We shall not, on the present occasion, go into the general subject. This main fact is clearly established by the parliamentary evidence; that, as regards the conduct of the negroes, the working of the Abolition Act has more than justified the hopes and expectations of the abolitionists. To contend, a few years ago, that the negroes would work for wages, was deemed fanaticism and absurdity. What do facts say?

In the papers before the House, we have a table, furnished by Lord Sligo, which gives the following results, in answer to enquiries set on foot by that noble lord. On 15 estates, the apprentices had refused to work for wages; on 93, wages had neither been offered nor refused; on 303, the apprentices were working for hire.

In his lordship's despatch of 27 March, 1835, to the Earl of Aberdeen, he says, "The apprentices, generally speaking, are working very industriously. In many instances, where they are paid by the quantity of sugar made, they are in the habit of keeping up the boilinghouse work for the whole first five days of the week uninterruptedly, though their bargain with their masters may have been to work only for eighteen hours per day.

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Nearly double the quantity of sugar has been made per hour this year, more than what was made during slavery."

In his lordship's summary, dated the 21st June, 1835, he states, that the apprentices generally "work cheerfully for money hire, both night and day.'

With regard to the general good behaviour of the apprentices, Mr. Buxton, after referring to the returns from Jamaica, which exhibit the proportion of crime on the part of the apprentices as about 1 in 3,802,-read the following brief extracts from the despatches of the governors of the respective colonies to the Home Government.

Tobago." I am induced to believe that the Island of Tobago will be found second to none, in point of good conduct on the part of the apprentices."

Trinidad "realizes the most sanguine hopes of the promoters of the important change."

St. Lucia.-"Tranquil and orderly conduct of the apprenticed labourers."

Honduras.- -" Never behaved better, or so well before."
Tortola." Orderly and peaceable."

"Dominica." Continued quiet."

'St. Vincent.-" No insubordination."

'Montserrat.- "Perfect state of tranquillity."

St. Christopher." Very quiet." "Work well."

Bahamas." Tranquillity prevails throughout these islands.” "Nevis. Tranquillity and good order."

Why should the costly blunder of the Apprenticeship scheme be persisted in?

NOTICES.

Art. XI. Bread of the First Fruits; 2 Kings iv. 22, or Short Meditations on Select Passages of Scripture for every Day in the Year. With a Preface by the Author of "The Week.'

iv. 366. London, 1836.

12mo. PP.

THE Meditations of which this volume is composed, were actually the daily ministrations of an affectionate husband to his beloved 'partner, having been daily laid by him on her dressing-table as a 'morning first fruit of the Spirit. This circumstance will probably impart an interest to the volume in the eyes of many of our readers, and at the same time prepare them for the familiar and inartificial character of these pious effusions. We subjoin a specimen : 'July 2.-Anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.-Matt. vi. 17, 18.

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From this we learn the duty of maintaining a cheerful appearance before men, even under pressing circumstances. When we are fasting inwardly under the feeling, perhaps of our infirmities, or the frowns of the world, still we are to put the best appearance on the matter, to seem cheerful whatever we may feel, because it is for the glory of God, and not less a duty than any other. But it is a duty in which most Christians fail. Not only do they not look cheerful when they have any cause of oppression, but often for no reason at all, that they give way to despondency, and sometimes even affect to be cast down when they really are not. But they have their reward. They get the compassion of men perhaps, or perhaps not. From God they receive no commendation. He charges us to be of good cheer, or even when we feel otherwise, rather to affect their cheerfulness than despondency; to wash our face, and anoint our head, that we appear not unto men to fast or be despondent, but rather to speak out our sorrows to God, and to express our thankfulness before men. God looks at the soul. He regards not the outward appearance, and in every station, he that serveth him in sincerity of heart is accepted of him. p. 184.

Art. XII. The Christian's Daily Treasury: containing a Religious Exercise for every day in the Year. By Ebenezer Temple. 12mo, pp. 496. London, 1835.

WE can cordially recommend this unpretending volume, as an aid ' to reflection' in the closet; and we think that it will be found useful too, agreeably to the Author's hope, to lay preachers and the visiters of the sick, as each exercise' may serve as the ground-work and outline of a short sermon or address. If, in some instances, the reflections answer rather too closely to the term skeleton, the bones are not marrowless: being based upon Scripture, and strictly of an ex

pository character, the remarks are uniformly such as will yield "spirit and life" to a serious reader. We shall give two specimens which will shew the average length and general style of the 'exercises.'

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May 9. CONTinual DependENCE ON GOD.

"Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold I will rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day."-Exodus xvi. 4.

The things that occurred in the history of the Israelites, were designed for our instruction and improvement. From this miraculous provision made by the Almighty for them, let us make three observations.

In trying circumstances we should trust in God. As soon as the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea, and escaped Pharaoh and his hosts, who were drowned, and while the last notes of the triumphant song of Moses, celebrated on that occasion, had scarcely died away on their ears, they murmured-how much better would it have been if they had prayed. But have we not been thus guilty? Though we have been the recipients of numerous bounties, have we not said in a murmuring tone, "Can God furnish a table in the wilderness? How well he address us, O ye of little faith." Where we cannot lay up in store, we must be content with daily supplies. The camps of the Israelites were cleared of the manna in the evening, not a crumb was to be left, and they were to lie down at night, reposing on the providential care of God-thus they were taught a lesson of continual dependence-Have we learnt this, and do we feel it when we pray, "Give us this day our daily bread?

may

The gifts of Providence do not supercede human exertions. The manna fell from heaven, but not into their tents or into their mouths ―there was room for their diligence and industry in gathering it. Naaman was commanded to go and wash in Jordan before he could be healed. Peter's draught of fishes, must be dragged to shore-Saul of Tarsus must go to Ananius to be taught. If in miracles room was left for exertion, how much more under ordinary circumstances in life.' p. 144.

'Sep. 1. THE INSTRUMENT OF REGENERATION.

❝ Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth.”—James i. 18.

These words present before us three things concerning the believer's regeneration. The fact of it, they are begotten; the source of it," of his own will begat he us; "this excludes human merit, and ascribes our salvation to free and sovereign grace. The instrument employed is "the word of truth." This is one of the designations given to the gospel. Let us consider

The instrument itself. There are many properties belonging to it. It is not a natural instrument. It does not operate by any natural efficacy, as food nourishes, as the sun shines, or as the wind blows; if it were thus natural, it could not be of grace; and it could never be

employed without its designed effect being produced, as the sun wherever it shines, imparts light, and sheds its genial influence on those who are beneath its rays. It is an affecting truth, that though many see the glass of the gospel, few behold the glory of God in it. If it were a natural instrument, it would have the same effect on the soul at one time as another, but it is a moral instrument, and operates not of itself, but only as it is acted upon.

It is an appointed instrument. The Almighty ordinarily makes use of it for the accomplishment of the purposes of his grace, see Romans x. 14-17. The waters of the sanctuary run through the channel of the gospel. Here in the word of truth God has fixed his power, that is, here he will exert it, for "it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth."

'It is a necessary instrument. How requisite is it that there should be some revelation made from the great Author of our existence, to the creatures whom he has made; for none can see that which is not visible, nor hear that which hath no sound, nor know that which hath not been declared. Destitute of divine revelation, what can we know of the character, perfections, and government of God, and of the important duties and final destinies of mankind?

It is but an instrument. The power and efficacy are from God. The word exhibits Christ, the Spirit enables us to receive him; the word shows us his excellence, the Spirit leads us to admire it; the word declares the promises, the Spirit helps us to plead them; the word makes known to us the way, the Spirit enables us to walk in it; the word is the seed of the Spirit, the Spirit is the quickener of the word.

The mode of its operation.

'It works on the mind by enlightening it. There can be no love in the heart, where there is no light in the mind. The word of truth is the book out of which we are taught, the Spirit of truth is the teacher who instructs us.

'It operates on the conscience by convincing it. It discovers to us the evil of sin, the depravity of our hearts, and the suitableness of Christ. It shows us the rocks, shelves, and quicksands, which endanger the ocean of life, and is a compass to steer us to the haven of

rest.

It acts on the soul by converting it. We are said to be sanctified through the truth; born again of the incorruptible seed of the word; it is a hammer that breaks the rocky heart, a sword that pierces the inmost soul, a light that penetrates the darkest mind. May all these important ends be answered in our experience.' pp. 316, 317.

Art. XIII.—1. The little Scholar learning to Talk. A Picture Book for Rollo. By his Father. 18mo. London, 1836.

2. The Nursery Book. 24mo. 1836.

MR. ABBOTT has been long known to the public by his judicious ef forts to assist the youthful mind in the path of knowledge, and he

has here given a helping hand to the little learner in his first steps on the same road. The volume is intended to be read by the parents to their children, while the pictures are exhibited to their admiring eyes. We could wish, however, that the embellishments were a little better executed, as, in this age of improvement, even children learn to look with critical eyes upon the somewhat mysterious hieroglyphics which delighted the infant eyes of the last generation.

The lessons in the Nursery Book, which is the production of two Masters of infant schools, do not seem so amusing; but they are instructive and the embellishments are perfect in their way,-giving as faithful representations of coats, hats, ploughs, and other common objects, as pencil and paper can well produce,

The object of both these little volumes is the same:-to assist in supplanting the old system of coercing the youthful mind', and in substituting one, under which one of the chief punishments is the refusing to hear the lesson. We think, therefore, that we may recommend them to the perusal of our little friends, and to the patronage of their parents and teachers.

Art. XIV. The Ominous Isle. Founded on Fact. By the Portland Shepherd. 12mo. pp. 95. Price 2s. 6d. London, 1836. If the Portland Shepherd has, as it is intimated on the title-page, 'for a pen exchanged his crook,' and 'sold his lambs to print his book,' we are very sorry for him. Fate' has never marked him as a poet; and the sooner he abjures the pen, and resumes his pastoral staff, the better. Those persons are not his true friends who would encourage him in efforts which can lead to no successful result.

Art. XV.-CORRESPONDENCE.

GERMAN UNIVERSITIES-GESENIUS.

'DEAR SIR,

6 TO THE EDITOR.

'Permit me to call your attention to a few clerical errors which occur in the last article of your August Number. Some, being errors in well-known names, may have arisen from inattention or accident; but it is probable that others have been produced through the obscurity of the hasty notes with which I had supplied you. It is to the latter only that I wish to refer, as the others can mislead no one, and you have of course observed them yourself. The name of the esteemed geographer at Berlin is Ritter, not Ritfer; that of the lamented philosopher who died last March at Halle, is Billroth, not Bilbroth; and that of the professor at Erlangen, mentioned as the author of the Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians, is Harless, not Harlep. His work is, I may add, deserving of specific mention, as being, in the opinion of competent judges, one of the very first specimens of the application of philology to the exposition of the New Testament