that dwell upon them. Then, the conflict that is going on among the principalities and powers in heavenly places, the final destination of the righteous and the wicked, and the shouts and harpings of ransomed millions, furnish the richest enjoyments to a sanctified imagination. Parker's "Claims of the Gospel on the Young," just published by the Religious Tract Society.

INDUSTRY OF THE PORTUGUESE.

THE Portuguese are certainly an industrious people. Stone-masons were employed next door to us, and the clink of hammers and chisels was to be heard from sunrise till sunset. The men rested at nine o'clock for one half-hour, to take a second breakfast; and then they set to again, and there was no cessation till half-past twelve. At two they began again, and went on till after sunset; and this, day by day, till their work was ended. I was surprised to observe that the workmen courted rather than shunned the burning sun; for the blocks of granite which they were hewing into shape were all arranged on the sunny side of the street, when it would have been equally convenient to themselves and the passers-by to have had them placed in the shade. I must say a word or two of the industry of the women, and this is best done by stating exactly what came under my own observation. The occupation of the woman I am about to give as an example, was to drive away the little thieves of birds from a crop of Indian corn, in a field adjoining our garden, and extending up a steep slope towards the lighthouse. This woman got up with the birds, (before four o'clock,) and went to bed with the birds, (about eight,) and never left the birds all day, but ran to and fro across the sloping ground under a burning sun, or a blustering wind, or a pelting rain, never once resting her poor legs, so far as I could discover, and I chanced at the time to be confined by illness to a room that overlooked this field. She was busy the while, too, with hand and voice; one loud shrill note was for ever repeated, to an instrumental accompaniment not more harmonious-a sort of watchman's rattle.

Another instance I may quote, of a tall handsome young girl, who came daily to

the house where we were staying. She acted as the aguadera, the water-carrier, bringing from the fountain all the spring-water that was required for the day; helping in the garden, weeding or watering, and willing and ready at any moment to be sent up to the city, three miles off, on any sort of errand. Thither she went regularly every other morning; let the weather be what it might, she was off before four o'clock, and home again by eight or nine, bringing on her head, in a large basket, everything used or consumed in the house, except the coals. On her return she would sit down for a quarter of an hour, whilst she ate her breakfast, then away to the fountain, and if nothing more were required of her, she hastened to her mother's humble cottage; and call there at any hour, when she was not out in some other person's service, you were sure to find her busy with her spindle and distaff, or with her knitting. -Mrs. Gilfillan.

ENGLISH HISTORY.

BUONAPARTE faced the difficulties resulting from the loss of his fleet. After stopping an insurrection at Cairo, by the massacre of some thousands of the inhabitants, he set forward, early in 1799, on an expedition into Syria, well calculated to overturn the Turkish power, and give France that preponderance in the east which formed a part of his ulterior measures. He crossed the desert with the most serviceable part of his army, and, entering Palestine, stormed Jaffa. About 4,000 of the garrison were strongly posted, but surrendered on terms. Buonaparte, however, resolved not to be encumbered with prisoners, and on the second day, had them marched to the sea-shore, where they were massacred in cold blood, and without offering any resistance. A few escaped by swimming to some rocks; they were induced to return by promise of mercy, but were added to the dead whose bones long whitened the strand. Such an atrocity was not easily to be credited, even some English travellers at first were induced to deny it, but it was a horrid truth, and has long been established. In his latter days, the sanguinary despot by whose order it was perpetrated endeavoured to allege excuses; but these have been fully disproved, and the fact

remains with all its horrible cruelty, a proof that he regarded neither solemn engagements nor the lives of men, when in any way likely to embarrass his on ward course of desolation and of blood. Like many other atrocities, it recoiled on the perpetrator; for the knowledge that such would be their fate doubtless stimulated the Turkish garrison of Acre to resist to the utmost.

Though thus unscrupulous, there was One higher than he; and the same power that places the sand of the sea as an effectual bar, by which the proud surges of the ocean are stayed, caused this mighty conqueror to be stayed by a petty fortress, and a barbarous chief, supported and directed by a British officer, and a few seamen. This was at Acre, which place was under the command of cruel but brave Turks; yet it must easily have fallen before the French assailants, had not Sir Sidney Smith, with two ships of war, hastened to its relief.

This officer had been taken prisoner on the coast of France the preceding year, when the directors, aware of his gallantry, resolved to detain him as a sort of state-prisoner, in the strong prison of the Temple at Paris. A plan for his escape was formed, and he safely reached England. He was immediately appointed to a ship of the line, and sent to Egypt. He arrived at Acre, only two days before Buonaparte, just in time to animate and assist the Turkish garrison. After sixty days of siege, with repeated unsuccessful attempts to enter through breaches which common minds would not have considered defensible, a reinforcement arrived. Buonaparte, finding his resources fail, made a final attempt to storm, which was repelled by the energy of Sir Sidney. The baffled French raised the siege on May 21st, and retreated to Egypt. Buonaparte often dwelt upon this repulse. It overturned all his schemes, and, as he blasphemously expressed it, "changed his destiny!" Not so! his destiny, from the first, was to do a work of righteous retribution and punishment on France, and on the guilty nations of Europe, and then, as "the rod of God's anger," he was to be broken, and thrown aside, while his memory remains to instruct the mighty ones of the earth.

The French army, trained in infidelity, were ignorant of the scriptural associations of the places around them. They had been victorious in a combat on the ancient battle-field of Esdraelon, where

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Sisera was discomfited, but the retreat was disastrous, the plague added to their sufferings, and another deed of murder was perpetrated; those thus infected, who could not easily be removed, had their food drugged, and were, at any rate, sent out of the world sooner than by the course of nature, or the hands of the enemy, the Turks being on all occasions inclined to refuse quarter, though the English did all they could to restrain such proceedings. This act Buonaparte denied, but it rests on sufficient evidence; he also himself argued in defence of such a deed more plausibly than he could for the massacre of his prisoners.

A Turkish army landed at Aboukir in July, but it was easily overthrown by the French. Some negotiations as to prisoners followed, in the course of which Buonaparte learned the state of matters in France, through some newspapers sent him by Sir Sidney Smith, for all intelligence from France had, for some time, been intercepted. He instantly determined to desert his army, and to return, as the time for pushing his fortune at home seemed to have come. Two small ships of war were hastily prepared, in which Buonaparte sailed with a few favourite officers, unknown to the army, who uttered many execrations when they found themselves thus shamefully deserted. It was not likely be should escape the British cruisers, and he kept close to the coast of Africa, that he might escape on shore if intercepted; but there was no hindrance. When crossing towards France, a British squadron came in sight, it mistook his vessels for friends, and turned from them. His work was not yet done, but on such slender threads did the wondrous proceedings of future years then depend! He landed near Frejus on October 8th, 1799, and hastened to Paris.

Having thus presented a summary view of this extraordinary expedition, we next return to the remaining events of 1798. More strenuous efforts were now made by England than at the commencement of the war. The charges of the army and navy were much increased; loans were still necessary, though, by trebling the assessed taxes, and other imposts, it was expected that the supplies required for the year might have been raised, without adding to the permanent burdens of the country; but, as in every case of large additions to taxes, many persons met the outlay by retrenchment,

so that instead of nine millions, the assessed taxes only produced less than five. The English militia regiments were allowed to extend their services to Ireland; the rebellion there, and machinations in England, called for the continuance of the suspension of the Habeas Corpus act, and for summary power to remove aliens from the kingdom. The parliament sanctioned the embodying and arming of volunteers throughout the land, and 150,000 men were speedily enrolled.

The loyalty of the great mass of the people of England was now roused into activity; Jacobinism and all connected therewith was repudiated; while the threats of invasion called forth a large number of volunteers, who were trained to the use of arms. It was evident that their services would be useful in repressing sedition and faction, as well as for repelling invaders.

In May, an expedition destroyed the works at Ostend, but the soldiers employed being prevented by the weather from re-embarking, were obliged to surrender. St. Domingo was abandoned in consequence of the destruction of life among the soldiers, from its climate. It was left to the black population, one of whom, Toussaint, became the chief ruler. Minorca was taken by a British force. At one period the French and American republics were on the point of hostilities. The Americans, having demanded satisfaction for some vessels unjustly seized by the French, were refused, unless they consented to lend a million of pounds to France, and to give the sum of fifty thousand pounds to the directors as a bribe. The demand was refused, and reprisals were made, which led to an accommodation.

The results of the victory of the Nile were very great, for they encouraged the nations of Europe to renew their resistance against France. Paul, who had succeeded to the imperial throne of Russia, now came forward, and joined the renewed coalition on the promise of a large subsidy from England. The year closed by Pitt's proposing a tax upon income; this, it was calculated, would reach many who avoided other payments, and was substituted in lieu of the triple assessment, which had failed to produce the sum expected. All persons whose yearly income was above two hundred pounds, were to pay one-tenth part; others, down to sixty pounds, a smaller proportion. The minister expected that this

tax would produce above seven millions, but it produced not much above twothirds of that sum. There doubtless was much evasion and falsehood on the part of many who were required to pay. The total expenditure, including foreign subsidies, but without the interest on the national debt, was 31,000,000%.

The rebellion in Ireland had made the necessity for a union with that country more than ever manifest, by which the whole British empire might be under one legislature, and all its parts brought under one common system. This subject was brought forward in January, 1799, when the general principles were considered, and resolved upon by parliament. The other parliamentary measures of the year were chiefly those necessary for carrying on the warfare, in which England now had allies in active operation. At Naples, the presence of Nelson encouraged the Neapolitans, who occupied Rome for a short time, but, by bad management of general Mack, they were soon forced to retreat. Nelson protected the removal of the court to Sicily, but the French occupied Naples, where they established a republic, and, as usual, levied contributions, and plundered without limitation.

The Austrian and Russian armies moved forward early in the year; the former soon drove the French across the Rhine. The combined forces cleared the north of Italy from the enemy, and formed the blockade of Genoa. Suwarrow, the Russian commander, was a singular character, and everywhere successful, till, crossing into Switzerland, he was unable to expel the French. In fact, the Austrians were kept, by political jealousies, from fully supporting his proceedings. Naples, being left by the French, was re-occupied by Nelson, who re-established the royal family, but tarnished his own fame by allowing several vindictive proceedings. He was then under the influence of a bad but fascinating woman, lady Hamilton, the wife of the English envoy, who had been, from early life, one of those characters against whom the book of Proverbs gives such impressive warnings; and the disgrace Nelson brought upon himself by acting under her influence is a strong instance of the truth of the admonitions of holy writ.

In the autumn of 1799, an expedition of English and Russian troops was sent against Holland. The Dutch ships of war were taken, and for a time Aber

cromby maintained his position, with a superior force. In September, a reinforcement landed under the duke of York, who took the command; but the French force had also increased, so that, between bad generalship and the allied forces not acting well together, in about a month the duke agreed to a convention, by which he was allowed to return to England, on condition of the release of a number of French and Dutch prisoners.

But, upon the whole, the allies were successful, when matters were changed by the return of Buonaparte. The arrival of the Corsican was hailed by all those inclined to military despotism, and all who were opposed to the Directory. Talleyrand and Siéyes agreed to support him; his brother Lucien was president of the council of five hundred-the greater part of the other council, the Ancients, were devoted to him. After some rapid consultations, a thorough change was carried into effect on November 10th, less than a month after Buonaparte's return to Paris. The majority of the Directory were gained over to dissolve their body, the councils were adjourned to St. Cloud, where the Ancients sanctioned an entirely new constitution, and the government was to be vested in three consuls, of whom Buonaparte was to be chief, the others were merely cyphers. The Council of Five Hundred resisted, and at one moment Buonaparte seemed likely to quail before them, but he was fully supported; while his brother Lucien was president, who betrayed the trust; he called in the military, the deputies were dispersed, and a small minority re-assembled, to give a colour to the change. Buonaparte and his fellow consuls proceeded in state to the palace of the Luxembourg, which had been lately occupied by the Directory.

There the first consul at once took the supreme power, satisfied Siéyes with grants of money and lands, and soon fixed himself in the old regal palace of the Tuileries, where he, by degrees, but without delay, established the appearance and proceedings of a royal court. tary despotism was now fully developed in France, and continued till this rod of God's anger, having chastised the nations, was broken, and thrown aside.

Mili

One of his first measures was to address a letter to George III., with many expressions of a desire for peace. This offer was wholly insincere, as Buonaparte subsequently admitted; intended to give

him a short interval to strengthen himself, if it were listened to, or an opportunity for false professions of moderation, if it failed. The British government replied, perhaps in too abrupt terms, and needlessly requiring the restoration of the monarchy, declared that such professions could not be trusted. It was evident, however, that Buonaparte was preparing to carry forward the French plans of aggression and conquest. Nor did he scruple afterwards to declare that he knew the retaining of his power wholly depended upon his continuing that career. Buonaparte devised and carried into effect many improvements, but they were planned so as to extend his power; it was well, however, for the nation that he saw his own objects would be best promoted by the furtherance of the national welfare. The ruthless requirement of large numbers of conscripts every year, to fill up the ranks of the armies, continued to be as marked a feature of his government as it had been of the Convention. scarcely possible to find a substitute, so that, not only had the widowed parent often to submit to the forced absence of her only and dutiful child, but many a hopeful youth, rising in life, and beginning to distinguish himself by the successful pursuit of the arts of peace, had to relinquish his prospects, and go forth to the wars, though his doing so was mest uncongenial to his desires.

It was

The year 1799 was distinguished by the fall of the last of the great opponents of the British power in India. Tippoo Sultan endeavoured to form an alliance with France, and Buonaparte was eager to use him in his designs against the English empire in India. The governorgeneral, afterwards marquis Wellesley, saw the necessity for decisive measures, and, early in the year, directed a large force against the Mysore, under general Harris. Seringapatam was besieged, and stormed on May 4th, when Tippoo was slain. His dominions were then divided, the English taking a portion, which extended their possessions across Hindostan.

The parliament met early, on September 24th, 1799; the principal objects were, to facilitate the recruiting of the army by allowing the militia to volunteer, and to attend to various matters of finance. In a debate, early in 1800, on the recent communications from the first consul, Pitt spoke in vindication of the proceedings of the English government, at the commencement of the war, per

sonifying the French revolution as looking into every quarter of the globe for objects of acquisition or plunder; and this spirit, it was evident, was not likely to abate under the military despotism of Buonaparte. Large majorities supported the minister, and he again raised considerable sums by taxes and loan. The total required was now nearly fifty millions.

The harvests of the preceding year had been deficient, and supplies of more than a million quarters of wheat were imported, but prices were very high, and led to riots in some parts of the country. The rise in prices was increased by the large additions to the paper currency, and by the speculations usually accompanying the increased value of any article. Several persons were prosecuted under old absurd laws, for re-selling corn on the same day they had purchased it. Legislative enactments were passed, forbidding the eating of bread till it had been baked twenty-four hours, thinking thereby to diminish the consumption; and all persons in the upper and middle ranks were urged to abstain, as much as possible, from the use of bread. The distillers were stopped, and large quantities of rice were sold at reduced prices to the poor. Public meetings were also held, and subscriptions raised for their relief.

for him.

THE WORD OF GOD.

Ir the Christian be a "stranger," here is his citizenship declared to him. If he be a "pilgrim," here is his staff provided If he be a "traveller," here is his guide. If he be a voyager, here is his chart. If he be a soldier, here is his spiritual armoury; the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit, the sandals of peace, and the girdle of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, and the helmet of salvation! Whatsoever the Christian be, or in whatever circumstances, he will find in the word of the living God a most suitable and seasonable portion! It is as food for the hungry, and water for the thirsty medicine for the sick, and a cordial to the faint. It gives riches to the poor, and a blessing without sorrow to the rich. It gives sight to the blind, strength to the weak, instruction to the living, and consolation to the dying! Safely may we affirm that no believer ever searched the sacred Scriptures in vain. When darkness surrounds us, here we see a light shining upon our

path. When perplexity unsettles us, we find here a counsellor who directs us with When the rememunerring wisdom. brance of sin sinks us in despondency, the Scriptures assure us that the blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, cleanseth from all sin. When the believer is bereaved of the pious friends he loved, he is here comforted by the hope that he and they shall again be reunited for ever. Thus, whatever be the circumstances of the Christian, the word of God is as 66 green pastures" to his soul.

-Stevenson.

ORPHAN-HOUSE AT HALLE.

AUGUSTUS HERMAN FRANCKE devoted his whole life and energies to the cause of instruction. The well-known Orphan House at Halle, Hallischen Waisenhause, which he founded in 1694, is now a large establishment, no longer confined to orphans, but containing upwards of 3,000 juvenile inmates. "It is interesting," Mr. Hickson remarks, "to a visitor, to remark in the chief cities of Germany, during certain hours, the silence of the streets, with their entire desertion by children, and the contrast of the change produced by the clock striking twelve. The road and footway then suddenly swarm with children, carrying books and slates, and returning from the studies of the morning. The most striking sight of the kind we ever witnessed was at Halle, where, as we approached a large educational establishment, (the old Orphan House,) the whole of its inmates, 3,000 in number, burst forth into the street."

THE VOICE OF CREATION.

THE visible marks of extraordinary wisdom and power appear so plainly in all the works of the creation, that a rational creature, who will but seriously reflect on them, cannot miss the discovery of a Deity. And the influence which the discovery of such a Being must necessarily have on the minds of all that have but once heard it, is so great, and carries such a weight of thought and communication with it, that it seems more strange to me that a whole nation of men should be anywhere found so brutish as to want the notion of a God, than that they should be without any notion of numbers or fire.-Locke.