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dash. Granting an equality in the military ability of the opposing chiefs, it is difficult to show that the Northerners can fail of ultimate success. With access to the whole world, and with the tide of emigration flowing towards their shores, they have means for supplying the enormous waste in their armies which cannot be available to the South.

Although the prolongation of the American contest is a huge evil in itself, yet if the war continue a little longer, one good, at least, will come out of it;-English manufacturers will be entirely independent of slavegrown cotton. The amount imported from India, Egypt, the West Indies, and other countries has increased, and is increasing; so that many of the mills in Lancashire have already resumed work. The Relief Committees have been disJune 15th, 1864.

solved at Stockport and several other places. The black smoke, the absence of which was so ominous of ill, is again pouring forth from the mouths of tall chimneys; and the idle machinery, the silence of which was so significant of want, is once more noisily busy. The trade is averaging now more than three days a-week, independent of American supply. If the war in the States should continue another year or two, (which God forbid!) then, by that time, there will be "full work" for Lancashire without the help of a single bale of slave-grown cotton. The probability, however, is that when the blockade is raised, and the American staple freely re-admitted to our ports, "Mobile," "Middling Orleans," and "Sea-Islands," will come to Liverpool without the curse of slavery, from honest owners, and produced by hands, black, it may be, but free.

VARIETIES.

A ROYAL BURIAL AND AFRICAN SUPERSTITIONS.-Rŭmanika returned in the morning, walking up the hill, followed by a long train of his officers, and a party of men carrying on their shoulders his state carriage, which consisted of a large open basket, laid on the top of two very long poles. After entering his palace, I immediately called on him to thank him for the great treat he had given me, and presented him with Colt's revolving rifle and a fair allowance of ammunition. His delight knew no bounds on becoming the proprietor of such an extraordinary weapon, and in duced him to dwell on his advantages over his brother Rogéro, whose antipathy to him was ever preying on his mind. He urged me again to devise some plan for overcoming him; and, becoming more and more confidential, favoured me with the following narrative, by way of evidence how the spirits were inclined to show all the world that he was the rightful successor to the throne :-When Dagara died, and he, Nnanaji, and Rogéro, were the only three sons left in

line of succession to the crown, a small mystic drum of diminutive size was placed before them by the officers of state. It was only feather weight in reality, but, being loaded with charms, became so heavy to those who were not entitled to the crown, that no one could lift it but the one person whom the spirits were inclined towards as the rightful successor! Now, of all the three brothers, he, Rumanika, alone could raise it from the ground; and whilst his brothers laboured hard, in vain attempting to move it, he with his little finger held it up without any exertion.

This little disclosure led us on to further particulars of Dagara's death and burial, when it transpired that the old king's body, after the fashion of his predecessors, was sewn up in a cow-skin, and placed in a boat floating on the lake, where it remained for three days, until decomposition set in and maggots were engendered, of which three were taken into the palace and given in charge to the heir-elect; but instead of remaining as they were, one worm was transformed into

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a lion, another into a leopard, and the third into a stick. After this the body of the king was taken up and deposited on the hill Moga-Namirinzi, where, instead of putting him underground, the people erected a hut over him, and, thrusting in five maidens and fifty cows, enclosed the doorway in such a manner that the whole of them subsequently died from starvation.

This, as may naturally be supposed, led into further genealogical disclosures of a similar nature; and I was told by Rumanika that his grandfather was a most wonderful man; indeed, Karagué was blessed with more supernatural agencies than any other country. Rohinda VI., who was his grandfather, numbered so many years that people thought he never would die; and he even became so concerned himself about it, reflecting that his son Dagara would never enjoy the benefit of his position as successor to the crown of Karagué, that he took some magic powders and charmed away his life. His remains were then taken to MogaNamirinzi, in the same manner as were those of Dagara; but, as an improvement on the maggot story, a young lion emerged from the heart of the corpse, and kept guard over the hill, from whom other lions came into existence, until the whole place has become infested by them, and has since made Karagué a power and dread to all other nations; for these lions became subject to the will of Dagara, who, when attacked by the countries to the northward, instead of assembling an army of men, assembled his lion force, and so swept all before him.

The king, now finding me disinclined to fight his brother Rogero, either with guns or magic horns, asked me to give him a "doctor," or charm, to create longevity, and to promote the increase of his family, as his was not large enough to maintain the dignity of so great a man as himself. I gave him a blister, and, changing the subject, told him the history of the creation of man. After listening to it attentively, he asked what thing in creation I considered the greatest of all things in the world; for, whilst a man at mcst could only live one hundred years, a tree lived many; but the earth ought to be biggest, for it never died.

I then told him again I wished one of his sons would accompany me to England, that he might learn the history of Moses, wherein he would find that men had souls which live for ever, but that the earth would come to an end in the fulness of time. This conversation, diversified by numerous shrewd remarks on the part of

Rumanika, led to his asking how I could account for the decline of countries, instancing the dismemberment of the Wahuma in Kittara, and remarking that for merly Karagué included Urundi, Ruanda, and Kishakka, which collectively were known as the kingdom of Méru, governed by one man. Christian principles, I said, made us what we are; and feeling a sympathy for him made me desirous of taking one of his children to learn in the same school with us, who, on returning to him, could impart what he knew, and, extending the same by course of instruction, would doubtless end by elevating his country to a higher position than it ever knew before, &c., &c. The policy and government of the vast possessions of Great Britain were then duly discussed; and Rumanika acknowledged that the power of the pen was superior to that of the sword, and the electric telegraph and steam-engine the most wonderful powers he had ever heard of.-Captain Speke.

SIR WALTER SCOTT'S ESTIMATE OF THOMAS CAMPRELL-I spent an hour in conversation with Mrs. Campbell, who is a most engaging and interesting woman. I expressed to her my regret "that her husband did not attempt something on a grand scale." "It is unfortunate for Campbell," said she, "that he lives in the same age with Scott and Byron." I asked why. "O," said she, "they write so much and so rapidly. Now, Campbell writes slowly, and it takes him some time to get under weigh; and, just as he has fairly begun, out comes one of their poems, that sets the world agog, and quite daunts him, so that he throws by his pen in despair." I pointed out the essential difference in their kinds of poetry, and the qualities which insured perpetuity to that of her husband. "You can't persuade Campbell of that," said she. "He is apt to undervalue his own works, and to consider his own little lights put out, whenever they come blazing out with their great torches." I repeated this conversation to Scott some time afterwards, and it drew forth a characteristic comment. "Pooh!" said he, good-humouredly, "how can Campbell mistake the matter so much? Poetry goes by quality, not by bulk. My poems are mere cairngorms, wrought up, perhaps, with a cunning hand, and may pass well in the market as long as cairngorms are the fashion; but they are mere Scotch pebbles, after all. Now, Tom Campbell's are real diamonds, and diamonds of the first water."—Washington Irving.

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STREAMS IN THE DESERT.
(ISAIAH XXXV.)

In the lonely wilderness

And solitary place, Jesus make them glad, and bless With Thy refreshing grace! Bid Thy banished ones rejoice, Hidden streams of life disclose; Let the deserts hear Thy voice

And blossom as the rose !
On the heights of Lebanon

O let Thy presence shine;
Carmel's mount and Sharon own
The excellence Divine !
Let the heathen tribes behold,

And Jesus hail with one accord: Unto all mankind unfold

The glory of the Lord;

Let the weakened hands be strong,
Confirm the feeble knees:
O ye dumb, break forth in song,
Ye troubled hearts find ease.
End the years of parching drought,
And streams into the desert send.
O ye water-springs, gush out!
Ye heavenly rains, descend!
Mountfield.

Make the parched ground a pool,
And cheer the thirsty land;
Let the nations own Thy rule,

And bow to Thy command.
Let the cross, uplifted high,

Be by every nation owned; Jesus, who for all did die,

In every heart enthroned!
Let the ransomed of the Lord
With songs to Zion come :
Now be paradise restored

In every heart and home.
Joy and gladness fill the earth;-
Hasten, long-predicted day!-
Everlasting songs of mirth,
And sorrow fled away.

Walking in the King's highway
Of holiness and love,

Then the Church on earth shall pray,
And praise like that above:
Until Jesus rends the sky,

And comes to claim His spotless bride;
Lift her to His throne on high,
And seat her at His side.

BENJAMIN GOUGH.

WESLEYAN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

FIJI.

Ir is twenty-five years to-day since I first landed in Lakemba. The Missionaries, king, and chiefs resolved to celebrate my arrival a quarter of a century ago, by requesting me to set the first post of their new Jubilee wooden chapel, -the first in Fiji for a native Fijian congregation. People came in from all the towns, bringing cooked food for the occasion. The king sent a goodly portion to the Mission-house, which we divided among the carpenters, Native-Assistant Missionary, students, and both Mission-houses.

At the beating of the drums, we assembled in the large chapel. Mr. Tait commenced the service, and Matthias offered a very earnest and comprehensive prayer. Mr. Tait addressed the congregation in a rejoicing strain, and then, to my great surprise, called upon the king's nephew, Zacchæus, to read a long and most kind address to me and my wife from the king and people.

I received the letter, and with deep feelings addressed the congregation, referring to my arrival here just twentyfive years ago, to my continuous and successful toils for nearly ten years, to personal and family afflictions and health,

to the glorious fact that a great work of God had been wrought throughout the Circuit, and to the immense help afforded to our work throughout Fiji, and even to the distant island of Ritunava, by cheerful and hearty labourers sent forth from this Circuit. I warned them against being led astray by spirituous liquors, and by purchasing useful goods before they are able to pay for them. I urged them to use the earth so abundantly given to them, by planting sufficient food for their own consumption and for sale, and cotton and coffee. I entreated them not to rest without being clear in their conversion to God, to seek for increase of Divine grace, and to walk circumspectly. Having taken a leading and prominent part in the spread of Christianity, I expressed a hope that the Gospel would be adorned by the people of the Lakemba Circuit. On my first arrival there were two hundred and sixtyfour members of Society; now there are four thousand.

I also baptized twelve adults, some of rank, from the king's town, and two children. Three of the chiefs delivered effective addresses.

We then assembled on the site of the

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it assumes very different proportions. and even more quickly spent. But to a Ten years ago, if one of our Native money-loving and scantily salaried Hindu contribution, he would have treated the request as a joke. And it may take Christians had been asked for any such years yet before our native churches become fully imbued with the disinterested liberality of the Gospel. They are still in a state of spiritual infancy; but they are, thanks to Christian education, growing in knowledge and manly independ evident signs of this advancement in our Jubilee week. Our own meeting, and ence. I was very much pleased with the native Bible Society anniversary, occasions, the speakers were principally were held on successive nights. On both converted Hindus, and on both occasions, also, the place of assembly was pervading feeling hearty. I was present well filled. The tone of the addresses at the opening of our present Royapettah was earnest, the matter practical, the member ever to have seen so large and cheering an audience before. chapel, eleven years ago; but do not re

members of our own congregation; but this fact afforded us a stronger proof Of course our hearers were not all still of the disinterestedness of the motive that had brought so many people together. We have recently concluded a happy year here, and we are anticipating a happier one still.-Rev. Arminius Burgess, Royapettah, March 14th, 1864.

Lucknow some months ago, and reports favourably of the work there, and of the proposed arrangement. The American brethren are desirous that Mr. Pearson should take charge of the work they have commenced. He will thus occupy the chief military station in India, and will have easy access to other stations, comprising ten or twelve thousand of British troops and their families. God grant that his entering on this important sphere may be accompanied by a special blessing! In our frequent and fervent prayers for India, let not the British residents in that land be forgotten. Let us earnestly pray for the salvation of our military fel. low-countrymen, and for the ministers labouring among them.

On Mr. Pearson's departure from Barrackpore, he will be succeeded by the Rev. H. G. Highfield, of Calcutta, leaving the Rev. James H. Broadbent alone on that station for the present. But as the communication between Barrackpore and Calcutta by railway is easy and rapid, the brethren on those stations will often see each other, and will frequently interchange services.

SOUTH AFRICA.

NATAL.

OUR Jubilee Meeting for this Circuit was held in February. We had first a day of thanksgiving and prayer; then a day of giving, which was done after the pleasant socialities of an evening soirée ; and lastly two sermons, followed by a collection. Altogether we hope to realize near £280. We strongly sympathize with this world-wide Methodist movement; and pray that it may be followed everywhere by times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord."- Rev. Joseph Jackson, Jun.,D'Urban, March31st, 1864.

CEYLON.

AMONG the resolutions agreed to at our last District-Meeting, writes the Rev. Robert Spence Hardy, were the following

That a uniform plan of Scripture Lessons be prepared, which shall be the lessons for the week in all our schools, on which questions shall be asked when the school is examined, and from which the brethren are advised frequently to take their texts when they preach.

"That greater attention be paid to the Methodist usage of employing Local preachers, who shall be placed under our discipline, and be met by the ministers of the Circuit in regular Local-preachers' Meetings.

"That lovefeasts be held regularly in every Circuit, and Missionary Meetings in every place where we hold regular service.

"That out-door services shall be held in every Circuit; and that attempts shall be made to break up new ground, and introduce the Gospel to heathen localities.

"That all books used in our schools shall be paid for by the parents of the children.

"That we will baptize no child, and marry no couple, unless at least one of the parents, or one of the persons, is a regular attendant on Christian ordinances, and known to be free from the practice of all acts and rites connected with heathenism. N. B. This resolution was passed with all solemnity, every hand being uplifted in pledge that it shall be religiously observed; and I now bescech the brethren, with a full heart, to respect this. Let us free ourselves, at once and for ever, from all connivance at heathenism or idolatry; this abominable thing that I hate,' saith the Lord."

There were other matters of importance before the brethren, the desirability of which was confessed, but on which no formal resolution was taken :—

"That at the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers there be a strict examination of all our class-papers, attendance-returns, and subscription-lists.

"That earnest attempts be made to establish regular services in places where we have no paid agent of the Mission, as at Wellesara.

"That even where we have schoolmasters, persons be appointed to attend to our places of worship, and act as Chapel-Stewards, who do not receive any pay from the Mission.

"That our people be taught, more clearly and constantly, the proprieties of worship, such as in preparing a clean and decent place for the minister, in keeping their places of worship in proper order, and in paying proper respect to the Book, -that is the word of God. The people will not respect our worship, unless we respect it ourselves; and knowing the reverence with which they regard their own sacred books, even worshipping them, we cannot expect that they will regard the Scriptures with due respect, if we allow them to be thrown anywhere, or carried about as men carry a bundle of grass or a load of clay.

"That the children be taught to repeat the responses in a reverent manner, not shouting them out as they do the hodiya.

"That persons attending our love feasts and communions be required to show their tickets, on each occasion,

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