years, it lived till the gospel, that glorious day-spring from on high, visited the multitude of the Gentile isles, and banished with its light this spectre of darkness. To pave the way for this, seems to have been the great end which Providence had to serve in these countries by the Roman conquests, although it was in their heart only to destroy and cut off nations not a few :---and it is remarkable, that when the Caledonian mountains opposed the Roman arms with their unsurmountable barrier, a civil dissention was made to answer their end, where they could not penetrate. The Druids, by an unseasonable and overstrained exertion of their declining power, excited the people to shake off a yoke which pressed the sorer upon them, when it should have been rather slackened. In. this effort for liberty they happily succeeded, and became disposed to embrace the first dawnings of a new and better religion. For this exchange we can never be sufficiently thankful. Druidism may have been the purest of all Pagan superstitions, and perhaps the very wisest of all institutions that were merely human: but our religion is divine !"

*

SIR,

A HINT TO SERIOUS LADIES.

To the Editor.

I HAVE long observed, with a mixture of pleasure and commiseration, by frequent familiar conversation with a large family of daughters,-of whom some are single,-others settled in life, and their respective female connections, that not the truly pious only, but the intelligent, the domesticated, and even not a few of our fair countrywomen who have little superior claim to either denomination, feel and lament the capricious changes in apparel, so frequently and arbitrarily imposed on them by our modern Proteus, Fashion, as a serious impediment to the improvement of their character, comfort, and usefulness. How indeed can it be otherwise? Must not the perpetual demand thus made on their time and attention be of necessity highy inimical to spirituality of mind, mental improvements,

* Trathal, grandfather to the celebrated Fingal, having been chosen Vergobretus, or Generalissimo of the Caledonian army, in a war with the Romans, was not disposed, at his return, to resign his office, at the request of the Druids, who would still keep up the honour of their order by peremptorily insisting upon a compliance. Upon this a civil war com menced, in which the Druids and their abettors were overthrown, and made to suffer, from their countrymen, the same fate which the order had everywhere else suffered from the Romans. What facilitated that overthrow was, that few of the principal families had been then members, or even disciples. Their continual wars with the Romans had, for some time back, taken up their whole attention. The Druids afterwards got some aid from Scandinavia; bút, after a few unsuccessful efforts, they were forced at length to retire to lona, where they were not quite extinct fill the coming of St. Columba, in the sixth century.

comfortable domestic arrangement, profitable conversation, so cial comfort, and benevolent activity? If, however, I were of opinion that this evil could only be counteracted by personal singularity (to which I beg to be understood as objecting only in certain cases, and such I apprehend that under consideration to be; or by whole denominations of Christians adopting particular dresses as a sort of religious livery, both of which I apprehend to be highly exceptionable on various accounts, -I should demur, as to giving other advice than to avoid singularity, in a spirit of watchfulness and prayer, that the affections be not entangled; but reflecting on the several socicties of ladies, formed within these few years, and conducted by them with so much credit to themselves and benefit to the afflicted, I feel a hope on behalf of the female inhabitants of this highly-favoured country, that a society might be formed from among themselves, connected with some benevolent design, to be supported by the contribution of its members, on a basis to afford effectual relief from the capricious tyranny of fashion, to as many as should chuse to join the society, or shelter themselves under its fostering influence and example, without serious detriment to trade, precluding real improvement, or instituting a badge of religious sentiments. I beg to submit the suggestion to the consideration of you and your readers, and With real respect, am, PHILO.

THE SUPPORTING INFLUENCE OF RELIGION. Mr. Editor,

I have just read Mr. Mungo Park's Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa with the liveliest interest: a book written in a style of pleasing simplicity, and full of the most surprizing incidents. The dangers that man encountered, the difficulties he overcame, and the hardships he so heroically underwent, at once display the enterprizing traveller, and the superintending care of a gracious God. The work, however, is elegant, and consequently expensive: a circumstance which must deprive very many of your readers of a perusal. From this consideration, from a desire to enrich your valuable Magazine, and from a fervent desire of strongly impressing on each of our minds the gratitude we owe to the Lord for his tender mercies, I transcribe the following Extract, which forcibly marks the supporting Influence of Religion. I am sure you will not fail to gratify your readers by its insertion, as well as bim who is with respect, Sir, your obedient Servant, Z. B. G.

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"Aug. 25th, I departed," says Mr. Park, "from Kooma, accompanied by two shepherds, who were going towards Sibidooloo. The road was very steep and rocky; and as my horse

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had hurt his feet much in coming from Bammakoo, he travelled slowly, and with great difficulty; for in many places the ascent was so sharp, and the declivities so great, that if he had made One false step he must inevitably have been dashed to pieces. The shepherds being anxious to proceed, gave themselves little trouble about me or my horse, and kept walking on at a considerable distance. It was about eleven o'clock as I stopped to drink a little water at a rivulet (my companions being near a quarter of a mile before me) that I heard some people calling to each other; and presently a loud screaming, as from a person in great distress. I immediately conjectured that a lion had taken one of the shepherds; and mounted my horse to have a better view of what had happened. The noise, however, ceased; and I rode slowly towards the place from whence I thought it had proceeded, calling out; but without receiving any answer. little time, however, I perceived one of the shepherds lying among the long grass, near the road; and though I could see no blood upon him, I concluded he was dead: but when I came close to him, he whispered to me to stop; telling me that a party of armed men had seized upon his companion, and shot two arrows at himself, as he was making his escape. I stopped to consider what course to take; and looking round, saw at a little distance a man sitting upon the stump of a tree. I distinguished also the heads of six or seven more, sitting among the grass, with muskets in their hands. I had now no hopes of escaping; and, therefore, determined to ride forward towards them. As I approached them, I was in hopes they were elephant-hunters; and, by way of opening the conversation, enquired if they had shot any thing?but, without returning an answer, one of them ordered me to dismount; and then, as if recollecting himself, waved his hand for me to proceed. I accordingly rode past; and had, with some difficulty, crossed a deep rivulet, when I heard somebody holla; and looking behind, saw those I had taken for elephant-hunters running after me, and calling out to me to turn back. I stopped until they were all come up; when they informed me, That the king of the Foulahs had sent them on purpose to bring me, my horse, and every thing that belonged to me, to Fooladoo; and that, therefore, I must turn back, and go along with them. Without hesitating a moment, I turned round and followed them; and we travelled together near a quarter of a mile without exchanging a word; when, coming to a dark place in the wood, one of them said, in the Mandingo language,This place will do ;" and immediately snatched my hat from my head. Though I was by no means free of apprehension, yet I resolved to shew as few signs of fear as possible; and, therefore, told them, That unless my hat was returned to me, I should proceed no further. But before I had time to receive an answer, another drew a knife, and seizing upon a metaļ

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button which remained upon my waistcoat, cut it off, and put it into his pocket. Their intentions were now obvious; and I thought that the easier they were permitted to rob me of every thing, the less I had to fear. I therefore allowed them to search my pockets without resistance, and examine every part of my apparel, which they did with the most scrupulous exactness. But observing that I had one waistcoat under another, they insisted that I should take them both off; and at last, to make sure work, they stripped me quite naked; - even my half-boots (tho' the sole of one of them was tied on my foot with a broken bridlerein) were minutely inspected. Whilst they were examining the plunder, I begged them, with great earnestness, to return my pocket-compass; but when I pointed it out to them, as it was lying on the ground, one of the banditti, thinking I was about to take it up, cocked his musket, and swore that he would lay me dead upon the spot if I presumed to put my hand upon it. After this, some of them went away with my horse; and the re mainder stood considering whether they should leave me quite naked, or allow me something to shelter me from the sun. Humanity at last prevailed: they returned me the worst of the two shirts and a pair of trowsers; and as they went away, one of them threw back my hat, in the crown of which I kept my memorandums; and this was probably the reason they did not wish to keep it.

"After they were gone, I sat for some time looking around me with amazement and terror. Whichever way I turned, nothing appeared but danger and difficulty. I saw myself in the midst of a vast wilderness; in the depth of the rainy season; naked and alone; surrounded by savage animals, and men still more savage. I was five hundred miles from the nearest European settlement. All these circumstances crowded at once on my recollection; and I confess that my spirits began to fail me. I considered my fate as certain, and that I had no alternative but to lie down and perish. The influence of Religion, however, aided and supported me. I reflected that no human prudence or foresight could possibly have averted my present sufferings. I indeed was a stranger in a strange land; yet I was still under the protecting eye of that Providence who has condescended to call himself the stranger's Friend. At this moment, painful as my reflections were, the extraordinary beauty of a small moss, in fructification, irresistibly caught my eye. I mention this to shew from what trifling circumstances the mind will sometimes derive consolation; for, though the whole plant was not larger than the top of one of my fingers, I could not contemplate the delicate conformation of its roots, leaves, and capsula without admiration. Can that Being (thought 1) who planted, watered, and brought to perfection, in this obscure part of the world, a thing which appears of so small importance, look with unconcern upon the situation and sufferings of creatures formed after

his own image? surely not. Reflections like these would not allow me to despair. I started up; and, disregarding both hunger and fatigue, travelled forwards, assured that relief was at hand; and I was not disappointed. In a short time, I came to a small village, at the entrance of which I overtook the two shepherds, who had come with me from Kooma. They were much surprized to see me; for (they said) they never doubted that the Foulahs, when they had robbed, had murdered me. Departing from this village, we travelled over several rocky ridges; and, at sunset, arrived at Sibidooloo, the frontier town of the kingdom of Manding." Park's Travels, p. 210-244.

FROM A LADY IN JAMAICA

TO HER NEPHEW IN ENGLAND.

Very dear Sir,

I CANNOT, in common justice, lay claim to that disinterested friendship you ascribe to me in our epistolary correspondence. When a merchant lades a bark with the poor produce of an almost barren soil, in expectation of receiving the rich and well-flavoured fruits of a land flowing with milk and honey in return,-can such a man be deemed disinterested? If so, then may I take to myself that merit you are willing to allow me. This idea struck me so forcibly, on reading your welcome letter of August 17th, that I could not avoid mentioning it.

I trust I am not ungrateful for your kind communication of the exercise of your mind in your late affliction. How oft, nay, how constantly does the Father of mercies fulfil his gracious promise, "As thy day, so shall thy strength be!" I feel a hope, that these frequent chastisements are intended to prepare you for a large sphere of usefulness. May he sarctify them to your furtherance in the divine life, and having been afflicted yourself, you will be the more capable of administering consolation to the afflicted; for preaching alone does not comprize the whole duty of a clergyman. To comfort those on beds of languishing, ought to be a great part of his employment. May you be a wise master-builder, and faithfully discharge the various duties of your sacred office!

Mr. B. has had a severe seasoning to this climate; for many days we had no hope of his recovery. I verily believe he was spared, in answer to prayer. From the 11th of August to the 6th of October, our chapel was shut, except a few mornings at five o'clock, when our local preachers gave us an exhortation; for we could not have public worship till he was removed out of town for change of air, the chapel being over the dwelling. house; the noise would have retarded, or probably entirely prevented his recovery. Thanks be to God, who again enables his ambassador to go through his various duties; and certainly the care of five hundred souls is not a small charge!

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