VIRGINIA, containing a population of almost a million, there are only about 70 churches, Presbyterian or Congregational, and about 40 ministers.KENTUCKY, with a population of more than 400,000, has 91 Presbyterian churches, and 40 ministers; 20 Methodist circuits, in which about as many itinerant preachers are employed; 293 Baptist societies of different descriptions, and 148 preachers; two Episcopal churches; several societies of New Lights; a considerable number of Roman Catholic societies; some Shakers, Dunkers, and Universalists; and many professed Deists.-TENNES SEE, with more than 260,000 inhabitants, has 79 Presbyterian churches and 26 ministers; 19 itinerant Methodist preachers, employed in several circuits; 126 Baptist churches, and 74 preachers; a few New Lights, and some of various other denominations. In the MISSISSIPPI territory, containing about 58,000 inhabitants, there are 6 Presbyterian churches, 4 ministers; 9 itinerant Methodist preachers; 27 Baptist churches, and 13 preachers.-The INDIANA territory, with about 25,000 inhabitants, has one Presbyterian church and minister; five itinerant Methodist preachrs; 29 Baptist churches, and 14 preachers; six New Light preachers, and a few Shakers. In the ILLINOIS territory, containing about 13,000 inhabitants, there are five or six Methodist preachers in several circuits, and about six hundred members of the Methodist connection, and five Baptist churches.--In the district of the country west of the Mississippi, called the Missouri territory, containing a scattered population of about 21,000, there are 455 members of Methodist societies, among whom six itinerant preachers are employed; and 130 members of Baptist churches, with no settled preachers. - LOUISIANA has a population of about 77,000 free people, and about $5,000 slaves. In the whole state there is not one Pro

testant church; the Methodists have had itinerants up Red River and Washita, but they are exceedingly unpopular. The religion professed is entirely Roman Catholic; the clergy of this order are fifteen; the bishop and four or five priests reside in New Orleans. The Deists are numerous.

Mr Sharon Turner has made considerable progress in the second volume of his History of England.

Mr E. V. Utterson is preparing for publication, Select Pieces of Early Popular Poetry, in which no piece will be given that has been printed subsequent to the close of the 16th century; nor any that did not, either in its subject-matter or style, possess claims to popularity. The work is not intended to exceed two volumes, of the same size as Ritson's "Ancient Popular Poetry," and the impression will not exceed 250 copies.

Mr David Laing, architect and surveyor to the Board of Customs, proposes to publish, in imperial folio, Plans, Elevations, and Sections of Buildings, public and private, executed in various parts of England, &c. including the plans and details of the New Custom House, London, with descriptions. It will contain not fewer than fifty plates, engraved by the best artists.

Within these few years, a considerable circulation of books and of useful knowledge has taken place in consequence of a regularly organized system of canvassing for orders from 2 house to house. Instead of depending on the slow and uncertain effect of advertisements on the Magazines and in Newspapers, certain publishers of works in weekly numbers now keep entire corps of pedestrian travellers, who canvas every town, village, and farm house, under the direction of county or district agents. The number of books sold by these means, has been described to us as so great, that editions of 20 or 30,000 copies of expensive works are commonly dis

tributed

tributed without public cognizance, with great profit to their proprietors, his agents, and canvassers. The success of these publications is one effect of the increased establishments for educating the poor. The works are generally of a popular and striking character, and decorated with showy plates. Being issued in weekly sixpenny-worths, the matter contained gratifies curiosity, while the mode of circulation accords with the means of the labouring classes, who are their readers and patrons. The chief persons engaged in this noval and useful trade are Messrs Brightley and Co. of Bungay; Messrs Nuttall and Co. of Liverpool and London; Messrs Oddey, Kelly, and Cornish and Co. in London; and we have been assured, that the circulation of their several works affords profitable employment to above fifteen hundred persons in various parts of the United Kingdom. As one instance of this means of circulation, we may notice an extensive History of the late Wars, undertaken by Mr Baines, a printer at Leeds, and now in progress through the press, of which we are assured he is vending the enormous edition of twenty-five thousand, by means of these canvassing agencies.

In a few months will be published, in two volumes quarto, the History of the most ancient and honourable Military Order of the Bath, its statates, patents, laws, and regulations, from its first institution, a period anterior by several centuries to its supposed creation by Henry IV. to the present time; with correct lists of all the knights created during the last 400 years, accompanied by anecdotes of their talents and services. To the whole will be prefixed, a dissertation on ancient chivalry, its rise, progress, decline, and fall, illustrated by many superb engravings. The ancient part will be compiled principally from original manuscripts in the British museum and the imperial library at Paris. July 1815.

The new and improved edition of Stephens's Greek Thesaurus, edited by A. J. Valpy, A. M. late fellow of Pembroke College, Oxford, and Mr E. H. Barker, of Trinity College, Cambridge, will be published in parts, at £.1 1s. each, large paper £.2 2s. each; to be completed in three or four years. The copies to be printed not to exceed the number of subscribers.

Shortly may be expected, a History of the Pestilential Disorder that broke out in Andulusia in 1800, with detailed accounts of the fatal epidemics at Gibralter in 1804; and at Cadiz in 1810 and 1813; to which will be added, observations on the remitting and intermitting fever in the military hospitals at Colchester, after the return of the troops from Zealand in 1809; by Sir James Fellowes, physician to the forces, and inspector of military hospitals.

Particulars respecting the Death of the late SAMUEL WHITBREAD, Esq.

CORONER'S INQUEST.

THE lamented and untimely death

of this great public character has excited such universal feelings of regret and anxiety, that we have laboured to procure the best possible information of the afflicting calamity. In laying before our readers, therefore, the full particulars of his latter days, and the sad catastrophe itself, we offer to his afflicted relatives, and innumerable friends, a tribute, of which the hitherto imperfect and mutilated accounts before the public are totally destitute.

A variety of accounts regarding his conduct antecedent to the lamentable event of his decease, has reached us. The particulars, however, which transpired on Thursday evening, before the inquisition of the Coroner, seem

to

to furnish the most satisfactory conclusions of the cause of this dismal occurrence. The following is a correct outline of the proceedings of the Coroner's Inquest

On Thursday the 6th July, at noon, information was received by William Henry Gell, Esq. coroner for the county of Middlesex, that Mr Whitbread had put an end to his own existence, and a jury was instantly summoned to sit on the body in the evening. At eight o'clock the inquest had assembled at the house of the deceased, in Dover-street, Piccadilly, where, to avoid publicity, they held their sitting, instead of retiring to a neighbouring public-house, the usual

custom.

The first witness examined was J. Wilcher, Esq., from whose deposition it appeared that he was a most particular friend to the deceased. He resided in Hertfordshire. A few weeks since, he received an application from the family and friends of Mr Whitbread, to come to town, for the purpose of soothing their afflicted feelings, and, if possible, by fellowship, to rouse and restore the deceased from the lethargy and dull melancholy that was then operating upon him.On his arrival in town, he found his friend in a low desponding state, and notwithstanding every exertion, he could but occasionally succeed in shaking off the melancholy which seemed to have seized fast hold of him, or cause him to retract or give up the irregular notions, and incoherent expressions, he had continually adopted. He entreated Mr Whitbread also to retire from those pursuits and that intense application which apparently disturbed his imagination to a degree bordering on despair. Mr W. listened on all occasions to his advice, and in many instances promised to adhere to it. He complained, however, bitterly, that he had become completely unfit for business-that his public life was

extinct that he was derided-in short, that he had become 66 an outcast of society." An evening or two before the fatal transaction, his friend and he dined together. Mr Whitbread was in excellent health, and conducted himself in that clear and energetic way by which he has always been distinguished. After dinner, however, his great mind at once forsook him, and he commenced an argument of a most idle and ridiculous nature. On this he expatiated with as much warmth as though it was a great national question. His friend on this occasion endeavoured to restore his reason, and pointed out to him the absurdity as well as improbability of his statements.— Mr W. however, persisted in his phrenzied declarations; and, among other things, stated that charges of a serious nature were exhibited against him, as well by the public voice, as by communications: this was also resisted as erroneous by his friend. Mr W. however, with much warmth, undertook to prove it by his Secretary, who, he said, could produce documents to the fact. The Secretary, being in the house, was instantly called, and confronted with him, when the whole of what he, Mr W., had stated, turned out to be a mere fabrication of the brain. The reason of the deceased again seemed restored for a short time, and he bowed in silent submission of his error.

The evidence of Mr Wilcher went to prove a variety of other incidents relative to the deceased for several months, all of which went to establish a settled derangement of the mind of his lamented friend.

Mr Holland, a magistrate, residing at Epsom, corroborated the account of Mr Wilcher, as far as it related to the general conduct of the deceased for several months. He was also his particular acquaintance and friend. Some weeks since, he had noticed an extraordinary stupor and dullness a

bout

bout him, and imagining that it arose from intense study and application, he entreated him to spend a few days in the country at his (Mr Holland's) seat. After much difficulty, he succeeded, and Mr W. accompanied him to Epsom. On the day of their arrival, Mr W. was in apparent good health and spirits, talked rationally, and retired to rest cheerfully. On his appearance, however, the following morning, being asked how he did, and how he slept? Mr W. replied, he was " very ill indeed, and had not enjoyed half an hour's rest during the night." He then added, he must "forego the kind invitation of his friend and go to town; a vast deal of public business remained to be done, and though he was incapable of performing it, he would struggle at it, and do the best he could. He had no happiness from these considerations."

Mr Holland further related, that he had accompanied Mr W. to a meeting of the proprietors of Drurylane theatre, where he was called to the chair. The business was for the purpose of electing a member of the Committee, in the room of the Hon. Cavendish Bradshaw, who had resigned. On that occasion, however, Mr W. scarcely opened his lips, and sat in the chair in a senseless state, looking with vacant melancholy upon all around him. On their retiring from the meeting, Mr W. observed to his friend, "You have now an opportunity of seeing my incapacity for public business; eight or ten years ago, I could pretend to do business, but now I feel a total incompetency, and I am only despised for my serices."—In addition to various other facts related by Mr Holland, which demonstrated in the strongest manner the mental derangement of the deceased, he added, "Never did there exist a man upon whose judgment and integrity I should have sooner relied upon any case, either public

or private, as a counsellor or friend. In these relations I had consulted him for many years. But," rejoined Mr H., " from what I have observed of his conduct for a considerable time past, he would have been the last person in the world to whom I would have committed the slightest subject for consideration!"

The evidence of John Weir was next taken. He deposed that he had lived in the service of the deceased for 27 years. His master had retired to rest on Wednesday night, about half-past ten o'clock, in apparent good health. On the following morning, he observed him come down stairs, and go into his dressing-room, which was situated on the ground-floor, and looking into the garden. It was' then half-past nine o'clock, and the witness, as was his daily custom, went to bring some hot water to shave him. On reaching the door of the dressingroom, however, he found it fastened, and immediately knocked. He received no answer, but retired, supposing his master was particularly engaged. On his going through the passage, however, he met the private Secretary of Mr Whitbread, to whom he related the singularity of the dressing-room being locked-a circumstance never before known! The Secretary replied, it was equally strange to him, as he himself had been trying to see Mr W. and to receive some orders, when he found the door fast, and no answer given either to his call or knocking! They both then determined upon peeping in at the window from the yard, which having passed, and not distinguishing the deceased in an upright posture, they looked more narrowly, and beheld, with terror, the body of their lamented master weltering in his blood.The witness instantly burst in the window, and entered the room, where he found the deceased with his throat cut from ear to ear, and the vital spark completely extinguished. Me

dical aid, though called in, was quite useless. Perhaps no instance of selfdestruction was ever more complete! A razor, with which he effected the dreadful act, was found by his side on the floor. The private Secretary of the deceased confirmed the account given by the last witness; but such was the terror and temporary confusion into which he was thrown by his first view of the shocking spectacle, that he could not recollect whether he entered the room through the door or by the window. This witness also deposed to many circumstances, which led him to believe that the deceased had long laboured under strong symptoms of derangement.-An eminent physician proved the fact which had caused the death of the deceased, and, after some other corroborative evidence, the Coroner left it to the Jury to decide, whether, under the strong and respectable testimony they had heard, they could for a moment hesitate upon the verdict. In his opinion, during the exercise of his unpleasant duties, a clearer instance of derangement had never come before him.

The Jury, after a moment's consideration, concurred, and returned a verdict of Insanity.

Throughout the whole of these melancholy proceedings, there was a deep anxiety and silent sorrow evinced by the Coroner and Jury, not less excited by the deplorable event itself, than by feelings of commiseration for the afflicted lady, and her unhappy family, then beneath the same roof.

The last time that Mr Whitbread spoke in the House of Commons was on Tuesday night, on the question of a vote of thanks to the Commander-in-Chief. There was nothing unusual observable in the substance or delivery of his speech. On Wednesday he drove Lady Elizabeth an airing in his gig, and returned home to dinner, at which he had a party, and was remarkably cheerful. It how.

ever appeared clear, from the evidence adduced before the Jury, that this unfortunate and much-lamented gentleman had discovered several instances of mental derangement within the last two or three days of his existence.

It is a remarkable fact, that although Mr Whitbread went to the House of Commons on Tuesday, and spoke upon the vote of thanks to the Duke of York, he had not attended upon the former day, when the question of an additional salary to the Duke of Cumberland was agitated and rejected. It will be remembered also that he did not attend the late Opposition Dinner, his state of mind on that day inducing his friends to prevent him. It is also a fact, now well known, that he frequently fell into a sort of doze or slumber, and often in walking held his head down in melancholy silence. From these appearances he often as suddenly burst into language and gestures of a warm violent nature. We understand, that not many days since, he called, as was his custom, at the house of a soda water manufacturer in Piccadilly, on his way home, and desired to have a glass filled. This was done; but upon Mr W. taking the glass in his hand, he held it for a few moments, looking sternly upon the person who gave it, and then bursting violently into a passion, charged the man with attempting to cheat him, by not filling the glass to the brim. Another was then filled, and Mr W. resuming an air of moderation and calmness, drank it off, bowed, and retired.

Could our space admit, we might add a variety of other circumstances relative to the mental derangement of the deceased, for a considerable lapse of time. We consider those, however, which have been mentioned, as incontrovertible, and trust they will have the desired effect, in removing those unfounded and illiberal notions and reports, which we regret to

hear