Ashmun dies praying for Africa. in the cause of colonization; and, after other efforts to advance the cause, by which his feelings were more and more deeply interested, he embarked for Africa in 1822. In Africa, he found himself unexpectedly in a situation where he must be of necessity legislator, engineer, soldier, physician; almost every thing that was needed, his benevolent heart inclined, and his superior talents enabled him to be. Emphatically a good man, he enjoyed the confidence of the colonists, and of the Board, and shared in the warmest affections of all that knew him. The scene, at his death, is represented as one of true moral sublimity. He died, as you have said, at New Haven, a few days after his return from Africa, whose shores he had left with feeble health, hoping to find the voyage and a short residence in his native country, conducive to its restoration. It was otherwise ordered. His last moments were spent in fervent prayer. Africa was not forgotten. "0 bless the colony," was his cry, "and that poor people among whom I have laboured.” 'He has left a name to be remembered by generations to come, when many who may now be far more conspicuous, will be forgotten. The gratitude of the Colonization Society* directed the monument to his memory which you * A monument has also been raised to his memory in Liberia. The monument at New Haven is after the model of an ancient monument still in perfection at Rome, "the tomb of Scipio." Dr. Silliman describes it as "grave, grand, simple, and beautiful." It is constructed of the Connecticut red sand stone, of the finer variety, seven feet long, four high, three and a half wide, raised on a foundation of one foot. It is said above, that the gratitude of the Colonization Society directed this monument; but it is be lieved and should be stated that the whole expense was borne by the spontaneous contributions and united liberality of friends of humanity and religion, preventing the necessity of making any appropriation towards it from the funds of the Society, and at the same time furnishing a most honoura Ashmun. saw at New Haven, but his best monument is in the hearts of the people, and that record of him which is on high. Although no sculptured form should deck the place, Or marble monument those ashes grace, Still, for the deeds of worth, which he has done, A favourite poetess has embalmed his memory,' said shall I repeat her words?' Caroline "Whose is yon sable bier? Why move the throng so slow? Why is that sleeper laid To rest, in manhood's pride? How gain'd his cheek such pallid shade? The hoarse wave murmured low, The distant surges roar'd- A shield was from her bosom torn, Ah! well I know thee now, Though foreign suns would trace Deep lines of death upon thy brow Thou friend of misery's race; Their leader, when the blast Of ruthless war swept by ; Their teacher, when the storm was past, able attestation of the gratitude and respect with which his devotion to the best interests of the world is regarded, and of the sincere affection with which his memory is cherished by those "who have learned to love and to admire the sublimity and glory of virtue." T Ashmun. But o'er the lowly tomb, That on thy vigour fed— But deathless courage nerv'd the frame, When health and strength had fled. Spirit of power-pass on! Thy homeward wing is free; She hath no chain for thee: Toil might not bow thee down, Nor sorrow check thy race Nor pleasure win thy birthright crown,Go to thy honour'd place!" Government of Liberia. CONVERSATION XXIV. "We must plead the cause of Africa on her own shores. We must enlighten the Africans themselves on the nature of this evil. We must raise in their minds a fixed abhorrence of its enormities. There will be no ships with human cargoes if we cut off the supply. We must by our settlements point the African kidnapper to a more profitable commerce than that in the blood and heart-strings of his fellow-men."-Frelinghuysen. WE should like to know this evening, Pa, something more of the colony at Liberia. What is the government of the colony ?' 'The government is in a great measure republican; and is designed expressly to prepare the colonists ably and successfully to govern themselves. The present form of government was established in August 1824. It was submitted to the assembled colonists, and by them unanimously adopted. The colonial agent receives his appointment from the Board of Managers of the Colonization Society, and it is generally expected that he will be a white man. All the other officers are men of colour, the most important of whom are elected annually by the people. Besides other officers, a Board of Agriculture, of Public Works, of Health, &c. are chosen, and the whole business of the colony is conducted with spirit and with much wisdom. A court of justice is established, which consists of the agent, Literary advantages. and two judges chosen by the people, and exercises jurisdiction over the whole colony, meeting monthly at Monrovia. "It is a highly honourable fact that no capital crime has ever been committed in the colony. The crimes usually brought before the court are thefts committed by natives within the colonial jurisdiction.' 'Do the colonists pay proper attention to education, and have they any considerable literary advantages?' The subject of education has ever been one of primary importance with the Board of Colonization, and the interests of literature are promoted as far as circumstances permit. In 1830, the Board established permanent schools in the towns of Monrovia, Caldwell, and Millsburgh. They adopted a thorough system of instruction which is now in successful operation. There are two female schools conducted on liberal principles, one of which was established by a lady in Philadelphia, who sent out the necessary books and teachers. It is said that there is not a child or youth in the colony but is provided with an appropriate school. Some of these schools have valuable libraries. "There is a public library at Monrovia which contains between 1200 and 2000 volumes. A printing press is in operation there, issuing a weekly and well conducted gazette, the "Liberia Herald." It is interesting to look over this sheet and notice the various advertisements, notices of auctions, parades, marriages, &c. together with its marine list, and items of news, as if the print were issued from the midst of an old and long established community.' 'I do not see but they have in Liberia already the elements of wealth and greatness, They are beginning to be a |