the doctor, and, occasionally, a revenue civilian, which, with the families of these gentlemen, con stituted the whole circle of British society at the settlement. Sadras, a Dutch factory, was distant some twelve or fifteen miles, where a few families of that nation, or descendants of such, resided; but little intercourse was maintained between them. Madras is nearly forty miles north-north-east. Pondicherry is the only other most attractive settlement on the coast, about fifty miles off. Neighbours, so few and select, depend much on each other's good will and courtesy for the happiness of society; and the gay or thoughtless would find this a dull place. The reading and the studious will, however, appreciate such retirement, and improve it for the cultivation of the mind. I have often found well-chosen and extensive libraries in such stations; but it too often occurs that play or sport tempt to indulgences which ruin the purse or destroy the health. I spent a few days in this circle with great satisfaction, and found some sober-minded and reflective, as well as religious inquirers.

The district, through which the Pallar flows, between Chinglepet and Arcot, is known by the name Conjee; it is low and unhealthy; it is also very thinly peopled. There is here an extensive tank, Caverypauk, which supplies moisture to the parched soil, by which a greater measure of fertility and verdure is maintained than would otherwise appear under a vertical sun. Arcot is distant

about seventy-five miles from Madras. The old town is placed on the south side of the Pallar; and Ranepettah, or the cantonment, lies on the opposite bank of the river: the channel is here about half a mile in breadth, so broad for the supply of water as to make it appear, except in the rainy season, almost dry; the exhausted stream flows in two scanty channels. This ancient capital of the Carnatic is surrounded with barren granite hills in a state of decomposition. The locality of Arcot is known in history as ancient as Ptolemy for the site of the capital of the Sorae, or the Soramundalum, whence some derive Coromandel. A more modern date belongs to the Arcot, celebrated in the British conquest of the Carnatic. The Moguls moved from Gingee, because of its insalubriousness, and began to build the present Arcot about the year 1716. The creature of their power set up by the French in 1749, took possession of this place. It was retaken by Clive, two years afterwards, when he sustained a siege of fifty days, till the French and their allies, who had attacked him, were obliged to retreat. For a short time it was again in their possession, but was recovered by Colonel Coote in 1760. Twenty years afterwards, Hyder Ali captured it, when he had defeated Colonel Bailie's force at Conjeveram. His triumph, was, however, but short-lived. It was held for the nabob of Arcot by Company's troops for many years; but about the beginning of the present century, the farce of a native government was removed, and the nabob brought down to Madras as a state-pensioner. The principal defences were destroyed around the town between twenty and thirty years ago; and the large fort stands now as a central tower in the midst of the town, which is still extensive. The ramparts of the fort serve a more useful and pacific purpose, as a defence against the inundations of the river in the monsoon seasons. The former palace of the nabobs, except a gateway still entire, is in ruins; a Mohammedan mosque of attractive splendour, and four or five other places, built for the same religion, afford proofs of Moslem supremacy; and the tombs of their saints or princes attest their former wealth and power. The European visiter will generally be more familiar with the north bank of the Pallar. Ranepettah is one of the largest stations for troops under the Madras government, but is occupied entirely by cavalry. The lines and barracks would garrison six regiments; and range in rows upon a sandy plain, where the herbage is naturally scanty, but on which the constant exercise of troops has scarcely left a blade of vegetation. Arcot is one of the least sheltered, and most oppressive, cantonments for heat in India. There are some garden bungalows, which have been erected for the convenience of higher officers; they are green and scattered spots in the desert. I have seen an English dragoon regiment stationed here, to burn out the contentious and bickering spirit which prevailed among the officers. The Madras native cavalry are, however, chiefly the occupants of these lines, and some very dashing men I have heard as being among them. I have, however, known what was far better-gentlemen, from the cornet to the major, not ashamed to take Jesus for their Lord, to acknowledge Him as their Redeemer, and make mention of his name in prayer-meetings; and as standard-bearers, went forth under Him as the Great Captain of their salvation. There is but poor accommodation for the traveller in choultries, &c. at this station. Hospitality is, however, an ever-vigilant substitute for the European. My home was either at the chaplain's, or his son-inlaw's. The greatest good has been accomplished by this family; the day will declare it, when the faithful and often despised labourer shall receive the crown; and when the seals of fidelity shall be acknowledged and rewarded with the joy of our Lord. Often did this good man stand alone, as if he were a mark set up for the ungodly to shoot at. With a temper naturally bland and lively, though quaint, and rendered a little cynical by the ungenerous insinuations and cruel hatred of not a few whose portion was in this life. My friend, Mr. S. had cultivated an extensive knowledge, and drunk largely into the spirit of our English divines of the seventeenth century. He, therefore, not unfrequently startled his gay auditories with sallies of plain and homely truths, whether in the pulpit or in social intercourse. If they observed that the season was hot, he would reply in the affirmative, but that it was not so hot as hell would be to the wicked. If they had used the sobriquets of reproach, often applied to zealous Christians, as new lights, swaddlers, or methodists, and with significant shrugs, declined much intimacy; he would warn them of the time to come, when the present despisers would welcome the visits of a Lazarus, and be glad to take hold of the skirts of a man that was called a Jew. The many young Christians who were brought to Jesus here, or nurtured and fitted for active duties; the travellers to Zion's gates, who were refreshed and encouraged amidst toils and sorrows under this roof, by the sweet counsel which was taken together, when they that feared the Lord spake often one to another, and the Lord hearkened and heard; and the fellowlabourers who received mutual encouragement and renewed strength, who were enabled to gird up the loins of their minds, who thanked God and took courage, will all remember in eternity this as the house of Evangelist, and the season when with joy they drew water from the wells of salvation, even in this desert place; and it may be no small source of their rejoicings at the right hand, that a fellowship was here commenced which shall be perpetuated in the skies. I need not recount the afflictive dispensation by which an only son was taken away in the saddest scenes of mortal conflict, but with the fullest assurances of eternal bliss, or the mingled and compensating mercies by which four lovely daughters were trained up for wisdom's