general of Veraples. He is a man of uncommonly liberal principles, and what I learned from him a /mounts to this-At Veraples they have two numerous seminaries: one for the Latin, the other for the Syriac students. So late as in April, the bishop of came down to Veraples (the vicar-general's confirmation to the bishopric having not yet arrived from Rome, the French having taken the ship in which it was coming, he cannot ordain) in order to lay hands on a number of young priests, no less than 63; besides whom, 206 missionaries of different degrees were ordained in the course of that month! Under Father Raymond's care are fifty thousand Syriac Christians, and sixty thousand of the Latin church. There are, besides the archbishop at Goa, four Romish bishops on this coast. The united Syriacs differ in nothing but the language made use of in public worship from the church of Rome. They were originally brought into that communion by compulsive measures. A few churches, of which more hereafter, resisted unto blood. The inquisition at Goa, of course, is now very mild. Father Raymond enjoys great regard from government, on account of his vast influence. The subsidies they draw from the congregatio de propaganda fide, at Rome, amounts only to twelve hundred rupees per

annum.

During my stay at Molgant, the island where colonel resides, I had an opportunity of seeing a dignitary of the Syriac church. His dress consisted of a plain long frock, of black silk; a small blue bonnet, and a long bishop's staff in his hand. His

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physiognomy differed much from that which characterizes the Indian; austerity, firmness, acumen, and integrity, seemed to form its character. He looked like a man. The Syriacs came into India, he said, more than a thousand years ago. Their tenets were those held by the Nestorians, who during their severe persecutions (the storms that scatter the seeds of opinion), spread all over the east. The Syriacs, numerous at present, go by the name Nosrims or Nazarenes. They are an industrious, moral, and wealthy branch of the community, and are greatly respected in all commercial intercourse for their integrity. The greater part of them have been induced, by compulsion, to join the pale of the church of Rome. They are quite Roman Catholics, with this exception, that mass is performed among them in Syriac instead of Latin. They have the New Testament in Syriac, and a seminary of their own at Veraples, near Cochin. Two branches of the Syriac church, however, create a schism: first, those in the bills to the north, forming about thirty-two churches, who braved the persecutions of the Portuguese, adhere to their old beteredox tenets concerning the two natures in Christ, and receive the sacrament in both kinds. Secondly, about fifty-two churches in the south fell off again from the Romish church when the persecution ceased, retaining, however, most of the peculiarities of the Catholic worship. On what principle they split, I cannot learn. All these churches worship saints, and especially the Virgin Mary.

In the evening I saw an instance of Roman Catholic church discipline.

pline. Taking a walk with a gentleman, we heard a woman cry very much, as if under a severe flogging. Having followed these sounds, we perceived, in front of a church, a young woman tied to a cocoa-nut tree, and a stout fellow (the church clerk) inflicting this severe discipline whilst the native priest stood by to see that justice was done.

State of the Jews at Cochin. The synagogue of the Jews, in one of the suburbs of Cochin, consists at present of about a thousand souls, five hundred of which are the descendants of white Jews; the rest are black. Mr. Alex. Jacob Levy, a Jew, born in London, officiates as presiding rabbin. He told me they had a tradition, that these Jews were of the tribe of Benjamin, who, after the conquest of Jerusalem by Titus, escaped with the silver trumpets, and other implements, from the temple, and settled in Arabia, from whence they came gradually down the coast to Cranganore and other places, till apersecution by the Portuguese took place, in which their antiquities, documents, &c. were all destroyed, when they took refuge in the dominions of the king of Cochin. They were formerly more rich and numerous; but since the last war, reduced to poverty, they now subsist by the produce of their cocoa-nut gardens. This tradition, as to their emigration from Jerusalem, is obviously involved in uncertainty.

The synagogue is a snug little building, in the style of a Dutch synagogue, illuminated by sixteen massy lustres of silver.

Cochin, once a fine compact town, presents now a ruinous aspect. The fortifications have been blown up, as have all the public buildings. The inhabitants languish, as there are no schools, no public worship, and no trade.

Marriage Ceremonies in India.

Sept. 11, 1807. This evening, attended the marriage of my servant at the mission church, Vepery, in which the late rev. Mr. Gerricke used to preach. The service was in Tamul. The bride and bridegroom were dressed in the most gorgeous manner. The bride was so covered with jewels and flowers, that I could not discern her features. When they came out of church, the bridegroom mounted a fine horse, richly decorated, attended by a number of men and boys carrying torches and flags. The bride followed in a grand open palankeen, and some of their young relations followed in another, with a number of attendants, preceded by a Malabar drum and other music. This procession paraded through the streets of Vepery about an hour, and then returned home. Their house was grandly illuminated, and adorned according to the fashion of the country. The bride and bridegroom were seated upon a sort of throne, and other jewels and flowers were placed on the neck and head of the bride. The bridegroom's foot was washed with milk by a young relation, who put a silver ring on his toe, and he, in return, put a gold ring on his finger. A short prayer, by one of the catechists, was offered in Malabar. They then had flowers strewed over

their heads by several of their friends, each of whom pronounced a blessing over them. The whole company anointed themselves with a liquor made from sandal-wood. The whole was accompanied with music and singing, at the close of which they distributed beetle-nut, and the company broke up. The ceremony lasted about four hours. They are to have a great feast to

morrow.

Religious Ceremony of Swinging, at Rovapatan, a short distance from Madras. Aug. 3, 1806.

The scene of this ceremony was a plain in the front of a Hindoo pagoda, and it passed in the presence of an immense multitude of people. In the middle of this plain a large pole was erected, about 50 feet high, on the top of which was a swivel, and a roller; over this swivel was another pole, transversely fixed, about the same length; to each end of this transverse beam a long rope was suspended. Near one end of this beam a small canopy was fixed, covered with red and coloured cloth, and ornament ed with flowers. Under this canopy the victim was fastened by a short rope tied to two hooks, which were fixed on each side of his backbone, a little below the shoulderblade, though not to touch the bone. A small scaffold was erected about six feet high, upon which he ascended to be fastened to this horrid machine. Whilst they were fixing the rope, he harangued the people with great apparent earnestness. They attempted to tie his feet to the beam, which would have eased him much, but this he refused. When all was ready, a sig

nal was given, and he was gradually raised from the scaffold, by means of the opposite rope, to the above. mentioned height, when the beam was gently drawn round three times, describing a circle of about 50 feet in diameter. During the time he was suspended, the whole weight of his body hung by the skin of his back. He had a small Malabar drum in his hand, called tom tom, which he beat as he swung. His head was ornamented with flowers, which he threw down to the people; and these being considered very sacred, they were eagerly caught by them. He continued suspended in the air about ten minutes, during which time he appeared to exhort the people, making a great noise, and beating the drum. When he was let down, I saw some blood on his back, though not so much as I expected, as the hooks were fixed in holes made before; for I understood this was the third time he had perfomed this dreadful penance! Previous to his being suspended, three of their gods were carried in procession round the plain, and placed opposite the scaffold. The whole was accompanied with music and loud acclamations of the spectators.

State of the Mission in Tartary.

The latest accounts received by the Edinburgh Missionary Society from their missionaries at Karass, are dated July 15th. They were then in good health, and had begun to print the New Testament in Turkish. The first sheet has been sent over as a specimen of the work. Kategary, the young sultan, who has been so often mentioned in their letters, has been baptized at

his own earnest request. It is now a considerable time since he renounced Mohammedanism, and made a public profession of Christianity. Since that time he has been not only steadfast in his attachment to the Gospel, but zealous in his endeavours to spread the knowledge of it among his countrymen, On this account he has suffered great persecution, both from his own relations and the neighbouring chiefs. But all their efforts have been in vain. He not only continues firm in his profession, but discovers the greatest anxiety for the conversion of his countrymen. He is lineally descended from the Khans of the Crimea, and is allied to several of the greatest families in the East. He is a very fine looking young man, and possesses very superior abilities. He is rather too high spirited, and is bold and resolute. Owing to the war betwixt the Turks and Russians, the state of the country is extremely dangerous. Several of the Circas sian beys have been influenced to go to war with the latter, and the Kabardians are daily committing dreadful excesses.

ter of 1805-6, and about twenty more admitted candidates for baptism. We subjoin a few extracts from the letters of the Missionaries.

September 1st. After the morning service, we had a conversation with some heathen families, who arrived here in the foregoing week, and expressed a wish to dwell with the believers, and to be converted to Jesus. As soon as it was known that these poor heathens had obtained leave to stay, there arose among our Esquimaux such a spirit of joy and gladness, that it was truly affecting to witness it. Since their arrival here, our people had not failed to speak of the mercy the Lord had shown in their own conversion, and to preach Jesus to them as the only Saviour, who alone could make them happy both here and hereafter; and now, on perceiving that they were to be inhabitants of this place, they hardly knew how to contain themselves for joy. Young and old ran to help them with their baggage, and to settle their little affairs. The new-comers were quite humbled and amazed by such proofs of love and attention in their Christian countrymen, and declared,

North America.

The converted Esquimaux continue in general to afford much satisfaction to the missionaries by their christian walk and conversation; and the schools, which have been diligently attended, not only by the children but by many of the adults, especially the women, have been productive of great and abiding benefit. About twenty persons have been baptized at the different settlements during the winVOL. L.

they had found people who loved them with disinterested sincerity.

Esquimaux Sorceror:-Last summer, a young man, a son of the noted sorceror Uiverunna, moved hither. His name is Angukualak. He is seriously awakened, and came to acquaint us with his whole former course of life, which he did with a mind greatly agitated. The recital was a string of the most abominable practices in the service of every vice. His parents had instructed him in the art of sorcery.

C

His