our basin, the formation lying still deeper not being included in the question. Each of these basins contains more or less of water supplied by the rainfall on the surface, the clay, the chalk, the Greensands, the quantity increasing as we descend. One year with another the amount of water derived from rain and melting snow varies but slightly, though exceptions do at times occur, and of this amount, part escapes in evaporation, part in brooks and rivers, part is absorbed by vegetation, and part into the ground, more or less rapidly, according to the nature of the soil and underlying strata. Where these are porous and easily permeable, there the water soon disappears, sinking until it meets with some obstacle, such as dense clay or crystalline rock, which prevents further subsidance. The water naturally follows the curve or inclination of the strata in its descent, and collects at last at the lowest point, as in a natural reservoir, from which, if an orifice be made, it will rise to the surface, in obedience to a natural law. Nature, it will thus be seen, provides a supply of water for the metropolis, and for other places similarly situated, by a very simple process: the question is, how to make it available? We shall come to this point presently; for the moment, we have to consider what are the resources at our disposal. The clay-basin being nearest the surface, was for a time the only one drawn upon by the Londoners; but the increase of population increased the demand not only for water but for beer, in all the variety so fondly appreciated by dwellers within sight of St. Paul's; and if we are to believe the brewers and some other manufacturers, well-water only will answer their purpose. So, the clay-basin yield being insufficient, down went the seekers some 500 or 600 feet further, with an energy scarcely equalled by nugget-grubbers, till they came to the chalkbasin, where the supply was inexhaustible; and in this way, by repeated borings in different places, a number of Artesian wells have been formed, which, under ordinary circumstances, may be regarded as perennial. (To be continued.) LARGE FUNERAL. The funeral of a deceased colored man, named Joseph Abrams, which took place in Kichmond, Va., a few days since, is said to have been the largest ever seen in that city. At the African church, where the services were performed, eight thousand persons were present, and a train of over fifty carriages followed the corpse to the grave. Truth is never lost by inquiry, because she is, most of all, reasonable. Nor can that need another authority that is self-evident. W. PENN. "MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE." It is not an easy matter in all cases, clearly and understandingly to discern the voice of the Shepherd, the motions of God's spirit, and certainly to distinguish the measure of life from all other voices, motions, and appearances whatsothrough much waiting on the Lord, through ever. Through much growth in the truth, much fear and trembling, through much sobriety and meekness, through much exercise of the spiritual senses, this is at length given and obAnd yet there is a preservation in the mean time to that which is lowly and submis sive, looking up to the Lord continually, and not trusting to his own understanding, sense, and judgment. ISAAC PENINGTON. tained. A notice was given in our 28th number, of the Presentation, by a Deputation from the London Meeting for Sufferings, of an Address to the Emperor of Russia, with the Emperor's reply. The London Friend, for the Sixth month, in its account of the proceedings of the late Yearly Meeting, gives the following statement on the subject: Third day, afternoon, Fifth month 30.-The greater part of this sitting was occupied with the subject of the mission of our friends Joseph Sturge, Henry Pease, and Robert Charleton, to the Emperor of Russia. It was introduced by reading the minute of the Meeting for Sufferings, and the printed account of our Friends' journey and reception at St. Petersburg. Joseph Sturge then gave a lengthened and very interesting report of the proceedings of the deputation, and the course adopted by the Meeting for Sufferings; and the manner in which the deputation had executed their mission received the cordial approval of the Meeting. Samuel Gurney reported the interviews of a deputation of the Meeting for Sufferings with Lord Clarendon, when our Friends had left this country for Russia, and also of their interview with Lord Aberdeen on returning to this country, both of which had been very satisfactory. One or two Friends expressed some regret, that either of the deputation should, since their return, have expressed their opinions of the personal character of the Emperor of Russia; a subject on which there was a decided difference of sentiment, and which was not connected with our simple testimony to the evils and iniquity of all war. John Bright expressed very strongly his opinion, that the appointment of the deputation was a right step, and he believed the Friends had most efficiently and satisfactorily fulfilled the duty to which they had devoted themselves. He expressed himself personally obliged to the Friends for the way in which they had performed their service. He alluded to the Earl of Aberdeen,-, abstraction so potent to the feelings of a generous said he was convinced that the Premier had been nature. The other must make compensation by from the first most anxious to avoid the war, and increased assiduity and devotion to its honor and was still disposed to entertain favorably any pro- welfare." If it should appear, as it certainly does posals for an armistice, preparatory to a more not, that the system of slavery was productive of a lasting peace; but much was to be done to pre- few men conspicuous for their superior attainpare the minds of the people of this country for the acceptance of equitable proposals of this char-in its favor, if it consigned the mass of the free char-ments, that circumstance could plead very little acter, and he urged upon Friends to use their influence in their respective localities with the population to hopeless ignorance and degradation. It is of much less importance that a few should be newspaper press, to induce a more moderate tone distinguished for superior attainments, than that in their articles on the war. the people in general should be sufficiently edu cated to perform the duties of civil society, and understand their rights and responsibilities as citizens and members of the community. A notice of nearly similar import, appeared in the British Friend. FRIENDS' REVIEW. PHILADELPHIA, SEVENTH MONTH 8, 1854. Now we have in the census of 1850, an account of the number of adults, meaning probably only those over 20 years of age, in the various sections of our country, who cannot read and write. A comparison of the numbers in the slave and free States furnishes no flattering prospect of the superior advantages of education in the former. As, even in slaveholding States an overwhelming majority of the whites hold no slaves, we may suppose that very few, or probably none, of the possessors of slaves are to be found among the totally uneducated; yet the system which leaves the smallest relative number destitute of instruction, must be In the last number some interesting statistics, relative to the value of land in the slave and free States, were given, as found in a speech recently delivered in Congress; in which a comparison was particularly instituted between Virginia on one side and Pennsylvania and New Jersey on the other. As far as this comparison goes, the advantage is greatly on the side of the free States. But there is another point of great importance, to which no allusion is made in the article alluded to, viz: the relative influence of slavery and free-deemed the most favorable to instruction. dom to promote or retard the progress of knowledge. Chancellor Harper of South Carolina, in an address to the Society for the advancement of learning, in the year 1837, which address, from beginning to end, is little else than an elaborate vindication of the system of slavery, lays down as one of the advantages of slaveholding, the opportunity which it affords for the acquisition of a superior education. In page 52, he says; "He who acquires wealth by the labor of slaves, has the means of improvement for himself and his children. He may have a more extended intercourse, and consequently means of information and refinement, and may seek education for his children where it may be found. I say what is obviously true, that he has the means of obtaining these advantages, but I say nothing to palliate or excuse the conduct of him who, having such means, neglects to avail himself of them." And in page 39, he observes, "Our institutions would indeed be intolerable, in the sight of God and man, if, condemning one portion of society to hopeless ignorance and comparative degradation, they should make no atonement by elevating the other class, by higher virtues and more liberal attainments-if, besides degraded slaves, there should be ignorant, ignoble and degraded freemen. One class is cut off from all interest in the State, that Pursuing, then, the comparison commenced in the last number, between Virginia on one side, and Pennsylvania and New Jersey on the other, let us see how they rank on the scale of education. In Virginia, the number of whites over twenty years of age, appears, by the census, to be 413,144, and the number of adults who cannot read and write 77,005. Hence, it appears that more than one in six of the white adult population of Virginia, cannot read and write. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the whites over twenty amount to 1,288,513; of whom 81,176, or a little more than one in sixteen, are reported as unable to read and write. But here we must remember that the emigrants from foreign countries are located chiefly in the free States. In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, we find the number born in foreign countries, set down at 362,909, of whom we may conjecture much the greater part to be adults. Estimating then four-fifths of the emigrants from foreign countries to be adults, we shall have 290,326 foreigners among those who furnish the 81,176 who cannot read and write. As many of the emigrants are nearly destitute of education, our Virginia brethren will probably agree that we are not treating them unfairly by supposing those of this description, who reside in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, to be no better educated than the whites of Virginia, taking na- DIED, On the 7th of Fourth mo. last, at his fathtives and foreigners collectively. Upon that sup-er's residence in Jackson, Waldo County, Maine, position, our foreign population would supply a member of Unity Monthly Meeting. His dis Matthew P. Hawkes, in the 31st. year of his age 54,189, leaving 26,987 natives over twenty years ease was consumption, accompanied, at times, of age who cannot read or write. with great suffering, which he bore with patience and Christian fortitude. During his illness he had to acknowledge that he had neglected many duties that he believed were required of him; yet had a hope, through redeeming love and mercy, to find acceptance at last; and near his close he was heard to say, "I am happy, I am happy. I would not give what I now feel, for all there is in this lower world." This estimate would make about one totally unlearned person in thirty-seven, among the native population in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. As the foreigners in Virginia amount to only about 23,000, the state of education there is probably very little affected by including them in the general mass. If, however, we suppose the amount of apparent ignorance swelled in Virginia by including them, we ought likewise to make a greater allowance for that ignorance in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. That this is not an accidental circumstance, is evidently shown by comparing the state of education in the other States. At present I shall advert only to the Carolinas. In South Carolina, Chancellor Harper's own State, where the number of slaves bear a greater ratio to the number of whites than in any other State in the Union, and where, of course, the whites have enjoyed all the means of a liberal education which slavery and slave labor can bestow, the whites over twenty, number 125,131, and the number of white adults who cannot read and write, stand in the census at 15,584, or about oue in eight. In North Carolina, the whites of twenty years and upwards, number 251,796, of whom it appears 73,566, or about two in seven, cannot read and write. The foreigners in the former State amounting to about nine thousand, and in the latter to between two and three thousand, the result of our estimate would be very little varied by their exclusion. MARRIED,On the 8th ult. at Friends' Meeting On the 29th of 3d mo., last, at Friends' DIED,- peace. Fourth' month last, aged 84 years, PHEBE COBB, In Windham, Maine, on the 27th of a worthy member and elder of Windham Monthly Meeting. She was a firm believer in the truth of the Christian religion as professed by the Society of Friends, and actively concerned in the maintainance of its discipline. On the 3d of last month, at East Grove, Henry County, Iowa, DORCAS T. HOAG, wife of Joseph D. Hoag, aged nearly fifty one years, a member and elder of East Grove Monthly Meeting. In the removal of this dear friend, her husband has lost a true helpmate, her children a tender parent, ring much of the time, for more than two years, and the church a faithful member. Though dushe had, in consequence of ill health, been deprived of the privilege of attending religious meetings, or of mingling with her friends in the ter's cause, and concern for the best interests of concerns of the Society, yet her love for her Masthe church and its members, were unabated. The progress of her disease in its latter stages, was rapid and severe, so as to preclude much expression, yet she manifested her resignation to the divine will, and her close was evidently peaceful. NEW YORK YEARLY MEETING. The printed minutes of this meeting came to hand too late for the introduction of any extracts into our 42nd number. The following extracts are now offered to our readers. The meeting commenced on Sixth day, the 2nd of Sixth month. The General Epistle from the Yearly Meeting of Friends, held in Loudon, in 1853, was received and read; the contents of which are truly valuable, and adapted to our own circumstances. In order that our absent brethren may have the benefit of its perusak, it was concluded to have four thousand copies printed, apportioned, and placed in the hands of the Representatives, to be delivered to their respective Quarterly Meetings for distribution. An interesting Epistle of Correspondence from the Yearly Meeting of Friends in London, for the year 1853, and one from our friends of Dublin Yearly Meeting, held the present year, were received and read; which were truly acceptable to us. Epistles were also received from all the Yearly Meetings of Friends on this continent, excepting that of North Carolina. in the reading of them. brotherly regard, and The Meeting engaged These evidences of the fellowship of our dear it proper to renew the lease on similar conditions' for another year. Conformably to the suggestion of the Comfriends of other Yearly Meetings, were very satis-mittee, it was concluded to direct the Treasurer factory; and we have been led earnestly to of this Meeting, to pay to the Treasurer of the desire the steady maintenance and increase of Permanent Fund, the amount borrowed of it, as this brotherly regard, that by it our whole Society stated. may be united in the blessed bond of Christian fellowship. In the afternoon, Richard Carpenter was appointed clerk, and William Wood to assist him. The epistle from North Carolina was received and read. Seventh day, 3d, the meeting was occupied with reading and considering the queries with the answers thereto. During the deliberation of the Meeting on the state of Society, as unfolded by these reports, it was affecting to witness the many deviations from the right way that are still apparent amongst us. Much pertinent counsel was elicited, and Friends were exhorted to greater devotedness in the cause we have espoused, and to cherish an increased concern for the removal of the delinquencies noticed. A memorial from the Monthly Meeting of New York, approved by Westbury Quarterly Meeting, and examined by the Meeting for Sufferings, respecting our late friend Anne Mott, was presented and read. Its contents were very interesting and instructive, and the language of our hearts seemed to be, although dead she yet speaketh. It was directed to be recorded. Second day morning, the 5th of the month: The Report of the Committees of the Yearly Meetings of New York, Baltimore, North Caro lina and Indiana, assembled in Conference at Baltimore, in the Fifth month, last year, not having been printed with the Minutes of our last Yearly Meeting, the subject now claimed attention; and it was directed that the Report be printed in the Extracts the present year, sent down to our subordinate Meetings. and The subject of Nine Partners Boarding School, and the property connected therewith, claimed the attention of the Meeting, the Report made by the Committee of the Meeting for Sufferings, being laid before it. By this Report, it appears that the premises had been rented the past year for "school purposes," arrangements being made for the education of such children as might be deemed suitable to participate in the benefit of the permanent fund. Eight children have been educated at a charge of three hundred and sixtysix dollars to the fund. The Report further states, that, in paying the debts incurred prior to the year 1853, the Committee had been obliged to use the income of the permanent fund, to the amount of two hundred and seventy-three dollars and sixty-two cents; for the return of which they recommend that provision be made; also, that they had deemed It was further concluded, to appoint a Committee, to take the present condition of that Institution, in all its different aspects, into their deliberate consideration, and report to a future sitting such measures in relation to it, as shall appear to them calculated to promote the best interests of our Religious Society. The Trustees of the Murray Fund offered a Report of their proceedings during the past year, which was read, and was very interesting and satisfactory. The Report is as follows: "TO THE YEARLY MEETING: "In the discharge of an annually recurring and pleasant duty, the Trustees of the Murray Fund' present to the Yearly Meeting a short statement of their proceedings during the past year. 100.40 "They have received for interest and dividends on Bank Stock, "And their payments have been For Binding 1004 copies 'Power of as followsReligion,' "Sundry purchases of Books for circulation, 195.65 "Donations to numerous poor individuals and families, by direct appropriation, and through their Committee on Charity, 1231.00 "To complete the liberation of 9 persons held in slavery, 180.00 "Colored School in Washington, D. C., 100.00 "Donations to Friends' Sewing Society and Coterie, 30.00 "Donations to N. Y. Tract As sociation of Friends, 50.00 "Storage of Books and petty expenses, 50.00 "Which with the balance due the Treasurer in last Report of 620.30 Leaves a balance now in his hands of $2,575.44 18.09 $2.575.44 "The considerable amount disbursed by our Committee on Charity, has been in various small donations to destitute individuals and families, irrespective of color, and with a personal knowledge of their wants and deserts, and we believe these small grants, judiciously applied, have done much towards the relief of the physical sufferings of the deserving poor. "Prominent among the Books to which the Trustees have given circulation, has continued to be the 'Power of Religion.' They have also had published some additional copies of 'Mott's Sketches,' and have distributed a considerable number of 'Youthful Piety,' 'Dymond on War,' and other volumes. "Signed by direction and on behalf of the Trustees, ROBERT I. MURRAY, Secretary. In the Report from Westbury Quarterly Meeting, is contained the following inquiry, which was referred to the Yearly Meeting for its consideration, namely: "whether our Religious Society is consistently maintaining its testimony against the enormous evil of slavery, whilst we continue voluntarily to support the system by consuming the products of unrequited toil?" The subject engaged the solid consideration of the Meeting: interesting and impressive remarks were made, setting forth the intimate connection between slavery and the free use of the produce of the labor of slaves; and inciting Friends to a consideration of the inconsistency of unhesitatingly using the proceeds of a system of oppression, against which our Society has for a great length of time, felt bound to bear its testimony. After considerable discussion thereon, it was concluded to place the subject in charge of a Committee, for their deliberate consideration; and, if way should open for it, to prepare a Minute setting forth the nature and ground of the scruple entertained by many Friends, in relation to the use of the produce of Slave labor,and inviting our members individually to reflect, whether the day in which we live does not call for our serious attention to this subject. A Memorial of Scipio Monthly Meeting, endorsed by Scipio Quarterly Meeting, and approved by the Meeting for Sufferings, concerning our valued friend Phebe Field, deceased, was produced and read; and, being satisfactory to the Meeting, it was directed to be recorded. Third day morning, the 6th of the month. The Reports of the Quarterly Meetings on the subject of Schools, the number of children of suitable age to attend school, and the character of the Schools in which they are educated, en: gaged the attention of the Meeting. The Reports furnished, are in a considerable degree, deficient in the information sought for-some of them embracing only a part of the Quarterly Meeting, and others being too general in their language to furnish a specific account of Schools, and the state of education, as existing in the several parts of the Yearly Meeting. The accounts received represent that there are 1421 children of suitable age to attend Schools. 179 of these attend Schools under the care of Meetings. 45 attend Schools taught by members. 1005 attend District Schools, or others of similar character and the remainder are stated to be mostly in the way of obtaining instruction at home. 2 Schools are reported to be under the care of Meetings. 8 Family Schools, and 4 First day Schools, are reported as having been kept during the whole, or part of the past year. Thus it appears that the great body of the children of friends are receiving their education in District Schools, or in others of similar character; which, whatever may be their reputation for imparting literary instruction, cannot be supposed to take an interest in inculcating those religious doctrines and testimonies, which our Society has ever felt bound to uphold. The entirely inadequate condition of Schools within the limits of this Yearly Meeting, for affording a guarded, religious, literary education to the children of Friends, has long been a subject of concern, and various efforts have been made to supply the deficiencies without effecting the desired purpose. Recently a plan was proposed to the Quarterly Meetings, for raising a Fund by voluntary subscriptions, the interest of which should be applied to the establishment, or the support of such School or Schools as the Yearly Meeting shall hereafter direct. It is with regret we perceive there has been, the present year, a considerable falling off in the subscription to this Fund, the amount reported being only nine hundred and seventy-three dollars. It is evident, that with so limited a subscription, a disheartening length of time must be required to produce a Fund, at all adequate to the purpose contemplated. After an interesting discussion of this important subject, the Meeting was united in appointing a Committee to take it into their consideration, and report to a future sitting the result of their deliberations. The Committee appointed on the subject of the property of Nine Partners Boarding School, offered a Report which was united with by the Meeting, and is as follows: "TO THE YEARLY MEETING: "The Committee to whom was confided the subject of the property of Nine Partners Boarding School, Report, that they are united in proposing that the Yearly Meeting appoint Trustees to take charge of it, and after the contract previously made by the Committee of the Meeting for Sufferings with E. G. Dorland, is fulfilled, they shall be at liberty to lease it to any Meeting or person for the purpose of a Friend's the interest arising from the permanent Fund. boarding school, suitable for the application of On behalf of the Committee, JAMES CONGDON." The Committee to whom was referred the consideration of the communication respecting slavery, and the use of articles produced by the labor of Slaves, forwarded by Westbury Quarterly Meeting, offered a report which, with some alter |