from the avarice of the owner, is never closed, except while men sleep, two of the shop-servants occupying the place of the careful master amusing themselves at cards. How terribly illustrative of the demoralizing influence of Sabbath trading! the servants never rest, except by turns. While, therefore, the theatre may amuse the master, the imprisoned servants beguile the time at cards in the intervals of custom. I am told that the gaming tables, and all similar sources of sin and ruin for the accommodation of the higher classes, are open just as on other days, except, perhaps, that they are more attractive and more accessible.

To this awful picture of Sunday morals in Paris, there are a few redeeming features, which should not be overlooked. Some conscientious tradesmen (generally, I believe, English) close their concerns entirely on the Lord's day. This is as it should be; and if all our countrymen who come over here, whether to visit or to reside, were to set a similar example, it cannot be doubted, we should soon see a better order of things; for, without question, our national character has, and may have, a great influence over the state of society here.

The number of those among the English who now attend public worship in Paris is, doubtless, much increased; and it is a very pleasing feature to observe so many who, thus far, as in their own land, and

by an influential example, promote the better observance of the Lord's day.

The generally moral and domestic character of the Court of France, under the present Royal Family, is certainly highly honourable, and cannot fail to be very influential in controlling or directing public opinion even on these points. The Queen of the French and the Princesses are regular attendants at their parish church, in the most unostentatious way; and we may hope their example influences many.* I believe all the English congregations are on the increase; and, I trust, also the French, though I have less opportunity of accurately knowing.

The best result of the painful task both of writing and reading this paper will be the stimulus which, under the divine blessing, it may furnish, to increasing prayer for the diffusion of his truth among this dissolute people; and the stirring up of the spirit of gratitude to our God for the hallowing privileges which, as a nation, the people of England enjoy, in the more full sanctification of the Christian Sabbath. May they watch over it, guard it, and religiously strive to honour and improve it more and more, as rebuke and blasphemy abound; and “God, even our own God, will give us his blessing." N.

* Sad to say, one of the most unpopular of the measures of Charles the Tenth was an attempt to close all the shops in Paris on the Sabbath!

soon cease to exist. We cannot, indeed, at present adduce many instances of actual conversion to prove its fallacy; but it may be safely asserted that the principal difficulty in the way of introducing the Gospel into this great nation, lies not so much in the physical and political position of the empire, as in the indifference of the people themselves. The hardness of a Chinese heart is great. A lying spirit is implanted and cherished in them from their childhood; they can form no conception of spiritual things; and the things of this world seem to satisfy all their desires.

The difficulty of bringing such a people to feel the influence of religious truth is indeed great; yet not so great as that of introducing it among the Mohamedans, or even among the Hindoos. Here we meet with a reading people, comparatively free from prejudice, willing to listen to the truth, with a good portion of common sense, and not trammelled by any religion of state. To a true Chinese all religions are alike. Provided he move in the track of his forefathers, and worship their manes, it matters very little with him what idols he worships; yet he must have some object of adoration, however small and contemptible. This, however, can hardly be regarded as a favourable indication. The sick man who is insensible of his disease, and therefore seeks no remedy, is in the greatest danger. What must be the sensations of the Chinese at their transit into that world where they find themselves surrounded by realities of which, till that moment, they had never thought! But we cannot, while we live, pursue them, and mark their condition in the world of spirits. Though we must all enter that world, it is beyond the power of human reason to tell what will be our sensations there.

China's millions of unconverted Heathens have often been the theme on which the friends of Missions have dwelt. Their readiness to succour those who are engaged in the great work, and to sacrifice their property for the promotion of it,

show that their zeal consists in something more than mere words. Though their means might not be adequate to meet the demand, were the work to be carried on as vigorously and extensively as it needs to be, we may expect that they will use their utmost exertions in behalf of this populous nation. On this point no fears need be entertained. The friends of the Saviour at home are fervent in their prayers; and their supplications before the throne of grace are precious in the sight of the Lord. The merciful Redeemer will not leave their petitions unanswered. He will grant success to those undertakings, of which the sole object is the promotion of his glory.

Thus armed by the promises of a faithful God, and sustained by the prayers of our fellow Christians, let us boldly attack the kingdom of darkness, undismayed by the difficulties which lie in our way. They are not so great as the first Missionaries in Greenland, Labrador, and the Cape of Good Hope, had to encounter. The same faith which made them prove victorious and successful, in those inhospitable regions, will enable us to persevere in similar labours, and in the end secure for us similar success. We have an Almighty Saviour for our leader, whose mercy embraces China, as well as every other nation. To Him let us look steadfastly, and in His strength fight the good fight. O that crown of glory which awaits us at the end! the prospect of seeing so large a nation benefited by our labours, of destroying the empire of the prince of darkness here, freeing his slaves from bondage, bringing them to their Saviour, and rendering them happy for ever!

Let the promises of God, that China shall see the salvation of the Lord, be continually before us, especially when we find ourselves surrounded with difficulties and dangers. The struggle which will result in the spiritual emancipation of China will probably be arduous and protracted. Let us not, then, be disheartened, should we meet with reverses; but having once believed that God is our protector and eternal

joy, let us not count our lives too dear to be sacrificed to the noble cause. Why should we hesitate, if duty calls us to do it, to offend a jealous Government, and draw down upon us their vengeance? What would have become of Christianity, in its infancy, if Apostles had been dismayed by the threatenings of the Jewish Sanhedrim, who had it in their power to oppose the progress of the Gospel more effectually than can the Emperor of China, with all his host of officers?

Our predecessors in the work have paved the way before us. Let us press forward in the cause which they have commenced. The time for making the necessary preparations for the great campaign is past; and we are now to meet the enemy, and fight with the spiritual weapons which have been provided. We would say nothing derogatory to useful literary labours of any description; nor discourage in the least the establishment of schools or colleges among the Chinese, whenever it can be done. But we wish to fix attention upon the great object of our exertions, the preaching and promulgation of the Gospel in China itself. Writing for the benefit of the Chinese stands in intimate connexion with this object; but it seems scarcely necessary to remark, that the best preparation for writing thus, is such an intercourse with them as will make us intimately acquainted with their spoken language, their prejudices, and all the peculiarities of their habits and character. We hope the time will soon come, when an abundance of religious books shall be published in the Chinese language, which will not yield, either in perspicuity or purity of idiom, to the best native compositions. We therefore recommend an unwearied study of the Chinese language, both written and spoken. We expect all who engage in the work as Missionaries will have received a thorough

classical education, to prepare them to become masters of this difficult language. We also recommend the employment of any time which cannot be profitably occupied in preaching, in literary pursuits. But preaching and promulgating the word of God should be the primary object; writing, secondary.

Well-directed efforts will have the desired effect. When a free intercourse shall be opened, the influence of our conversation with the Heathen, and the example we set before them, if it be such as becomes Christians, will be felt. If that pure principle of love and benevolence which dwelt in Jesus Christ, animate our hearts, we shall endear ourselves to the nation. Though for a time only repaid with ingratitude, and looked upon as barbarians, we shall finally gain their affections, and thus most effectually secure ultimate suc

cess.

But China is not yet open. Nothing is so important, at the present crisis, as securing a free intercourse with the empire. This, for the present, should be made the chief object of our efforts. The probability of our being able soon to establish the long-wished for intercourse is at least as fair as it ever has been. Let us improve the inviting prospect; and by our joint endeavours pull down the wall of separation, and, after it, the disgraceful and hideous idolatry of China.

We commend these few lines to the serious attention of our fellow-labourers, and of those who are about to engage in the same good work. May a unanimous co-operation for the accomplishment of the same great end, and iron perseverance, and especially that holy ardour, love, and patience, which is the peculiar gift of the blessed Saviour, henceforth characterize our efforts in labouring for the conversion of the Chinese! PHILOSINENSIS.

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lers by a spreading banian-tree, and a well of excellent water. Running streams had hitherto refreshed us

when we happily stopped on their banks; but a good well had not yet fallen to our lot. On the contrary, at Ustam, and most other villages, the water was so muddy as to be scarcely drinkable: and even this unpleasant beverage was so scanty, that we often saw the women wait several hours at a small hole in the earth to collect sufficient to fill a jar. It is only in the months of April and May, just before the first fall of rain, that this scarcity prevails. During that sultry season, of most brooks and rivers it may be said, "Dumb are their fountains, and their channels dry."

The commendation of an ancient Patriarch who dug a well must not be thought too trivial a circumstance for the sacred records. He could not have bestowed a greater charity in a parched and thirsty soil. The frequent allusions to living streams, flowing rivers, verdant banks, and shady fountains, were delightful to the natives of Palestine. No prospect was more enchanting, no promise more alluring, than to "feed in a green pasture, and repose beside the still waters." (Psalm xxiii. 2.)—Forbes's Oriental Memoirs.

THE outer walls of the city of Surat are seven miles in circumference, with twelve gates. Between each gate are irregular towers, mounted with cannon, and the walls are perforated for musquetry. The inner town is surrounded by a similar wall, and an equal number of gates. The streets are narrow, the houses generally lofty, and crowded with inhabitants.

The bazaars, filled with costly merchandise, picturesque and interesting groups of natives on elephants, camels, horses, and mules, strangers from all parts of the globe, in their respective costumes,-vessels building on the stocks, others navigating the river, -together with Turks, Persians, and Armenians, on Arabian chargers, -the European ladies in splendid carriages, and Asiatic females in hackeries, drawn by oxen,-and the motly appearance of the English

and Nabob's troops on the fortifications,-remind us of the following description of Tyre, by the Prophet Ezekiel :

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"O thou that art situate at the entry of the sea, which art a merchant of the people for many isles! O Tyrus! thy builders have perfected thy beauty. All the ships of the sea were in thee to occupy thy merchandise. Tarshish was thy merchant, by reason of the multitude of all kinds of riches; with silver, iron, tin, and lead, they traded in thy fairs. Javan and Tubal, they were thy merchants; they traded in the persons of men, and vessels of brass. They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs, with horses, horsemen, and mules. Syria was thy merchant for emeralds, purple, and broidered work, and fine linen, and coral, and agate; and many isles brought thee horns of ivory, and ebony. Judah and the land of Israel traded in thy markets with wheat of Minnith and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm. Damascus was thy merchant in the multitude of the wares of thy making, for the multitude of all riches, in the wine of Helbon, and white wool. Dan also, and Javan, occupied thy fairs with iron, cassia, and calamus; and Dedan was thy merchant in precious cloths for chariots. Arabia, and all the princes of Kedar, they occupied with thee in lambs, and rams, and goats; and the merchants of Sheba and Raamah occupied in thy fairs with the chief of all spices, with precious stones and gold. Haran and Canneh were thy merchants for blue cloths, and broidered work, in chests of rich apparel, bound with cords, and made of cedar." (Ezek. xxvii. 3, 4, 9, 12-24.)—Ibid.

I HAVE often been struck with the idea, that there may be some affinity between the written mountains in Arabia, and the excavated mountains in Hindostan : I mean only as far as relates to such records or memorials in time of remote antiquity. The book of Job is allowed to be of a very ancient date; coeval, if not antecedent, to the writings of

Moses. In his sublime and pathetic apostrophe the afflicted Patriarch exclaims, "O that my words were now written! O that they were printed in a book! that they were engraven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know that my REDEEMER liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another." (Job xix. 23-27.)

In this memorable speech to his misjudging and uncharitable friends, uttered by the venerable sufferer, in strong faith and fervent hope, he not only makes this animated appeal, but ardently wishes to have it recorded for the consolation of the latest posterity. Printing, so improperly introduced by the English translators, was then unknown; manuscripts were perishing, but the rock was permanent. On an adamantine rock, therefore, did the pious Prince wish that his words might be engraved, the characters filled up with lead, and remain indelible for ever. All this must certainly allude to a custom then known most probably the written mountains in Arabia, the very country in which they lived, were extant at the time, and familiar to his hearers.

Engraving on stones was generally practised in Egypt. Their hieroglyphics were cut in the hardest granite; the obelisks were sculptured in intaglio, filled with cement of various colours; which is probably what our translators have meant by lead. These memorials brought into Europe by the Roman Emperors, the remains of excavated hills and sculptured rocks still extant in Egypt, united with the accounts of the Greek historians, undoubtedly prove the antiquity of works similar to those in India. The characters engraved on the portals of the excavated mountains in Hindostan, and the adjacent rocks, have very lately been deciphered. I copied several lines from the entrance of the caves of Canara, which were then

pronounced obsolete, and past finding out. Mr. Wilford has proved the contrary. Possibly in this enlightened age, the characters on the Arabian mountains may yet be explained.

Niebuhr mentions a large cemetry in the desert of Sinai, where a great many stones are set up in an erect position, ou a high and steep mountain, covered with as beautiful hieroglyphics as those of the Egyptian mountains. The Arabs carried them to this burial place, which is more remarkable than the written mountains, seen and described by other travellers in this desert; for so many well-cut stones could never be the monuments of the wandering Arabs, but must necessarily owe their origin to the inhabitants of some great city near this place, which is, however, now a desert.Ibid.

THE Custom of making presents prevails throughout Asia, and has done so from the remotest antiquity. No public visits are made without this ceremony. In many parts, among the inferior classes, a flower, fruit, or a cardamom, is offered out of respect at familiar visits. An Indian never requests a favour from his

superior with an empty hand. When the aged Patriarch sent his sons before the ruler of Egypt, he said, "Take of the best fruits of the land, and carry the man a present; a little balm, a little honey; spices and myrrh, nuts and almonds.” (Gen. xliii. 11.) Solomon remarks that a man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men;" (Prov. xviii. 16;) and there is an Arabian proverb to this effect, "Tokens accompany love; presents are the vehicles of friendship."

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It is not so much the custom in India to present dresses ready made to the visiters, as to offer the materials, especially to Europeans. In Turkey, Persia, and Arabia, it is generally the reverse. We find in Chardin, that the Kings of Persia had great wardrobes, where there were always many hundred habits, sorted, ready for presents; and that the intendant of the wardrobe sent them to those persons for whom