tempted to write sermons for children. For youth, volumes of such discourses have long since been published. Mr. Nott, however, is of the opinion that sermons may be so managed as to be highly useful to those who are yet in what may be considered the age of childhood. He

says

"The medium age which the author has had in view, is nine or ten years. With due parental explanation, he believes these sermons may be made useful and interesting to those much younger; and that they also meet the case of those who are some years older. They have grown out of his habit of familiarly lecturing to his own children when reading the scriptures with them; and out of lectures familiar and unpremeditated, at the quarterly meetings of The New York Maternal Society at which meetings the mothers have gathered their children with them for instruction and prayer. The one first delivered on this occasion, was shortly after written, and published under the title of A Lecture on the first Psalm,' and now with some alterations, forms the 7th of the following series.

The author considers these sermons, therefore, as having already undergone the test of experiment, and feels some confidence, that what has been found intelligible and interesting in parts, will not cease to be so, now they are combined together.

"The sober name of sermons will not, it is hoped, doom the volume to neglect. It need not be thought impossible or even difficult to interest children in sermons, if they are suited to their case, and their capacity; if they are brought home to their business and bosoms. There is no need of supposing that children require the interest of continued and eventful narrative,

London." Of these sermons the editor of the Boston Recorder concludes a com

mendatory article by saying: "The style of execution can be learned from comparison with no other work we have ever seen. It is incomparable." Whether Mr. Nott took the thought of writing sermons for children from seeing this work, or hear ing of it, we know not-possibly the same thing occurred to both these good men about the same time, without any knowledge of each other's views or intentions. This we know has taken place in matters of science; and it is equally probable that it should take place in the concerns of religion, when they become the subject of much serious thought and inquiry.

more than adults. Their minds are equally susceptible of pleasure and benefit from all the faculties of the human soul, and it suitable direct communications; they have is but fair to suppose, that they, like others of their kind, will be most interested in the just and proportionate use of them all. They are not monsters, to whose deformity we must minister by purveying to a predominant and overgrown faculty; but each of them, men in miniature, whose complete and perfect growth we are to promote, by a judicious ministry to every part.

How far the amiable "confidence" expressed in this extract will be justified by the event, we undertake not to pronounce or predict-Much will certainly depend, as the author remarks, on what is done by parents. "These sermons (he says) will not fulfil their author's intention, if they are left to work their own way into the understanding and affections of a child, but only when the father and the mother invite their attention, solve their difficulties, and encourage them in their progress."

We have, nevertheless, no hesitation in recommending, and that very earnestly, this little volume, to all Christian parents who have children growing up around them. We have ourselves perused it with much interest. It is, in our judgment, as well adapted to answer the design proposed as it easily could be. The author, we think, deserves the thanks of the religious publick, for the attempt he is making, in this untried way, to reach the minds of children with the precious truths of the gospel: and we hope, indeed, that he will receive better encouragement to proceed with spirit in his benevolent enterprise, than any which he can derive from thanks or plaudits.

Long have we been persuaded that and in established habits, must be all great changes in the human mind, effected, chiefly, by beginning with children and youth. Richard Baxter has somewhere given it as his opinion, that if Christian parents would fully perform their duty to their children, the publick preaching of the gospel would not be the ordinary

means made use of for the conversion of sinners-that is, that there would be a greater number of children savingly renewed, before they could be profited by publick preaching, than the number so renewed by the instrumentality of preaching. We are not exactly prepared to subscribe to this opinion; and yet we verily believe it points at more truth than has ever been thought of, by many who have not seriously considered this subject.

Family instruction, family govern

ment, and family religion, must lie at the foundation of almost all that is good, and stable, and auspicious, both in the church and in the state. We wish we had time and space to pursue this topick. We know indeed that it is with us such a favourite topick, that whenever we touch it, we are prone to be garrulous. But if we could speak upon it with effect, we should think that the last breath of life could not be better expended than in urging it.

Indian Marriages.At the mission house, in the Seneca village, near this place, on the 8th ult. the Rev. Mr. Harris, resident missionary, married 9 couple of the natives, 8 of whom had previously been married according to the Indian ceremony. Their objects appear to have been, "to give their publick attestation in favour of Christian institutions; and to recommend the same by their example to the practice of their brethren.'

The following singular facts were stated at a meeting of a public society in Sheffield, England:-Gibbon, who in his celebrated History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, has left an imperishable memorial of his enmity to the gospel, resided many years in Switzerland, where, with the profits of his works, he purchased a considerable estate. This property has descended to a gentleman who, out of its rents, expends

a large sum annually in the promulgation of that very gospel which his predecessor insidiously endeavoured to undermine. Voltaire boasted that with one hand he would overthrow that edifice of Christianity, which required the hands of twelve Apostles to build up. At this day, the press which he employed at Ferney to print his blasphemies, is actually employed at Geneva in printing the Holy Scriptures. It is a remarkable circumstance, also, that the first provisional meeting for the re-formation of an Auxiliary Bible Society, at Edinburgh, was held in the room in which Hume died.

ABBE HAUY.

Died, at Paris, on the 1st of June, the Abbé Hauy, member of the Royal Academy of Sciences, and canon of Notre Dame. This distinguished mineralogist met his death in consequence of a fall, by which he fractured the neck of the os femoris. He fell down on the 14th of May in his cabinet, in consequence, it is believed, of slipping his foot, as he did not subsequently show any affection of the head, which would lead to the idea of his having suffered any apoplectic seizure. He was attended by M. Almand, surgeon to the Salpêtrière; but the pain, partly arising from the accident, and partly from an attack of nephralgia, prevented the nature of the accident from being discovered for some time. An abscess formed, which was evacuated; and his strength from this period declined with rapidity, till the morning of the 1st of June, when he died. His interment took place at Père la Chaise, on the 3d of June, which was attended by Gay-Lussac, as president of the

Institute, and a considerable body of its members.

ABBE SICARD.

Died lately, at Paris, in his 80th year, the Abbé Sicard, director of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. He was born at Touseret in 1742, and was educated at Toulouse; and early in life entered the church, becoming vicar-general

of Condour and a canon of Bourdeaux. M. Cicé, archbishop of the diocese, having resolved to establish an asylum for the deaf and dumb, Sicard was despatched to Paris, to make himself acquainted with the system of the Abbé de l'Epée, whom be afterwards succeeded in 1789. During the revolution, learning and benevolence proved no protection, and the abbé Sicard had nearly shared the fate of the unfortunate Lavoisier. He was detained prisoner till the 4th of September, when he was carried before the National Assembly, where he made a speech, which, joined to the interest made in his behalf, seems to have procured his liberation.

After a considerable suspension of his duties M. Sicard was at length restored to his charge; and the institution being now supported by M. Chaptal, at that time minister of the interior, began to flourish. In 1800 a press was established, by which means his pupils became initiated in the art of printing; it was here that the works of the Abbé were principally published. One of his first pupils at Bordeaux was Massieu, who followed him to Paris, and whose astonishing acquirements tended, in a remarkable degree, to give celebrity to the system of education adopted by his

master.

The school of the Abbé Sicard was an object of great interest and general attraction to all strangers visiting Paris. The readiness which he always showed in explaining his method, and the proofs of cultivated mind and useful acquirements given by his pupils at their public exercises, have been the means of leading to the establishment of similar schools in vaparts of Europe, and also of the United States. The name of Sicard is associated with the system of De l'Epée, which he greatly improved, and deservedly ranks high among the benefactors of mankind.

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

ORIGINAL.

History of the Reformation. Being an Abridgment of Burnet; together with

Sketches of the Lives of Luther, Calvin, and Zuingle, the three celebrated Reformers of the Continent. By the Rev. Benjamin Allen, Rector of St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia. Second Edition. Philadelphia. 12mo. pp. 297.

The Life of James Otis, of Massachusetts: containing, also, Notices of some contemporary Characters and Events from the year 1760 to 1775. By William Tudor. Boston. 8vo. pp. 508.

A Narrative of the Expedition to Dongola and Sennaer, under the command of his Excellence Ismael Pasha, undertaken by order of his Highness Mehemmed Ali Pasha, Viceroy of Egypt. By George Bethune English. Boston,

Some Thoughts upon Population. Boston. 8vo. pp. 19.

Seventy-Six. By the author of Logan. 2 vols. 12mo. Baltimore. pp. 520.

The Author's Jewel. Consisting of Essays, Miscellaneous, Literary, and Moral. By S. Simpson. Philadelphia. 18mo. pp. 251.

Sermons for Children; designed to promote their immediate Piety. By Samuel Nott, jr. New York. 18mo. pp. 160.

The Criminal Recorder: or Reports of Criminal Law Cases, decided at the City Hall, New York, in December, January, and February. With Notes and References. By Jacob D. Wheeler. New York. 8vo. pp. 108.

North American Review. No. 38.

Woodbridge's Rudiments of Geography, on a new plan, designed to assist the Memory by Comparison and Classification. With an Atlas. Third Edition. Hartford. pp. 208. 18mo.

The Harp of the Beech Woods. Original Poems. Marhose. pp. 156.

SELECTED.

Peveril of the Peak; a Romance, by the author of Waverley, Ivanhoe, &c. &c. &c. Philadelphia. 3 vols. 12mo. pp.763. New York. 2 vols. 12mo.

Napoleon in Exile, or a Voice from St. Helena. The opinions and reflections of Napoleon on the most important events of his life and government, in his own words. By Barry E. O'Meara, Esq. his late Surgeon. Fourth American Edition. New York and Philadelphia. 2 vols. 12mo. pp. 687.

The Museum of Foreign Literature and Science. Conducted by Robert Walsh, jr. No. 9. Philadelphia. pp. 96.

Joint Letter of the Missionaries. This letter is dated May 30, 1822. It begins with a statement of facts relative to the ill health of Mr. Woodward; his voyage to Madras and Calcutta, for its restoration; and the series of kind providences, which attended him. These were sufficiently noted at p. 172, of our. last volume. Mr. Woodward arrived at Jaffna, with improved health, on the 16th of January. The letter than adverts to intelligence just received, confirming a report which had reached them some time before, that their "beloved friend and patron," Dr. Worcester, was no more in this world. "This intelligence," say they, "has filled our little circle with mourning. We all had the happiness of being personally acquainted with this friend of the heathen; and we have all heard him plead with the Angel of the covenant for them, and also for those who had left kindred and home for their sakes. But we bow in silence to Him, whose ways are in the deep, and in whose sight the death of his saints is precious."

Mr. and Mrs. Richards have been called to part with their little daughter, who died on the 31st of December. On the day following, she was buried by the side of Dr. and Mrs. Scudder's infant, and near the remains of Mrs. Poor. Some new symptoms had excited fears, that the dissolution of Mr. Richards was not far distant. The letter proceeds:

Bible Societies formed by the Heathen, and

others.

"Of the cause of Christ in general in this district, we rejoice in being able to speak with encouragement. At the commencement of 1821, a Tamul Bible Society was formed in Jaffnapatam, consisting mostly of native Christians; and on the 17th of November, one of the same description, composed almost entirely of heathens themselves, was formed at Mallagam, which lies nearly in the centre of the parishes under our care. These two associations pay an annual subscription of several hundred Rix dollars for the spread of the word of God in their own language, It cannot be supposed that men, whose Missionary Herald.

system of religion is condemned by the principles of Christianity, could contribute to the circulation of the Bible from proper motives; but, whatever be the object, we rejoice in the belief, that the example may do some good, and that the habit of giving to such an object, however small be the contributions, may be instrumental of the happiest results.

"On the last day of the year, a Branch Bible Society, auxiliary to the Colombo Bible Society, was formed in Jaffnapatam. In this are united Malabars, Portuguese, Dutch, English, and Americans. The formation of this society was the most interesting event we have witnessed in this place. Sums, amounting to 1,200 Rix dollars annually, were subscribed, and an interest was excited, which we trust will not soon subside. By the well directed efforts of these societies, we cannot but hope that light will spring up and knowledge be increased.”

Some schools, which had been suspended for want of funds, had been resumed. The spasmodic cholera,—that dreadful Scourge to the native population,-after having swept away thousands, had nearly ceased its ravages. Sunshine had returned after the storm; and quietness after a season of general confusion and alarm. The schools, which had been deprived of half their scholars, were again filled; and the congregations attending on the public preaching of the word, had, in most cases, become as in times past.-The following paragraphs should not be abridged.

Preaching the Gospel.