means of directing their parents' attention to Christianity, and where the reading of heathen legends in the evening, has given place to the children reading the word of God. Some months ago, we were invited to commence a school in Paroor-a very large village, and to send a person who was capable of teaching the people and their children Christianity. This is the first case in which the head men of a village have united in such a request. One of the seminary youths was sent as schoolmaster, and there seems a decided inclination to learn. In one house, the worship of the true God is established.

CHAPTER XVI.

ON THE TAMUL MISSIONS.

SALEM-CHEVEROI HILLS-MR. HENRY CRISP-HIS LABOURS AND DEATH-MR. WALTON-SCHOOLMASTERS-VISITS TO MARKETSTHE NATIVE CHURCH-ITINERARIES-COIMBATOOR-NEILGHERRIES-INHABITANTS OF THE HILLS-IDOLATRY IN THE PLAINS READING-ROOM-CONVERTS

-MR.

ADDIS-EDUCATION-A

CHITTOOR-THE FATHER OF THE MISSION-MR. JENNINGS-DIFFICULTIES-DEATH OF MR. DACRE-DEATH OF MR. JENNINGS

-MR. BILDERBECK-BRANCH STATIONS.

SALEM

It

Is the principal town of the Baram hal district. contains about 60,000 inhabitants, and the province more than a million. As it is situate on a plain, and on the descent of the Ghauts to the south, the climate is hot and dry; the trees, except around the villages, are comparatively few; and the face of the country, in the hot season, looks barren and uninteresting, though the soil is good and productive. In descending from the Mysore, every thing here appears diminutive; the fowls are not larger than bantams; the eggs resemble those of pigeons; the

goats and sheep and cattle of all kinds are remarkably small; and the human race seem to partake of the dwarfish character which is thus impressed upon the whole animate creation. Not many miles from Salem, the Cheveroi hills tower amid the clouds. In the village of Guntoor, half-way up the ascent, their inhabitants are seen to most advantage. There are about thirty cabins, and the people are shepherds. I have not seen any human beings so wild, and so much on a level with the beasts of the forest. Their houses are built neither of brick, nor stone, nor clay. But bamboos in a circular form, are stuck into the ground, and the roof covered with thatch, gives the dwellings the appearance of a large cage. About a cubit of space is left between the inner and outer row of bamboos, that the poor children may have liberty to crawl round, and then, as the floor inside is elevated, the rains which must descend from the hills with great violence, run off in this outer path, and leave the interior dry; and the inmates say it is enough that their dwellings resemble those of their sheep and their goats. Indeed! vulgar report affirms that these people live on such good terms with the savage tribes of the woods, that when the mother goes out to her toil, she leaves her infant in charge of the tiger. Such a report, false and ridiculous as it is, shows the estimation in which these people are held by their more civilized brethren.

In some parts of the ascent, the roads are so bad,

have ac

and often so steep, that you pant, and blow, stand still and sit down, and wish for the top a hundred times before you reach it; and when you tually gained the summit, your joy is unbounded that you have got over this hill of difficulty. The climate is as cold, I think, as Bangalore; some Europeans who have lived much here, maintain that it is scarcely inferior to the Neilgherries; and it is certainly a perfect contrast to that of the plains. Here and there, you behold a few cabins worse perhaps than those of Guntoor, and these form a village, and the people carry them hither and thither with as much ease apparently, as a company of gipsies do their tents in England. But the soil is very excellent and the views fine. The large orchards are beautiful, and produce immense quantities of fruit. One plantation of coffee is reckoned the best in the country. Oranges grow in abundance, and where patience and industry are shown, the hills richly repay the farmer and the landlord.

In 1820, the Cheveroi Mountains were highly recommended, and being so near to the presidency, many Europeans hurried away to take advantage of a region which seemed prepared for the restoration of health, and which formed such an agreeable asylum, from the rigour of the hot season. Many houses were built, and the climate promised well for a time; but the residents, escaped from the hot atmosphere of Madras, indulged in greater exposures, than prudence would sanction. The heavy

dews which continue for hours in the morning, were rather courted, than shunned. Fevers began to rage and to cut down the visitors, and regions which, with prudent care and management, might have been turned to account, were speedily deserted and denounced as the most fatal. The Europeans residing in the district were not so frightened by the panic, since they often dwell there, and find the air very cooling and invigorating.

The principal collector and magistrate of Salem, had long expressed a wish to have a missionary settled at the station. In the year 1827, the deputation visited the spot, and deeming it a very appropriate field, recommended to the district committee that, it should, if possible, be occupied; and Mr. Henry Crisp became the first missionary to the Baramhal. No one could be more devoted, more zealous in the cause of his master, more indefatigable in the attainment of the language, and more laborious in exertion to advance the interests of the heathen. Assisted by Isaac David-a bold, energetic, and zealous native preacher from Bangalorehe spared no pains to diffuse the savour of the Redeemer's name in every place. Very soon, the dark cloud began to lower upon his path; death entered his dwelling, and removed his partner into the invisible world; and he was left to mourn. But these afflictions, while they no doubt wounded his tender spirit, seemed to render him more assiduous and more diligent in his sacred calling. He laboured