which ere long will encircle the whole family of man. It reaches even now from Moscow to Massachussets, from Calcutta to Labra dor: and the address, mentioned by his Honourable Friend (Mr. Grant), as having last night passed unanimously in the Lower House of Parliament, gave reason to hope that it would soon be extended to Africa, Christian harmony and Christian fellowship flourish and abound, wherever the influence of this Society is felt. Its Auxiliaries may be remote from each other, but their views, and their hopes, and their spirit are the

FRANCE.

In our last we briefly adverted to an Exposée of the state of the nation, which had been laid before the Deputies. In that paper, the existing evils are ascribed to the wars which have been carried on by France. "It is impossible to estimate the consumption of men by the late government." "The amount of the calls ordered since the end of the Russian campaign is frightful." They amount, when summed up, to 1,300,000 men. These requisitions, of only 15 months, give some idea of the exhaustion of 22 years. The improvement of the condition of the lower orders by the division of property, the equal distribution of inheritances, vaccination, the early marriages caused by a wish to avoid the conscription, contributed among other causes numerically to repair those sacrifices. Population below the age of puberty has increased: beyond that, its diminution has been prodigious.-Agriculture bas made real progress in France, although the continental system has greatly checked the produce of wine and brandy. The flocks have also been ameliorated, and the mines increased. Manufactures were progressive, but the continental system has materially impeded them. The looms of Lyons alone were reduced from 13,000 to 8,000. The manufacture of cottons, woollens, leather, &c. suffered in an equal degree. The raw material was difficult to be obtained. As for the external commerce of France, it suffered still more severely than its manu factures.--The finances appear to be in a disorganized state. The war expenses alone, for 1814, are estimated at 740 millions of francs, or upwards of 30 millions sterling. Besides this, the arrears of the armies for four years past are unknown, and a variety

of military expenses, not ranged under its proper head, were thrown on the communes, and even on the hospitals and other public institutions. The arsenals, both naval and military, are completely dilapidated; and the ships alone lost to France, during the last fifteen years, could not be replaced for ten millions sterling. The total increase of the debts of the state, during 13 years, is computed at 1,643,469,000 francs, or nearly 80,000,000 sterling-In speaking of the moral state of France, it is observed, that the late government re-established religion only to make it a tool: public education was subjected to the same state of dependence: noble sentiments were oppressed; generous ideas were stifled. The government, not content with condemning to inaction the virtues which it dreaded, exerted and fomented bad passions. To suppress public spirit, it called personal interest to its aid. It offered its favours to ambition, in order to silence conscience; and left no other state but that of serving it, no other hope but those which it could tulfil.-The difficulties of the moment are great, but the zealous concorrence of the nation with the king and the two houses will hasten the return of a better state. If any thing can prevent this, it will be that restless turbulence, which wishes to enjoy without delay the blessings of which it has the prospect.

The French House of Peers, in thanking the King for this communication, observes, that the peculiar talent of the late govern ment seemed to consist in always placing the nation in those critical situations where patriotism was forced to second tyranny, and where the national honour had only to choose between foreign and domestic oppression. It plunged the people of France into acts of

had then occurred. A large American force had invaded Upper Canada, in the hope of achieving something brilliant before the British reinforcements should arrive from Bourdeaux. An attempt was made to repel this invasion, by means of a very inadequate force, amounting to 1500 men. It proved unsuccessful, and not a little disastrous; one third of the detachment having been either killed or wounded.—About the same time that this occurred in Upper Canada, a

British squadron took possession, without any loss, of the Moose Islands, in Passamaquoddy Bay, which are said to be a valuable acquisition. The Rattlesnake American sloop of war has been captured by the Leander.

The large force destined to America has evidently alarmed the Government of that country. Orders have been issued for rais ing a militia of 92,500 men.

Parliament was prorogued on the 31st of July. On this occasion, the Speaker of the House of Commons addressed the Prince Regent in a speech of great ability and force, in which, after briefly recapitulat ing the objects to which the attention of Parliament had chiefly been directed, he thus proceeded.

"Whilst we have been thus employed, the destinies of Europe have been gradually unrolled before our eyes; and the powerful nations of the North, sending forth their collective strength to try the last issues of war, whilst Great Britain and her allies were with equal vigour advancing from the South, their joint efforts have at length accomplished the downfall of the greatest military despotism which, in modern days, has disgraced and desolated the earth."

"In the peace which has since followed, the efforts of this country have been not less glorious. The wise and liberal conduct of our Government, which announced justice and equality of rights to be the basis of our diplomatic system, has been happily sustained abroad. The British name now stands high in policy as in arms; and an enlightened people has justly applauded the firmness and temper which have conciliated and cemented the interests of allies, cheered the doubtful, animated the zealous, and united the deliverers and the delivered in a peace honourable and advantageous to all the contracting powers.

"The events of our own times have out run the ordinary march of history. Peace restored, commerce revived, thrones re-esta blished, afford the well-founded hope that the same counsels and the same masterhand, so mainly instrumental in the work hitherto accomplished, may, at the approaching Congress, extend and fix the work of peace throughout Europe; and a further hope that the earnest and universal prayer of this great. country may prevail upon the na tions of Europe, in re-establishing their own happiness, to concur also in putting an effec...

tual end to the wrongs and desolation of Africa.

Auspicious, however, as our present state may seem to be. the instability of all human affairs forbids us to be too confident of its prosperous continuance. Much yet remains to be done in Europe, and we have still one contest to maintain by war; a war which we can never consent to terminate but by the establishment of our claims, according to the maxims of public law, and the maritime rights of this empire."

The speech of the Prince Regent dwell, as might be expected, on the happy result of the military efforts of the Allied Powers, on the deliverance of Europe from an oppressive tyranny, and the favourable prospects of permanent tranquillity opened to us by the restoration of so many ancient thrones. And he adds

"You may rely on my efforts being directed, at the approaching Congress, to complete the settlement of Europe, which has been already so auspiciously begun, and to promote, upon principles of justice and impartiality, all those measures which may ap pear best calculated to secure the tranquillity and happiness of all the nations engaged in the late war."

A strong desire is expressed by his Royal Highness for peace with America. The war with that country, and the necessity of maintaining for a time a body of troops on the continent, render a continuance of foreign expenditure unavoidable. The expenses of the country will be reduced, however, as rapidly as possible. In the close of his speech, the Prince Regent assures Parliament, that "full justice is rendered through out Europe to that manly perseverance, which, amidst the convulsions on the contiment, has preserved this country against all the designs of its enemies, has augmented the resources and extended the dominions of the British Empire, and has proved in its result as beneficial to other nations as to our own?

"His Majesty's subjects cannot fail to be deeply sensible of the distinguished advantages which they have possessed; and I am persuaded that they will ascribe it, under Providence, to that Constitution which it has now for a century been the object of my family to maintain unimpaired, and under which the people of this realm have enjoyed more of real liberty at home, and of true glory abroad, than has ever falien to the lot of any nation."

We heartily concur in the sentiments expressed both in the Prince Regent's speech and in that of the Speaker. We were par ticularly gratified by the affecting and energetic reference of the latter to the universal prayer of the nation. Nearly 800,000 male adults have approached the bar of the British Parliament on this occasion, with no factious purpose, but with a deep and earnest solicitude to promote the interests of humanity, and to do their duty to their God. And when we consider that these petitioners

have not been drawn from the lowest ranks

of society, but that they were persons all of whom were capable of writing decently; when we consider, also, that even in cases where petitions were not presented, the failure arose not from any indisposition to the cause, but from an idea that it was either not necessary, or that it was too late to pe tition; we may fairly assume, that never was the national will so clearly, unequivocally, and forcibly expressed, as on this occasion. On this account, we look forward, with much anxiety indeed, but not without considerable hope, to the negotiations about to be renew ed on this subject, by the Duke of Welling ton, at Paris, and to the redemption of the pledge which has been given by his Majesty's Government, and by the Allied Sovereigns, to do what possibly can be done for Africa at the Congress which is now about to assem

ble at Vienna. In connection with this subject, it may not be improper to state, that the accounts circulated in the French newspapers, of severe battles fought in the Island of St. Domingo, in the month of May last, between the rival chiefs, appear to have had no foundation in truth. Letters have been received from that island to the middle of June, which say nothing of any such conflicts.

The Speaker observed, that much still remained to be done in Europe. We trust, that the varying views and interests of the different cabinets may be so conciliated as to avert any risk of a new collision, or even of any material heart-burnings between the great powers of the continent. In the mean time, Brabant, which the French must have yielded with great reluctance, is placed under the care of the Sovereign of the Netherlands; and it is said, that the number of British troops, or troops in British pay, retained in that quarter, ainount to not less than 40,000.

The Princess of Wales has paid a visit to the Continent, but whether for the purpose of remaining there, or of a mere temporary visit, is not known. Her annual income has been fixed at 35,000l. per annum.

Government appears to have been joined by the party in Parliament which has been considered as adhering to Mr. Canning. That gentleman, it is said, will go out as the British ambassador to Lisbon, to which place he had intended to proceed, with a view to the health of a part of his family. Mr. Huskisson has been appointed Surveyor of the Forests, in the place of Lord Glenbervie; and Mr. W. Pole, Master of the Mint.

The half-pay of our officers, both naval and military, we are happy to observe, has been raised at the rate of from 1s. to 2s. 6d. per day.

childhood he was seriously disposed; and, at the age of twelve or fourteen, he imbibed, under the ministry of the Rev. John King, Vicar of Middleton, those evange lical principles which produced so purifying an influence on his future temper and conduct, preserved him under the severe trials and afflictions of life, and in the hour of death cheered his departing soul with the prospects of immortal glory.

He was originally intended for the law; but zeal for the extension of his Redeemer's kingdom, and an anxious desire of preaching that Gospel to others which he had found so beneficial to his own soul, added to some particular circumstances in his situation, and the advice of some wise and experienced friends, determined his choice of the pastoral office. He received ordination in the beginning of the year 1774: previous to which he prosecuted his studies, for some time, under the eminently learned and pious Mr. Milner, of Hull. His first charge was the Curacy of Hovingham, near Malton, where his ministerial labours became both useful and popular. Afterwards he was recommended, by the Rev. W. Richardson (a friend to whom he looked up as a father, and for whom he enter tained the highest esteem and respect to the latest period of his life), as curate to the venerable and Rev. Thomas Adam, of Winteringham. To this situation he removed in the beginning of the year 1775, and it proved an excellent school for improvement to a young and inexperienced minister. Here he had great opportunities of improving his stock of spiritual knowledge; and here he acquired that just taste which led him to prefer, in his public addresses, that which was solid, useful, and practical; that which was calculated to convince the understanding,' and 'impress the heart; before what was merely popular and attractive. Not was this situation useful to Mr. Storry alone, in training him up to eminent future CHRIST, OBSERV, No. 152.

services; but it was equally so to Mr. Adam, on whom the social and communicative temper of Mr. Storry produced the happiest effects, by correcting in him that retired and taciturn disposition, so frequently found in men of deep thought and reflection, and which had proved a great bar to his usefulness, by restraining him from that free and familiar intercourse so desirable between a minister and his people. Mr. Storry, possessed of an active, affectionate, and communicative temper, soon became personally acquainted with the state of all the parishioners, and acquired an influence over their minds, which he employed in exhorting them to a greater diligence in the concerns of their souls, and in leading them to form a just estimate of the truly valuable instructions of their pious, rector. Through him, the excellencies of Mr. Adam's character were developed, and his labours made to produce a more abundant harvest. To Mr. Storry the world is indebted for deciphering the manuscript copy, in short-hand, of those " PRIVATE THOUGHTS," which have so often appeared in print, and which are so highly esteemed, and read with so much benefit and pleasure, by persons of the greatest experience in religion. Mr. Storry proved a striking example of the benefit which a young man, desi rous of being taught the way of the Lord more perfectly, derives from being placed, in the beginning of his ministerial labours, under the eye and authority of the wise and aged. It was, under God, the happy means of preserving him from many faults incident to his temper and disposition, and training him up for the more eminent services of which he was the honoured instrument.

In the commencement of the year 1781, Mr Storry was presented, by the late pious and excellent Mrs. Wilberforce, to the Vicarage of St. Peter's, Colchester; soon after which, he married a daughter of the late Dr. Bridges, of Hull, a phy4 B