make a second volume, which the Committee had ordered to be prepared without delay.

Tracts issued during the year were, by sale, ninety-eight thousand three hundred and ninety-seven; sent with the Report to subscribers, one thousand seven hundred and two; donations, six thousand; amounting in the whole to one hundred and six thousand and ninety-nine. The proceeds of tracts sold amount to 2001. 4s. 6d.

The receipts of the year had not, however, been adequate to the expenditure. Indeed, it was not to be expected that the returns of one year should so far exceed those of others as to meet not only its own exigencies, but the deficiencies of former years; and when it is recollected that the money is not lost, but reduced to another form, convertible into its original shape, the Society will appear to have resources in itself fully and even more than equal to all the claims that lie upon it. The stock of tracts on hand at the depository, and with the several agents of the Society; amounted to four hundred and seventeen thousand two hundred and thirty-two; the net value of which is more than 9007., a sum so far exceeding the claims upon the Society, as to leave property to the amount of at least 4001."

It must not, however, be imagined, from this statement, that the Society, though fully capable of redeeming its debt, stands therefore in need of little or no further assistance. One great aim of the Committee has been to establish a respectable capital, which alone can enable them to effect the objects of the institution, especially the retaining a competent number of tracts in various local depositories in different parts of the kingdom. Materially to lessen their present stock, without providing a corre sponding supply, would greatly cripple the powers of the institution; the Committee therefore look with increasing hopes and expectations to the friends of their society, to assist still further its im portant operations.

Ireland and Wales offer a wide field for Christian exertion. Of the latter the Bishop of St. David's writes: "I am very glad that the connection of our Church Union Society with the Bristol Church-of-England Tract Society is acceptable to your Committee. I have no doubt that it will be very beneficial to us, especially if you adopt Mr. Cotton's proposal. Welch tracts are essentially

necessary to us, and I am persuaded that if you print Welsh translations of your tracts, there will be a large demand for them in both parts of the prin cipality."--The venerable the Archdeacon of Cardigan confirms this testimony. "We promise ourselves," he remarks, "great advantage from our connexion with your Society, and I flatter myself that the poor natives of this country will derive very substantial and permanent benefit from it."

In consequence of an order from the Rev. Thomas Twisleton, at Columbo, 19,400 tracts, of the value of 501. had been remitted to that place. From Boston, in America, Mr. Merrill announces the formation of "The Episcopal Prayer-book and Tract Society of the Eastern Diocese," of which he is appointed Secretary; adding, "Success, far beyond our expectations, has hitherto sttended us. Already several Auxiliary Societies have been instituted in the interior of the state. We should be grateful for any advice, which may aid us in regulating our Society, and for such of the Bristol tracts as you may think suitable for re-publication in this country. We have witnessed with delight the unprecedented exertions of the Church of England in the cause of Christianity, and shall endeavour, by our humble efforts, to imitate the bright example you have set us."

Several new corresponding members and agents have been obtained: a wide sphere for the circulation of the tracts was opening in the towns and neighbourhood of Nottingham, Sheffield, and Leeds, in addition to the places mens tioned in former Reports. In the firstnamed of these places, the Committee expect the formation of a Branch Society; and in Sheffield there already existed a society, called "The Shef field Church-of-England Tract Society," which was largely supplied with tracts. Peculiar obligations had been laid upon the Society, by the zealous services of its friends in Leicester and the neighbourhood. Some arrangements also had been made in the metropolis, calculated more effectually to promote the interests of the Society in that important sphere of action, by affording greater accommodation to jits friends who live in London, or places with which London has peculiar facilities for intercourse; as also by making the institution more generally known. Instead of many agents, the business of the Society will

thus, in future, be conducted by one. Mr. Seeley has undertaken the management of this important branch of the institution; and has been authorized to supply subscribers with tracts at the reduced prices, and to receive subscriptions and donations for the Society.

The Society conclude their Report as follows:-"When your Committee view the beauty of their venerable parent, the Church of England, they cannot but feel the liveliest emotions of affection and respect-they cannot but wish that all loved her as they them selves do they cannot suppress the feeling that every oue, whether a member of her communion or not, every one who loves the truth as it is in Jesus,' is deeply interested in her prosperity: they cannot but warmly advocate this institution, whose object is to unfold and to commend her excellencies; and whether they look to the interests of those whose views and feelings harmonize with their own, or of those who, differing from them on this point, are the friends of pure and undefiled religion, this is their determination, and they trust it will be that of a daily increasing number, with respect both to the Church herself, and to this institution, her handmaid: For our brethren and companions' sakes, we will wish thee prosperity; yea, because of the house of the Lord our God we will seek to do thee good,"

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE

SOCIETY.

The anniversary of this Society was held at the Freemasons' Tavern on the 7th of May; Lord Teignmouth in the chair. His lordship commenced the business by reading the Report of the Committee for the last year, which particularized the contributions of the Auxiliary Societies to a large amount, and noticed the astonishing number of Bibles which had been circulated by the Society. Apologies for unavoidable absence were read from the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Lord Exmouth; and a motion for thanks was passed to the Vice-Presidents of the Society, to the Dukes of York, Kent, Cumberland, Sussex, and Gloucester. W. Money, Esq. M. P. introduced a cheering description of the extension of religion in India and the island of Ceylon. The Rev. Dr. Mason, Secretary to the American National Bible Society, gave a lively account of the progress of

religion in that country. Dr. Thorpe, as Secretary to the Hibernian Bible Society, mentioned many interesting circumstances relative to Ireland, where, he said, 35,000 Bibles had been distributed in the course of the last year. He mentioned an instance of an old man of ninety-seven making a pilgrimage of fifty miles to beg a Testament of large print, who assured him, that, till the year before, he had never heard of such a book. He stated that 300,000 Bibles were still wanting to enable every family in Ireland to possess a copy. Several other gentlemen spoke; and we hope to have an early opportunity of giving an outline, both of the speeches and of the Report. It was gratifying to us to find that the funds of the Society, notwithstanding the extraordinary pressure of the times, bave experienced very little diminution. The sum total of contributions, during the year, was only about 7001. less than those of the preceding year.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND IN
CANADA.

An urgent appeal has been lately made in behalf of our fellow-subjects, the inhabitants of the Eastern Townships in Lower Canada, for assistance from England in erecting churches in connexion with the Established Church at home. The population is entirely Protestant, and amounts to the number of twenty thousand souls, extending over a territory of three thousand square miles. Except in the seigniories of St. Armand and Caldwell Manor, the whole of this country is totally destitute of churches. Throughout the district, the people feel sensibly the want of places of public worship; and at several meetings lately held, they have resolved to build churches as soon as their means are more equal to so great an undertaking. But, without some aid from this country, it is feared that they are unable to accomplish this desirable but expensive object. At the same time it must be observed, that in Canada a much smaller sum will be sufficient for the purpose than would be requisite here; since the materials and other expenses of building are cheap proportionally with the poverty of the people. When it is considered that twenty-five years ago the greater part of this country was an uninhabited wilderness; that all the settlers were either labourers or poor farmers; that it was necessary to build

houses for themselves, and barns for their stock and grain; that roads were to be made, and schools erected; and all this without the least assistance from any public fund; it cannot be a matter of surprise that there are scarcely any churches, and that an appeal should be made to the generosity of the mother country.

At present, there are only three ministers of the Established Church in the Eastern Townships of Lower Canada. Their salaries (2001. sterling per annum) are paid partly by his Majesty's Government, and partly by the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts; and an extension of similar support has been promised to any township in which the inhabitants shall erect a church and a parsonage. These conditions are, on various accounts, wise and salutary; but it is manifest, that unless the people are enabled, by pecuniary assistance, to meet these terms, they cannot derive essential adVantage from this liberal offer. It will be satisfactory, however, to those who are disposed to assist them, to be in formed, that, notwithstanding their slender means, they are ready to use every exertion on their part, and to make such sacrifices as shall render them worthy of public benevolence. To this may be added the gratifying intelligence, that well-educated clergymen may be procured in England who will go to Canada, and that there are now several young men prosecuting their studies in that country with a view to admission into holy orders.

Among the donors, we perceive both the archbishops, with a considerable number of the bishops, his Majesty's ministers, several colleges at Oxford, and a highly respectable list of the nobility, gentry, church dignitaries, and private clergy.

Subscriptions will be received by

Marsh and Co., Drummond and Co. Herries and Co., Hoare and Co., and Martin and Co., bankers, London; the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Stewart, 57, Daviesstreet, Berkeley-square; R. Atcheson, Esq. 35, Great Winchester-street; Messrs. Rivington, St. Paul's Churchyard; and Mr. Hatchard, Piccadilly ;also by Fletcher and Co., Oxford; Mortlock and Sons, Cambridge; Hobhouse and Co., Bath; the Rev. M. Jackson, Leeds; Forbes and Co., Edinburgh; and the Rev. W. Routledge, Glasgow.

The Lord Bishop of Quebec having represented that the circumstances of the inhabitants of the province of Upper Canada, and of some other parts of the diocese of Quebec, are similar to those of the inhabitants of the Eastern Townships in the Lower Province, and that they are equally with them deserv ing of assistance from the benevolence of this country; it is proposed to extend the plan of the above subscription, and to make it general in affording aid in the erection of churches, according to the Establishment of the Church of England, to the inhabitants of both the Canadas. The population of Upper Canada, consisting almost entirely of Protestants, exceeds one hundred thousand souls. The appeal in behalf of the interests of the Church, and of the inhabitants of the Eastern Townships, having been so favourably received, and supported by liberal contributions of numerous benefactors, it is hoped that their example will be followed by many pious and charitable persons; and that similar aid and encouragement towards the erection of churches will be afforded to the rest of the inhabitants of both the provinces.

The Lord Bishop of Quebec, the Hon. and Rev. Dr. Stewart, of St. Armand, in Lower Canada, and the Rev. Dr. Strachan, of York, in Upper Canada, are answerable for the proper disposal of the money subscribed.

IN France seditious proceedings continue to be occasionally discovered, and arrests are in consequence taking place. The details, however, are of very little interest, except as they bear upon the

CHRIST. OBSERV, No. 185.

general fact of the still unsettled condition of that unhappy country.-A late census states Paris to contain 715,595 persons, divided into 227,252 families, and occupying 27,371 houses.

2 Y

From Italy, Switzerland, and some other countries, the most distressing intelligence continues to arrive of the prevalence of typhus fever and similar affections, from insufficient nourishment and the bad quality of the food. In addition to the various accounts which have appeared in the public journals; we have seen private letters which but too fully corroborate the fact. The following is an extract from one dated Lausanne, April 30; and should it meet the eye of any traveller in that neighbourhood, we trust it will not plead in vain. "Never was known in the annals of Switzerland such a period of sufferings. The horrors of famine are not, thank God! felt in the Canton de Vaud, Geneva, nor indeed any of the Protestant Cantons; but among the Catholics it beggars all description. I had last week a memorial sent me from the Can. ton of Glâris, which nearly equals in horror the siege of Jerusalem; it has been forwarded to England to the resident Swiss, and I hope they will collect something considerable. Madame

really suffers in mind and body, from the contemplation of sufferings so great and so extensive. Their country house is in a small village in Savoy,where but for them the inhabitants would be starved to death. The heavy losses which their own fortune has sustained cripples their means; and this winter Madame has deprived her children of all their masters, to feed the poor wretched Catholics, who are as helpless and as ignorant as possible. This truly excellent woman goes twice a week herself to make and to distribute bread, which is baked in their own oven; but she says it will be impossible for them to go and reside there this summer, as she cannot see her neighbours starve, nor yet supply the hundreds who besiege her gate, and cry to her as their only friend. Her spirits are quite weighed down, and sometimes she weeps and prays in real agony."

In consequence of the occupation of Monte Video by the Portuguese, some serious misunderstandings have occurred between Spain and Portugal, which, it is apprehended, may lead to hostilities. If, however, a recent report which has reached this country, of a general insurrection of the Brazilians against their government, should be confirmed, the dispute between the two states will be settled without much difficulty.

On Easter Sunday there was publish

ed at St. Petersburg, a very remarkable imperial mandate, in favour of such Jews as are, or may be, converted to the Christian faith. In the northern and southern governments, lands are to be assigned them gratis, where such as please may settle at their own expense, under the name of the Society of Jewish Christians. A Board also is to be formed at St. Petersburg, entitled “The Board for the Affairs of Jewish Chris tians;" on which, and on no other magistrates, except in criminal cases, the converted Jews are to depend. They are to be allowed to carry on trade and commerce, to establish manufactories, distilleries, &c. They are to be free from military service and. the billetting of troops. Foreign converted Jews, who may join this community, will be at liberty again to leave the country after paying their debts, and the legal contributions for three years upon the capital which they may have acquired therein.

The last advices from China, by the ship General Hewitt, have, in some measure, dissipated the clouds which appeared to be gathering in that quarter. Lord Amherst and his suite arrived at Canton on New-Year's Day, after a journey of four months through the heart of the country. The alleged cause of the dismissal of the embassy, without an audience, appears to have been a misrepresentation made by the minister, Ho-kung-ye, for which he was a few days after dismissed from all his offices; but this was probably a mere pretence. No reliance can be placed on the official statements of the Chinese government as developing either the facts of the case or the motives of their own conduct.It may be mentioned as a remarkable proof of their profligate disregard of truth, even in public acts, that in an imperial rescript issued on the occasion, the destructive attack of the British frigate, Alceste, on the Chinese forts, was represented merely as a salute, in firing which, some trivial accidents bad occurred, in consequence of the shot, from inadvertence, not having been drawn from a few of the guns,

All we certainly know is, that the embassy has not been received. The Chinese would not relax from their demand of certain prostrations, which were found to be more humiliating than his lordship had anticipated, and with which he refused to comply. They were required, doubtless, with a view

to this result. No bad consequences, however, had followed; and with the exception of being received at Court, every courtesy and respect have been paid to the embassy. The presents had all been returned, except the portraits of his majesty and the prince regent, which were retained as a mark of

respect to them.

Considerable discussion has occurred during the last month, both in and out of Parliament, on some important questions, connected with holding seditious meetings and vending illegal pamphlets. On the 27th March, Lord Sidmouth had issued a circular letter to the Lords Lieutenants of Counties, notifying the opinion of the Crown Law Officers, that individuals found selling seditious or blasphemous writings might be arrested and held to bail to answer to the charge. Various persons have in consequence been taken up; and the evil appears, from authority, to be considerably abated.

In the execution, however, of these and other discretionary powers vested in the magistrate, a few instances of misconception have occurred. In particular, a very respectable society in London, composed exclusively of members of the Universities and Inns of Court, was refused a licence to meet, as they had done for more than nineteen years, to discuss "philosophical, literary, historical, and political subjects." One of the magistrates expressly stated his opinion, that "the purpose of the late act was to put down all political discussion whatever;" the very absurdity of which statement has led the way to such explanations as will probably prevent similar abuses in future. It need bardly be added, that the society has since obtained the desired licence.

Among other persons supposed to have been affected by the above-mentioned circular, is aMr.Wright, a Socinian minister of Liverpool, who has been publicly men. tioned as having been molested expressly for preaching what are denominated Unitarian doctrines. But the Bishop of Chester informed the House of Lords that it was not for teaching Unitarianism, properly so called, that Mr. Wright was held to bail, but for having been charged, upon oath, with "denying the immortality of the soul," and maintaining that "the idea of a future state was an absurdity." It was not, however, for this, but for preaching in an unlicensed Toom, that Mr. Wright was fined; and

the fine imposed upon him, which was but twenty shillings, has been since confirmed at the Sessions to which he appealed.

Thistlewood, who is supposed to have been a chief agent in the seditious movements which took place before the meeting of Parliament, and to have supplied the conspirators with money, has been apprehended, and arraigned with Watson, sen., Hooper, and Preston, for the crime of high treason. The trials will commence on the 9th June. A true bill was also found against Watson, jun. whose place of concealment is still unknown.

We are grieved to learn that ministers deem it necessary, for the public safety, to recommend to parliament a continuation of the Habeas Corpus Suspension Act, and the other restrictions at present in force. The propriety or impropriety of the measure cannot, of course, be known, till the secret committees which are to be nominated shall have sat and reported on the subject.

The Catholic question has once more undergone an ample discussion in both houses of parliament. Sir H. Parnell presented, on the 29th April, a petition from the Roman Catholics of Ireland; in which the petitioners, with a view to remove the objections formerly made, pledged themselves to procure from the pope a concordat, agreeing that none but native-born subjects should be raised to the prelacy, and that the election should be exclusively in the hands of the native clergy. Mr. Grattan rose, on the 9th May, to move a resolution similar to that which was carried in 1813, for the appointment of a committee of the whole house to consider the subject. The debate lasted till three o'clock the next morning, when upon a division there appeared

For the motion, ..221 Against it, ......245 It was consequently lost by a majority of 24.

In the house of lords a similar motion was made on the 16th May, and lost by a majority of 52; 90 being for the motion, and 142 against it.

Another inefficient attempt has been made in parliament to suppress state lotteries.

The evil cannot, however, in all probability, long exist, as public opinion is decidedly against it, and the revenue derived from it becomes more and more precarious,

The chancellor of the exchequer, ac