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Mr. Hyacinth, director of the Russian Mission to Pekin for 13 years, has returned to St. Petersburg from China, bringing with him a history of that country, statistical and geographical accounts.

The following account of the first launch of the steam vessel in India is from a Calcutta paper of July 27th:

"Steam Vessel.-At exactly nine minutes past four on Saturday afternoon, the first steam vessel which ever floated on the waters of the East left the stocks at Kyd's yard, Kidderpore. She went off in slow majestic time, without the smallest confusion or accident. The vessel sits well on the water, and is a great ornament to the river. She has our most sincere and earnest wishes for her success, and we will hail her as the harbinger of future vessels of her kind, who will waft us to our native shores with speed and pleasure. She was named the Diana."

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Colonization Society.-The seventh annual meeting of this Society was held at Washington, on the 20th ultimo, and the proceedings appear at length in the National Intelligencer. The Society voted that the territory near Cape Mesurado, shall be called Liberia-and the town now laid out Monrovia-that application be made to Congress for assistance -that auxiliary societies be formed in every State, and that the thanks of the Society be returned to Capt. Spence, Lieut. Dashiel, of the U. States Navy; Captains Lainy, Maclay, Woodbridge, Lieut. Kathway, and Mr. Seton, officers in the Naval service of His Britannic Majesty, and to Dr. Eli Ayres, the U. States Agent, for the services they had rendered to the Colony.

The work which Mr. Worcester of Cambridge, Massachusetts, the author of the excellent Universal Gazetteer, has just issued in two volumes duodecimo, under the title of "SKETCHES OF THE EARTH AND ITS INHABITANTS, is one of the best compilations that we have ever seen, for the instruction of youth of both sexes, in the department of knowledge indicated in the title. It comprises a description of the grand features of Nature: the principal mountains, rivers, natural curiosities, cities, remarkable edifices and ruins; together with a view of Manners and Customs of different nations,

&c:" the whole illustrated by one hundred engravings. These engravings are well chosen as to the subjects, and neatly 'executed.-Nat. Gaz.

the

The fourth volume of the Biography of Signers of the Declaration of Independence, by Mr. Waln, furnishes much personal and political history, in which every reader will find gratification. The notices of George Read of Delaware, and George Clymer of Pennsylvania, are so full and interesting, that we intend to make an abstract of them for our columns as soon as we can command the requisite space. The sketches of Thomas Heyward, William Williams, Samuel Huntingdon, William Floyd, and Benjamin Rush, contained in the same volume, are all fitted to inspire a high respect for their characters and public services.Nat. Gaz.

Professor Griscom, of New York, has issued proposals for a new periodical publication, to be entitled, "The Mecha. nic's and Manufacturer's Magazine," to be published monthly, and to be devoted to the Arts and Trades of the United States.

Dwight's Theology, has been published A new pocket edition of President in London, in six pocket volumes, with a copious life of the author, and a portrait by Romney. This edition is printed by T. and J. Allman.

Mr. Stephen, the author of the famous pamphlet, "War in Disguise," has published in London, an octavo volume of upwards of 500 pages on Negro Slavery in the British West India Colonies. Mr. Stephen is an Abolitionist, and the intimate friend and coadjutor of Wilberforce.

A Latin Manuscript of Milton, occupying 735 closely written pages, has been discovered in the London State Paper office-the subject is religious.

Calligraphy.-M. Le Roi, of Paris, has contrived a new and very simple method for teaching the art of writing. A thin and perfectly transparent plate of horn, of the usual size of a leaf of paper, has the polish removed from one of its sides. -When laid upon the copy the hand of a child easily traces the letters upon the unpolished side, which neither absorbs the ink nor allows it to spread. When the whole plate is written over, the ink is washed off with water, and is ready for a new exercise. Thus the same horn, which is not liable to break, may serve indefinitely, and by this means produce a great economy of paper-a consideration not to be neglected. Several analogous methods have been adopted both in

England and France. Oiled paper, glass, a machine for guiding the pupil's hand, &c. have been used, but it is evident that the method of M. Le Roi has none of their imperfections. The minister of the interior, who has witnessed the success obtained by this invention, has rewarded the author; and the societies of encouragement, and of elementary instruction, as well as the writing academy, have expressed their approbation of this new process. Mothers may teach their children to write in the absence of the mas

ter, or even dispense with his attendance, by the adoption of the horn.

been executed at Paris, under the diA new gold coinage for Greece bas rection of Denon, the traveller. On one side is the Archangel Michael, with the flaming sword and the dove; the latter the symbol of peace. On the reverse, the lion, the emblem of strength, encircled by a serpent, meaning to pourtray eternity, and around, the word "Resurrection."

FOREIGN.

Keligious Intelligence.

We have received from India the "Third report relative to the Serampore college, for the year ending Dec. 31st, 1822."

"The great object of the Institution is, to diffuse that light throughout the country as far as its influence can extend, which shall promote the welfare of India by ameliorating its intellectual and moral condition. This it aims at accomplishing ims at accomplishing by giving a classic Indian education to the ablest of the youths furnished by its increasing native Christian population, together with a knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures, of general history, geogra phy, and natural science, and of the Engfish tongue to a select number;-by imparting general knowledge to such Hindoo and Mussulman youths as may be placed on the Institution by, subscribers who have that privilege ;-and by holding out to those European and Indo-British youth who may wish to study at Serampore College, all its advantages, without any distinction relative to birth, nation, or religious creed. Such are the principles on which this Institution is established, the grand wish of its founders being, to render it in every possible way a blessing to British India.”

The details of this report relate to the following items--the college buildings-number and state of the students--proficiency--examina

tion-divinity professor-medical professor-observatory-the library-English class. The report is signed by Dr. Marshman, as secretary of the committee for conducting the college. The whole is a well written paper of half a large sheet,

closely printed. Unable to give it entire, as we sincerely wished and had almost resolved to do, we shall summarily state that the buildings of the college-the dimensions of which are not stated, but which, as we understand the report, are three in number, 48 feet from each other-are not finished; yet they are so far completed as to accommodate the professors and pupils. There are four suites of rooms for the professors-" each suite contains eight rooms of various sizes, four below and four above." The Rev. John Mack, the professor in the scientifick department, arrived with Mr. Ward from England, and had been employed in giving a course of chemical lectures in Calcutta, with the apparatus of Serampore college.

"The Students in the College at the date of the last Report were forty-five, fifteen in the Preparatory Seminary, and thirty actually studying in the College; and although two have been excluded, four removed by death, and four have returned to their own homes, the number at present on the College foundation is fifty; fifteen in the preparatory seminary, and thirty-five pursuing their studies in the College."

Of these, twenty-six are native Christians, two Mussulmans, and seven Brahmans.-The proficiency of the students in the Sungskrit, Persian, and English languages, is represented as highly pleasing and satisfactory. Particular pains are

used to instruct the native youths in Geography and Astronomy; as a knowledge of these is calculated to subvert the very foundation of some of their superstitions. At the late examination

This

"Among those who had distinguished themselves by their diligence for a shorter period, was a grandson of Krishnoo, lately deceased, the first native who embraced Christianity at Serampore. youth, about eleven years of age, having been admitted into the College from the Preparatory Seminary a few months before, now repeated such a portion of the Sungskrit grammar, as evinced extraordinary diligence and application. The promise thus given of this youth's realizing the highest classic attainments of his own country while instructed in the Holy Scripture, and of being possibly trained up to eminent future usefulness, seemed to delight all present who knew and esteemed his excellent grandfather."

In speaking of a divinity professor, the report states, that

"Of the four youths who have died this year in the College, two gave reason to hope that they had not become acquainted with the Scriptures in vain. Among those now studying in the College, there are five decidedly pious: and the Committee now heavily feel the want of a Divinity Professor among these Christian youths, who bid so fair for future use"feel that they shall fulness;" and they not have discharged their duty to these Native Christian youths, till they shall have procured a man, pious, learned, and able, who, as Professor of Divinity, shall devote his whole time to the instruction of pious native young men."

"Respecting a Medical Professor, the Committee have felt it their duty to apply for assistance to Government. Since publishing their last Report, their attention has been particularly turned to the importance of attempting to introduce sound medical knowledge among the Natives. The number of those who perish year by year, almost wholly through ignorance of the first principles of the healing art, is truly affecting; while many others are rendered almost helpless for life through a partial recovery from wounds and fractures. The fact is, that neither Hindoos nor Moosulmans have any correct knowledge of Anatomy, on which so much of the healing art depends; and hence, with the medicines they have in use, some of which are powerful, they kill almost as many as they cure."

had given so much encouragement in regard to the support of a medical professor, that "the committee have written home, for a man who shall unite sound medical knowledge to sterling piety, and a regard for the welfare of India."-The committee say, that the situation of the college, and the height of the central college building, being nearly 70 feet, afford great advan tages for an Astronomical Observatory. They have some instruments already, and they justly remark, that

"The utility of an observatory to those natives who study astronomy, must be too obvious to need mentioning; actual observations made from time to time, must carry to the mind that demonstration of the truth of the Newtonian system, and the falsehood of their own, in its own nature irresistible."

"The Library has this year received considerable additions. The Side Rooms which contain it, being ready, the Serampore Missionaries have presented to the Library of the College, about three thousand volumes, which they have been assiduously employed above twenty years in collecting, together with a number for which they have been indebted to the generosity of various friends in Britain, deeming it impossible to render these volumes more useful, than by adding them to the College Library. In addition to these, the Library has also been enriched by donations of books from various friends both in India and Britain, whom they now intreat to accept their warmest thanks for this proof of their generous regard for the interests of the Institution, and the promotion of knowledge in India. They beg leave to add, that while they shall feel grateful for any book or manuscript in the languages either of Europe or India, with which any individual may be pleased generously to enlarge the College Library, they shall feel peculiar obligations to any Society or learned body in India, Europe, or America, who may be pleased to enrich it with sets of their

Transactions.

"It has been already said, that of the are Moosulmans, and seven thirty-five actually studying in the College, two Brahmans. It may not be improper to add, that since they have been on the nor Moosulman youths have been request. College foundation, neither the Brahman ed to do any thing which in the least degree militates against their ideas of cast. It appears that the government While a regular attendance on the exer

cises of the College, and correct moral behaviour, are indispensably necessary to their continuance in the College, it is an invariable rule of the Institution, to offer no violence whatever to conscience, how ever mistaken it may be in its governing principle. The Christian youth of course attend all the religious exercises of the College, and should any one of the other youths choose to attend, he is not prohibited. But his attendance is perfectly optional. He is never treated in the slightest degree as an offender, for absenting himself from any exercise which may run counter to his own ideas of religious duty."

On the study of the English language in the college, the committee dilate considerably, in showing its importance both to the natives who are utterly ignorant of it, and to those who have some acquaintance with it already-especially in the prospect and hope that many of these youth will become missionaries. The report concludes with stating, that the funds of the institution are "four thousand Rupees behind, and that they expect to increase their expenses, by the addition of a divinity professor, and from some other causes."

"But this, under the Divine goodness, they cheerfully leave to that public who have hitherto so generously encouraged all their attempts to promote the welfare of their Indian fellow-subjects, intreating them to accept their warmest thanks for the patronage with which they have already honoured this infant Institution."

tected and exposed. For ourselves, we do most sincerely rejoice in the prospect of the good which is likely to be done by this noble foundation, in promoting science and piety in happy union, among the benighted pagans of the East.

In our last number we inserted a short letter from the Rev. Dr. MORRISON, Written at Canton, in China, in October last: and we promised to give some account of two pamphlets with which the letter was accompanied. The first of these pamphlets is entitled-" A sermon to sailors at Wampoa in China, on the deck of the American ship Pacifick, intended to have been preach

ed, Nov. 3d, 1822.-The fire of Canton suburbs on November the 1st, 2d, and Sd, prevented the design being carried into effect on that day, but it was preached on board the Pacifick, December the 8th, 1822. About fifty seamen and officers present. Malacca: Printed at the Mission Press."

This is a singular and interesting discourse, at once from the circumstances in which it was preached, the place at which it was printed, and the manner in which the learned author treats his subject. The text is taken from Ezekiel, xxxvi. 20; and the discussion that follows is in a style studiously colloquialAs it was for the establishment no doubt that it might be perfectly of this college, that Mr. Ward so- intelligible to those to whom it was licited donations in this country, addressed. But it is full of thought we have supposed that it would be and information, and well adapted gratifying to many of our readers, to answer the end which the excelespecially to those who liberally lent missionary who uttered it had contributed on that occasion, to see in view. Did our space permit, we that their liberality has not been should willingly insert a number of abused, but is likely to be produc- extracts. We can only say, that tive of extensive and lasting bene- the reading of it reminded us strongfit. We have, therefore, been at ly of a remark of Johnson in his some pains to give a correct gene- life of Dr. Watts, "Every man acral view of the state of the institu- quainted with the common princition, as exhibited in this report-ples of human action, will look with which there can be no doubt has been fairly made, as any material error or misrepresentation could not fail to be immediately de

veneration on the writer, who is at one time combating Locke, and at another making a catechism for children in their fourth year. A vo

luntary descent from the dignity of science is perhaps the hardest lesson that humility can teach." Yet it taught, as the sermon before us evinces, the translator of Confucius and the author of a Chinese Dictionary, to preach to fifty sailors on the deck of a ship, and then to print for their use, a sermon in which every thought and word is adapted to their understanding and directed to their improvement.

Two additional papers are contained in this pamphlet, and follow the sermon.-The first is, another address to sailors, in the same style with the sermon, which, it appears, had been printed and distributed among them, before the sermon was delivered; and in which the author reasons and remonstrates with them, in regard to the vices and excesses in which they indulge in China, and by which they often incur serious personal injury, occasion loss to their employers, and bring reproach on their connexions and country, and on the Christian name and cause. It is concluded with the following "Sailor's prayer, written in the Atlantick Ocean, on board the ship Mexico."

"Guide us, O! thou great Jehovah,

Wanderers on the mighty deep; From the storm and raging tempest, Deign our floating bark to keep; Lord of Heaven!

Bid the breeze propitious blow.

Be our safeguard through the nightAnd our guardian all the day. [watch, To our destined port in safety,

Give us fleet and gladsome way; Strong Deliverer!

Be thou still our strength and shield.

And when life's short voyage is over,
In the haven of the blest,
May we, guided by thy Spirit,

Find an everlasting rest;

Father hear us!

For the great Redeemer's sake."

The second paper contained in this pamphlet, is addressed "To the Publick-Canton, Dec. 1st. 1822." It consists of a "proposal for bettering the morals and condiVOL. II. Ch. Adv.

tion of sailors in China;" and is thus introduced-" At Whampoa, the anchorage of European ships which frequent China, there are annually, from fifteen to twenty large Indiamen; and between twenty and forty vessels from the United States. The crews of those ships make collectively, from two to three thousand men, all of whom speak the English language; and therefore, under the operation of liberal and Christian sentiments, any benevolent efforts for the good of these men, while in China, may include both nations." The proposal of Dr. Morrison is, that there should be, I. A FLOATING HOSPITAL; to which the sick and infirm may be removed, and in which they may receive far better medical aid than they do, or can receive, at present. II. A FLOATING CHAPEL," with sermons twice a day, on the Sabbath; which would furnish the means of rational occupation and of religious and moral instruction, to as many of the seamen as chose to avail themselves of it; many of whom would no doubt gladly do so, if a pious, zealous preacher addressed them." It remains to be seen whether the plan contained in this proposal of Dr. Morrison will be carried into effect or not. We hope it will; and we cannot forbear to remark, that these pious and benevolent plans and efforts of Dr. M., are among many evidences to show, that the enemies of missionaries are the enemies of humanity, as well as of religion.-Our notice of the second pamphlet of Dr. M., which relates to a very important subject, must be delayed till the coming month.

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