num shall be a governor; and a subscriber of 50 pounds or upwards, at one time, shall be a governor for life. "Governors shall be entitled to attend, and vote at, all the meetings of the committee.

"5. An executor paying a bequest of fifty pounds shall be a member for life, or of one hundred pounds, or more, a governor for life.

"6. Each member shall be entitled, under the direction of the committee, to purchase Bibles and Testaments for the purpose of gratuitous distribution at the society's prices, which shall be as low as possible, but no English Bibles or Testaments shall be given away in Great Britain by the society itself."

We have great pleasure in introducing this society to the knowledge of our readers. And we think it must prove highly consolatory to every reflecting mind to perceive, that while the enemies of Great Britain are menacing her with destruction, such varied and strenuous exertions should be making by many of her inhabitants to diffuse over the earth the pure light of christian truth. In the object proposed by this society, every sincere christian, of every name, may cordially and consistently unite; it is hoped, therefore, that all who regard the Bible as the word of God, which is able to make men wise unto salvation, will cheerfully contribute to its support. A liberal subscription has already been begun, which amounted in a few days to about one thousand pounds.

moting Christian Knowledge has confined its missionary exertions to a part of our eastern dominions, where they now employ several excellent Lutheran ministers; and while the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts has extended its labours chiefly to the British plantations in North America, it appeared that there was abundant room for the present institution, the precise object of which is expressed in the title.

No English clergymen having engaged themselves to the society as Missionaries, the committee were induced to open a correspondence with the continent, where they procured two young men, who, after a course of previous training, having received ordination in the Lutheran Church, were accepted as missionaries by the society. Their names are MELCHIOK RENNER a German, and PETER HARTwie a Prussian.

These Missionaries resided some time in this country with a view to perfecting themselves in the English language; and acquiring also, by means of some African youths educating in England, the rudiments of the Soosoo language, which is spoken over a considerable portion of the continent of Africa; and in which, by the exertions of the Reverend Mr. Brunton, the society has already been enabled to print some useful tracts. This last mentioned circumstance, together with the vicinity of the Soosoo country to Sierra Leone, determined the committee to appoint the station of these Missionaries among the Soo

EAST.

A circular letter, dated the 5th inst. from the committee of this society, has come to our hands, of which it may be proper to give the substance. This society, it is observed, was instituted in the year 1800 by members of the Established Church, and is conducted in strict conformity to her doctrines and discipline. It was instituted not with the design of interfering with other societies embarked in the same cause, but of co-operating with them. While, therefore, the Society for pro.

suitable address had been delivered to them, they embarked on board a vessel for Sierra Leone, one of them (Mr. Hartwig) having previously married with the consent of the committee.

The society has likewise had under its protection, for about six months, four other students, who are supported and educated at the society's expense, in the Missionary seminary at Berlin, where they are now attending to the study of the English, Arabic, and Soosoo languages, and to such other ob

the nation. In these the ridiculous charge that the English government had contrived a plan for the assassination of the First Consul, is, for obvious reasons, assumed to be proved. The flotilia at Boulogne gradually increases in size, and near twelve hundred vessels are now said to be collected there.

HOLLAND.

On the 7th of February last an order was issued by the French government for seizing all English commodities in the warehouses, shops, and commercial houses, particularly in the maritime towns, in Dutch Brabant and Zealand; and all goods esteemed such were carried off to places belonging to France. In various places detachments of French troops supported the officers of the customs by whom the order was enforced. By this violent measure many of the inhabitants, particularly in Flushing, have lost a great part of their property. These are some of the happy effects of French alliance.

TURKEY.

The last accounts from Constantinople state, that Abdul Wechab, who headed the rebellion which lately broke out in Arabia, and which threatened the safety of a great part of the Turkish dominions, had been murdered, together with his brother, while at prayers. The assassin was cut into a thousand pieces by the partisans of Abdul Wechab. It was expected that this event would extinguish the rebellion, and that the followers of Abdul Wechab would quietly disperse.

ALGIERS.

A misunderstanding has for some time subsisted between Mr. Falcon, the British consul, and the Dey, which was widened by some

Moorish women having been found in the consul's house, introduced there, it is said, in Mr. Falcon's absence, by means of the French Consul. In consequence of this circumstance, Mr. Falcon was ordered away, and otherwise treated with much indignity. Lord Nelson being instructed to procure the reinstatement of Mr. Falcon, proceeded to Algiers, and requested to be allowed to explain the business, but the Dey refused. Lord Nelson then threatened to use force, but the Dey declaring his intention of repelling force by force, and Lord Nelson having no instructions to proceed to extremities, the matter has ended here for the present. It is supposed that orders will go out to bombard Algiers. In the mean time all ships are cautioned not to approach the coast of Algiers, or to suffer themselves to be boarded by ALgerine cruizers.

EAST INDIES.

The accounts received of the progress of the war in Ceylon continue to be of a disastrous nature. The Candians are said to have been so successful in their attacks as to endanger, in some degree, the safety of our principal possessions in that island. The ravages of war had been greatly aggravated by those of disease; great numbers of officers and soldiers having been carried off by the fever of the country. Reinforcements are said to be proceeding both from Madras and from this country for the protection of the island.

AMERICA.

Louisiana has been formally taken possession of by the government of the United States. We are happy to learn that they have prohibited the importation of slaves into that province.

PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS. A COMMITTEE of the House of Commons has been appointed to investigate the state of the paper currency of Ireland, and the causes of the unfavourable exchange between that country and England.

A motion brought forward on the 7th inst. by Sir John Wrottesley, for the house resolving itself into a committee to inquire into the conduct of the government of Ireland relative to the insurrection of the 23d of July, was negatived by a majority of 96, the noes being 178, and the ayes 82.

On the 14th inst. a motion was made by Mr. Creevey for the production of a variety of papers, with a view to the institution of an inquiry into the circumstances of the existing war in Ceylon, which he contended had been impolitic in its commencement, and highly disastrous in its consequences. A part only of the papers moved for, viz. "Copies of despatches received from the governor of Cey

lon respecting the causes of the war," was granted: the rest were withheld on the ground that, if granted, they might convey dangerous information to the enemy.

The same day Mr. Francis moved for the following papers, in order to ascertain the causes of the present Mahrattah war, viz. "Copies of all despatches from the Governor General relating to the rise and progress of the war; copies of all correspondence with the Mahrattah chiefs or states; and copies of all orders from the court of directors relative to the war." He grounded his motion on the express letter of an act of parliament, probibiting all wars of ambition, or which were not strictly defensive. Lord Castlereagh having assured the house that the necessary information on this subject had not yet reached this country; and having promis. ed that as soon as it was received it should be laid before parliament, Mr. Francis agreed to withdraw his motion.

that energy which the present crisis calls for. There appears, however, as yet no further symptom of an alliance between Mr. Pitt and Mr. Windham than arises from their occasionally dividing on the same side. Strong symp. toms, indeed, of a friendly union between Mr. Windham and Mr. Fox have been observed; and it has even been supposed, we know not on what foundation, that a coalition would be formed of their respective parties with a view of opposing ministers. Mr. Sheridan, on the other hand, takes occasionally an active part in defending ministry, while he continues to profess a friendship for Mr. Fox, and, in common with Mr. Fox, a dislike to Mr. Pitt. On the motion for a naval inquiry, the minority; which was very formidable, was composed chiefly of the friends of Messrs. Pitt and Windham, and a part of those of Mr. Fox, with the addition of many members who attach them selves to no party.

4

The squadron, which blockades Boulogne has been frequently engaged with detachments of the enemy's gun-boats, making their way to that harbour."Only three or four, however, have fallen into our hands, such being the shallowness of the water near the French coast, and the strength of the batteries on shore, as to render it nearly impossible to make any impression on the enemy's vessels. which are likewise escorted along the coast by flying artillery.

A plan is said to be in agitation, if not already attempted, for blocking up the mouth of Boulogne harbour and other ports of the enemy, by means of large ships loaded with stone well put together with iron clamps, which are to be sunk in the entrance of the harbours. This expedient, however, even if it succeed, is likely to present only a temporary obstacle to the designs of the enemy.

Admiral Cornwallis still continues to watch the motions of the French fleet in Brest, which

is now said to consist of eighteen sail of the line and fourteen frigates, besides gun-boats and transports.

A report has been prevalent, that the Toulon fleet has escaped the vigilance of Lord Nelson, but its truth seems still doubtful.

An embargo was laid on all vessels bound to any other ports than Spain, Portugal, the Mediterranean, Africa, America, and the East and West Indies; but was taken off in three or four days after. The object of this measure is not known.

In our miscellaneous department for this month we have already shortly adverted to took place, at her instance, of the Reverend the story of Mrs. Leigh, and to the trial which Lockhart Gordon and Mr. Lauden Gorden, charged with forcibly carrying her away from do not mean to enter into the particulars of her own house for the worst purposes. We this trial, which ended in the acquittal of the prisoners, and in the course of which the lady appeared to be little less criminal than they. Our object in noticing it is to introduce the following paragraph, copied from a newspaper, which contains a very just and useful reflection on the character and conduct of that lady.

"Mrs. Leigh's story," says the journalist, "affords a very delicate satire upon modern sceptics. This philosophical lady, so much devoted to study and meditation, was much too wise, it seems, to believe in the christian religion. Her enlightened mind and vigorous understanding rejected such doctrines, as repugnant to her pure reason. Mark, however, the inconsistency of this female age. She disbelieved christianity, but she had a perfect faith that a bit of camphire attached to a steel necklace was an all-powerful charm to defend her virtue! Truly has it been said, that infidels are the most credulous beings on earth, and believe every thing but the Bible."

On Saturday the 10th instant died, in consequence of a wound received in a duel, Thomas Lord Camelford, brother to Lady Grenville. The circumstances of his death are so peculiar and affecting that we shall deem no apology necessary for laying a full account of them, accompanied by some observations of our own, before our readers.

Lord Camelford is reported to have been engaged in several duels; and on one occasion, at least, he deprived a fellow-creature of his life. It ought not, therefore, to be a matter of surprise that he should at length fall a victim to that spirit of duelling which he had himself so much encouraged. It often pleases providence to cause men thus to eat the fruit of their own ways," and to become the means of warning others against the practices to which they had themselves yielded.

The circumstances of this duel, as detailed in the newspapers, were as follows:

On the 6th instant, Lord Camelford went into the coffee-room of the Prince of Wales's Hotel, and inquired if Mr. Best had been there, and finding that he was expected to dinner, waited for him. At half past six this gentleman entering with two friends, Lord Camelford walked up to him, and said “MrBest, I understand you have been traducing my character, and insulting my girl Fanny in a most ungentlemanlike manner. Such conduct, Sir, is infamous, and you must be a

scoundrel." Mr. Best replied"My Lord, I do not understand what you mean by the first remark, but the last no one can misunderstand." High words followed An apology was demanded by Lord Camelford, but refused by Mr. Best, who denied to have said any thing to his Lordship's prejudice. In consequence of what had passed = meeting took place between those gentlemen attended by their seconds, on the following