body, which was overlaid rather than wound round in such a manner as to add the greatest weight and muscular pressure. The half-stifled cries of the goat became fainter and fainter, till the unfortunate animal expired. For a considerable time after this period the snake still retained his hold, till at length, unfolding himself slowly and cautiously, he began to prepare for the repast. Placing his mouth in front of the dead animal, he began lubricating the head, and at length, by means of his two rows of strong hooked teeth and prodigious contractile muscular power, he gradually sucked in the head and horns, and at length the whole body, without separation or mastication. At the end of the operation, which occupied about two hours and a quarter, the terrific animal appeared prodigiously distended, like a serpent's skin stuffed to bursting. The protuberances caused by the goat's horns were very conspicuous. The serpent now coiled himself up, and lay quietly in his usual torpid state for about three weeks or a month, when his last meal being apparently dissolved, the cruel experiment was repeated with similar results. This animal died on the passage home, between the Cape of Good Hope and St. Helena, and upon dissection appeared to have digested every part of his prey even to the bones, except a part of one of the horns. The facts thus obtained, if correct, are doubtless curious; but no words can be too strong to express the horror of every feeling mind at the cruelty that permitted the experiment.

UNITED STATES.

ASYLUM FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB.

We have recently been favoured with a copy of the First Report of this Institution.-In the year 1815, the Rev. T. H. Gallaudet, a clergyman of the Congregational Church of the United States, visited this country with a view of qualifying himself to become an instructor of the deaf and dumb, of whom it is estimated that there are not less than two thousand in these States. We are grieved and mortified to find that neither in London nor in Edinburgh did he meet with that encouragement which his benevolent purpose merited. He sought in vain, from the conductors of the valuable institutions for the deaf and dumb in those cities, the informa tion which we should previously have assumed with absolute confidence, they

would have been forward to impart. Great Britain has often been reproached by its neighbours with being a selfish nation; and perhaps, in the eager pursuit of commercial advantages, we may have sometimes given ground for the imputation: but the last thing we should have anticipated in the enumeration of our defects, would have been the exercise of a niggardly and exclusive spirit in the adaptation of any benevolent discoveries with which the providence of God might have blessed our happy land to the wants and weaknesses of the universal family of man. We should as soon have expected a churlish refusal of vaccine virus to our Trans-Atlantic brethren from the National Institution for promoting its dif. fusion, as a moment's doubt or hesitation in communicating to them the blessed art of making the dumb to speak and the deaf to hear.

Disappointed and repulsed in Great Britain, Mr. Gallandet repaired to Paris, where he met with a very courteous and favourable reception from the Abbé Sicard; and after spending a short time in receiving lessons from that celebrated instructor, he obtained the consent of the Abbé to take with him to America Mr. Laurent Clere, himself deaf and dumb, one of the teachers in the institution of Paris, and well known in London (where in 1814 he passed some time) as a most intelligent pupil of his illustrious master. Mr. Gallandet having procured this important auxiliary, was enabled to return to his native country much sooner than he expected. He arrived there in August, 1816, and immediately visited some of the larger cities, for the purpose of soliciting funds for the formation of an establishment. In a short time, the contributions amounted to nearly 18,000 dollars. An act of the legislature of Connecticut was passed, incorporating the institution, and that body afterwards granted 5000 dollars in aid of its funds. The establishment was opened at Hartford, in Counecticut, on the 15th April, 1817; and on the 1st of June, the date of the Report, it al ready contained twenty pupils. Many of these are of full age, and some of them have expressed much interest in the attempts which have been made, though stated to be as yet very imperfect, to explain to them some of the simplest doctrines of Revelation, We shall have much pleasure in watching the progress of this excellent institution.

THEOLOGY.

Sermons on the Death of her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte, by the Rev. J. W. Cunningham, M. A. Vicar of Harrow.

t

C. J. Hoare, M. A. Vicar of Bland.

ford.

E. Craig, B. A. Curate of Watton.
S. Crowther, M. A. Vicar of Christ
Church.

G. C. Gorham, M. A. of Queen's
College, Cambridge.

R. P. Beachcroft, M. A. Rector of
Blunham.

James Rudge, M. A. Rector of
Limehouse.

Thomas Scott, Rector of Aston
Sandford.

Robert Gray, D. D. Rector of
Bishop Wearmonth.
Thomas Chalmers, D. D. Minister
of Glasgow.

H. G. Watkins, Rector of St.
Swithins.

The Trials and Encouragements of the Christian Missionary, a Sermon preached before the Church Missionary Society, Oct. 28, 1817, on Occasion of the Departure of Missionaries to various Parts; by the Rev. J. W. Cunningham, M. A. Vicar of Harrow, &c. 1817.

"To provide a Refuge for the Criminal is to give a Bounty on the Crime."This Principle examined, in its Application to the Guardian Society, and other similar Institutions; in a Sermon preached for the Benefit of that Society, Oct. 25, 1817; by the Rev. J. W. Cunning. ham, M. A. Vicar of Harrow, &c. 1817.

The New Testament of Our Lord Jesus Christ, translated into pure Bib lical Hebrew, for the use of the Jews in every part of the world. common-11. 6s. fine.

11. 1s.

Scripture Portraits; or, Biographical Memoirs of the most distinguished Characters recorded in the Old Testament; by the Rev. Robert Stevenson. 2 vols. 12mo. Ss.

A Sermon on Regeneration and Conversion; by John Napleton, D.D. 18.

Two Sermons on the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; by the Rev. Charles Coleman, M.A. M.R.I.A. 1s.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Personal Observations, made during the Progress of the British Embassy through China, and on its Voyage to and from that Country, in the years 1816 and 1817; by Clark Abel, physiciau and naturalist to the embassy. 1 vol. 4to. Memoirs on European and Asiatic Turkey, from the manuscript journals of modern travellers in those countries; by Robert Walpole, A.M. With plates.

Tour through the Netherlands in #1816-17; by J. Smithers. 8vo, 9s.

Narrative of a Voyage in the Alceste, to the Yellow Sea, along the Coast of Corea, and through its numerous hitherto undiscovered Islands, to the Island of Lewchew; with an Account of her Shipwreck in the Straits of Gaspar; by John M'Leod, Surgeon of the Alceste. 8vo. 12s.

The Code of Agriculture: including Observations on Gardens, Orchards, Woods, and Plantations; by the Right Honourable Sir John Sinclair, Bart. 8vo. 1. 1s.

The Chinese Grammar; by W. Morrison. 4to. 1. 11s. 6d.

An Universal History, in twenty-four Books; translated from the German of John Müller. 3 vols. 8vo.

History of New South Wales; by P. O'Hara, Esq. 8vo. 14s.

A History of Europe, from the Treaty of Amiens, in 1802 to the Pacification of Paris in 1815; by Charles Coote, LL.D. 8vo. 12s.

History of Ancient Europe, from the earliest Times to the Subversion of the Western Empire; with a Survey of the most important Revolutions in Asia and Africa; by Dr. Russell. 3 vols. 8vo. 21. 2s.

A History of Saint Domingo, from its Discovery by Columbus to the present Time.

The Northern Courts; containing Original Memoirs of the Sovereigns of Sweden and Denmark, since 1766, including the extraordinary Vicissitudes of the Lives of the Grandchildren of George the Second; by John Brown, Esq. 2 vols. 8vo. 11. 1s.

Russia, being a complete Picture of that Empire, including a full description of their government, laws, religion, commerce, &c.; by C.G.Hunter, Esq. 108.6d.

A Table of the Moveable Fasts, Feasts, and Terms; the Cycle of the Sun, Dominical Letter, Golden Number, and Epact for twenty-five Years. Is. 6d.

Considerations on the Poor-Laws; by John Davison, M. A. Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford. 8vo. 4s.

An Explanation of the Principles and Proceedings of the Provident Institu tion at Bath for Savings; by John Haygarth, M.D. F.R.S. and F.R.S.E.D. one of the Managers.

Reflections on the Blacks and Whites, being Remarks upon a Letter addressed by H. Mazeres, a French Ex-colonist to J. C. L. Sismonde de Sismondi, containing Observations on the Blacks and Whites, the Civilization of Africa, the Kingdom of Haity, &c. Translated from the French of the Baron de Vastey, Knight of the Royal Military Order of St. Henry, Secretary to the King, Member of the Privy Council, &c. By W. H.M. B. 1s. 6d.

her subjects to kneel to her; a homage which, she observes, is due only to God. She calls on all the clergy to make her subjects sensible of this, which she complaius she herself has been hitherto unable to do.

REFORMATION

OF THE CON

VICTS AT SHEERNESS. The following extract of a letter from a quarter on which we place dependence, and referring to circumstances highly interesting in themselves, we willingly lay before our readers.

"On my return from a late accidental visit to Sheerness, I have felt so impressed by the scene I witnessed on board the Bellerophon convict ship; that I am led to believe, if an account of it could be given to the public, it might be productive of much good, and would hold out to all persons in authority, and to the clergy in particular, the encouraging prospect of much fruit being produced under God's blessing, from the most untoward soil, by persevering and unwearied culture. The profligacy of convicts has been hitherto justly proverbial: not so the case on board the Bellerophon, where at this time are about four hundred and fifty persons of that description. Their rules oblige them to assemble for Divine worship, in the chapel of the ship, every Sunday but besides this, every night in the week, except Saturday, (when only the singers meet, the others being employed in cleaning and fitting themselves for Sunday,) upwards of three hundred regularly and voluntarily assemble in the chapel for school. Those who are capable of it instruct the others; and numbers, even of old men, have, with much delight and comfort to themselves, learned to read during their imprisonment, and now declare that they feel an happiness from their Bible which no other thing ever afforded them. Nay further, they are often heard to assert, that they should never be ashamed to confess that they had been confined on board a convict ship; since they have learnt far more in that situation, than they had done at any period of their life before. The sight is gratifying in the highest degree, to see upwards of three hundred of these once unfortunate men and boys, some instructing, and others attentively learning, and then all clos ing the evening together with prayers and praises; their chaplain, the Rev. E. Edwards, and the commanding offi

cer of the ship, Captain Owen, and the other officers superintending and conducting the whole. A profane or obscene word is not heard amongst them: and I can in the utmost sincerity declare, having been present several evenings in the chapel aboard the Bellero phon, that I never in my life saw a congregation met together amongst whom there appeared more real devo tion.

"The good order and decorum of these men is indeed wonderful; and they seem to feel for their chaplain and commanding officer an affection and sense of duty like that of children for parents; which indeed these deserving persons have well earned by their humane, though firm, superintending care of the prisoners, whose welfare and everlasting happiness, I believe, they constantly feel the most anxious desire to promote. To so much earnestness have the men themselves been brought for spiritual improvement, that some of them every evening repeat from memory, the Lessons of the day; on Sunday, the Epistle and Gospel; and occasionally the whole Thirty-nine Articles, and several homilies. During my visit, a lad repeated a double homily in the chapel, without the least hesitation or a single mistake.

been effected without the most unwea"It is not to be supposed that this has ried zeal and diligence of the abovementioned chaplain, aided and assisted in all his pious and moral plans by Captain Owen, and the officers under him. The Almighty, who generally may be observed to prosper a diligent use of the means of grace, has blessed their zealons endeavours with a success, which affords the brightest omen for all who are desirous to emulate their pious

labours.

"A pleasing instance of honesty lately occurred amongst the convicts :-one of whom, whilst at his labour in the Dock Yard, found a purse containing four three shilling pieces, which he could undiscovered have converted to his own use; but he carried it to his officer to have the owner found, who proved to be one of the drivers of the carts employed in the Yard.

"The teachers of the different classes in the evening school, in several in stances, have subscribed amongst themselves, to have silver medals struck, as rewards of merit to the lads for their

acquirements and good conduct; and, indeed, to see the zeal evidenced by these persons, to promote in themselves and each other correct and industrious habits, with a spirit of religion and corresponding morals, is a pleasing proof, that no class of men ought to be abandoned as beyond the reach of mercy, and finally given up to impenitence and destruction."

This extract needs no comment, out that which every well-disposed reader will have anticipated. If added to the reform at Newgate, and similar facts which have come to our knowledge, it furnishes a powerful argument" not to be weary in well doing, seeing that in due time we shall reap, if we faint not."

In drawing up our usual abstract of public occurrences, we shall pass over with a simple notice, the endless de'bates in the French chambers; the severe hurricane in the West Indies; the destructive fires in Newfoundland; the restoration of peace with the Mahratta powers; and the wise determination of our government to preserve a strict neutrality in the affairs of Spanish America, evidenced by a prohibition laid upon British officers from joining the standard of either party;—and shall call the attention of our readers particularly to a subject of great importance to the community; we mean the result of the recent state prosecutions for the publication of profane and seditious libels.

In reference to the latter, it may not be improper to trace back the evil, and 'to view it but as one among a large number of measures, all tending, in their degree, to the destruction of the English constitution both in church and state. It appears, that ever since the early part of the French Revolution, and subsequently to the suppression of the corresponding societies, there existed in these kingdoms not a few disaffected men, who, though insignificant in point of numbers when compared with the mass of the people, yet found opportunity for propagating their mis. chievous doctrines by a variety of means; among which, inflammatory speeches and pamphlets have had their full share. To the sentiments of these persons there became many converts; and the history of the country furnishes us with several real, though absurd and impotent attempts, to form something

like a regular plan for effecting the objects of this nefarious conspiracy. Among these, the case of Colonel Despard is fresh in the memory of our readers. The vigilance of government happily prevented, from time to time, the organization of any thing like a formidable confederacy; so that little could be done, by the partizans of revolutionary principles, except to turn every passing event into a source of grievance; and by means of books, and speeches, and resolutions, to point out, as far as could be done with impunity, the necessity of essentially interfering with the existing constitution of the country.

About the year 1812, the manufacturing disputes at Nottingham gave rise to the association of persons called Luddites, who were regularly formed into divisions, and boasted of daily ac cessions to their numbers. The outrages of these misguided men, and their plan of operations, need not be recapitulated. It was not long before politics were introduced among them; when correspondences were opened with Manchester, Sheffield, Wakefield, Birmingham, and other places; and deputies were regularly appointed to manage the affairs of the confederacy. The distresses of the poor, arising from various causes, were seized with avidity as a powerful instrument for promoting discontent. The minds of the lower orders thus became soured and perverted; every thing appeared through a false medium, and government was considered as the cause of all the evils which were either felt or imagined. Hampden clubs now arose on every side; violent petitions were circulated