bushes below it. Large numbers of date trees and palmyras grow on the road to Sesheké. The former were in blossom at the time of our visit, and we saw date seeds under them. Of the new trees some were very beautiful evergreens; and, in addition to numbers of large parasitical plants, we observed two of the orchidian family. One splendid fruit tree particularly attracted our notice, but unfortunately all the seeds (about the size of peach stones) were broken by some animal. In addition to the usual grains grown by the natives, they raise large numbers of a kind of earthnut, called 'Motuohatsi' (man of the earth.) It is sweet when roasted in the ashes, and also when boiled. It has grown well at Kuruman, and has been distributed in the Colony of the Cape. The people of the Barotse tribe cultivate the sugar cane and sweet potato. Wheat, maize, peach and apricot stones, and other garden seeds, have been left with the Makololo, as they willingly promised to make and sow a garden for our use. As the moisture from the rivers seems to permeate the soil, it is probable that some of these seeds will vegetate and increase the food of the inhabitants; but of this their stout appearance seemed to indicate no want."

POPULATION, LANGUAGE, AND OCCUPA

TIONS.

"The people inhabiting these regions are a black race, totally distinct from the Bechuanas. The people of Sebitoané are called Makololo, and the black race, which we found inhabiting the numerous islands, is divided into several tribes, which pass by different names; as the Barotse, Banyeti, Batoko, Bashukulompo, &c. The Makololo are a sort of omnium gatherum of different Bechuana tribes-all speaking Sichuana. The Providence of God has prepared the way for us, for wherever we went we found the Sichuana, into which the Bible is nearly all translated, in common use. It is the court language. There are besides, the different dialects of the black tribes, viz. those of the Barotse, Batoka, &c.; and though the radicals bear some resemblance to the Sichuana, and are of the same family, none of the Bechuana could understand them when spoken. The Barotse are very ingenious in basket making and wood work generally. The Banyeti are ex

cellent smiths, making ox and sheep bells, spears, knives, needles, and hoes of superior workmanship; iron abounds in their country, and of excellent quality; they extract it from the ore, and they are famed as canoe builders; abundance of a fine, light, but strong wood, called Molompi, enables them to excel in this branch of industry; other tribes are famed for their skill in pottery; their country yields abundance of native corn, &c.; and though their upper extremities and chests are largely developed, they seem never to have been much addicted to war. They seem always to have trusted to the defences which their deep reedy rivers afford. Their numbers are very large. In constructing the rough sketch of their country given in the map, we particularly requested of the different natives employed, that they would only mention the names of the large towns. As scores of them were employed by Mr. Oswel and myself, and they generally agreed in their drawings, and accounts of the towns, &c., we consider what we have put down to be an approximation to the truth. The existence of the large towns indicated derives additional confirmation from the fact, that in our ride to Sesheké, we saw several considerable villages, containing 500 or 600 inhabitants each, and these were not enumerated by our informants, as being too small to mention."

TRAFFIC IN SLAVES AND FIRE-ARMS.

"European manufactures, in considerable quantities, find their way in from the East and West Coasts to the centre of the continent. We were amused soon after our arrival at the Chobe, by seeing a gentleman walking towards us in a gaudily-flowered dressing gown, and many of the Makololo possessed cloaks of blue, red, and green baize, or of different-coloured prints. On inquiring we found that these had been obtained in exchange for slaves, and that this traffic began on the Sesheké only in 1850. A party of another African tribe, called Mambari came to Sebitoané in that year, carrying great quantities of cloth and a few old Portuguese guns, marked 'Legitimo de Braga,' and though cattle and ivory were offered in exchange, everything was refused except boys about fourteen years of age. The Makololo viewed the traffic with dislike, but,

having great numbers of the black race living in subjection to them, they were too easily persuaded to give these for the guns. Eight of these old useless guns were given to Sebetuané for as many boys. They then incited the Makololo to go on a foray against the Bashukulompo, stipulating beforehand, that in consideration for the use to be made of their guns in the attack on the tribe, they should receive all the captives, while the Makololo should receive all the cattle. While on this expedition the Makololo met a party of slave-dealers on the Bashukulompo or Maninche river: these were either Portuguese, or bastards of that nation, for they were said to be light-coloured like us, (our complexion being a shade darker than wash-leather,) and had straight hair. These traders presented three English muskets to the Makololo, and the latter presented them with about thirty captives. The Mambari went off with about two hundred slaves bound in chains, and both parties were so well pleased with their new customers, that they promised to return in 1851. We entertained hopes of meeting them, but they had not yet come when we left. The Mambari came from the Northwest, and live in the vicinity of the sea coast on that side; while the other slave-dealers came up the Zambesi from the East coast. Can Europeans not equal the slave dealers in enterprize? If traders from Europe would come up the Zambesi, the slave dealer would soon be driven out of the market. It is only three years since we first opened up a market for the people on the river Zouga and Lake Ngami. We know of nine hundred elephants having been killed in that period on one river alone. Before we made a way into that

quarter there was no market; the elephants' tusks were left to rot in the sun with the other bones, and many may still be seen completely spoiled by sun and rain; but more than £10,000 worth of ivory has come from that river since its discovery; and, if one river helps to swell the commerce of the colony, what may not be expected from the many rivers all densely populated, which are now brought to light? But the blacks will be supplied with fire-arms, and give the colonists much trouble afterwards.' Yes, they will, and that too most plentifully by those who make the greatest outcry against the trade in arms and the sale of gunpowder. But can the trade in fire-arms be prevented? So long as, according to Cumming's statement, 3000 per cent. can be made by it, it is in vain to attempt to stop it. The result of all our observation in the matter is, the introduction of guns among the natives has the same effect among them as among European nations;-it puts an end to most of their petty wars, and renders such as do occur much less bloody than they formerly

were.

We do not plead for the trade. We only say, stop that and stop the slave trade by coercion, if you can. If any one will risk something in endeavouring to establish a trade on the Zambesi, we beg particularly to state that June, July, and August are, as far as our present knowledge goes, the only safe months for the attempt. He who does establish a fair trade will assuredly be no loser in the end. We had frost on the Chobe in July, but the winter is very short. We saw swallows on the Sesheké in the beginning of August, and the trees generally never lose their leaves."

"It has pleased God to bring me to this place, where I have been received among our people with great joy. I trust I have been directed by Providence. I had received a pressing invitation through one of the elders, and although difficulties presented themselves to my getting here, they were overcome; and being once here, I resolved not to leave again, except by some unforeseen necessity. Upon my arrival I had no place to go into but a miserable shed, in which I was neither sheltered from wind nor rain. I was obliged to sleep in a borrowed wagon, with only a change of clothing, and a couple of blankets for bedding. No way of getting here offered but by accompanying General Somerset and his division (a plan he recommended) as far as Chumie river, near the station, just below the Amatola hills, from whence we were hurried away with our levies (about two hundred), information having arrived at the camp that the place was surrounded by Kafirs, that one of our best men had been killed by them, and we knew not but that we might be attacked on our way. The Rev. Mr. Thomson accompanied me, and stayed about ten days, when he returned to his family at Alice. The people felt for me in my loneliness, and went to work to get up a wattle and daub cottage, 20 feet by 11-small, but weather-tight.

"I had now a snug place, such as it wasa prophet's chamber. I was so far contented, but there were two other things wanting. First, there was no place for religious worship but the open air, where often either high winds and dust, or rain, prevented our assembling; at such times my little cottage served for a few to assemble in, the more as I had no furniture but a small box, my portmanteau,

two chairs, and a table. Then, secondly, my family was scattered. Two of my daughters, however, have since joined me, and their presence and assistance contribute greatly to my comfort; but the main thing was still wanting, viz., a place for worship. In the beginning of last year, when at Fort Armstrong, we had put up a wooden chapel, which was said to be still standing; also two wooden cottages, James's and mine. We therefore went over with two wagons, escorted by about twentyfour people, and brought as many boards as we could, and commenced a kind of building for our religious services; but we were only able to get up the walls before Sir Harry Smith commenced his movements towards the now renowned Water Kloof, the formidable position of Macomo. The men and wagons have been so much engaged that we have not been able to fetch the rest of the wood to complete the work. Thus we have only the walls, but within them we conduct our worship on the Sabbath and week-day evening services, also our school. The state of the children was deplorable; but having with us some of our schoolmistresses, I engaged two of them to commence a school, which is now carried on, and in which we have daily upwards of two hundred children; but we are in great want of cards and books. I have written to Mr. Thompson, of Cape Town, to try and send us some, both Dutch and English; if not, we must request a supply from England: a number of Testaments would be very acceptable. If we had room and materials we could have double the number of children. We had plenty of materials at Philipton, but all were destroyed in the general conflagration of the place.

"Our people are now very much scattered,

but I have here upon the spot about one hundred and sixty of our church-members, against whom there seems to be no charge of immorality or bad conduct, and many more, I trust, there are who have kept themselves unspotted from the world. With respect to those who became disaffected, I am happy to say that few indeed have gone over to the Kiflirs since the first outbreak, now fifteen months ago; and those who joined the levies, and have been, and still are, fighting against the common enemy, have been faithful, and done good service. The Cape Corps also are giving great satisfaction. I am very sorry to say that we see no end of the

war.

Our future prospects, therefore, are as yet very dark.

"The destitution of many of our people is very great, and if the war ceases it will be still greater; for all who are now serving as levies, or otherwise, as free burghers, (for which service they, the burghers, get rations, but no pay,) will be thrown upon their own resources; and although getting their lands (I mean the loyalists), they will have no food, and scarcely anything else to begin with; but with a little assistance, I would not despair of their soon recovering themselves from their difficulties, as they have done after two former wars."

The thanks of the Directors are respectfully presented to the following, viz.:— For Dr. Lockhart's Medical Mission, Shanghae. To the Maberly Chapel Working Society-For a Box of Useful Articles, value £40. For Mrs. Legge's School, Hong Kong.

To the Friends of Commercial-street Chapel, Northampton, per Mrs. Prust-For a Case of Useful and Ornamental Articles, value £33. For Mrs. Mather, Mirzapore. To the Ladies of the Rev. J. Flower's Congregation, Beccles-For a Box of Work.

For Rev. Wm. Clarkson, Baroda. To the Ladies
of the Rev. J. Flower's Congregation, Beccles
-For a Box of Useful and Fancy Articles.
For Rev. J. Sewell, Bangalore. To the Young
Ladies' Working Association, Park Chapel,
Camden Town-For a Box of Useful and
Fancy Articles, value £38. To the Paddington
Chapel Ladies' Working Association, per Mrs.
Stratten-For a Box of Useful and Ornamental
Articles.

For the Tamil Boarding School, Bangalore. To
Friends at Grantham, per Rev. E. Crisp-For
a Box of Useful and Saleable Articles.
For Mrs. Addis's School, Coimbatoor. To Mrs.
Jones, Lewes-For a Box of Useful Articles.
For Mrs. Lechler's Schools, Salem. To Miss E.
W. Crisp and Friends at Ipswich-For a small
Box of Useful Articles.

For Mrs. Porter, Cuddapah. To Ladies at Sherborne, per Mrs. Balster-For a Box of Useful Articles, value £11.

For Mrs. Porter, Madras. To the Great Georgestreet, Liverpool, Ladies' Working SocietyFor a Box of Useful and Fancy Articles, value £30.

For Rev. J. Dalgliesh, Berbice. To the Juvenile Missionary Society, Albion Chapel-For a Box of Prints, Frocks, &c.

For Whitfield Schools, Jamaica. To Friends at Trowbridge, per Mrs. Alloway-For a Box of Useful Articles, value £5.

For Rev. J. Andrews, Jamaica. To the Committee of the British and Foreign School Society-For a Box of Slates, Books, Pencils, &c., value £10. For Rev. William Harbutt, Samoa. To Mrs. Willims and Friends, at Upper Eatington and Kineton-For a Parcel of Clothing. To the Juvenile Missionary Working Society, Sandwich-For a Box of Clothing and Useful

Articles. To Friends at Skipton-For a Box
of Slates, Books, and Useful Articles. To the
Juvenile Missionary Working Society, Ryde-
For a Box of Clothing.

For the Schools at Borabora. To Mrs. Harms,
Islington-For a Box of Useful Articles
For South Africa. To Mrs. Woolley, Pangbourne
-For a Parcel of Useful Articles. To Arthur
Morley, Esq., Nottingham-For a Box of
Clothing and Useful Articles; part of these
Articles were made by the Children in the
Infant School, Blomsgrove Radford, under the
care of Miss Ryan. To the Bromley Missionary
Working Society, per Miss Todman-For a
Box of Clothing and Useful Articles. To Mrs.
Pope and Friends, Leamington- For a valuable
Parcel of Clothing, &c. To the Ladies' Dorcas
Society in connection with Hollywalk Chapel,
Leamington-For a Parcel of Wearing Ap-
parel. To the Young Friends connected with
Queen-street Misssionary Sewing Party, Ches-
ter-For a Parcel containing thirty-one dresses.
To Miss Cullen and Friends at Leith-For a
valuable Box of Clothing. To the Ladies'
Working Society, Argyle square Chapel, Edin-
burgh-For a valuable Case of Wearing Ap-
pare!, &c. To the Fitzroy Girls' School-For
a Parcel of Frocks, Pinafores, &c. To Mrs.
Dempster, Turnham Green-For a Parcel of
Wearing Apparel. To Dr. Wm. Cooke, Trinity-
square-For a Parcel of Clothing. And to the
Young Ladies' Missionary Working Associa-
tion, Robert-street Chapel-For a Parcel of
Needles.

For Rev. R. Birt, Peelton. To Mrs. Lang and Friends, Dundee-For a valuable Box of Clothing, value £30.

For Rev. James Read, Kat River. To the Ladies' Auxiliary, in connection with Albany-street Chapel, Edinburgh-For a Case of Clothing and Useful Articles, value £35. To the Stepney Green Ladies' Missionary Working Association, and the Stepney Juvenile Missionary Association-For a Case of Wearing Apparel and Useful Articles, value £20. To Mrs. Hope and Friends, Wavertree-For a Case of Wearing Apparel. To Joshua Wilson, Esq.-For a valuable Case of Books and Apparel. For Rev. R. B. Taylor, Cradock. To Friends at Barrington, Cambs, and at Mariborough Chapel, Old Kent road-For a Case of Children's Apparel and Fancy Articles. To Mrs. Willshere

and Friends, Chelmsford-For a Box of Straw
Bonnets, and a Box of Useful and Fancy
Articles. To the Teachers and Scholars of
Hanover Chapel, Peckham-For a Box of
Clothing.

For Rev. R. Moffat, Kuruman. To Mrs. Kelly and Friends, at Liverpool-For a Box of Pinafores, &c.

To MissAnn King, Frampton, for a Parcel of Useful Articles; to Mrs. Howard, for twelve pairs of Children's Shoes, for the bazaars in India; to Mrs. Reed and Miss Smith, Chart Sutton, for a Parcel of Books. To Miss, Torrington-square; to H. P., Peckham; to Mr. J. Leach, Southampton; to G. S.; to Mr. H. Smith, Brixton; to Mrs. Hadland, Clapham; to Mrs. Bennett, Bath; to S. S., Parson's Green; to Mrs. Rolls, Banbury; to Samuel Morley, Esq.; to Mrs. Lang, St. John's Wood; to a Friend, and to Mr. G. A. Bennett, Reading, for Volumes and Numbers of the Evangelical Magazine, Annual Reports, Newspapers, &c. &c.

Mrs. Lechler desires to thank Mr. Weeks, of Rotherhithe, for a large Parcel of Remnants, Pieces of Delaine, &c. Also, E. N., for a Parcel of Work Bags, Needle Cases, &c., and a very kind Letter and Present for herself. Mrs. L. would be glad to hear again from E. N. Letters addressed to Mrs. L., care of Mrs. Woodman, 47, Princes-street, Ro

therhithe, would be forwarded to Salem without delay.

Mrs. Cox is requested by some of the Christian women of the Trevandrum Mission, to present their best salaams and thanks to Mrs. W. Wills, of Bristol, and some Ladies of Sherborne, for the Jackets, Little Dresses, and Handkerchiefs, which they kindly sent to them. Mrs. Cox also thanks Mrs. Clark, of Stroud, for a Parcel of Muslin Dresses.

The Rev. T. H. Clark desires to return his best thanks to the undermentioned friends for their kind contributions for his Schools:

To Mrs. Vine, Bushey, for a Box of Useful Articles; to Miss Foster, Albany Chapel, for a Box of Useful Articles; to Mrs. Alexander, Stoke Newington, for a Box of Fancy Articles; to Mrs. Mullinger, Chatham, for a Case of Useful Articles; to Mrs. Brinington and Mrs. Peede, Misses Gilbert, Bebb, and Mullinger, and to the Sunday-school Children connected with Rev. E. Mannering's Congregation, for Parcels of Clothing; To Mr. S. J. Wilkins' School, Brixton; to Mr. W. B. Bull, and to Master W. C. Lynne, for Parcels of Books; to Miss Waskett, for a Parcel of Fancy Articles, and £1 10s. 6d. collected from various Friends, and to Mrs. Wheeler, Ryde, for a Parcel of Haberdashery.

Anniversary Collections. May, 1852.

£. d.

Weigh-house Chapel.. 10 18 Surrey Chapel ...... 84 19 Tabernacle, (including

£ s. d. Abney Chapel ...... 21 17 Albany-road Chapel.. 6 6 Albany Chapel, Regent's-park...... 16 10 A. P. C.. 115 Barbican Chapel.... 14 11 Bethnal-green...... 17 12 4 Bishopsgate Chapel.. 17 16 Exeter Hall ........128 10 9 Brentford A Friend.....500 0 0 City-road Finsbury Chapel.... 23 8 9 Clapham

a Donation of 1500 from an Unknown Friend....

...534 12

Parish-street, Tooleystreet...

4 Rateliffe, Ebenezer

5

1 Chapel....

0 Robert-street Chapel.. Sion Chapel

£ 8. d. 800

36 5 0

7 14 1

8 15 0 817

4 0 0 Southgate-road Cha8 13 7 pel. 24 7 5 Spa Fields ...

4 3 0

4 Eccleston Chapel. 7 Enfield.....

6 Enfield Highway.. Falcon-square 7 15 0 Fetter-lane... Finchley...

Stepney
Stratford...
Sydenham Park Cha-
pel.......
Tabernacle..

4 16 10 Walworth, York-street 72 3 6

2 16 6 Weigh-house......

3 17 6 Westminster.

37 2 0

33 18 1

Tottenham-court-road
Chapel......
Hanover Chapel, Peck-
22 2 0 Finsbury Chapel .. 26 O
Trevor Chapel, Chelsea 12 15 2 Greenwich, Maize-hill 13 0
Greenwich Tabernacle 5 12 2 Greenwich-road Cha-
Westminster Chapel.. 6 7 0 pel..
Stepney Meeting.... 8 11 0 Hackney, St. Thomas'-
Paddington Chapel.. 21 8 0

10 11

8 10 0 Woolwich

21 5 3 York-road Chapel, (including a Do

17 1 9 660

31 10 8 ..107 9 10 800

8 13 7

nation of £10 from W. Wright, Esq.) 29 2 9

£2,921 14 10