The administration of the public charities in the me tropolis, is generally good; and splendid as the buildings often are, the wards of a London hospital do not form a contrast with their exterior magnificence by any niggardly measure of the aid afforded to the unfortunate inmates. The medical assistance is the best which the profession can supply; their attendance, which is in most instances gratuitous, is ample, humane, and considerate; the rooms are cleanly, and as wholesome as care can render the dwelling of a multitude of diseased persons; and the food is of the best kind.

Such is the British metropolis; the community at large will view it as the glory of the united kingdom; and those, if any there be, who would cast a veil over its splendour and extent, will, when they review its munificence and charity, hail with exulting pride its foundation, its grandeur, and its fame; and not suffer institutions to decline, which have been formed "to preserve all sick persons and young children; to provide for the fatherless and widows in their affliction; to raise up the brokenhearted, and to be the friends of the desolate and oppressed."

AMERICAN INDIANS.

THE American Indians consider that hospitality is not a virtue, but a strict duty. Hence they are never in search of excuses to avoid giving, but freely supply their neighbours' wants, from the stock prepared for their own use. They give, and are hospitable to all, without exception, and will always share with each other, and often with the stranger, even to their last morsel. They would

rather lie down themselves on an empty stomach, than have it laid to their charge that they had neglected their duty, by not satisfying the wants of the stranger, the sick, or the needy. The stranger has a claim to their hospitality, partly on account of his being at a distance from his family and friends, and partly because he has honoured them with his visit, and ought to leave them with a good impression upon his mind; the sick and the poor, because they have a right to be helped out of the common stock: for if the meat they have been served with was taken from the woods, it was common to all before the hunter took it; if corn or vegetables, it had grown out of the common groand, yet not by the power of man, but by that of the Great Spirit. Besides, on the principle that all are descended from one parent, they look upon themselves as but one great family, who therefore ought, at all times, and on all occasions, to be serviceable and kind to each other, and by that means make themselves acceptable to the head of the universal family, the great and good Supreme.

In every American Indian village, there is a vacant dwelling called the Strangers' House, for the reception of travellers. It is reckoned uncivil to enter a village abruptly without giving notice of one's approach. As soon as travellers arrive within hearing, they are expected to stop and halloo, and remain till invited. Two old men usually come out to them, and lead them in. They are placed in the Strangers' House, while the old men go round from hut to hut, acquainting the inhabitants that strangers are arrived, who are probably hungry and weary; and every one sends them what he can spare of victuals and skins to repose on. When the strangers are refreshed, pipes and tobacco are brought; and then, but

not before, conversation begins, with inquiries who they are? whither bound? what news? &c.; and it usually ends with offers of service. Nothing whatever is exacted for the entertainment.

The same hospitality which is esteemed among the American Indians as a public virtue, is equally practised by private persons. The following interesting instance of this was communicated by Conrad Weiser, a British interpreter to Doctor Franklin. He. had been naturalized among the Six Nations, and spoke well the Mahoc language. In going through the Indian country, to carry a message from the British Governor to the Council of Onondaga, he called at the habitation of Canassetego, an old acquaintance, who embraced him, spread furs for him to sit upon, placed before him some boiled beans and venison, and mixed some rum and water for his drink. When he was well refreshed, and had lit his pipe, Canassetego began to converse with him, asked him how he had fared during the many years that had elapsed since they had seen each other, whence he then came, what had occasioned the journey, &c. Conrad answered all his questions; and when the discourse began to flag, the Indian to continue it, said, "Conrad, you have lived long among all the white people and know something of their customs; I have been sometimes at Albany, and have observed that once in seven days they shut up their shops and assemble in the great house; tell me what is that for? What do they do there ?" "They meet,' says Conrad, "to hear and learn good things.' "I do not doubt," says the Indian, "that they tell you so; they have told me the same, but I doubt the truth of what they say, and I will tell you my reasons. I went lately to Albany to sell my skins, and buy blankets, knives, powder, rum, &c. You

know I generally used to deal with Hans Hanson; ́but I was a little inclined this time to try some other merchants. However, I called first upon Hans, and asked him what he would give for beaver. He said he could not give more than four shillings a pound, but, says he, I cannot talk on business now; this is the day when we meet together to learn good things, and I am going to the meeting. So I thought to myself, since I cannot do any business to day, I may as well go to the meeting too, and I went with him. There stood up a man in black, and began to talk to the people very angrily; I did not understand what he said, but perceiving that he looked much at me and at Hanson, I imagined that he was angry at seeing me there; so I went out, sat down near the house, struck fire and lit my pipe, waiting till the meeting should break up. I thought too that the man had mentioned something of beaver, and I suspected it to be the subject of their meeting. So when they came out, I accosted my merchant.- Well, Hans,' said I, I hope you have agreed to give more than four shillings a pound? 'No,' says he, I cannot give so much, I cannot give more than three shillings and sixpence.' I then spoke to several other dealers, but they all sung the same song, three and sixpence, three and sixpence. This made it clear to me that my suspicion was right; and that whatever they pretended, of meeting to learn good things, the real purpose was to consult how to cheat Indians in the price of beaver. Consider but a little, Conrad, and you must he of my opinion. If they met so often to learn good things, they certainly must have learned some before this time; but they are still ignorant. You know our practice. If a white man is travelling through our country, and enters one of our cabins, we all treat him as I treat

you; we dry him if he is wet, we warm him if he is cold, and give him meat and drink that he may allay his thirst and hunger; and we spread soft furs for him to rest and sleep on; we demand nothing in return. But if I go into a white man's house in Albany, and ask for victuals and drink, they say, 'Where is your money?' And if I have none, they say, Get out you Indian dog.' You see they have not yet learned those little good things that we need no meeting to be instructed in, because our mothers taught them to us when we were children; and therefore it is impossible their meetings should be as they say, for any such purpose, or have any such effect; they are only to contrive the cheating of the Indians in the price of beaver."

EMPEROR FRANCIS II.

ONE arm of the Danube separates the city of Vienna from a large suburb, called Leopold-stadt. A thaw inundated this suburb, and the ice carried away the bridge of communication with the capital. The population of Leopold-stadt began to be in the greatest distress for want of provisions. A number of boats were collected and loaded with bread; but no one felt hardy enough to risk the passage, which was rended extremely dangerous by large bodies of ice. Francis the Second, who was then emperor, stood at the water's edge; he begged, exhorted, threatened, and promised the highest recompenses, but all in vain; whilst on the other shore, his subjects famishing with hunger, stretched forth their hands and supplicated relief. The monarch's sensibility at length