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the safety of their royal persons. They wore handsome slips of a variety of colours, made close in the neck, and deep paus, or native female dresses over them. As usual, when coming from the country, their heads, necks, and indeed almost the whole of their bodies, were covered with garlands of flowers, and wreaths of evergreen, which had a pretty effect, especially those that were gracefully entwined in their black hair, which hung, from the exercise they were taking, in loose and careless locks on their necks and shoulders. They sat and rode well, and as far as we could see them, came on a full canter.

Monday, March 7th. This day of universal prayer, has in the kind ness of God, been made to us truly auspicious and happy, by an event which I doubt not, my dear sister, will secure your congratulations and joyful thanksgiving-Harriet is a second time a mother-and in the birth of a daughter, expresses herself under obligations of renewed love and devotedness to her covenant Saviour and God. In this dispensation, "He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities," and we can testify that " as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him." "He knoweth our frame, he remembereth that we are dust""He redeemeth our lives from destruction and crowneth us with loving kindness and tender mercies" therefore we will call upon our souls and all that is within us, to bless his holy name, and to forget not all his benefits. May the blessings of Israel's God rest on those he has given us, and may the portion that belongeth to his people be their rich inheritance.

March 10th. Within the last few days the whale ships Reaper and Dauphin came into port, and this morning the Peru and the Almira were added to their number. These last ones directly from America, have brought letters and papers

from some of our friends, and considerable supplies for the Mission. But every other feeling is lost in surprise and sorrow, at the truly melancholy intelligence they bring, of the death of our friends Kamamanu and Rihoriho. Mr. Evart's letter gave information of the decease of the former only: and as it was written but a few days before the vessels sailed, we at first flattered ourselves that the report of the king's death was founded in that of his companion. A paper, however, of a later date than the secretary's communication, assures us too fully of the unhappy fact. The truth is a shock to us-so much so, indeed, that we frankly confess, our tears are mingled with those of the chiefs and people, who are almost overwhelmed by the bereavement. We feel that we have lost those in whom we had a very deep interest, if they did not possess our warm and tender love; and there were circumstances in their embarkation, the recollection of which will always cause us to sigh, that they were denied against their own strong wish, and against the wish of the mission and of the nation, the privilege of having a pious teacher, interpreter and guardian with them.

We had indulged many speculations, as to the probable effect of their visit on themselves and their people-but the death of both, or of one of them, never entered our minds, except as connected with the general possibility of events. But it was the will of God, that they should go as they did go; and in the accomplishment of that same will, they have died at the place and under the circumstances that they did die. In this, as in all other cases, we have the high and holy consolation, that every mystery in His providence will eventually exalt the honour and the glory of his grace. Though clouds and darkness are often round about him, still righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne;

and in view of the wisdom of his counsels, an assembled universe will yet exclaim-" Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty-just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints!"

March 15th. We think it probable our friends in America will feel some solicitude, lest the death of the king should prove an occasion of insurrection and bloodshed in the islands-but of this we have scarce had a thought, much less an apprehension. So long as the Prince Ke-au-i-ke-ou-li lives, the right of succession is indisputable. Rihoriho in his council with the chiefs, previous to his embarkation, formally and publickly appointed him successor, in case he should never return and from the time of his departure the lad has been regarded, and officially addressed by the chiefs and people, as their king. This has been more especially the case of late: so that the intelligence has produced little or no change in his standing in the government-and none in his title, except the assumption of the name of Tameamea (or Tamehameha) III., as the official signature of the successor of Rihoriho.

Indeed, my dear M., in every respect our covenant God seems to have been preparing the way most happily for the arrival of the tidings; and the chiefs in power were never before in a state so favourable to political integrity and peace. Auspicious as the whole history of this mission has been, ever since (and even before) its first establishment on these shores, still the last three months must be regarded as the commencement of a new and more happy era in its progress, than had previously been known.

We have every reason to believe that the principles of eternal truth, with its sanctions from which they are inseparable, which for near five years have been enforced on the minds and the hearts of the leaders of this people, are beginning to

have their destined and desired effect on their characters and lives; and that many of the most powerful of them, from the fear of God and a sincere love of his righteousness, are ceasing in heart to do evil, and learning to do well.

I think I can safely say, that we have good and satisfactory evidence of genuine piety, in the cases of a large number of the most influential personages in the nation; while all the rest are, in a greater or less degree, our avowed friends and followers in belief and practice. We cannot but think, the once imperious, haughty, and even scornful regent, Kaahumanu, a sincere Christian; she certainly is a most altered woman; and we have reason to hope the alteration arises from that change of heart, which humbles all who experience it at the feet of Jesus.

Her husband, Keariiahonui, a son of the lamented Taumuarii, (Tamoree,) gives still more decided evidence of love to God and man; and daily performs the part of an active and zealous missionary, by going from house to house in every direction, teaching, exhorting, and praying with the people. Opiia, another of the queens dowager of Tameamea, and Laanui, her husband, are equally exemplary in every respect, as are also Tapuli the exqueen of Tanai, and her husband, Kaiu. To these may be added Karaimoku, Karaikoa, and many others of less note; (I speak now only of the high chiefs at present at this place) and this number includes the power of the kingdom. These, with the young king, and every chief of any importance, have regular family worship with their respective households twice a-daynever take a meal without having a blessing asked and thanks returned-observe the Sabbath with becoming propriety-attend all the religious instructions of the week, both private and publick-and studiously avoid every kind of amuse

ment and pastime, not consistent with strict sobriety and Christian decorum. Their whole minds and their whole time seem given to our institution; and so far from becoming weary, they appear more and more desirous of making night and day profitable, by the acquisition of new light and a new knowledge of the word of God. Such is the state in which the melancholy tidings found them-and the effect is apparently such as might be expected-it was a dreadful blow, but we have seen and heard none of the extravagant expressions of heathen grief. For the first day or two, their sorrow was evidently keen and deep, but it was quiet, humble and Christian-their tears fell silently and rapidly, but they manifested no disposition to indulge in the loud wailing by which they were once accustomed to vent their grief.

The same day the news arrivedafter the weekly lecture from the appropriate text, "The Lord-gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord"Karaimoku, entirely of his own accord, rose and addressed the people-commanding them to observe two weeks of humiliation, of penitence and prayer, on account of the calamity which had befallen them. I could scarcely command my feelings, at this unexpected evidence of the happy light in which he viewed the dispensation. The next morning, minute guns were fired from daybreak till eight o'clock, both by the fort on the point and the battery on Punch-bowl hill-the shipping wore their colours at half-mast, and all the chiefs put on full black.

Four official communications, for Tanai, Maui, and Hawaii, conveying the intelligence, and enjoining the observance of the season of humiliation and prayer, were also prepared and signed by the king and two regents, Kaahumanu and Ka

raimoku, and despatched by Opiia, accompanied by Mr. Chamberlain.

16th. Another arrival from America, the brig Convoy, Capt. M'Neil, from Boston. We have Heralds and papers by her, six weeks later than those by the Almira, but no letters for myself and family. We learn but few additional particulars of the king and queen, except that their bodies may be daily expected, in a government vessel commanded by Lord Byron. A copy of a letter from Mr. Bender, secretary of the London Missionary Society, informing that the king, queen, and party, were inaccessible to a deputation from that body, both before and during their illness, has added greatly to our grief. The chiefs are exceedingly distressed to know that they died without the prayers of the people and ministers of God. The dispensation, in all its circumstances, is dark to us-but it will yet be light!

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Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan his work in vain,
God is his own interpreter,
And he will make it plain.

March 26th. I am called in very great haste to close my journal, in order that it may be sent by an opportunity now occurring, and which may be the last for many months to come. Nothing new has occurred arrival from Boston, the brig Grifsince my last date, except another fen, Capt. Pierce. By it I received a letter from Mr. Pomeroy, making me acquainted with the kindness of our friends at Cooperstown.

I send a hasty answer by the present vessel. We are all doing well and are happy. May the blessing of God rest on my dear sister, and all that is hers.

Yours, as ever, CHARLES SAMUEL STEWART.

Keview.

The character and measures of the emperor Alexander, of Russia, lately deceased, have become more interesting to the friends of religion than they would otherwise be, from the part which he once took in the promotion of Bible Societies and evangelical missions, and from the lamentable change, at the close of his reign, of a course which seemed to be so favourable both to his own happiness and to that of his widely extended empire. The following article, extracted from the Eclectic Review for May last, contains remarks and information relative to this distinguished monarch, which we think will prove interesting to our readers. For ourselves, we do not altogether agree with the Reviewer, whose work we quote, in regard to Alexander's character. We grant that he wanted firmness, and admit that this was a great want; yet, on the whole, we think he had more talent and less virtue, than is conceded to him in the following article. While we are satisfied of the justice of the observations with which this article is introduced and closed, it is our opinion, that if Alexander's good principles had been as deep and efficient as they once seemed to be, he did not lack the talents and address necessary to ensure success to the measures which those principles had dictated. Neither is our estimate of the character of Prince Galitzin, in perfect accordance with that of the Reviewer. We regard that prince not only as an amiable man and a devout Christian, but as an able statesman, who wanted nothing but the steady and decided countenance, support, and co-operation of his sovereign, to have effected as much for the benefit of his country, as the peculiar and unhappy state of society there existing would have permitted.

We are unwilling to believe-we do not believe-that the emperor Alexander was a deliberate political hypocrite, in his acknowledgments of the signal interposition of Divine Providence, in preserving Russia when assailed by the mighty power of Buonaparte, and in all that he did for the propagation of revealed truth. We believe that in all this he acted as he felt at the moment; but that his feelings were of that temporary and transient kind which princes, as well as private indivi duals, have often experienced and manifested, and which are extinguished and lost when temptations and trials assail them.

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We also think that the writer of the following review, ought to have noticed the influence of the clergy, as a fourth obstacle to the work of reformation in Russia. It was their influence, quite as much as that of the lay nobility and the officers of the army, which operated to deter Alexander from continuing to yield to the counsels of Galitzin. The Pope, too, had a considerable agency in opposing the diffusion of the Scriptures; and it was the combination of the whole of these causes which made the unhappy emperor that his power, and perhaps his crown and his life, would be endangered, if he did not change his course. He wanted the firmness and the strength of principle necessary carry him forward, in the face of all this array of hostility. He yielded, and by yielding we verily believe he has done that which will issue in the event which he dreaded. We pretend to no special sagacity in foreseeing the effects which must follow from their proper causes, in morals and in politicks. But with out such pretension, we venture to prognosticate, that Russia will not long remain in its present state

to

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that convulsions of a very serious kind are not far distant; and that the proper preventive of these would have been a continuance, under prudent guards and with wary but fearless steps, in that very course which Alexander abandoned, and in which his brother, it appears, is following his example. If absolute monarchs will not gradually relax the gripe of power, and by degrees prepare their subjects for the blessings of knowledge and freedom, the people, as soon as they have the opportunity, will seek to right themselves, and to trample their oppressors in the dust.

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If it be at all times, and under all circumstances, far from easy to form a correct estimate of the character of monarchs, the difficulty increases in a tenfold degree when the qualities of a Russian autocrat are subjected to the investigation of his contemporaries. We are too apt to imagine that a despotick sovereign is perfectly unshackled; that his counsels are free from the distraction of conflicting, or the embarrassment of overbearing interests; that his measures, whether for good or for evil, are selforiginated and unimpeded; that his choice of instruments depends entirely on his own judgment; and that the principles of his rule may be fairly inferred from the moral aspect of his reign, the effects of his political system, and the general condition of his people. It may be true, that these are the only materials within our reach, and equally so, that they shall prove quite insufficient for the specifick purpose. The veriest tyrant is more or less under restraint. VOL. IV. Ch. Adv.

There are considerations of inevasible urgency, impulses and resistances that set arbitrary power at defiance, controlling influences to which the most absolute will must yield; and no history can exemplify the operation of these circumstances more emphatically than that of Russia. There are three tremendous agencies, of which the Tsar must be in continual dread,

the nobility, the army, and the people. Among the first, there has hitherto been no difficulty in finding conspirators and assassins; the second is a two-edged weapon, as dangerous to the unskilful wielder as to the enemy; and for the third, no mob is so irritable and sanguinary as a rabble of slaves. It is vastly easy to sit down in the safety and quietness of private life in a free country, and define the canons of policy and morality by which a ruler thus situated shall regulate his conduct; but it would-we do not say that it should become a very different affair, were we personally concerned in the matter. Commanding intellect, unyielding firmness, consummate intrepidity and self-possession, above all, stern and uncompromising moral principle must combine with kind and beneficent feelings, to make up a temper equal to the full requisi tions of so trying an elevation.

We have no inclination, certainly, to depreciate the character of the late Emperor Alexander, but we cannot take it even as approaching to our beau idéal in the present case. That he was a man of good intentions and respectable talents, we are quite willing to believe, but it'must be kept in view, that a much higher order of faculty is required in the master of a realm of slaves, than will be efficient in the governor of a free and represented people. The former has no check to his caprice, but in the exercise of his own judgment; no aid to his administration in open and unrestrained counsel and rebuke: the latter has an ad3 A

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