which a small quantity was received of yellow and red powder; a composition of turmeric, chunam, or chalk, &c., which are generally appropriated to the goddess as well as to Hindoo women. Brahmins and Hindoos, when they visit a strange pagoda, bring presents. On this occasion, the head of the party ordered that some cocoa-nuts, plantains, and camphor, should be brought in and presented to the idols. After being presented, these fruits were distributed to the party of worshippers as far as they would divide; then, according to the usual custom, the same person gave money to the officiating priest. This gift is supposed to be according to the circumstances and pleasure of the donor. The priest then conducted the worshippers, with a light in his hand, round the sanctuary of the idol; and having laid aside their turbans and outer garments, lest they should be soiled, they proceeded to explore some mysterious and far-winding recesses connected with the pagoda."

I was, on one occasion, brought into Conjeveram, contrary to my original intention, in consequence of an accident which befel my palanquin. The pole so completely broke away from the body, that it was no longer possible for my bearers to carry me; and it was with difficulty they could convey the palanquin from the place where the accident occurred. I had been travelling in the pretty, well watered valley within which Damal is situated, and through which, for the purposes of irrigation, a branch of the Pallar is conducted by an artificial channel; and when the occurrence, which impeded my progress, happened, I was six or eight miles from Conjeveram. In none of the villages could I find, as I passed, a smith or carpenter able to repair the broken pole. My only course was then to walk, while the bearers carried the palanquin on their heads. I never at any other time walked so far at once in India. The night set in upon us; we were not supplied with oil, or torches; pedestrian tours are not frequent in the district; and the poisonous reptiles, which are numerous, render it very undesirable to travel much on foot. Necessity, however, left no choice, and, after a weary and troubled pilgrimage, I reached Conjeveram. I experienced the most friendly reception by the assistant collector, who happened to be at his bungalow when I arrived. A gentleman, whom I never saw before, nor have I met him since, welcomed me to his hospitality, provided for my refreshment after the unusual excursion, insisted that I should remain throughout the night, and next day furnished me with a new palanquin, in which I started for my destination. Such are Indian courtesy and their liberal habits of intercourse: when I proposed sending back the borrowed palanquin, Mr. McL- begged me to wait till he would himself send for it, a distance of nearly forty miles. His was the nearest European residence in a surrounding district of fifteen or twenty miles.

My reader will now permit me to conduct him to

Walajahbad. The family of Walajah obtained the dignity of nabobs of Arcot by splendid military achievements; and by the same means acquired great local celebrity. The name is applied to several native towns or districts: Walajah Pettah and Walajah Naggur are instances. The cantonment is distinct from either, but it is only a military station, and subject to all the restrictions and regulations which are common to a British garrison: a commandant was the superior, and a fort-adjutant exercised the superintendence of a police; to both these officers it was requisite a stranger should report himself and deliver his passports; both were gentlemen, and friendly; with them was neither delay nor irritation. I had the satisfaction to know that my visit was acceptable, and I was employed to officiate as chaplain for the regiment during my visit; the adjutant read prayers, and I preached on the Sundays, while the men and officers stood on the parade in church order. This was in the morning, before the sun had risen to meridian heat. In the afternoon and evening I met the soldiers who were peculiarly concerned about religion: they had prepared a small bungalow, which would contain eighty or a hundred ; and in the evenings of each successive day this military tabernacle was filled and surrounded by many listening and interested worshippers-poor fellows, who perhaps in their own country, or in more favourable circumstances, had disregarded such observances. A more select number had joined in a religious brotherhood, and met together, though they had no minister, for mutual counsel and encouragement. They attended to the Lord's supper, when visited by a minister. I have sat down to this hallowed commemoration with eighteen or twenty at a time. There was in the same regiment a society of another christian denomination; a native Roman Catholic priest also officiated within the cantonment, and was attended by some of the soldiers. Few of their wives were interested in the subjects which I sought to explain; they were women of colour, principally, and brought up under heathen or Romish influence on religious subjects. I met some of them for religious instruction, but they were subjected to much of the listlessness or enmity of the native mind.

The objects of the soldiers' society were expressed in the rules which they had adopted for themselves; of which the following was the substance: "That they should form a general society for the service of God, and to maintain religious worship among such as were disposed to attend. To this society every one was admitted who expressed a wish for it, and conducted himself with moral propriety; but a more select society was formed from such of these as were desirous of more intimate and christian communion; to this no person was admitted a member, but such as were deemed to give satisfactory evidence of a divine change, wrought in their hearts, by a conduct which became the gospel of Jesus Christ. These were required to exercise a tender and vigilant concern for each other, and to

pray one for and with another." They had fixed seasons for meeting, office bearers, subscriptions, and affectionate discipline. By their president they maintained correspondence with missionaries in distant parts of India, and obtained religious books, tracts, sermons, &c. The following is a specimen of such correspondence.

" I have to inform you that I received your letter, of the 10th of January, by the —, as also a number of tracts and reports, for which the society return you their most humble thanks. The two volumes of Sermons we have safe. The society are at this time all enjoying a good state of health, thanks be to the Almighty; and they hope this will find you enjoying the same blessing. You mention in your letter that I was to write once every three months; but, if it is convenient for you, the society would wish to hear from you every month. I, as you advised me, asked Mr. — to preach for us. We had just got a fresh place to assemble in, and a very comfortable one too; he preached in it three times. It will seat one hundred very conveniently. You wished, in your letter, to know the strength of our society. We are sixteen in number, and there are a number more (who) attend, who seem to be very serious. Our meetings in general consist of between thirty and forty hearers. The small books, for children, I distributed among the children that attend; but I don't see how I can put into execution what you recommend, as there is divine service twice on Sundays. The Mis