in the proceedings which I had witnessed elsewhere; and very few, besides official persons, attended the convention. Nor did there appear among the clergy that hearty fraternal spirit which characterizes our ministry in the west, and which in Ohio renders a convention an occasion of real and high enjoyment. I afterwards learned that unhappy differences of opinion had crippled the energies of the diocese of Massachusetts, and had materially checked the increase and proper influence of the Church. At the period to which I refer, namely, the year 1833, there were thirty-five episcopal parishes in the diocese, of which nine were vacant. The entire number of communicants little exceeded 1900, the worshippers being probably about 10,000. This is not a sixtieth part of the population, which, in 1830, amounted to 610,408.

The convention having closed, we proceeded, by stage, twenty-three miles to Andover. The country along the road is generally highly cultivated, although the soil is greatly inferior to that of Ohio. We passed many agreeable villages, all of which gave indubitable signs of the comfort and refinement of the people, although numerous small places of worship, standing in the immediate vicinity of each other, were a melancholy index of the prevalence of religious dissension. Our ride was per

formed in about four hours, and early in the afternoon we were comfortably established in the "Mansion House," having completed a journey from Portsmouth of 1290 miles.

CHAPTER VIII.

NEW ENGLAND.

General description.-Religious divisions.-Unitarianism.-Harvard University.—Andover Seminary.—Episcopacy in New England. Clerical Associations.-Visit to Bishop Griswold. His residence.-Description of Salem.-Marblehead.—Episcopal Parish near Andover.-Visit to Vermont.-Sleighriding.-Snow in New Hampshire.-Shakers at Lebanon.Bethel in Vermont.— Episcopal Church. ~ Its Rector.— Return to Massachusetts.

NEW ENGLAND is the general name applied to the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. It contains a population of little more than two millions, who are justly distinguished above all other Americans, for industry, intelligence, morality, and enterprise. The face of the country is greatly diversified; and the inland portions contain mountains exceeding 6000 feet in elevation. The soil is

the want of an evangelical liturgy. Universalism, which consists in the denial of future or eternal punishment for the wicked, is a favourite doctrine in New England; and great numbers of the thoughtless and irreligious profess their adherence to this demoralizing delusion. Open infidels also exist, and put forth strenuous exertions to destroy religion altogether. Yet throughout New England generally, as in the rest of the United States, the weight of public sentiment among those professing any faith greatly inclines towards orthodoxy and practical piety.

The principal literary institution in Massachusetts is Harvard University at Cambridge, a venerable foundation possessed of considerable endowments and a valuable library of about fifty thousand volumes. The entire establishment has passed from the hands of the orthodox Congregationalists into those of the Unitarians, and is greatly instrumental in diffusing the tenets of the latter. The orthodox Congregationalists have accordingly seen the necessity of educating elsewhere the young men designed for their ministry, and the seminary at Andover is the result of their combined exertions. It was established in 1807, and is supported by private benefactions. One gentleman now living has contributed at different times 200,000 dollars (45,0007.) towards the institution. The endowments already

amount to more than a million of dollars (225,0007.), and the library contains about 12,000 choice volumes, chiefly imported from Germany. There are five professors, each of whom is supplied with a commodious dwelling, and a salary of from 1200 to 1500 dollars (270l. to 3377.) The number of students is about 120, who have generally completed their academic studies at some college before entering the Theological Seminary. Besides these, several hundred boys pursue their studies at Andover in a classical school, and in Phillips's Academy, both of which institutions are under the same trustees with the seminary. The course of study in the Theological Institution occupies three years, a knowledge of Hebrew and other languages being necessary to admission. The qualifications of the teachers are undisputed, and the name of professor Stuart is almost as familiar to the divines of England as to those of America. No Episcopal institution of the same kind in the United States has yet attained the eminence of Andover.

Andover is one of the pretty villages for which New England is distinguished. It stands upon a hill about sixteen miles from the sea-coast, and is a cool and delightful situation in the warm season, although greatly exposed to piercing east winds in winter. From the seminary, which occupies the highest elevation, there is an extensive prospect of