is no architectural ornament higher than the houses.

The College. It is very gratifying to observe the progress which has been made, in the course of the season, in building the College. The passage from the street to the interior of the quadrangle, upon the improved plan, has been completed, which, considering its stupendousness and magnificence, is itself a very considerable advance towards the completion of the building. The north side has been proceeded in with so much activity, that the masonwork may be expected to be soon finished. So much of its inner front as was previously built, has been pulled down and rebuilt, so as to accommodate it to the new plan, which provides the whole front with the noble ornament of Corinthian pillars. As the south side will exactly correspond with it, a perfect idea may now be formed of the appearance which this grand building will present when finally completed. This is an event to which the public have long looked forward with no little anxiety; and they must contemplate with much satisfaction the near prospect of its accomplishment. Some time ago, as must be known to many of our readers, a range of old houses that stood on the west side of the Horse Wynd, immediately behind the College, was cleared away, and an open space formed, which has been planted with trees, and considerably improved, on that side, the effect of the building.

The Union Canal between Glasgow and Edinburgh was brought to a completion about the close of this year. Commencing at the west side of Edinburgh, it joins the great canal at Lock No. 16, near Falkirk. The length is 31 miles. Magnificent aqueduct bridges occur at Slateford and Muiravonside ; and before its junction with the great canal, it is carried through a tunnel half a mile in length. The estimate of the expense was up

wards of 200,000l.; and this amount, we believe, was exceeded.

The iron bar bridge lately erected over the Tweed, near Paxton Ford, six miles above Berwick, proves so advantageous to the country, that the trustees have voted 1000 guineas to the builder, Captain Brown, above his estimate. The captain has erected a suspension-pier, on a similar principle, west of Newhaven, near Edinburgh. This extends 700 feet into the sea, and will admit of steamvessels and other craft coming along. side at low water. It was proved, by the weight of twenty-one tons being placed between the different points of suspension. Although that was the extreme weight up to which Captain Brown, the contractor, was bound to prove it, such was the confidence of the contractor, as well as of the proprietors, in the strength and stability of the structure, that the pas sengers, by the various steam-vessels which frequent it, were allowed to pass without interruption, during the whole operation, so that at one time there was a weight equal to that of 500 persons on the arches at the same time.

A new pharos or light-house in the Shetland Isles was first set up January 15th last, and is intended to burn constantly from the close of day till next morning. This light-house is at Sumburghhead, one extremity of the Isle of Mainland, the largest of the Shetland Islands, in 59° 52′ north latitude, and 1° 28′ west longitude. It is about twenty miles SW. from Hangcliff-Head, on the Isle of Noss The light will be visible to all ships sailing in the southern parts of the Shetland Islands, between Foula Island and Nosshead. The flame will be fixed, but accompanied with reflector lamps, the elevation 300 feet above the mean level of the sea. At the distance of six or seven leagues, it will appear like a star of the first magnitude.

than twenty persons, whether they assemble for discussing political, literary, religious, or any other subjects. The establishment alluded to, has assumed the name of the "Société de la Morale Chretienne." The society is declared to be instituted for the purpose of applying the precepts of Christianity to the relations of social life. A prospectus, containing the views of the founders, has been circulated, in which they say " Persuaded that the greater part of the evils under which mankind suffer, is the deplorable fruit of the illusion under which they are with regard to what is necessary to constitute their happiness, some friends of humanity consider the present a favourable moment for the establishment of a society, which should endeavour to recal men to the only true source of happiness, the precepts of Christianity -precepts which are essentially the same as those which the Creator has engraven in the hearts of all men, and which Jesus Christ only developed and exhibited in a more attractive and luminous manner, and founded on more powerful motives, but which are unfortunately less known, less respected, and less practised, than they ought to be."

The object of the society is thus stated in the first article of their rules:"The object of this society is to explain, and constantly recal to the minds of men, the precepts of Christianity, in all their purity; to point out the important influence those precepts exercise on the happiness of mankind; and thus to endeavour to instil or revive those sentiments of charity and general benevolence which are calculated to establish peace on earth."

But the most remarkable circumstance connected with this society is, that it is established by the united efforts of distinguished Catholics and Protestants. It is, perhaps, the first

time that the adherents of these hitherto hostile religions, have united for the purpose of diffusing the gospel of Christ, without reference to the suc cess of their respective systems.

The prospectus is signed by the following names. The letter C is placed after the Catholics, and P after the Protestants:-The Duke de la Rochefoucault Liancourt, president, C.; Baron Degerando, C.; M. Delacroix, C.; the Rev. J. J. Goep, P.; Count Laborde, C.; Count de Lasteyrie, C.; Dr Spurzheim, C.; Baron de Stael Holstein, P.; M. Stapfer, P.; Baron de Turkheim, P.; M. J. G. Wurtz, P.; M. Willm, secretary, P.; M. Cocquerel, assistant secretary, P.

A public meeting was held at the City of London Tavern, for the purpose of establishing a floating hospital on the Thames for seamen, and it was attended by a most numerous and respectable assemblage of ladies and gentlemen. At one o'clock, the Lord Bishop of Chester was unanimously called to the chair, and briefly addressed the meeting on the object for which they were assembled.

Á series of resolutions was then proposed to the meeting, in furtherance of the objects of the society, in the moving and seconding of which, Earl Darnley, Mr Wilberforce, Lord Rock. savage, and other gentlemen, shortly advocated the utility of establishing a floating hospital on the River Thames. Mr Rowcroft moved the thanks of the meeting to the Mendicity Society, for the protection they had afforded to seamen. He observed, that upwards of sixty seamen were now receiving the attention of that society. This circumstance alone would shew the utility of the proposed measure.

SCHOOLS IN THE WEST INDIES.The beneficial influence of Christian instruction on the slave population in the West Indies, is felt wherever it is fairly tried. Schools of moral and re

ligious education are recommended and adopted, where the principles of Chris tianity are instilled regularly into the minds of the hitherto abused and neglected people of colour; and, by the natural operation of this paternal system, the necessity of corporal correction has been precluded in Dominica; so that, in a gang of 100 negroes, one instance only of formal punishment occurred during the whole period of their master's abode with them. The same happy change might be effected in every other plantation in the West Indies, could their resident superiors be induced to adopt the principles and conduct of Mr Burnett.

Mr Thwaites, the superintendent of the schools at Antigua, confirms this testimony. He writes thus," It affords us no small degree of pleasure, to hear these good men declare, that the best effects are produced by the conscientious mode of government, which they now pursue with the slaves under their management; they deal with them as rational creatures, and have no cause to repent the adoption of such a plan." In mentioning the similar benefits at English Harbour, where he is himself resident, he adds, -"Numbers of young females, who, humanly judging, must have been carried away by the torrent of vice, are rescued from ruin, and have found an asylum from danger, and friends to cover their defenceless heads. Some of them, of low and depraved connexions, have become not only useful teachers in the schools, but consistent professors of Christianity, and eligible for the honourable estate of matrimony; into which several have lately entered, and others are likely soon to follow their example."

The benefits of the institutions are more perceptible almost every day, especially in restraining the prevailing sin of the country. It not only makes some persevere in the paths of virtue,

amidst all their discouragements (for honour, ease, plenty, and perhaps liberty, are on the side of vice among this degraded people) but some who have erred, deeply penitent, have entreated, with tears, to be taken back into the school.

Some instances are stated of their prosperity owing entirely to their sense of duty and a regular life; and of others who have been tempted by freedom, splendour, and vanity, and, in the midst of their course, sighed for a dismissal. The education of the schools is rendered the more inviting to them by its moderation and freedom from personal discipline. Their last numbers had increased to 1429 scholars; and three additional schools have been since formed in Antigua. Those in Barbadoes were well attended and supported, and had secured the influence and attention of the clergy.

The first anniversary of the Calcutta School Society was held in the Town Hall, Calcutta, the Honourable the Chief Justice in the chair. Reports were read in Persian and in English. From the latter we extract the following statement.

Indigenous (or native) schools in Calcutta.

Schools for English and higher branches of tuition, which of course are paid for by the parents, &c.

At the close of 1819, there were four schools in Madras, and nine in the adjacent country. The number of children on the books was 386, (thirtynine Protestants, fifty-nine Catholics, and the rest heathen). The average attendance was about 300 daily. The number of children admitted from the beginning 1496.

TRAVANCORE SCHOOLS.-The number of children admitted in these thirtyone schools, was 1387 at the close of 1819; in June following, 1623, classed as follows:-Protestant, 184; Catholic, 119; Brahmin and Soodra, 1266; Mahomedan, 54;-Total, 1623.

BAPTIST MISSION.

The following concise view of the translations of the Holy Scriptures, is extracted from the Seventh Memoir, dated Serampore, Dec. 1820.

1. In Bengalee, the fifth edition of the New Testament, containing 5000 copies, which was printed off about three years ago, is nearly exhausted, and, of the different parts of the Old, scarcely a single copy has been left for some time past. The continual demand for this version, therefore, has render ed it necessary to print a new edition of the whole Scriptures. This edition, which will form the sixth edition of the New Testament, and the third of the Psalms, and some other parts of the Old Testament, will consist of 4000 copies, and of the New Testament 2000 extra, the demand being so very great. By using a new fount of types, of a reduced size, and printing in double columns, on a large octavo page, the brethren hope to bring the whole five volumes into one volume of about 1300 pages, royal octavo, or two very moderate volumes, and the New Testament into a neat duodecimo of about 400 pages.

2. In the Sungskrit, the last volume

of the Old Testament was printed off about two years ago. The first edition of the New Testament is quite exhausted, and the numerous calls for the Scriptures in this language, by the literati of India, have induced the brethren to put to press a second edition of the whole Scriptures. This will likewise be printed in double columns in the large octavo size, and the whole Scriptures will be comprised in one volume. It will consist of 2000 copies, with an extra number of 2000 New Testaments.

3. In the Hindee, also, the last volume of the Old Testament was published nearly two years ago. The edition of the New Testament being nearly exhausted, and Mr Chamberlain having prepared another version of the New Testament in this language, for which his long residence in the western provinces of India, and his intimate acquaintance with their popular dialects, eminently fit him, the brethren have resolved in this edition to print his version of the New Testament, instead of their own, as a comparison of independent versions, made by persons long and intimately acquainted with the language, will be of the utmost value in ultimately forming a correct, chaste, and perspicuous version in this widely extended language. Of this edition of the New Testament, which is more than half through the press, they are printing 2000 copies.

4. In the Orissa language, the whole Scriptures have been long published. The first edition of the New Testa ment being exhausted, and the demand for this version still increasing, the brethren have prepared a second edition, which is now more than half through the press. It consists of 4000 copies.

5. The last volume of the Old Tes tament in the Mahratta language was published many months ago, so that a version of the whole Scriptures in that