amounted to nearly £21. This sum would not have been near so much but for the zealous opposition of the enemies of popular education. The minister of the chapel has, at intervals, delivered a course of lectures on the Book of Revelation. Having proceeded as far as the sixteenth chapter, he some time since explained the pouring out of the "sixth vial," by which, it is said, the "great river Euphrates was dried up to make way for "the kings from the east;" it is added, that this event was followed by "three unclean spirits like frogs" coming "out of the mouth of the dragon, the mouth of the beast, and the month of the false prophet.' This discourse was listened to with much attention, and a wish was expressed to have it repeated this desire was attended to last Sunday, and was announced by handbills. As "the dragon" is allowed by all to represent satanic influence, "the beast" political power, and the 'false prophet" ecclesias

tical power, and as frogs are known to be great croakers, a fact long ago referred to by Aristophanes in his "Comedy of the Frogs," the prediction evidently foretells a period when the opponents of knowledge and pure religion would be so shorn of power as to be doomed to croak as the only medium of their wrath. The text very clearly indicates that satanical, political and ecclesiastical croaking would characterize the present times. One would have supposed that this rational exposition would have offended no one; but, to the surprise of all, the appearance of the hand-bills created a great stir.

The political and ecclesiastical alarmists took fright, and vied with each other in illustrating the text; indeed, at one time, they croaked so loud as even to frighten some of the dissenters. It seems as if to be " king of the frogs was their highest ambition. As a consequence, large crowds were drawn to the place of worship, and the collection greatly increased.

BEIROUT.-A letter from Beirout states that the country had again become the scene of carnage:-On the 12th and 13th inst. a large party of Druses and Christians, from Deir-el-Kammer, of all sexes and ages, were assembled, in order that the men should deliberate on the affairs of "the mountain." Prior to the discussion, the old-fashioned and manly game of throwing the djerid was played, and the utmost harmony seemed to prevail. On a sudden, however, things changed, and upon a pretext, which is differently related, but appears from all accounts to have been of a most frivolous nature, the Druses fell upon the unsuspicious crowd, putting old men, women, and children to the sword with the utmost ferocity. Nor did their barbarity stop here; numbers, upon preconcerted signals, arrived and mixed in the fray which

had evidently been previously organized, setting fire to the houses in the village, by which many were destroyed. The struggle now began in serious earnest; the Druses armed on all sides. The patriarch caused the Christians to arm; his commands were obeyed with alacrity, and the Emirs Khangiar, Hagar, and Samra, at the head of large bodies of the mountaineers, hastened to the fray. The Druses were not behind, and under the command of chiefs of known bravery and tact, met in battle order the people whom they had so scandalously assaulted. The consequences were such as would seem incredible: a hundred villages have been sacked, the loss of human life has been dreadful on both sides, hundreds of children who escaped the ruthless fury of the sword are now in bondage, and the hatred existing is of such a nature as to lead to the idea that it will continue for a length of time. The town of Beirout has given shelter to hundreds of miserable families burnt out of their villages at an incredibly short distance from that place, to such a point of insolent audacity have the Druses proceeded. Colonel Rose, whose courage is proverbial, hastened with some troops and his aide-de-camp, to endeavour to allay the excitement; his endeavours were, however, fruitless, as were also those of Selim Pacha, and even of the Emir Beschir himself. As yet, all that can be learned with certainty is, that the tumult is far from being quelled. Some say the Druses have been driven back, others that they keep their position. From Damascus nothing has reached, the roads leading thereto being intercepted. All commerce has, of course, ceased, and the one wish breathed is for the speedy return of peace, which is ardently to be desired. Plague is reported to have broken out at Mazara, a village twelve hours' march dis

tant.

ASIATIC MISSIONS.-Paris, Oct. 27th. The foreign missions have twice received from the East news important, if confirmed, not merely with regard to the missions themselves, but also in a political point of view. The accounts are as yet vague and confused, but the next post from India or the Levant must contradict or confirm them. The first intelligence was that all the Chaldean Christians of Koordistan had been converted to protestantism. The episcopal church of America has for five years had an active mission at Urumea, on the Persian frontier, in order to convert the Nestorians and Chaldeans. The English missions have also had a few missionaries among them, one of whom, Mr. Rassam, is a man of much talent. The American missions follow a very sensible plan; they admit all who wish for instruction into the schools and mission

houses, and content themselves with explaining the Bible, and giving instruction in different branches of useful knowledge, without, in the smallest degree, opposing the religious creeds and habits of their scholars and guests. Many Nestorian bishops have from time to time visited the mission-houses, attended the schools, eaten at the tables of the missionaries, and lived on the best terms with them, for they saw that the Americans did not attempt to destroy the Nestorian church, but only aimed at improving the clergy, in order that the latter might themselves be enabled to improve their doctrine and liturgy. They wished to reform the church through the church itself, and, if the tidings we have received are authentic, they seem to have succeeded. The consequence will be, that the foreign missions here will send a reinforcement of catholic missionaries to Koordistan and Persia, in order to oppose this unexpected movement. This intelligence is of political interest, inasmuch as the catholic party necessarily inclines to France, and the protestant to England, to whatever country the missionaries themselves belong. The second intelligence, on the contrary, is favourable to catholicism and the French interest, being a report of the death of the king of Cochin China, Minh Menh, who had persecuted the Christians, in the bitterest manner, ever since his accession in 1823, and particularly since the death of the vice-king of Camboja, who was favourable to them, and who died in 1827. The whole history of the catholic church in Cochin China is a history of martyrs, filled with accounts of the banishment and execution of the priests, the burning of Christian villages, and of a system of cruel fanaticism, very foreign to the general character of the Cochin Chinese. The letters of the French missionaries are full of romantic histories of flights and dangers in caves and morasses-of exile among the barbarous tribes of the mountains, and particularly of the execution of European and native priests. Minh Menh appears to have always looked with great displeasure on the influence possessed by the Bishop of Adran and other priests over his father, and he ascribed the subsequent insurrection in Camboja, which put his government in so much danger, to the catholics. Ten years ago he drew up a decalogue, founded on the political morality

of the Chinese, which he made the state religion. The missionaries describe him as half insane, but the testimony of persecuted enemies is hardly to be trusted. He passed a great part of his life in civil and foreign wars, but he had not talent enough to train his people to martial enterprises, and he relied chiefly on foreign aid. He founded a sort of navy, which consisted chiefly of a few American vessels, and of two steamboats which he obtained from Calcutta, and which he hoped to use against his enemies the Siamese; his land army he strengthened by Malays from Celebes, whom he disciplined to a certain degree. His wars, however, were unsuccessful, and always ruined his people. Whether the catholic party will now obtain the upper hand remains to be seen, but it is not impossible, for it is the only element of concord in the miserable country; and it is certain that the nation was in a much better state under the influence of the Bishop of Adran than it was during the socalled national government of Minh Menh. This intelligence is as yet very uncertain, and requires confirmation.

CHURCH-RATE AMENITIES.-During the progress of a church-rate poll lately, in a parish near the metropolis, a well-known dissenting minister tendered his vote. "For or against?" asked the chairman. "Against," was the reply; "I must vote against churchrates so long as livings are bought and sold." Unknown to the speaker, the individual addressed happened to be the rector of the parish, who had not long filled the office, by virtue of a few thousands paid down some years before. The noncon. divine having made his bow, "Who is that fellow?" inquired the ruffled "ecclesiastical head." "The Rev. Mr. B.," answered a dissenting friend present. "Reverend? pray who gave him that handle to his name?" "Not a counterfeit successor of the apostles," was the closing retort. In these church-rate contests, for the preservation of the form, how much of the genuine spirit of religion is preserved ?

STATISTICS.-In Prussia, according to the late census, it appears there are about eight protestants to five catholics, while all the other sects compose but 1-70th of the whole population. In Berlin there are more Jews than in any other town-viz. 5645; and in Potsdam, 2576.

The impressment question has been revived by the American government, who have energetically protested against the right of English men of war to stop American vessels

to search for slaves, although it admits the illegality of such a traffic. As the Duke of Wellington strenuously opposed the passing of the act upon which this right of search on

the African coast is grounded, there is no doubt an accommodation may be easily effected.

In order to discuss with perfect fairness the merits of the boundary question, the English authorities recently permitted American officers to enter on the British territory, and to erect stations and make astronomical observations for determining the true line. This was allowed in courtesy and without prejudice to our claim. The new governor of the State of Maine (Fairfield) is, however, threatening to consider the line so run within the British lines as the final definition of the American boundary, and to occupy a large space of territory which has been long settled by the British. If the government at Washington cannot prevent this rashness, hostilities will certainly be resorted to by the British force in that neighbourhood.

FRENCH DESIGNS UPON NEW ZEALAND. -A piece of intelligence has just been communicated in letters from Toulon, which at a first glance might pass unnoticed as a matter of trivial import: but when we consider the struggle which France is making to embroil this country in a war, it is matter of great public interest. What I allude to is the announcement of the sailing of two ships of war, having on board two companies of marines, and that four companies of the same force were shortly to embark in the Atlantic harbours, and to sail for the colony of New Zealand, for the purpose, as it was avowed, of affording protection to the French colonists located there. It is now some time since the French first exhibited their jealousy of the progress making by the British settlers in New Zealand. It was then seriously proposed by a portion of the Parisian press that Louis Philippe should assume sovereign sway over the colony; but the knowledge of his intention having reached our government, Lord John Russell lost no time in adopting measures to frustrate this ambitious attempt on the part of our neighbours, and an extensive emigration from these countries was the result. Whether the knowledge of its being in the contemplation of the present ministry to resort to emigration on a grand scale to get rid of our distressed population, has caused France to despatch troops to New Zealand, it is difficult to divine: but having resorted to so bold a step, it is particularly incumbent upon our government to imitate their example, and to order reinforcements to the same destination for the protection of the British residents there. This resolution, there is reason to believe, will be speedily adopted; for the Earl of Aberdeen is not so insensible nor indifferent to the French intrigue now in operation. He is the more sensitive on the point, being adverse to the further extension of the colonial possessions of France.

LOUIS PHILIPPE AND THE BEY OF TUNIS.-The "Debats" publishes the following details relative to the presenting four horses which the king of the French sent lately to the Bey of Tunis :-"The Bey, who has given in latter times so many proofs of zeal for the interests of France, has just received as a proof of his majesty's satisfaction, four magnificent Norman horses, of the purest blood, bearing rich harness, with Achmet Bey's arms, and a coachman and outriders attired in the royal livery. It was a curious sight to see an equipage similar to that which conveys Louis Philippe from his palace of the Tuilleries to his residence at Neuilly, parading the streets of Tunis. The Bey expressed his satisfaction at this mark of his majesty's favour, and after thanking the French consul and the officers of the Caméléon, which conveyed the horses, Achmet Bey presented himself on the terrace of his palace, whence he could see the cortège defile, and such was his impatience to try his new equipage, that he had himself immediately conveyed by it to his palace of the Manouba, and thence on the following day to Mahmoudieh, a countryhouse, situate three leagues from Tunis, to the astonishment of his fanatical subjects, who could not comprehend how he suffered a Christian coachman to sit upon a seat higher than that upon which he was placed. Achmet Bey, in return, sent the king of the French his war horse and magnificent trappings, three lions, an ostrich, and sumptuous stuff's embroidered with pearls, gold, and silver. Commander Poultier, of the Caméléon, received a gold snuff-box and splendid sabre, and his crew received numerous presents. These consisted of 200 loaves, four oxen, fifteen sheep, ten jars of butter, six skins of oil, containing 300 litres, four sacks of pomegranates, four sacks of quinces, six sacks of charcoal, vegetables of various kinds, in great quantities, four loads of firewood, 1,000 eggs, fifty fowls, and an immense quantity of rice, sugar, coffee, &c." The charger, lions, and other animals arrived at Toulon on the 18th inst. One of the lions is young, and of great beauty, and quite tame, but there is a lioness so savage that she is obliged to be confined in a double cage, to prevent any one from coming near her. Engineers are preparing new cages for bringing them all up to Paris.

EASTERN AFFAIRS.-The National states that the following instructions have been given to the newly-appointed British ambassador at Constantinople, Sir Stratford Canning. He is commanded to require-1. The destruction of the fortifications raised by Russia in the island of Sulina, in the Danube, in violation of the treaty of Adrianople. 2. The free navigation for all the allies of the Porte of the mouths and course of the Lower

con

Danube. The ambassador is likewise desired to use all his influence to prevail on the Porte to construct the canal of Kustendji, which would enable ships to ascend and descend the Danube, and to enter into the Black Sea, without passing the lower part of the river, where the Russian custom-house officers and soldiers are placed. Lord Ponsonby's successor is instructed to demand that British merchants should be permitted to enjoy the advantages granted to Russian merchants, who only pay one-half per cent. import duty, whilst the former are compelled to pay five per cent. "The cabinet of St. Petersburgh," adds the National, "will probably not be taken unawares. They have no doubt been apprized of these instructions, and it is to devise means for annulling this last effort on the part of Great Britain, that Nicholas had sent for Count Pahlen, M. de Tatischeff, and other ambassadors. Each of the questions to be raised by Sir Stratford Canning is one of peace or war. Possibly it is with this view that the maritime armaments of Great Britain have been carried to so great an extent for the last two months." The Courrier Francais observes, that eastern affairs are again threatening to agitate Europe. "The European powers intervened," tinues the Courrier Francais, "by the treaty of London between the Sultan and the Pasha, and their intervention will become necessary whenever a revolt shall break out in the Ottoman empire. Austria has already declared, that in consequence of the disturbances in Bulgaria and Servia, she would occupy Belgrade to the exclusion of any other power. Greece, not having yet paid some thousands of piasters which she owes to the emigrant Turks of the Peloponnesus, demands that Thessaly should be added to her territory in order to protect her frontiers against the incursions of marauders. The divan has become incensed at this demand, and wishes to send a corps d'armée into Macedonia and six ships of war to the Gulf of Volo. We are assured that Rifaat Pasha at this moment appeals to the powers who constituted the kingdom of Greece to adjudicate between the new kingdom and the Ottoman empire. But the judges are not of better account than the parties. Russia is of opinion that Thessaly ought to be added to Greece, and Lord Aberdeen was of the same opinion ten years since, but Lord Palmerston's inheritance imposes other duties on the present Minister of Foreign Affairs, and he will no doubt declare in favour of Turkey. France remains, from whom no act of energy can be expected. Whilst the Porte is consuming the small force she possessed in order to prepare for this impossible war, reaction follows its course at Constantinople. The old Kosrew Pasha, the living incarnation of the ancient

régime, and the personal adversary of all reform, is recalled. The hatti scheriff of Gulhane is going to pieces. A firm, intelligent, and honourable administration could only regenerate Turkey; but if the Turks recommence the trade of war and pillage, Turkey is lost. After having protected it, it must be divided." The Constitutionnel publishes accounts from Constantinople of the 13th ult., brought by the Veloce steamer, in which M. de Pontois, the French ambassador, returned to France. On the 12th M. de Buthenval was presented to the Minister of Foreign Affairs by M. de Pontois, as Chargé d'Affaires of France until the arrival of M. de Bourqueney. There was no change in the political situation of Turkey since our last. Military preparations on an extensive scale, but of which the object was a mystery, were still in progress. It was believed by some that they were intended against Greece, but it was not generally supposed that the Porte would be so mad as to declare war against that power in the face of the three protecting powers. Kosrew Pasha arrived on the 9th at his country seat on the Bosphorus. Nafiz Pasha has been recalled from exile, in order, it was said, to be again invested with the financial department, so that it was highly probable that the old system would be resumed. The affairs of Syria seriously occupied the Porte. A council was held on the 10th, for the purpose of devising some means of pacifying that country. It was, it seems, determined to send thither a commission to try and effect a reconciliation between the contending parties.

NORTHAMPTON REFORM FESTIVAL.The reformers of this town and neighbourhood dined together, in the large assemblyroom of the Peacock Hotel in celebration of the signal triumphs achieved over the enemies of liberty and free trade, at the recent parliamentary and municipal elections for the borough of Northampton. The chair was filled on the occasion by the Right Hon. R. V. Smith, M.P.; and Alderman Sharpe and Williams performed the office of croupiers. Nearly 200 gentlemen sat down to dinner. Many excellent speeches were delivered, and the increased activity of the liberals in this neighbourhood, was clearly shown from the improved state of the registry and the recent signal defeat of the tories in the registration courts.

CUBA. The notice of the acquisition of Cuba by the English, which was mentioned the other day, seems by the American papers to be pretty generally diffused over the union. Several of the journals speak of an interference of England in the affairs of that island as portending some decisive movement. Hence the state of feeling in Cuba has been closely watched, to observe if there is any

sign from which a willingness to exchange a Spanish for an English ruler might be inferred.

ANECDOTE OF SULTAN MAHMOUD.-His highness was some years ago going in state to a mosque, and had proceeded as far as the tomb of his father, Abdul Hamid Khan, at Baktchi Kapsi, when an old mussulman, of mild but serious aspect, suddenly seized his stirrup, and said, It is the will of God; I have a suit against you-accompany me to the Mekhemme" (hall of justice). The sultan, without evincing the least surprise, replied, "It is well-I will go, but it will be by deputy." Then turning to the Stamboul Effendessi (mayor) he added, “I constitute you my representative-let two gentlemen go with you to certify your identity, and do you see that justice takes its course.' The man quitted his hold of the stirrup, the procession moved on, and the others went straight to the Mekhemme. It turned out that the plaintiff, having a piece of land which adjoined that of the government of Adalia, the governor had, on some pretext or other, taken possession of it twenty-seven years before, notwithstanding that the owner held the titledeeds. These documents were now produced, examined, and found to be in order, and the sultan was condemned not only to restore the property, but to pay the proprietor the rent of it for twenty-seven years. All was done without a remark, and the man in a few days set out for Adalia. Previous to leaving the capital, however, Mahmoud sent for him, complimented him on his spirited determination, and loaded him with presents. He then dismissed his fortunate subject with words to this effect: "Return home, and should any man wrong you, if the authorities fail to do you justice, recollect I am here."

CONSTANTINOPLE.-The letters that have just arrived from Constantinople contain the startling proposition made to the sultan for extending the territory of Greece, so as to embrace Thessaly-a proposition fraught with danger to the stability and independence of the Turkish empire. It requires no great strength of sagacity to fix upon the authors of this notable scheme for reviving fresh dissension among the great powers of Europe. France seems determined to embroil England in a war, and it only requires the return of a Thiers to power, of which there is a very fair prospect, to carry out her views in this respect. But although the letters which have arrived enter into details with some minuteness, there is yet a disposition to question the truth of the statement, that Russia has already fallen in to the views of France, and has agreed to this partial dismemberment of the Ottoman power. It is scarcely to be credited that Russia would so soon venture to break her friendly relations with Great Britain,

with the evidence of the unfriendly feelings manifested towards the great powers of Europe by France at the signing of the treaty of July. What adds to the improbability of Russian acquiescence in the scheme is, that no mention whatever is made of Austria and Prussia, both of which powers are equally interested in maintaining the independence of Turkey on its present footing. The question of peace or war with England will soon be raised

The Commerce publishes a letter from Toulon of the 2d ult., mentioning that considerable activity was observable in the naval arsenal since the receipt of the last intelligence from Greece and Syria, and that the maritime prefect had been ordered to fit out, with all possible speed, a squadron of five ships of the line, which were intended for the Levant. The prefect had made choice for his purpose of the Friedland, 120 gun ship, the Gomappes, 100, the Hercule, 100, the Ville de Marseilles, 80, and the Genereux, 80. These ships were accordingly taking in six months' provisions, and were to sail on the 7th or 8th ult. This squadron was to be commanded by rear-admiral Lasusse.

According to the Courrier Francais, rearadmiral Lasusse has been instructed to place himself at the entrance of the Dardanelles, and prevent the Turkish fleet either from sailing out of the channel or from attacking Greece or Tunis. "But," adds that journal, "the English will soon have twelve ships at Tenedos, and if it pleased them to allow the Turks to proceed on their expedition, their dignity will again be compromised, for we must yield and be satisfied with protesting, if the minister feels courage enough to do so, which is very doubtful."

THE ARMOURIES IN FRANCE.-" On the 1st of January, 1840," says the Temps, "the quantity of fire-arms in good condition at the disposal of the French Government was 2,940,150-viz., 2,603,801 muskets, of which 230,464 were in the hands of the regular troops, 831,554 in those of the national guards, and 1,541,783 in magazine. Since 1840 a great number of national guards have been disarmed, and the latter number must therefore be much increased. There were also 152,025 musketoons, of which 49,323 were in the hands of the regular troops, 24,076 in those of the national guards, and 78,622 in magazine; and 184,336 pistols, 56,019 of which were in the hands of the regular troops, 7,156 in those of the national guards, and 113,191 in magazine. To refit all these arms on the percussion principle would cost 14,700,940f., but as it is only necessary at present to alter those carried by the regular army, a credit of 3,600,000f. was opened by a law of the 6th of May for applying the percussion principle to 700,000