A part of this evidence is derived from the Colony of Sierra Leone. The popu lation of that Colony, in 1809, did not exceed 1500 souls, chiefly Africans. Since that time it has swelled to upwards of 10,000. This large increase consists almost entirely of persons, who, having been rescued, at different periods, during the last seven years, from the holds of Slave Ships, may be supposed, at the time of their introduction, to have stood at the lowest point of mental and moral depression.

The population of Sierra Leone, therefore, at this time, exhibits all the varying shades of civilization, (varying partly according to the time that has elapsed since their introduction into the Colony, and partly according to the character and opportunities of each individual,) from the enterprising Trader, skilful Mechanic, or industrious Farmer, supporting himself and his family in comfort, and performing respectably his social and even religious duties, to the almost brutish state of the recently Liberated Captive.

Of these 10,000 Africans, all, excepting those who may yet be too young to labour, or who may have been too recently introduced into the Colony to be able as yet to reap the fruits of their labours, maintain themselves by their own industry, chiefly in the cultivation of farms of their own. Making due allowance for previous habits, and the difficulties arising from difference of language, they are found to be as perceptible of moral and intellectual culture as any people whatever.

In the month of October last, the Schools in the Colony contained 1237 Scholars, whose advancement in knowledge was satisfactory to their Instructors and to the Government; and it is said, that a great eagerness existed among them, to avail themselves of the means of instruction within their reach. The general conduct of the Liberated Captives has been such as to merit the approbation and confidence of their governors; and not a few have already so far improved their advantages, as to be capable of discharging such subordinate judicial functions as jurors, constables, &c.

From the foundation of the Colony, indeed, these functions have been almost exclusively discharged by Africans: and Sierra Leone exhibits the important example of a community of Black-men, living as Freemen; enjoying the benefits of

the British Constitution; maintaining themselves by the ordinary pursuits of commerce, agriculture, or some mechanical art; fulfilling their various social and civil relations, by the means only of such sanctions as the administration of British Law and the precepts of Charity impose upon them; and gradually improving, by means of Schools and other Institutions, in knowledge and civiliza. tion.

"A population of 10,000 Freemen," observes Dr. Hogan, "the Chief Judge of the Colony, in a Letter dated in October 1816, collected upon one spot so FAVOURABLY SITUATED, and guided and governed with a view to such noble and ennobling objects, forms too grand a stride in the moral march of human affairs, not to fix the attention of an enlightened observer. I take this Colony, then, as it is; and, looking steadily to the great objects which it was from its first settlement intended to promote, am well content." He afterwards adds, that, with so much to deplore as there necessarily must be, in a popu lation such as has been described, he distinctly perceives "all the principal elements of social order and effectual civilis zation in existence and vigour; requiring only the care of a skilful hand to mould them into form, and to collect from them the early fruits of a successful and rapid cultivation."

adduced, chiefly for the purpose of shewing, that the African Character is suscep- tible of improvement and civilization, in a degree, perhaps, not inferior to any other. It was in that part of the Coast adjoining to Sierra Leone that the Slave Trade was, for a time, most effectually extinguished; and the consequence of that suspension of the Slave Trade was a very considerable increase of innocent commerce, and particularly of the export of rice of that article, considerable quantities were carried, during the Peninsular War, to Portugal and Spain; and many cargoes have also been carried to Madeira, Teneriffe, and the West Indies. trade in rice was one which might have been indefinitely extended, provided the Slave Trade had not revived. There is reason to fear, that its revival may destroy in the bud this promising branch of com

The case of Sierra Leone has been

merce.

The

Sierra Leone, and its immediate neighhourhood, may be considered as the only

part of the African Coast where plans of improvement can be pursued, without immediately encountering the malignant influence of the Slave Trade. It is almost necessary, therefore, to confine within that sphere, at least for the present, any direct efforts made for the civilization and improvement of Africa. Even the establishment formed in the Rio Pongas, for the instruction of the Natives, it is feared, must be withdrawn, in consequence of the revival of the Slave Trade.

At Sierra Leone, between 1200 and 1300 African Youths of both sexes, most of them rescued from the holds of Slave Ships, are now under instruction. These have been brought to Sierra Leone, from all parts of Africa, from Senegal to Benguela; so that there is scarcely a language spoken in that extensive range of coast which is not spoken by some of the SierraLeone Colonists.

In instructing these Liberated Captives, the views of their benefactors are by no means confined to the benefits which they themselves may derive from the instruction afforded them, but extend to the possibility that individuals may hereafter arise from among them, who may convey to their own native regions that light which they have acquired at Sierra Leone.

EXPEDITION INTO THE INTERIOR OF

AFRICA.

Of Major Gray, who ultimately succeeded to the command of the Expedition into the Interior of Africa, first undertaken by Major Peddie, the Directors have recently received intelligence, through Monsieur Laplace, a Lieutenant in the French Navy, and late Commander of one of the vessels employed in the Expedition up the Senegal to Galam. Monsieur Laplace states, that Major Gray set out from the Gambia in the month of April or May last, and arrived on the first of November in the Negro Kingdom of Bondou, on the banks of the Senegal. Here he was

stopped, by the unfavourable disposition of the Natives and the want of merchandize. In the course of that month he retreated with his party to the Village of Bakel, in the country of Serracolet, upon the banks of the River Senegal; and put himself under the protection of the French brig of war, Argus. At this period, it seems, he had not for more than a month received any account of the Chief Sur geon of the Expedition, who had been sent to Sego to solicit the protection of the King of Bambarra; but, from several accounts received from the Natives, Major Gray entertained great hopes of his success in that respect. Monsieur Adrien, a Man of Colour, and Interpreter to the Major, who had been sent by him to St. Louis, at the mouth of the Senegal, for a supply of merchandize, was expected to rejoin the Expedition in the beginning of January last. Subsequent information states, that the Surgeon had returned to Major Gray from Sego, and Adrien from Senegal, with the merchandize of which Major Gray was in want.

STATE OF THE FUNDS.

The Subscriptions and Donations of the Year have amounted to 7187. 15s. 11d.; and the Expenditure to 8051. 15s. 9d.

The Directors have repeatedly felt themselves under the necessity of calling the attention of the Subscribers, and of the public at large, to the low state of their Funds; and they are sorry to be obliged now to remark, that the balance in favour of the Institution, at the end of the last year, was smaller that that of the year before-a circumstance which the Direc tors deeply regret, at a period when, from the disappointment of their hopes at the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle, they will, in all probability, be called upon for greater exertions, which must necessarily induce an increase of expense.

ESTABLISHMENT OF A COLLEGE NEAR

CALCUTTA.

We shall very soon have it in our power to lay before our Readers a Letter to the Society from the

Lord Bishop of Calcutta, which will afford sincere pleasure to every one who desires the coming of Christ's Kingdom. His Lordship proposes to apply the sum of 50002

which had been placed at his disposal by the Society, toward the establishment of a College near Calcutta, for the education of Native Missionaries and others, and for promoting the Translation of the Scriptures and the Liturgy into the Vernacular Tongues. Another Institution will thus unite its efforts with those which are already in beneficial operation in India.

Under the head of Foreign Intelligence, in the present Number, we shall have to notice a new Society in Calcutta, already in action; and we cannot but anticipate, under the Divine Blessing, the happiest results from all classes of persons thus devoting to the good of our Indian Fellow-Subjects their various attainments and their different measures of influence and power. The Episcopal College will be established under circumstances of the greatest promise; and cannot fail to prove, while directed with wisdom and zeal, and with a single eye to the glory of God, a very efficient instrument, in His hand, of promoting the Salvation of India.

NECESSITY OF INCREASED FUNDS.

The King's Letter, which we printed in our last Number, has been acted on in several Dioceses. The sum of 3000l. has already reached the Treasurer, as part of the fruits of the exertions of the Clergy in this cause.

We beg to suggest to the Clergy, into whose hands our Work may fall, the expediency of soliciting Annual Subscriptions to the Society from their Parishioners. The plans now in progress will require ample and permanent support. The Annual Subscriptions of the last year amounted but to 4831. If the Clergy duly avail themselves of the present opportunity, it will be easy to increase these Annual Subscriptions forty or fifty-fold.

And all that the Church, in co

operation with other Christians, can do for India, is urgently needed there. It rejoices our hearts to learn, that the Bishop of Calcutta is placing himself at the head of the Church's exertions. Whether these exertions are made by the Venerable Corporation which is now so happily directing its care toward India, or by the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge which has so long and so honourably laboured in that field, or by the Church Missionary Society which contributes its aid to the labours of the Church in this cause, his Lordship's counsel and influence will, we trust, give consistency and union to these exertions. We cannot but rejoice, that Christians of other Names and of other Nations are bending their strength to that great work, which demands the united powers of the whole Christian World; while we are anxious, both for her own sake and in the view of the benefits which the Heathen will derive from her zeal, that the Church should take that share in this labour for which she is so abundantly qualified by her means and resources.

We say,

for HER OWN SAKE: for if, while other Christians are girding up their loins for this work of the Lord, we prove unfaithful stewards of the manifold gifts entrusted to us, our candlestick will doubtless be removed; and our own Members will withdraw from a Communion from which the Glory will have departed. But we hope better things; and we rejoice to learn, that, by means of the Sermons which the Clergy are now preaching throughout the kingdom in conformity with the King's Letter, the Members of the Church, even the poorest and most humble of them, are, in various instances, attached thereby the more strongly to her Communion, and some who dissent from her yet come forward herein to her aid,

A statement to this effect has fallen in our way, which will give pleasure to our Readers. It is an encouraging instance of Village Liberality; and may serve to shew how greatly the Clergy who come forward zealously in behalf of the Society, will promote both the honour of the Church and the benefit of their own Parishioners. We give this statement in the simple and touching words of one who witnessed the scene:

I long to tell you what a delightful afternoon we had on Sunday! We collected 207. 19s. in the Church; beside some School-contributions, and others, which were to be given afterwards. But what most delighted me, was the faces of all, and especially of the rooR. It might, indeed, be said, The people offered WILLING. LY. They smiled while hastily snatching their hands from their pockets; as if they were going to receive, rather than to give! Oh, it was a glorious sight! The Church was very full of poor men; and yet there were but ten shillings in halfpence-so many of them offered silver! Old B. and

J. C. the DISSENTER on the Down, had left the Church before the Collection was

made, and waited in the Church-yard till they saw the Clerk to give their offering! Old Blind C., when she saw Mr. R. afterwards, with tears expressed her joy upon the occasion, and begged him to take her PENNY! Mrs. T. the washerwoman, the next morning, expressed so warmly THEIR pleasure, that it quite refreshed me." We poor ignorant people," said she, " CAN INDEED pity those who are still MORE ignorant than we are."-The time is surely approaching, when Jesus will be adored, from shore to shore; and Heathens, Jews, and Mahomedans conspire to crown him Lord of All. Let us comfort and animate

one another with this prospect.

Were the Clergy to consult but the advantages of those committed to their charge, they would find, in awakening such feelings as these among them, an abundant reward. Indeed, for the sake of Christianity at home as well as abroad, we heartily wish that the King's Letter may be annually addressed to the Church. It is but a poor pit

tance that we yet give in aid of this noblest of all Charities-the Salvation of the Heathen! The Roman Propaganda, in the days of her prosperity, laid the kingdoms subject to that Church under tri bute, in support of its labours among Heathen Nations, to an extent which would scarcely be cre dited by British Christians. If we are actuated by more unmixed motives, and guided by a clearer light, and carry in our hands richer and more ennobling blessings, let us not be put to shame by their more ardent zeal. Let their munificent liberality rouse us to greater exertions, in a better cause, and for a higher end. ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND POUNDS would be annually raised with the utmost ease, in obedience to the Royal Summons, by the Members of the Church; and when they had once felt the benefit and blessing of giving that sum with a right mind, they would soon enlarge it to a much greater.

In preaching on behalf of the Society, we wish to direct the attention of the Clergy to a Volume* lately published by a Member of the Society, entitled " Propaganda: being an Abstract of the Designs and Proceedings of the Incorporated Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts; with Extracts from the Annual Sermons."

These Extracts are taken from the Sermons of Archbishops Moore, Secker, Sutton, and Vernon; of Bishops Bagot, Barrington, Bathurst, Benson, Beveridge, Bradford, Buckner, Burgess, Burnet, Butler(of Bristol), Butler (of Oxford), Chandler, Claget, Cleaver, Dampier, Douglas, Drummond, Egerton (of Bangor), Fisher, Fleetwood, Gilbert, Goodenough, Hallifax, Hayter, Horsley,

The Rev. S. C. Wilks has published a Pam"Christian Missions, an Enphlet, entitled lightened Species of Charity," which we recom

mend also to the Clergy.