of duties upon French wines and brandies, which the latter nation had hoped would have been granted, on condition of a similar reduction being made in French duties, on certain descriptions of English manufactures.

PENINSULA. The little news which has arrived from Spain, is of a nature by no means interesting; that from Portugal is of a very different description. The British Government having resolved not to involve itself in the internal affairs of Portugal, have ordered Captain Sartorius to salute Don Miguel, and the other members of his family, with the honours customarily paid to royalty. The request made by the British residents in Lisbon and Oporto, that British ships of war may be stationed in each of those ports, has been refused on the same principle.

A quarrel has taken place between the Queen Dowager and her son Don Miguel, which, although it originated in private motives, has already produced a considerable effect on public measures. The advancement of the Marquises del Loulé and de Chaves to dukedoms, the former, because of his marriage with Don Miguel's sister, the latter, on account of his opposition to the constitution, were earnestly pressed by the former, and as resolutely rejected by the latter, who accompanied his refusal with terms of severe reproach. The Queen's disposition is not one formed to acquiesce in disappointment, and her son, to deliver himself from her interference, has removed with the Infantos to the Palace of Necessidada, and confined his mother to that of Ajuda. The consequences are such as might have been anticipated; the anti-constitutionalists are now divided into two parties, and as neither of them are deficient in violence, and ability on one side is counteracted by authority on the other, much will probably be added to the miseries of the country, before the power of either can be established.

In the mean time, the severely_oppressive measures pursued by Don Miguel towards the constitutionalists, continue to be followed up with great activity: the number of prisoners is daily augmented, many of whom are shipped off to the African forts and settlements, there to perish without further inquiry. The property of all emigrants, who have not received the royal permission to quit the country, is declared to be confiscated. The dependants of Chaves, who, mortified by the neglect he has received from the son, and strongly attached to the mother, wishes to bring the Government of the former into disgrace, in guerilla parties, plunder and lay waste the northern provinces, in the name of Don Miguel, who has been compelled to issue a proclamation, enjoining these bands to lay down their arms, under pain of being immediately shot if taken by his troops. The towns of Coimbra and Oporto, where the public feeling in favour of Don Pedro was most strongly displayed, are bereft of almost every inhabitant of respectability. Of these, above eight hundred

have reached this country to proceed to the Brazils, to seek there that peace and security denied them in their own country.

We mentioned, last month, a fleet from the Brazils was expected to arrive on the coast of Portugal. It put into Gibraltar, having the young Queen of Portugal on board. The Commander had been instructed to convey her to Vienna; but, when he learnt the actual state of affairs in Lisbon, he resolved to bring her to England. The news of this determination reached Don Miguel, by the arrival of the Duke of York steam packet in the Tagus: every measure short of actual embargo was employed to detain this vessel; and finally she was obliged to sail without the customary papers.— The intent of the Portuguese government was to prevent, if possible, the new destination of the infant Queen being known to the British commanders off the coast, and to employ the interval to intercept her in the passage-in this they failed; she arrived safely at Falmouth.

A proclamation has been issued by Don Pedro, declaring Don Miguel to be the prisoner of a faction, and forced to adopt the line of conduct he is pursuing, by the dread of personal injury; as he does not believe his brother to be either so irreligious or disloyal a man as to violate his oath to God, and his duty to his Sovereign, under any other circumstances; and calling on all dutiful and loyal Portuguese to take arms, with a view to liberate Don Miguel, and crush the faction by which he is imprisoned.

RUSSIA AND TURKEY.-The capture of the fortress of Schumla has been contradicted; and, according to all the accounts received during the past month, the state of the war in Europe appears decidedly in favour of the Turks. The Russians are still before this important post; but are not apparently gaining any great advantages over the garrison, who have proved their strength and resolution in many bloody and well-contested skirmishes; whilst the detaining so large an army in an unhealthy situation, and where they are very imperfectly supplied with provisions, must be liable to destroy as many lives as could by

success.

possibility be expended in an attempt to carry the place by a coup de main, did the case admit of any hope of Nor are the Emperor's operations against Vorno more successful; though closely invested both by sea and land, it still continues to make a determined resistance; and orders have been dispatched to the Capitain Pacha, from Constantinople, to defend it to the last extremity. This being the case, it is improbable that the Russians will now attempt the passage of the Bolkan, as the campaign must_be speedily drawing towards a close. But their reverses have been more serious in another quarter. A large body of Turks crossed the Danube, near Crajora, and surprised the Russian general, Guismar, in his cantonments, who was obliged to retire upon Slatina; while Count Longueron, who hastened to his assistance, only arrived in time to cover his retreat; leaving to the conquerors a large quantity of cattle, with considerable magazines of provisions and ammunition, and more than forty pieces of artillery. They are now supposed to be preparing for

an attack on Bucharest, which the inhabitants are evacuating; as the Turks carry all the population beyond the Danube, as if determined to make a desert of Wallachia. In a short time the fate of this province must be decided; and, whatever may be the result, its condition must be deplorable; as the plague breaks out at intervals, and its ravages cannot fail of greatly increasing the miseries of war. European discipline and tactics have, it appears, wrought little change in the Turkish mode of warfare: but it is evident they have in their service officers well versed in military affairs, and who know how to take every advantage of their own position, and the mistakes of their opponents. It is

said, that the Emperor begins to be desirous of peace; and, under these circumstances, it is not surprising if such should be the case.

The Grand Vizier has repaired to Adrianople, in his way to Schumla, where he is to take the command; and the Sultan is also ready to join the army: but in this he will be guided by circumstances.