Such is the history of one-fourth of our population. The descendants of the early emigrants are gradually returning to the land of their fathers.

Left Lan-ma-tseit at 2 P. M. After 8 or 10 miles the country begins to improve considerably. The land is higher, villages more abundant, and the country well cultivated. Arrived late at night at a village named Pé-wa, which is about 76 miles from Akyab.

Dec. 29.-The people of this village are chiefly Burmans and their descendants. It is the resident of the kyok or revenue collector of the circle; he has adorned it with a kyoung or monastery where the village boys are taught to read and write by the priests. The village lies at the mouth of the Pee-kyoung, a stream which joins the Kola-dain from the N. W. The hills here are high and precipitous; running in a general direction N. and S. within 5 or 6 miles of the W. bank. Their elevation is probably 3000 feet. From this village the river assumes

a different appearance; its width is contracted to 3 or 400 yards, the banks being high and the water clear. High hills are visible all along the horizon to the North.

Left Pé-wa at 8 A. M. Three miles beyond this village, on the E. and W. banks of the river, is the extensive village of Rala, containing 300 or 400 houses. The inhabitants are Musalmáns. These people are now naturalized in the country, but they preserve the Bengali language which is spoken among themselves; their dress is the same as that of the Rakhoings except the goung-boung or head dress; these people I have reason to believe were originally brought from Bengal as slaves in large numbers. The kings of Arrakan formerly held possession of the country as far as Chittagong, and even to Dacca it is said. In later times kola, or foreign, kings have reigned in Arrakan, during which period it is probable the Musalmáns were emancipated, so that within the last 200 years they rose to offices of importance, and then it was that I imagine their numbers most rapidly increased. Beyond Rala are a series of villages stretching for several miles along the west bank of the river; the inhabitants are chiefly Musalmáns. They have very extensive rice cultivation and gardens for tobacco, onions, and various kinds of vegetables. At 4 P. M. reached a village named Qué-gyee on the W. bank, the appearance of which at once announced a people differing in customs from the Rakhoing-thas. The inhabitants are Kyoung-thas* mixed with a few Koomees. The latter people have joined this village lately, having come down the Kola-dain to better their fortunes. The houses of these people are built entirely of bamboo, which forms the support of the flooring and the walls of the structure, the roof being made of leaves of the same plant. The cultivation of the inhabitants is of a different description to that of the Rakhoingthas. It is called Toung-ya, known to the Hindustánís by the name of joom. It consists in clearing away the primeval forest of a hill, which work is commenced at the close of the rainy season; in April the seed is sown, and the crop is reaped in October. Holes are scraped a few inches apart with a dha, in which the seed is deposited; the crops consist of rice, cotton, tobacco and Indian corn, besides a few vege* Kyoung means a stream, and tha is the Burmese for son.

of nature, and, even in the hearts of his opponents, created a war of sentiment which made them weak in their opposition to him. He allowed the unrestrained expression of their discontent, until it exhausted itself. And he sent them on an Appeal to higher and distant authority, which turned off the force of their irritation from the local government, and let it pass away to far off regions, where it ended innocuously to all parties.

"It is a very vulgar idea to estimate the importance of such a measure as the abolition of Suttees by the number of victims spared, and the anguish and misery from which they are rescued. As well might we consider the whole evil of English prize-fighting to be in the punishment of the ring. All such things are springs of national demoralization and if they be not stopped up, no means whatever will be successful in regenerating a people. From the abolition of Suttees will be traced, in after times, the growth of relative endearment, of generous sensibility, of abhorrence of cruelty, and of repugnance to such superstition as outrages natural affection with all the blessings which flow from such sentiments: and as thus the nations of India rise in humanity and worth, the name of Lord William Bentinck will be enshrined in their hearts with devout and fervent gratitude.

"It was in pursuing the same line of generous benefaction, that His Lordship abolished the barbarities and ignominies of corporal punishment, both in the Army and the Magistrates' Courts. Those who think of nothing in the punishment of crime, but the prevention of its overt acts; and who would be satisfied, if, by a strong hand, the people could be kept under a forced restraint from outward violence and dishonesty, whatever might be their moral condition and principles, instead of applauding this measure of His Lordship, continue to honour it with their abuse. But it is otherwise esteemed by such as look for public morality from private intelligence and virtue.

"By such measures as these, Lord Bentinck set himself to clear away the obstructions to the national improvement of the country and by others he sought directly to advance it. He did much to throw life into the Government scheme of public education, and, at the close, crowned his efforts of this kind by instituting the Medical College; which, like other creations of his, was produced with the natural tendency to improvement upon its original character. He would gladly have added Christian to secular instructions, in order to make good the reformation of India but being bound to act in his official character, he was content, both from his own conception of just policy, and from regard to good faith, to maintain the most scrupulous observance of strict neutrality on the subject of religion in his own educational measures ; whilst he rejoiced in the freedom of Missionaries and private persons to act otherwise, commended their proceedings, and urged them to an unlimited extension of their efforts.

"As another and very powerful means of raising the character and condition of the people, His Lordship opened to them the avenues of public employment and honour-a measure so noble, so wise, so boundless in the train of its healing and benignant influences, that it is impos

His endeavour

sible to form an adequate conception of its excellence. to introduce the principles of self-government by reviving the Jury or Punchayet system throughout the country, failed, from the want of suitable means to bring it into effect. It remains, however, on record, for the benefit of the next Governor General on whom his Lordship's mantle may fall, and the generation that may be blessed by his rule.

"There are two other measures of Lord Bentinck which shew how his thoughts for the good of India tended: we mean the Commission for the Suppression of Thuggee, and the appointment of the Prison Discipline Committee. Much good has been done by both; and had his Lordship been here, to follow up their proceedings with the same purpose and energy in which they originated, we are convinced that the former would have extended by this time into a general system for the suppression of dacoity, and the establishment of peace and safety, through the whole country; and the latter would not have ended in a mere Report-vox et preterea nihil.

"But we must refrain from farther enumeration of Lord Bentinck's

claims to the gratitude of India and her friends. He has passed beyond the reach of their praise; and the remembrance that he has, gives renewed and vastly heightened interest to the touching words he addressed with so much feeling-with almost stifled utterance-to the Missionaries of Bengal: I must at the same time recollect, that it is part of that charity which you so earnestly teach and practise, to think no evil, and to regard with indulgence conduct that seems to emanate from good intentions. But even your praise must not mislead me from a deep consciousness and confession of my own unworthiness, or make me forget that only in humble dependence upon the Giver of all mercies, I can hope by earnest prayer to obtain forgiveness for the unprofitable use I have made of the talents committed to my care.' These words fall solemnly and sweetly on the heart, now that he has not only resigned his charge of earthly power, but life itself, into the hands of Him who gave it.'

Missionary and Religious Entelligence.

1.-MISSIONARY AND ECCLESIASTICAL MOVEMENTS.'

The Bishop of Calcutta proceeds on a tour to the Northern Provinces at the close of the rains. The Archdeacon will supply his Lordship's place in his absence.-The Bishop of Madras is about to proceed on a visitation tour to Ceylon. We regret to state that Mrs. Schneider, the wife of the Rev. Mr. Schneider of the Church Mission, who but very recently arrived in India, died of cholera at Benares.-We are happy to announce the safe arrival of the Rev. T. Smith and lady, of the Scottish Mission, in the Agostina : -Also the return of Ananda Majumdar, the Hindu youth who proceeded VIII.

3 Y

to England with Mr. Groves: he has returned as an Assistant Mission. ary to his countrymen.-Dr. Duff has been commended to God in prayer by the Assembly previously to his departure for India, so that his arrival amongst us may now be deemed (D. V.) certain.-The Assembly have determined on establishing a Mission for the Jews at Aden.-The Rev. W. Blumhardt, formerly of the Abyssinian Mission, has arrived in Cal. cutta: our brother is connected with the Church Missionary Society.The Rev. Mr. Bennett and family, of the American Mission at Maulmain, have proceeded to the United States for the recovery of health on the Champlain.-Rev. W. H. Pearce and party have sailed, and may be expected in October.-The Rev. Dr. Hæberlin has received his final instructions from the Committee of the London Bible Society, and has doubtless ere this set out on his way to India. We are truly rejoiced to witness such actual and prospective accessions of strength to our Mis sionary circle.

2. THE BISHOP'S SYNOD.

The subject discussed at the last Synod was-" What dangers in the present day most resemble those against which St. Paul warns Timothy and Titus ?" And at

THE MISSIONARY CONFERENCE,

"Have we reason to believe that the emissaries of the papal system are now making extraordinary efforts for the spread of that system which the Lord has designated the mystery of iniquity; and if so, what is the duty, under such circumstances, of the descendants of the Reformers ?"

THE MONTHLY MISSIONARY PRAYER MEETING.

The United Monthly Prayer Meeting was held at the Lal Bazar Chapel last month: the address, delivered by the Rev. J. Macdonald, was on the necessity of obedience and submission to the laws of Christ's kingdom, especially as to separation from sin.

The Church Missionary Prayer Meeting was held as usual in the Old Church Rooms: the address, by the Rev. Mr. Blumhardt, was respecting the Abyssinian Mission which he has just been obliged to leave.The Rev. T. Sandys afterwards gave an account of the Church Mission at Mirzapur.

3.-FIFTEENTH REPORT OF THE LADIES' SOCIETY FOR NATIVE FEMALE

EDUCATION.

We have had the Fifteenth Report of the Ladies' Society forwarded us; it indicates the same untiring spirit of perseverance in this interesting department of Missionary labour. The report enumerates a few instances of usefulness and of gratitude on the part of former pupils which must be gratifying to the truly praiseworthy labourers in this good work we shall notice this and other reports of the Society more at length in an early number in treating on the subject of Female Education in

India.

4.-BAPTISM OF A BRA'HMAN YOUTH.

We were much delighted and cheered during the last month, in being permitted, in the providence of God, to witness the baptism of a young Kulin bráhman. The ceremony was performed in the library of the General Assembly's Institution, Cornwallis Square, in the presence of a considerable number of Native youth, the pupils of the institution, and several of the friends of Christian education. The rite was

administered by the Rev. J. Macdonald. Previously to its administration, he explained, to the youthful disciple the leading truths of the Christian religion, and interrogated him as to his belief in the fundamental doctrines of the cross, to which he rendered clear, humble and satisfactory replies. The Natiye youth were addressed with great fidelity and simplicity, on the momentous concerns of religion; and also the Christtian spectators on the necessity of heart religion. The Rev. Dr. Charles implored the divine blessing. The scene was well calculated to excite the most devout yet cheerful feelings. When we looked upon the youthful disciple, being buried with Christ in baptism, leaving father, mother, friends and all, for Christ's sake, and doing it with a firm and believing heart and manner, we could not but rejoice in the power of Divine grace and the influence of vital godliness in imparting decision to the soul: this excited our thankfulness to God. When, however, we looked on the assembled youth, convinced evidently of the truth, but hesitating and discussing, while they should be praying and seeking diligently for salvation, we could not but lift up our hearts to God that the time to favor them might soon come; when the Spirit should carry conviction to the heart with greater power, than the reasonableness of the evidences had carried conviction to their understanding. This is the third youth baptized in connection with the institution within a short time. May the Lord so prosper his servants that they may soon have the happiness to see a native church formed for the glory of Christ by their instrumentality in the midst of the heathen.

5.-THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY, with its accustomed liberality, has placed at the disposal of the Calcutta Auxiliary, through Dr. Hæberlin, the sum of £1000 and 1000 reams of paper, for the purpose of efficiently carrying out the blessed intentions of the Society toward the natives of India.

6. MISCELLANEA OF THE MONTH.

We regret to hear that great efforts are now being made in England for the purpose of recuscitating the infamous Cooly Trade. The advocates of this new slave trade have set themselves up as the advocates of the rights of freemen, and would represent the friend of the cooly here and at home as the enemies of freedom of thought and movement. What new feature will iniquity next assume!—the slave-dealers in the West Indies and at Mauritius the advocates of freedom to the colored race! -The Pilgrim Tax has again been collected at Jagannath. There is, it is to be feared, some prospect of an effort being made to continue the connexion of the Government with this shrine at least truly, wickedness struggles hard in death. We call upon the friends of humanity and religion to rouse themselves to sever this odious union at once and for ever. With the lesson afforded them by the transactions of the opium trade, we do hope that the Government will see the expediency, as well as justice, of bringing this protractedly disgraceful business to a speedy close. The last and most instructive act in the opium trade has been enacted by the Commissioner Lin at Canton. He has caused the whole of the 20,000 chests of opium to be destroyed and turned into the river; all trade is at present stopped, smuggling in opium has commenced, and every thing threatens at present a disgraceful war with China; at least, a war disgraceful and unjust in its origin.

The Native chapel of the London Missionary Society at Tantaniah, has been re-opened for divine worship, after undergoing considerable repairs.