cultural classes has built up a middle order of society, unknown in the feudal ages, possessed of the means of pursuing whatever calling inclination may suggest, the original object of the col leges, viz. as indispensable nurseries for literary and clerical men, has become, if not subordinate, at least only collaterally important. There would now be learned men enough and clergymen enough, without so many or so rich fellowships and scholarships; and as England is the only country in the world, where such establishments exist in any considerable degree, so without them England would be able, as well as other countries, to provide for the interests of literature and the church.

There is no doubt but that, in many single cases, the patronage afforded by these establishments is, in the highest degree, seasonable in its application, and happy in its effects. But that the whole system, as existing in all its parts, is valuable in proportion to the costliness of the apparatus, we cannot fully persuade ourselves. A boy makes interest to be put on the foundation at one of the great schools, at Eton, Westminster, Winchester, Merchant tailors'; or he is put on such a foundation, because he was born in a certain parish, county, or diocese. Once a scholar there, he usually becomes a scholar at some college. He then becomes fellow, and at last succeeds to the first living in the gift of his college, that falls in, which happens on an average at the age of forty or forty-five. The moral effect of this system on the hearts and characters of the aspirants is feelingly and eloquently described, by the ingenious author of Espriella's letters. The literary effect of the whole system is, that from boyhood the individual secures a provision for life. It may be that he shall all along deserve such provision, and turn it to the account of religion and letters. But in no step of the progress does he enjoy the patronage because he

deserves it, but because he had the good fortune to get into the circle which is moving round, and will bring him his turn in due time. Now we do really think that this must of itself encourage indolence, and bring on an indifference to personal reputation. But the evil goes farther, for so many places in the church, as are thus appended to the fellowships, are so many rewards of exertion and merit removed from the market, so that a less worthy candidate may be promoted, and a more worthy one neglected. Besides this patronage in the church, thus forestalled, the fellowships themselves present a vast amount of patronage, which might be turned to greater account, by having greater respect to merit in its distribution.

If it be said that the Fellows earn their support, by the services they personally render to learning and religion, we are not disposed to deny that they do all that can be expected of men in their place, free from the spur of necessity, not wrought upon by emulation, under the lethargic air which has infested all establishments from the beginning. As instructors of the universities they serve the public; but a portion only of them are wanted in this way: and the circumstance that the fellowship is but a temporary provision, and that as soon as a few years' experience have well qualified an individual as an instructor, he is likely to be called away to a living, makes the fellowships of less use, even in this respect, than might be expected. While at the present day, and in England, learning is really so much honoured, and employed, and so well paid, it cannot be thought that its interests would suffer, were these appropriations for the support of an order of learned men in a state of celibacy (for that is the universal condition of fellowship) thrown into the commou stock, to find their way into the hands of the industrious and the deserving.

The bog of Kilmaleady, from whence the eruption broke out, situated about two miles to the north of the village of Clara, in King's County, is of considerable extent; it may probably contain about 590 acres; in many parts it is 40 feet in depth; and it is considered to be the wettest bog in the county. It is bounded on all sides, except the south, by steep ridges of high land, which are composed at the top, of limestone gravel, and beneath of cavernous limestone-rock, containing subterraneous streams; but the southern face of the bog is open to a moory valley, about a quarter of a mile in breadth, which for nearly half a mile in length, takes a southern direction in the lands of Lisanisky, and then turns at right angles to the west, and continues gradually widening for upwards of two miles. Throughout the centre of this valley flows a stream about twelve feet in breadth, which serves as a discharge for the waters from the bog and surrounding country, and finally joins the river Brusna, above the bridge of Ballycumber.

The bog of Kilmaleady, like all other deep and wet bogs, is composed, for the first eight or ten feet from the surface downward, of a reddish brown spongy mass, formed of the still undecomposed fibres of the bog moss (sphagnum palustre) which by capillary attraction absorbs water in great quantity. Beneath this fibrous mass, the bog gradually becomes pulpy, till, at length, towards the bottom, it assumes the appearance, and, when examined, the consistence of a black mud, rather heavier than water.

The surface of the bog of Kilmaleady, was elevated upwards of 20 feet above the level of the valley, from which it rose at a steep angle; and its external face, owing to the uncommon dryness of the season, being much firmer than usual, the inhabitants of the vicinity were enabled to sink their turf holes, and cut turf at a depth of at least ten feet beneath the surface of the valley, and in fact, until they reached the blue clay which forms the substratum of the bog. Thus the faces of many of the turf banks reached the unusual height of 30 feet perpendicular; when at length, on the 19th day of June, the lower pulpy and muddy part of the bog, which possesses little cohesion, being unable to resist the great pressure of water from behind, gave way, and being once set in motion, floated the upper

part of the bog, and continued to move with astonishing velocity along the valley to the southward, forcing before it not only the clumps of turf on the edge of the bog, but even patches of the moory meadows, to the depth of several feet, the grassy surface of which heaved and turned over almost like the waves of the ocean; so that in a very short space of time the whole valley, for the breadth of almost a quarter of a mile between the bog-edge and the base of the hill of Lisanisky, was covered with bog to a depth of from eight to ten feet, and appeared every where studded with green patches of moory meadow.

The hill of Lisanisky retarded the progress of the bog for some time; but at length it began to flow at right angles to its first course along the valley, where it turned to the west, and continued with unabated rapidity until it reached the bog road of Kilbride, (which runs directly across the valley, and is elevated five or six feet above it,) and choked up the bridge through which the waters of the stream pass. This barrier retarded the progress of the bog for five days: at the end of that time, the accumulation was such from the still moving bog and the waters of the stream, that it flowed over the road, and covered the valley to the south of it for about half a mile, flowing with varied velocity, till it was again stopped for a few hours (as I understand) by a second road across the valley leading from Clara to Woodfield: having also overcome this obstacle, it proceeded slowly westward, and if its progress had not been checked by the very judicious means that have been employed, the whole extent of the valuable meadows, which compose the valley where it expands to the westward, must long since have been covered. But when the flowing bog had passed over the road of Kilbride, and the consternation in the country became general, at the desire of the lords justices, Mr. Gregory employed Mr. Killaly, engineer of the directors general of inland navigation, to carry into execution any works that could be devised to arrest the progress of the bog. Mr. Killaly at once perceived that the only feasible remedy was to draw off the water that had accumulated; and to accomplish this end he employed a number of labourers to open the course of the stream where it was choaked up, and also the drains

through

through the valley that could be directed into the stream. By this means the head of the water was soon lowered, and in consequence the bog ceased to flow, and all the loose masses which floated on the river, were broken to pieces by labourers placed at intervals throughout its course.

Such was the situation of affairs on my arrival at the bog early on Saturday morning. During the course of the day, I exerted myself to carry into execution the well advised plans which had previously been commenced by Mr. Killaly. Towards evening, the floating masses which came down the river be gan to lessen considerably both in size and number; and finding every thing proceeded with regularity and certainty, I thought it useless to remain longer.

At present I entertain no apprehension of further devastation from the bog, except in the event of a very great fall of rain during the present week. Slight rains would be of service to increase the current of water, and facilitate the removal of a considerable deposit of heavy, black bog mud, which at present fills the bottom of the stream. The general current, has, however, been much increased by the breaking down of the weirs on the river Brusna, below the junction of the bog river.

I shall now describe the present appearance and state of the bog and moory valley.

In the centre of the bog, for the space of about a mile and a half in length, and a quarter of a mile in breadth, a valley has been formed, sloping at the bottom from the original surface of the bog, to the depth of 20 feet, where the eruption first took place. In this valley or gulf there are numberless concentric cuts or fissures, filled with water nearly to the top.

The valley between the edge of the bog and the road of Kilbride, for the length of half a mile, and an extent of between 60 and 80 acres, may be considered as totally destroyed. It is covered by tolerably firm bog, from six to ten feet in depth, consisting at the surface, of numberless green islands, composed of detached parts of the moory meadows, and of small rounded patches of the original heathy surface of the bog, varying from two to ten feet above its former course, so as to flow over the road.

Beyond the road to Kilbride the bog

has flowed for one mile westward, and covered from 50 to 70 acres; in this part the heathy patches of bog gradually lessen in quantity; the green islands disappear, and nothing is observed but a thin deposit, consisting of granulated black bog-mud, varying from one to three feet in thickness. This, though destructive for the present year, may when dry be burnt, and removed for manure to the neighbouring uplands, or left on the spot to fertilize the valley.

Thus the whole distance which the bog has flowed is about three miles in length, namely, one mile and a half in the bog, and the same distance over the moory valley: and the extent covered amounts to about 150 acres.

BAPTIST MISSION.

The following concise view of the translations of the Holy Scriptures, is extracted from the Seventh Memoir, dated Serampore, Dec. 1820.

1. In Bengalee, the fifth edition of the New Testament, containing 5000 copies, which was printed off about three years ago, is nearly exhausted, and of the different parts of the Old, scarcely a single copy has been left for some time past. The continual demand for this version, therefore, has rendered it necessary to print a new edition of the whole Scriptures. This edition, which will form the sixth edition of the New Testament, and the third of the Psalms, and some other parts of the Old Testament, will consist of 4000 copies, and of the New Testament 2000 extra, the demand being so very great. By using a new fount of types, of a reduced size, and printing in double columns, on a large octavo page, the brethren hope to bring the whole five volumes into one volume of about 1300 pages, royal octavo, or two very moderate volumes, and the New Testament into a neat duodecimo of about 400 pages.

2. In the Sungskrit, the last volume of the Old Testament was printed off about two years ago. The first edition of the New Testament is quite exhausted, and the numerous calls for the Scriptures in this language, by the literati of India, have induced the brethren to put to press a second edition of the whole Scriptures. This will likewise be printed in double columns in the large octavo size, and the whole Scriptures be comprised in one volume. It

will consist of 2000 copies, with an extra number of 2000 New Testaments.

3. In the Hindee, also, the last volume of the Old Testament was published nearly two years ago. The edition of the New Testament being nearly exhausted, and Mr. Chamberlain having prepared another version of the New Testament in this language, for which his long residence in the western provinces of India, and his intimate acquaintance with their popular dialects, eminently fit him, the brethren have resolved in this edition to print his version of the New Testament instead of their own, as a comparison of independent versions, made by persons long and intimately acquainted with the language, will be of the utmost value in ultimately forming a correct, chaste, and perspicuous version in this widely extended language. Of this edition of the New Testament, which is more than half through the press, they are printing 2000 copies.

4. In the Orissa language the whole Scriptures have been long published. The first edition of the New Testament being exhausted, and the demand for this version still increasing, the brethren have prepared a second edition, which is now more than half through the press. It consists of 4000 copies.

5. The last volume of the Old Testament in the Mahratta language was published many months ago, so that a version of the whole Scriptures in that language is now completed. Of the first edition of the New Testament, not a single copy being left, they have put to press a second edition, in a duodecimo size.

In these five languages the whole of the Scriptures are now published and in circulation: in the last four of them second editions of the New Testament are in the press, and in the first, the Bengalee, begun 26 years ago, the sixth edition of the New Testament. In the following teu languages the New Testament is published, or nearly so; and in some of them the Pentateuch, and other parts of the Old Testament.

1. In the Chinese language the translation of the Old Testament was completed several years ago. In addition to the New Testament, the Pentateuch, the Hagiographa, and the Prophetic Books are now printed off. The Historical books, which will complete the whole Scriptures, are in the press, and

will probably be published before the end of the ensuing year.

2. In the Shikh language, besides the New Testament, the Pentateuch, and the Historical Books are printed off; and the Hagiographa is advanced as far as the middle of the book of Job. So strong, however, has been the desire of this nation for the New Testament, that the whole edition is nearly distributed, and a second edition will probably be called for before the Old Testament is wholly published. Excepting the Mugs on the borders of Arracan, no one of the nations of India have discovered a stronger desire for the Scriptures than this hardy race; and the distribution of almost every copy has been accompanied with the pleasing hope of its being read and valued.

3. In the Pushtoo or Affghan language, the nation supposed by some to be descended from the ten tribes, the New Testament has been printed off. The Pentateuch is also advanced at press as far as the book of Leviticus.

4. In the Telinga or Teloogoo language, the New Testament was published two years ago, and the Pentateuch is printed as far as the book of Leviticus. This translation, however, when the Pentateuch is finished, the brethren intend to resign to the Madras Auxiliary Bible Society.

4. In the Kunkuna language, the New Testament was completed above 18 months ago; and the Pentateuch is advanced at press as far as the book of Numbers. As this province comes immediately under the care of the Bombay Bible Society, it is intended, on the completion of the Pentateuch at press, to relinquish this translation to them.

6. In the Wuch, or Mooltanee language, the New Testament has been printed off these 18 months, in its own character. But, as the opportunities for distributing this version have been exceedingly limited, and they have little prospect of establishing a mission in that province, they have dismissed the pundit, and discontinued the translation, till these circumstances, with those of a pecuniary nature, shall be more favourable.

7. In the Assam language, also, the New Testament has been printed off nearly two years, and the vicinity of this country to Bengal, rendering it highly desirable to proceed with the translation, an edition of the Old Tes

tament

tament has been put to press, in the large octavo size, in double columns, which will very cousiderably lessen the expence, the character being similar to the Bengalee, both in form and size.

8. In the Gujuratee language, the New Testament is now happily brought through the press, 13 years after retaining the first pundit in this language. It makes between 8 and 900 pages, and is printed in the Deva Naguree character. This translation the brethren intend to resign to their brethren from the London Missionary Society, who are now studying the language, that they may give their attention more fully to those in which no others are engaged.

9. In the Bikaneer language, also, the New Testament is now finished at press. It contains 800 pages, and is printed in the Naguree character. This version was begun nearly seven years ago.

10. To these we may add the New Testament in the Kashmeer language, which version has been in hand nearly eight years, and will be finished at press in about a month. It is printed in a neat type of its own, as mentioned in a former memoir. In these ten languages the New Testament may be considered as being published.

Besides these fifteen, in which the New Testament is completed, there are six other languages in which it is brought more than half through the press. These are the Kurnata, the Nepal, the Harutee, the Marwar, the Bhughulkund, and the Oojein versions. About ten months more, they have reason to hope, will bring these through

the press; and thus in twenty-one of the languages of India, and these by far the most extensive and important, the New Testament will be published. It is the intention of the brethren to relinquish the first of these, the Kurnata, to the Madras Bible Society, on the New Testament being completed, that they may be better able to attend to the remaining languages, in which no version is begun by any one besides.

The remaining versions now in hand are the following ten, which are all in the press.

The Jumboo, Kanouj, and Khassee, printed as far as John; the Khoshul, Bhutunger, Dogura, and Magudha, to Mark; and the Kumaoon, Gudwal, and Munipoora, to Matthew.

In these ten versions, therefore, a sufficient progress is made to render the completion of them in no way difficult.

In comparing this memoir with the last, it will be seen that in several of the languages mentioned therein the translation has been discontinued. To this the brethren have been constrained, by the low state of the translation fund, arising principally from the heavy expences occasioned by new editions of the Sungskrit, the Bengalee, the Hindee and the Orissa Scriptures, now in the press. In discontinuing these, however, they have been guided by a due consideration of the importance and distinctness of the different languages in which they are engaged, as well as the ease with which pundits could be procured, should the public enable them to resume them again.

mosphere, by which means the expence of fuel will not only be very much lessened, but he is enabled to construct engines which will take up much less room than steam-engines in their usual form, be considerably lighter also, and which may be worked in some situations where the common steam-engine cannot for want of a necessary supply of water. And when engines are constructed, with some parts of his said improvements, and wrought by steam, the power will be delivered more uniformly, which admits of the fly-wheel being made lighter than with the usual

way