past will be disposed to take a morose or desponding view of the present.

found to be compatible with a liberty of discussion and of individual action never before known; how, from the auspicious union of order and freedom, sprang a prosperity of which the annals of human affairs had furnished no example; how our country, from a state of ignominious vassalage, rapidly rose to the place of umpire among European powers; how her opulence and martial glory grew together; how, by wise and resolute good faith, was gradually established a public credit fruitful of marvels, which to the statesmen of any former ag would have seemed incredible; how a gigantic commerce gave birth to a maratime power,compared with which every other power, ancient or modern, sinks into in-place in dress, furniture, repasts, and public ensignificance; how Scotland, after ages of comity, was at length united to England, not merely by legal bonds, but by indissoluble ties of interests and affection; how in America, the British colonies rapidly became far mightier and wealthier than the realms which Cortez and Pizarro had added to the dominions of Charles the Fifth; how in Asia, British adventurers founded an empire not less splendid and more durable than that of Alexander.

"I should very imperfectly execute the task which I have undertaken, if I were merely to treat of the battles and sieges, of the rise and fall of administrations, of intrigues in the palace, and of debates in the parliament. It will be my endeavor to relate the history of the people as well as the history of the government; to trace the progress of useful and ornamental arts, to describe the rise of religious sects and the changes of literary taste, to portray the manners of successive generations, and not to pass by with neglect even the revolutions which have taken tertainments. I shall cheerfully bear the reproach. of having descended below the dignity of history, if I can succeed in placing before the English of the 19th century a true picture of the life of their ancestors. The events which I propose to relate, form only a single act of a great and eventful drama extending through ages, and must be very imperfectly understood, unless the plot of the preceding acts be well known. I shall therefore introduce my narrative by a slight sketch of the history of our country, from the earliest times. I shall pass very rapidly over many centuries; but I shall dwell at some length on the vicissitudes of that contest which the administration of King James the second, brought

CHOLERA.

The Sanatory Committee of the Board of Health of Philadelphia have made a Report on the Cholera, from which we extract the following. It is an able and sound document.

"Nor will it be less my duty faithfully to record disasters mingled with triumphs, with great national crimes and follies far more humiliating than any disaster. It will be seen that we justly account our chief blessings were not without alloy. It will be seen that the system which ef- to a decisive crisis." fectually secured our liberties against the encroachments of kingly power, gave birth to a new class of abuses from which absolute monarchies are exempt. It will be seen that in consequence partly of unwise interference, and partly of unwise neglect, the increase of wealth, the extension of trade produced, together with immense good, some evils from which poor and rude societies are free. It will be seen how, in two important dependencies of the crown, wrong was followed by just retribution; how imprudence and obstinacy broke the ties which bound the North American colonies to the parent state; how Ireland, cursed by the domination of race over race, and of religion over religion, remained indeed a member of the empire, but a withered and distorted member, and no strength to the body politic, and reproachfully pointed at by all 2d. The Cholera is not contagious, but dewho feared or envied the greatness of Eng-pends upon a peculiar morbific poison in the atland.

"Yet, unless I greatly deceive myself, the general effect of this chequered narrative will be to excite thankfulness in all religious minds, and hope in the breast of all patriots. For the history of our country for the last hundred and sixty years, is eminently the history of physical, of moral and of intellectual improvement. Those who compare the age on which their lot has fallen with a golden age which exists only in their imagination, may talk of degeneracy and decay; but no man who is correctly informed as to the

After the most careful investigation of its history, the Committee are prepared to submit the following conclusions and recommendations, as comprehending the most important characteristics of the disease, and all that is necessary to be observed at present in a sanatory point of view:

1st. The Cholera now prevailing in Europe, is essentially the same in all its general phenomena, as the epidemic which visited the United States in 1832.

mosphere, which renders Cordons and Quarantine restrictions useless. Sanatory arrangements being the only safeguard.

3d. The Cholera is manifested by a diarrhea, which is the premonitory symptom, or first stage. To lie down for a few hours with simple and appropriate remedies, may ward off an attack, and in this stage, the disease is curable; but if neglected or injudiciously treated, collapse, or the second stage, follows the premonitory symptoms of diarrhea, and in a large majority of instances proves fatal.

4th. No plan of treatment has been discovered | forces of life, or disorder the system in any by which the rate of mortality in confirmed cases of the disease can be lessened; the rates of death to cases, continue to be one to two and a half or three. This is nearly the ratio of all epidemics, as plague and yellow fever.

try; yet she was zealous in the maintenance of our religious testimonies, and of an humble, circumspect life and conversation. Even when her bodily and mental faculties became additionally impaired, her love to her friends and to the precious cause of truth and righteousness continued unabated.

which frequently prevented her from attending | but her mental faculties being in some degree meetings, yet, when able to do so, she was exem-impaired, and being naturally of a diffident displary in the fulfilment of this important duty; position, she was rarely engaged in public minisand often under much physical infirmity was acceptably engaged in the ministry, to the edification and encouragement of her friends. Her communications were generally brief, but solemn and weighty; and in the life and power of the gospel she often testified to the necessity of watchfulness, and "perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord;" and we think it may be truly said she was favoured to administer grace to her hearers. She was of an humble, sympathizing mind, concerned to be found faithful, and to adorn the doctrine of God her Saviour in all things. During her protracted illness her mind was much clothed with the spirit of supplication. To a friend who visited her she remarked, "I desire to maintain faith and patience. Oh! the Lord's ways are a great deep, and past finding out. May I not let go my hold! but glorify Him in the fires; for He has greatly helped me, and I have felt as if I could praise Him even in great suffering."

She was mercifully enabled to look forward to her approaching change with that hope that is full of a glorious immortality, in which she departed this life on the 7th day of the 5th month, 1847, aged 60 years, a minister about twelve years. Her remains were interred in Friends' burying ground at Leek, on the 16th of the same, a solemn meeting being held on the occasion.

A TESTIMONY

Of Newcastle (England) Monthly Meeting concerning JANE WIGHAM, late of North Shields. Our dear friend was the daughter of John and Mary Latimer, of Moss House, near Cornwood, in Northumberland. She was accustomed to express her thankfulness for the care which her parents exercised, to train up their children in the fear of the Lord, believing it had been productive of much benefit to her. At an early age she became the wife of Thomas Wigham, of Cornwood: a union which was blessed to them both. A few years after her marriage her mouth was opened in public testimony, and there is reason to believe it was her concern to labour faithfully in the exercise of her gift. Her communications were generally short, but lively, and evidently under the humbling, contriting influence of gospel love. Her ministerial service was chiefly within the limits of her own Monthly Meeting, though on two or three occasions she travelled as companion to other ministers in the neighbouring counties.

In the eighty-second year of her age she became a resident within the compass of this meeting, and was diligent in the attendance of our meetings until within ten months of her decease;

In the course of her last illness she was tried with deep mental conflicts, and was frequently engaged in supplication that the Lord, her Redeemer, who had been with her all her life long, might, according to his gracious promise to his disciples, continue to be with her to the end. She remarked at times, that she felt no condemnation, yet did not feel that evidence of acceptance, that seal of assurance, which her soul longed for. After one of these proving conflicts she called her daughter to her side, and intimated that now she felt that peace which the world could neither give nor take away. From this period she appeared to be preserved patiently waiting and quietly hoping for that blessed change, whereby, through redeeming love and mercy, mortality is swallowed up of life." Her decease took place at North Shields, on the 5th of the 7th month, 1847, being in the 90th year of her age, and her remains were interred in Friends' burial-ground there, on the 9th of the same, a solemn meeting being held on the occasion.

66

She was a minister about fifty-five years.

THE BURNING WELL.

A correspondent of the Presbyterian, Louisville, (Ky.) gives the following brief account of a subterranean fire in Eastern Texas:

There is a very singular circumstance in Shelby county, Texas, of a well that has been burning about twelve months, at the former residence of Judge Lusk. When he moved from the place, he laid some logs over the well, from which he had used water for several years. Some time after the woods caught fire, and the timber burning fell in, and ignited some substance, supposed to be stone coal. The rainy seasons have not extinguished it, but it has burnt incessantly. It does not give a very agreeable feeling to the visiter; for it is neither sublime nor beautiful; but from the deep grumbling noise that is heard-the sulphurous smell and the dark cloud of smoke that is continually rising, a beholder is forcibly convinced that there is actually fire and brimstone in the subterranean regions. Various results are conjectured; perhaps some geologist can give comfort to the anxious minds of the surrounding inhabitants, by showing what will be the final termination of the burning well.

PEACE CONGRESS AT BRUSSELS.

In the early part of the Third month last, a circular was issued by Elihu Burritt, calling attention to the proposal of holding a convention of the friends of peace at Paris, in the following month. Soon after this publication the Com-concurrence with the object of the Congress. mittee of the London Peace Society, resolved to co-operate in the movement, subject to the following conditions:

The Continental delegates, consisted of a large of Europe; and several members of the British number of distinguished men from various parts Parliament, who were not able to give their personal attendance, had expressed their cordial

"1. That there be a clear and satisfactory understanding that such a Convention can be holden, with the full concurrence of the French

authorities.

"2. That nothing in the proceedings of the Convention shall be inconsistent with the broad Christian ground which has ever been held as the fundamental principle of the Peace Society. "3. That the Convention be conducted on the principle of a strict and total abstinence from all interference in political questions."

With these conditions, E. Burritt and his friends cordially united, and he proceeded to Paris, with a view of making the needful preliminary arrangements. But upon observing the state of the public mind there, and consulting a number of judicious and influential inhabitants of the city, he concluded that the state of excitement which prevailed at the time, on political questions, rendered it imprudent to attempt holding the Congress there. From Paris he repaired to Brussels, where he was soon joined by a number of Englishmen who had come over to promote the object in view. Having stated in writing, to Rogier, the Prime Minister, the object of their visit, he expressed his concurrence, and his readiness to afford all the assistance in his power for the promotion of the Convention. He procured for them an introduction to Visschers, one of the most distinguished members of the government, and well known for his philanthropic sentiments. By the influence and exertion of this gentleman, a number of the leading men of the city were enlisted in the cause, and a provisional committee was formed, under the presidency of Visschers, who, in conjunction with the English deputation, completed the necessary arrangements in time for the opening of the Congress on the arrival of the delegates from England.

The presidential chair was assigned to Visschers, who made an inaugural address, from which the following is extracted:

Peace is the first that has been held on the "This Congress of the friends of universal European continent. Permit me, gentlemen, rapidly to describe the object, and to recite the operations put forth by the English and Ameriuniversal federation and concord among all nacan Peace Societies, for promoting their ideas of tions. It was at the close of the long wars which had signalized the end of the last century and the beginning of the present, that the first Peace Society was formed in New York, during the Society was organized in June, 1816, which has course of the year 1815. The London Peace many auxiliary associations in England and Scotland, as well as on the continent of Europe. The United States possess many societies of a similar nature, and among others the American Peace Society, formed on the 8th of May, 1828. At Geneva, the Count de Sellon founded in 1830 a Peace Society. He erected, in his garden, on the margin of the lake Leman, an obelisk to commemorate the event. On the 24th of March, 1841, the Society of Christian Morals instituted at its sitting at Paris, a committe of Peace. A new society was established a short time after, in that capital, under the name of the Peace Society of Paris. Following the example of the Count de Sellon, the societies of America, of London, and of Paris, offered prizes for the best essays on the subject. Many of these have been published, and develope in general, sound and excellent views. The London Peace Society publishes a monthly journal, entitled The Herald of Peace. A Peace Convention, composed of delegates from Europe aud America, was held in London, on the 22d of June, 1843. The assembly unanimously adopted a proposition to address all civilized governments, praying them to introduce into their treaties, a clause, engaging, in case of any international differences arising, to refer them to the mediation of friendly powers. The British delegates, amounting to about one This Address was transmitted to thirty four gohundred and thirty, accompanied by a consider-vernments, in both hemispheres, and a deputaable number of females, from several parts of England, Scotland and Wales, assembled in London on the evening of Ninth month 18th, and thence proceeded by way of Ostend to Brussels, where they arrived on the morning of the 20th, and the first sitting of the Congress commenced at one o'clock of that day. A splendid saloon was prepared for the accommodation of the assembly, and it was decorated, not with the trophies of war, but the emblems of industry and peace.

tion had the honour of presenting it to His Majesty, Leopold, King of the Belgians, at an audience granted to them by that Prince, in London, on the 5th of July, 1843. For some years there have existed in our own country two societies, at Brussels and Mons, founded on the same principles as the London Society. Notwithstanding this, very little was hitherto known in Belgium, of the labours of those eminent philanthropists, who were endeavouring to promote the advent of a new era, when the triumph of Peace

and intelligence shall be substituted for the spirit | equally a crime if committed by a nation at of conquest and domination.