Suppose an island were discovered in the Atlantic, hitherto unvisited by our ships, with an ignorant and barbarian population; and suppose the fact ascertained from their legends and language, that they were the descendants of some cast-away voyagers from our shores-a week would not elapse after the intelligence of the event reached us, before the country would be under the influence of a universal excitement; and organized plans for their mental and moral relief would be promptly adopted and vigorously pursued. Or suppose the sixteen thousand children of Bethnal-green and Spitalfields, at present apart from weekday and Sunday-school instruction, were a separate colony in the highlands of the north, a mission of enlightenment would at once be set on foot commensurate with their wants, and labourers go forth to induce an employment of the means. Imagination gives to the remote and unseen a power over us which the daily near and sensible have not. But to enter into the reality of things, and to deal out to them an even-handed justice, whether lying by our thresholds or at a distance, is the rational and Christian mode of procedure.

It is not meant to be insinuated that our foreign benevolent operations are conducted upon a scale that is too extended, or with a zest which their importance does not warrant. The plan, if enlarged, and the spirit, if augmented, would simply be a discharge of duty on the part of a great nation, long blessed with the light of the gospel, rich in wealth, and maintaining constant intercourse by its fleets with the various regions of the globe. But while we have not been too excursive in the indulgence of our philanthropy, it is nevertheless true, that we have not been sufficiently domestic; and that of schemes of evangelisation for our antipodes, and some neglected concerns at home of weighty moment, it may be said, "This ought ye to have done, and not to have left the

tingly been committed, viewing the matter merely in the light of policy. To extend the bounds of knowledge and religion in our own land, is effectually to assist the same extension in relation to the world, and to secure the meeting of our countrymen abroad from being the antagonism of discordant elements. We enlist hereby a greater number in the general service, and we diminish the evil which exists to an enormous extent, of English depravity on the shores of China, and amid the isles of the Pacific, marring the enterprises, and destroying the effect of English religion. -Rev. T. Milner.

THE WAY TO TRUE PEACE.

To obtain a satisfactory persuasion of their own present and future safety is too exclusively desired by many Christians. They are too much occupied with thinking of themselves, and too little of their Lord. They live upon their own spiritual condition - upon their frames and feelings. They are greatly elevated when any sensible enlargement is vouchsafed, and rejoice more in the gift than in its gracious Giver. And, again, they are cast down and miserable, as if all hope were lost, when they can find nothing in their own hearts to yield them consolation. We would earnestly desire to turn all such persons from this pursuit of a false, to the possession of a true peace, by fixing their faith not so much on what they are to God, as on what he is to them. The only true source of consolation and confidence for life and death, for time and for eternity, lies in Jehovah, the unchanging and unchangeable Fountain-the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. The timid and trembling Christian can never be delivered from his doubts and apprehensions till he be brought to live on God alone, and find in him the secret of his unfailing peace, and the basis of his everlasting happiness. It is not what we can make ourselves to God that will change him; but it is what he has made himself to man that will change us. Were it even possible that we could make ourselves sheep of his fold, what assurance could we have that he would undertake the office of a shepherd? We might earnestly wish and fervently pray that he would do so; but neither our wishes nor our prayers could give us evidence of the fact.-Stevenson.

CHINESE HOSPITALITY.

AT five P.M., says the Rev. G. Smith, we passed within the city gate at Amoy, and soon arrived at the entrance of the palace, where Hoo Chun and another officer met us, and ushered us into a waiting-room. Here we had to wait a few minutes, while Hoo Chun prepared our Chinese card, which we had forgotten to bring with us. They were very particular in observing these little matters of etiquette, before our arrival was announced to the great men. Soon after, we were conducted in due state through the great central folding-doors, which were thrown open for us to enter. We passed onward, between two lines of attendants, and through a succession of courts and folding-doors, to a flight of steps, at the top of which four of the mandarins came out to offer us their greetings; which latter ceremony they generally performed with

both hands. The arrangements for placing us in the most honourable seats occupied about five minutes; at the end of which, the loud discharge of three guns, and the sonorous cries of attendants clearing the way, announced the approach of his excellency the taou-tai. He soon after arrived in his sedan at the outer flight of steps, with a company of guards and attendants, carrying red umbrellas, and the usual insignia of office. All the four officials went out to receive him as he alighted, and escorted him into the reception-hall, where he came and shook hands with us all round. The same ceremony and etiquette was observed among themselves, about the honourable seats, till at last each took his place according to his official precedence. They were all attired in costly sable furs, and wore a knob on their caps, and various embroidered badges on their bosom, indicative of their respective rank. The

te-tok and hai-hong alone wore a peacock's feather, which is a kind of honorary decoration, resembling the order of the Bath. The te-tok had been recently restored to his honours, and now wore a a red knob or button on his cap, as a military officer of the first class. Great attention was paid by the rest to the two Manchoo officers, especially to the taoutai, who alone, with the admiral, enjoys the title of ta jin, or, "his excellency;" the others being styled ta laou-yay, or "his lordship." After some conversation among themselves, about the south-west wind and the weather, tea and pipes were brought in, and each was soon on familiar terms with his neighbour. My seat was next to that of the taou-tai, who took the opportunity of thanking me for a recent present of maps. The tables were soon after arranged for the reception of the materials of a feast. When the announcement was made that every thing was ready, we had to spend another period of five minutes in arranging our seats, till at last we resigned ourselves to the disposal of our hosts, which had the effect of shortening the time of our standing. Two English missionaries were placed as a president and a vicepresident at each end of the table, the rest of the foreign guests occupying the seats immediately on the right and left of the president and vice-president. Our hosts themselves took the intermediate spaces in the centre of the table, which are esteemed by the Chinese the lowest seats in their guest-chambers. The middle of the table contained little heaps of cakes, pickles, preserved fruits, and sweetmeats. Some chopsticks were placed before us, together with European spoons, knives, and forks, which they had borrowed for the occasion. Our little bowls and saucers were frequently changed, as stews and soups of birds'-nests, pork, fish, sharks'-fins, ducks, and marrowbones, were served in rapid succession. Then followed roasted pigs, and a substantial joint of mutton, which they had provided, lest we should be unable to make a meal of their Chinese and Manchoo dishes. When we relaxed our endeavours to do honour to their hospitality, they would unceremoniously dip their chopsticks, just issuing from their own mouths, into one of the dishes, and plentifully help us with the contents into our own basins. After about twenty dishes, the serving of which lasted nearly two hours, rice was placed before us, as

a signal that the festivities were nearly at an end. They frequently drank a small cup of fermented beverage made from rice, with which they repeatedly challenged each other. On each occasion, after swallowing the whole contents, they presented the cup in an inverted position, to show that they had duly honoured the challenge. Small glasses of port wine were placed before ourselves, which some of our number, being rigid professors of the principles of total abstinence, omitted to drink. This led to our hosts making several inquiries; and, in explanation, they were informed of the origin of temperance societies. In reply to their questions, it was stated that total abstinence was not deemed an essential point of our religion, but that each Christian judged for himself in the matter, carefully guarding against excess, and abuse of God's blessings. Hereupon the mandarins exchanged some sly looks among themselves, and amused each other with some jokes at the expense of the Budhist priests, who, they said, were very strict in abstaining from flesh and wine during the day, but sometimes contrived to overcome their scruples on these points during the night.

The dishes were soon cleared away, and the red varnished tables were wiped with some paper napkins of the same kind as those placed for our own use. Their necklaces, with their aromatic scent, which had been laid aside during the meal, were now brought, and replaced over their necks by some attendants, about one hundred of whom stood around us. The cham-hoo, being the only officer who understood the local dialect, bore a principal part in the conversation, and generally interpreted to the others; our friend chun-hoo standing by, and sometimes volunteering to offer some remarks. The te-tok ordered his English barometer, which he had purchased from a Chinese at a high price, to be placed on the table before him; and he now seemed greatly annoyed at its supposed failure, as it had not predicted the change of wind which took place during the day. The same functionary expatiated on the dangers of the sea, to which the wife of one of the missionaries present was exposed in her voyage to Europe, in ill-health; among which he mentioned the existence of icebergs, some of which he had seen in his cruises off the northern coast of China. Concerning the cause of the icebergs, he

advanced some strange theories, and stated that he was of opinion that they were nothing else than frozen masses of sea-water, and that the waves, when dashing aloft in a storm, were suddenly frozen into a heap! The hai-quan also wished to show us his incipient knowledge of English, by trying to pronounce our English numerals up to ten. He asked several questions about Russia, France, England, and America, especially inquiring whether the English and Americans had the same written character as well as the same spoken language; he also wished to know whether the English could speak the Mongul-Tartar language or the Russian language; the latter question being probably suggested by his recollection of the Russian linguists of Peking. Tea and tobacco were again brought, and we were soon enveloped in clouds of smoke. They all evinced great refinement and politeness of manner towards each other, and appeared to be on terms of friendly cordiality among themselves. As they performed their civilities towards each other, the thought, however, would intrude itself on our minds, of the hollow insincerity and duplicity which lurked beneath the surface of their polite manners and friendly bearing. Each lived on the proceeds of extortion practised on the people; while each again had to disgorge a portion of his ill-acquired gain to his superior officer. The taou-tai, a Manchoo, was stationed at Amoy, principally as a spy on the proceedings of the other officers, and as a check against the influence of those of purely Chinese descent. He had scarcely any duties to perform, but reaped a rich revenue from his connivance at the extortions of the subordinate authorities. It was currently reported among the Chinese at Amoy, that he annually received from the hai-hong, as a douceur, more than double the salary received from the government by the latter. The mode by which this additional sum is realized receives a ready explanation from the generally prevalent practice of bribery and sale of justice.

We took our departure, amid many compliments and apologies; some of them expressing regret that they should have given us such a paltry entertainment, and stating their fear that we had eaten nothing. They accompanied us to the outer court, where the attendants supplied each of us with a flaming flambeau, by the blazing glare of which we passed

ears.

through the streets to our home. Ponies, strangely caparisoned with trappings and bells, were waiting for the officials in the outer court of the palace. The taou-tai immediately followed as soon as we had left, as the three guns and the pipings of musicians quickly informed our The people in the adjoining streets gazed on us as we came forth from the precincts of the palace, and were apparently astonished by this discovery of the new inroads of foreign influence on the policy of their rulers. The attentions which we received were of the most marked character; no Europeans ever having received similar honour, who, like ourselves, were not indebted for the distinction to the fact of their filling official appointments under the British government. The principal motive which prompted these attentions, was doubtless a desire to confer a testimonial of respect on the missionaries, although selfish motives may have exerted their influence in the matter.

CLIMATE IN RELATION TO HEALTH AND DISEASE.

We have already seen that man cannot be naturalized, neither does he usually retain health and vigour in a latitude very different from that to which he has been accustomed. Of those Europeans who arrive on the banks of the Ganges, how many fall early victims to the climate, how many speedily droop, and in a few years find it requisite to seek again their native air. Nor do the inhabitants of intertropical regions fare much better when transported even to our temperate clime. The African children brought over some years since by the Sierra Leone Company, seldom survived their third year. "They bear the first winter pretty well," was the testimony of Dr. Pearson on the subject, "but droop during the second, and the third generally proves fatal to them." The grain coast of Guinea, on the other hand, is the most insalubrious to Europeans of any known climate. Scarcely raised a few feet above the level of the sea, abounding in marshes and jungle, subject to inundations during the rainy season, admitting only of rice cultivation, a native of the north scarce ever passes a night on its shores without being subject to disease. But the negro variety of our race is found there in its greatest perfection, and most

perfect symmetry, usually enjoying health, and sometimes living to old age. To whatever quarter of the globe we direct our inquiry, we shall find that a very intimate connexion subsists between the physical characteristics of a country and the constitution of its inhabitants. In vain, therefore, although but too frequently, does the traveller, the emigrant, or the missionary rely on the spontaneous energies of the constitution. Health can only be preserved in accordance with certain laws which physiology dictates, and all experience has tended to confirm. By what means, therefore, this end may be best attained, and consequent usefulness most prolonged, is a question of consider

able interest.

The first general circumstance that strikes our attention with reference to health, in connexion with climate, is the uniform greater salubrity of cold than of warm countries. The natives even of the former, experience immunity from disease to a much greater extent than the natives of the latter. The longevity of the inhabitants of our North American possessions is alone a proof of this. It is stated by Mr. Montgomery Martin, that in no country is old age attended with greater bodily vigour and mental animation than in Newfoundland, and that there have been instances of fishermen engaged in the arduous duties of their calling, who have reached one hundred and fifty years; that in Nova Scotia, eighty years is a frequent age, with the possession of all the faculties; and that in Prince Edward's Island, people of one hundred years of age, without ever having known a day's illness, are numerous. It is said that in India, comparatively few even of the natives pass their sixty-second year. But in the case of residents from our own and other temperate zones, there is no comparison between the healthiness of the extremes of climate. In one of Captain Parry's expeditions, only one life out of the whole ship's crew was lost by disease, and in this instance the man left England when symptoms of consumption had already appeared, neither was the progress of the disease at all accelerated. Sir John Ross and his party passed several winters in succession on the shores of the polar sea, during a considerable part of which time they must have encountered a train of circumstances calculated to depress the spirits, and in this respect unfavourable to health; yet the company suffered a remarkably small

diminution from illness. Let us contrast these results with those of the Niger and other intertropical expeditions, and how vast the difference! The most accurate statistical details connected with this subject, are those which have reference to the army, both private and official; and from them we learn that the annual mortality among the British forces at home is about 14 in 1,000; among the Malta fencibles, natives of that island, it is not more than 9 in 1,000; in the Cape corps, aborigines of South Africa, it is 11; in the Madras native troops, 13, and in those of Bengal 11, in the same number. Now in European soldiers in Canada, it is 16·1; in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, 147; whereas in Madras it is 48.1; in Jamaica, 121.3 and in Sierra Leone it has been as high as 483-0 in 1,000. Extreme heat has undoubtedly a tendency to enfeeble the body. We must not suppose that the refrigerating process, so wisely and beneficently provided to moderate the evil, can be carried to a great extent without detriment. It is true, if there were not a profuse secretion from the skin, disease would ensue from the direct stimulus of heat; but even the necessary quantity cannot transpire without enfeebling the system. Again; animal heat is maintained, as we have already seen, by the evolution of carbon, probably throughout the body, certainly in the lungs. In consequence of the less demand for such a process in warm climates it is eliminated by the liver; or at least, explain it how we will, the liver has more to do in these climates, and is exerted by the stimulus of heat to such inordinate action, that an inflammatory condition, followed, it may be, by debility and inaction, and combined with vitiated biliary secretion in various degrees, is the result; and thus a foundation is laid for serious diseases in that important organ. But we must not suppose that unhealthiness is attributable merely to increased temperature; it would then be more uniform. This cause is often complicated with other local circumstances, co-operating with it. In some situations the air is charged with moisture raised by evaporation from an extensive surface of shallow water, and these are generally more unhealthy than others in which the thermometer stands higher; in some cases most fatally so, because such moisture becomes a vehicle for the communication of deleterious and poisonous miasmata. All tropical countries abound with luxuriant vegetation, and in